Author: Boshkezenian Garik

YEREVAN MAYORAL VOTE TESTS ARMENIAN GOV’T

Today’s Zaman
May 28 2009
Turkey

Armenia’s capital Yerevan holds a fiercely contested election for
mayor on Sunday, a key test of government popularity as it struggles
with an economic downturn and rapprochement with neighbouring Turkey.

The opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) is fielding party
leader and former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, in the hope
victory in Yerevan will provide the basis for a national challenge
to the authority of President Serzh Sarksyan.

Ter-Petrosyan, Armenia’s first president after independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991, lost to Sarksyan in presidential elections in
February 2008. Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters cried foul and 10 people
including two policemen died in clashes.

Sarksyan’s Republican Party is backing incumbent mayor Gagik
Beglaryan. Pollsters predict a close race, but say Beglaryan is
favourite to win.

The results of elections are routinely challenged by the losing
side. The winner will take charge of a region comprising 1.1 million
of Armenia’s 3.2 million people. With the stakes so high, there is
a risk of more street protests.

Ter-Petrosyan is running under the slogan: "Let’s change Armenia,
starting with Yerevan".

"On May 31, we will celebrate the first stage of our great victory,"
Grigor Harutiunyan, one of the ANC’s candidates for the Yerevan city
council, told a rally on Wednesday.

Armenia’s leaders say they want to build a European-style democracy
and have won some Western praise. But opponents say the country is
ruled by a clique who refuse to give rivals access to political power
or economic influence.

The opposition is hoping to capitalise on discontent over the state
of the economy, which has nose-dived with the global economic crisis
and the impact of economic and strategic ally Russia sliding into
recession.

GDP in the landlocked country is forecast to contract by 5.8 percent
in 2009 and prices have crept up since the Central Bank floated the
Dram currency in March.

Sarksyan has also come under fire for a roadmap announced in April
to normalise ties with Turkey after a century of hostility over the
World War One killings.

Many Armenians welcomed the deal in the belief Turkey would open
their border, which Ankara closed in 1993 over Armenia’s backing for
ethnic Armenian separatists fighting a war in Azerbaijan’s breakaway
Nagorno-Karabakh region.

But Turkish leaders have since said the frontier will remain shut
until Armenia makes concessions on Nagorno-Karabakh. The opposition
charges that Sarksyan was out-manoeuvred.

Just over 770,000 people are eligible to vote. Official results are
expected on Monday.

ILLEGAL IMPORT OF 100 BANKING CARDS TO ARMENIA PREVENTED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.05.2009 19:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Illegal import of 100 banking cards to Armenia was
prevented in Zvartnots international airport in Yerevan by agents
of Smuggling Prevention and Customs Control Administration at State
Income Committee.

Banking cards, smuggled into Armenia were addressed to 20year-old
Yerevan resident Lusine Shakhazizyan. To avoid customs control,
cards were attached to magazine papers.

After operative data was sent in, banking cards were discovered during
customs examination of a package sent from USA and confiscated.

FORMER ROA PM BAGRATYAN – ARMENIAN ECONOMY TO FALL 6.5-12%
Sona Avagyan

/
2009/05/26 | 15:35

Economy

Former RoA Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan stated that Armenia’s economy
would witness a drop of at least 6.5 – 12%. He made the prediction
at a press conference held earlier today.

"The crisis has entered the 3rd stage which will bring about serious
budgetary and banking problems. The crisis exposed that incorrect type
of development that Armenia has seen in the past ten years. There is
no manufacturing and risks aren’t diversified in the economy. While
the country doesn’t have a heavy debt burden, nevertheless, I think
that here the crisis will enter a 4th stage," said Mr. Bagratyan,
adding that the government is assisting those sectors that brought
on the problem and not those sectors where a problem doesn’t exist.

The former prime minister criticized the anti-crisis measures enacted
by the government and pointed to the assistance given the mining
sector as an example.

He said that he wasn’t sure where the government’s $10 million wound
up in the mining sector. "If they gave it to the Kajaran mining
concern, you know that Kajaran has serious issues because it was a
‘false sale’. We have serious suspicions that Robert Kocharyan, the
former Armenian president is somehow involved in Kajaran. Kajaran
produces 80% of Armenia’s copper and molybdenum. It was sold in
2004 and was the first time our national resources were sold for
nothing in return. It operated for 2-3 years and made some $130
million. Now it has difficulties selling its product. Why are we
assisting it? Are we merely assisting an individual? Who is the real
owner of Kajaran?" noted Mr. Bagratyan.

Mr. Bagratyan is also convinced that Armenia’s currency isn’t on a
floating rate. "According to our information the RoA Central Bank is
still intervening in the exchange market but on a smaller scale. I
predict that come June-July, the dollar will show signs of rising
and the dram will witness a serious drop."

Asked about statements made by the World Bank and IMF that Armenia is
executing a floating rate policy, Mr. Bagratyan responded that the
IMF "doesn’t work on our behalf"; they come here and at most spend
1-2 months.

Regarding the government’s social policies, Mr. Bagratyan stated that
he advised the Armenian government don’t to enter the crisis with a
flat tax system but rather a progressive one. The government didn’t
agree to his plan.

"Today, an individual making $10,000 is paying 20% tax and so is a
person making $200. We were the ones who came up with the flat tax
but if we are elected to office we’ll enact a progressive tax. The
poor won’t be paying 20% but 15%," Mr. Bagratyan said.

RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN-LED DELEGATION ARRIVED IN ASTANA, THE CAPITAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN. SET TO ATTEND A REGULAR SESSION OF CIS COUNCIL OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT

F riday, 22 May 2009

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan-led delegation arrived in Astana,
the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Set to attend a regular
session of CIS Council of Heads of Government, the delegation includes
Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Minister of Culture Hasmik
Poghosyan, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan, Armenian
Ambassador to Belarus Oleg Yesayan, Republic of Armenia Plenipotentiary
Representative in CIS Economic Commission Council on Economic Affairs
Artak Vardanyan, other dignitaries.

In line with the established tradition, the heads of government
delegations were received by President Noursultan Nazarbayev, the
leader of the host State.

During a meeting held at the Palace of Independence in a narrow format,
the prime ministers discussed over a dozen of issues relating to
member-States’ cooperation inclusive of joint anti-crisis action.

The heads of government approved the plan of action on the
implementation of first-stage measures (2009-2011) under the CIS
Economic Development Strategy up to 2020, the joint action plan to
establish a unified accounting system (EAS) of third-country citizens
and persons without citizenship to enter the territory of the CIS
member states, the 2009-2010 action plan for developing a common
educational space and CIS-member States’ cooperation in the field of
education and the draft action plan on adult education development
concept. The meeting has similarly endorsed the priority humanitarian
action plan for the period under review, including the measures to
be carried out in Armenia.

The heads of government signed an intergovernmental agreement
on exchange of information in the field of combating crime in
member-States.

The prime ministers signed the following resolutions: "On giving the
Russian Association of International Automobile Carriers a status of
base organization in the area of follow-up training of international
automobile carriers operating in member-States, "On continued search
for those servicemen reported missing during the 1979-1989 military
operations carried out in Afghanistan, including the search for
burial sites, exhumation, remains identification and repatriation,
"On the procedure to follow in designing and fabricating a uniform
jubilee medal dedicated to the 65th anniversary the victory had in
the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945."

Then, the meeting discussed a number of financial issues, including
the member-States’ outstanding contributions to the single budget
of CIS agencies and the findings of financial and economic activity
audits carried out in 2008.

Finally, an organizational agenda has been discussed. It was=2 0decided
to hold the next meeting of heads of government during this November
in Ukraine.

The meeting was followed by a joint press conference.

After the press conference, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with
his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov.

The parties discussed a bilateral cooperation-related agenda. They
said to be pleased with the recently activated contacts, evidenced
by the third session of the intergovernmental commission on trade and
economic affairs, which was held last May in Yerevan. The interlocutors
concurred in that if implemented successfully, the agreements reached
at said session will foster mutually advantageous cooperation and the
deepening of ties between our two friendly countries. In conclusion,
the parties discussed ways to deal with the global financial and
economic crisis jointly.

Later today the Prime Minister-led government delegation will be back
to Yerevan.

PARLIAMENTARIAN FROM ARF DASHNAKSUTYUN: THE MAIN OBSTACLE FOR INFLOW OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS TO ARMENIA IS NOT THE TRANSPORT BLOCKADE, BUT ECONOMIC POLICY OF THE STATE

ArmInfo
2009-05-25 18:27:00

ArmInfo. The main obstacle for the inflow of foreign investments
to Armenia is not the transport blockade, but economic policy of
the state, MP from the ARF Dashnaksutyun faction Ara Nranyan said,
Monday. "Today our country doesn’t show interest in the inflow of
foreign investments, the key task is division of business interests
inside the country. Simplification of investment regime for large
investment companies is out of question",- Nranyan said. As regards
export, he pointed out that the state couldn’t actively promote
Armenian commodities abroad by means of a specially created body. "The
domestic market for most of Armenian companies is too small. The
majority of them is able to increase the production output in case
of new sales markets. However, one shouldn’t forget that the largest
Armenian companies are considered small by international, for instance,
European standards. Therefore the state should exert additional
efforts to establish stable famous Armenian brands",- Nranyan said.

Youth must study first and not to be involved in politics
23.05.2009 18:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `There are many young politicians in Armenia. It is
important to involve young generation in politics of the country, who
are professionals,’ told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter president of
All-Armenian International Youth Center Andranik Nikoghosyan.
However, involvement of 16-18-year-olds in politics is unacceptable
for Nikoghosyan. `Students, especially from regions being separated
into enemy camps and took flags of different parties start some kind
of struggle, without understanding its meaning, and call it politics,
said Nikoghosyan.
He emphasized, that all young people, especially students, have more
important tasks, particularly education and professional
experience. `Most of the youth instead of attaining those goals are
dealing with politics. This is not right, ‘ stressed Nokoghosyan.
He also noted that All-Armenian International Youth Center, which is
politically independent, attaches a great importance to forthcoming
elections of the Yerevan Mayor and City Elders’ Council.
`Our country needs sound programs aimed at development of different
spheres. Lets speak less ad act more,’ concluded Andranik Nikoghosyan.

HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN: "CROATIA IS CLOSE TO ARMENIA WITH CHRISTIAN VALUES BY ITS HISTORY AND FAITHFULNESS"

National Assembly of RA
May 22 2009
Armenia

On May 22 the President of the National Assembly Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan
met with the President of Croatia Mr. Stjepan Mesic, who is on an
official visit in Armenia. Vice Presidents of the National Assembly,
Chairpersons of the Standing Committees and the heads of the factions
also participated in the meeting.

Welcoming the President of Croatia Mr. H. Abrahamyan highlighted the
deepening and development of relations with Croatia, in the political,
as well as economic spheres. He noted that Croatia is close to Armenia
with Christian values by its history and faithfulness.

The interlocutors emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in
the development of bilateral relations. They agreed that the creation
of the parliamentary friendship groups in Armenia and Croatia could
promote the development of contacts between two countries. The sides
also touched upon issues regarding the development of trade-economic-
relations between two countries, as well as discussed the world
financial-economic crisis and its influence on two countries.

The President of the Armenian Parliament also highlighted the successes
of Croatia in complying that country with European standards. He told
the President of Croatia about the interest of Armenia in studying
that experience.

During the talk the sides also discussed a number of issues regarding
the cooperation of Armenia and Croatia in international organizations.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE AMNESTY

Trend
May 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will pardon those who were arrested
during the March 1 events in Yerevan, Radio Liberty quoted Speaker of
the Armenian parliament Ovik Abramyan as saying. He said the president
will announce amnesty on May 28, the Day of Independence.

It is noticeable that representative of opposition Heritage
faction Stepan Safaryan asked the speaker while approving agenda
of parliament’s session why the agenda did not include restoration
of immunity of MPs Sasun Mikaelyan, Myasnik Malkhasyan and Akop
Akopyan. "We are watching events. I am sure that these processes
are positive and we will achieve positive results. I want processes
related to our colleagues to be positive," Speaker Abramyan said. But
he did not reveal what was the matter. He said just "believe me,"
Armenia Today reported.

Political situation in Armenia deteriorated after the presidential
elections on 19 February 2008, when opposition, dissatisfied with
the election outcome and led by former Armenian President Levon
Ter-Petrosian launched a massive protest action.

On March 1, police conducted "an operation to clear the Square of
Freedom" beating demonstrators. As a result, ten people were killed,
including eight civilians and over 250 people were injured.

FOUR CONTENDERS RUN FOR PRESIDENCY IN IRAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.05.2009 17:22 GMT+04:00

On May 20, 2009, Iran’s Guardian Council approved candidacies of
former Iranian Premier Mir-Hossein Mousavi, former Parliament Speaker
Mehdi Karrubi, former Revolutionary Guard Commander Mohsen Rezaei
and incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Of the 400 registered
candidates, 42 were women. Any citizen in Iran is eligible to submit
claim for candidacy, Iran.ru reports. President is the guarantor of
state and Head of the executive. Decisions on key issues are made only
after Supreme Leader’s approval. President appoints Ministers’ Council
members and coordinates Government’s activities. Parliament- Majlis,
the country’s top legislative body, approves ten Vice Presidents and
21 Cabinet Ministers’ candidacies. Although Defense and Intelligence
Ministers are appointed by President, their candidacies should be
preliminarily approved by Supreme Council. The President is elected
by universal suffrage for the term of 4 years. Electoral campaign
starts on May 22.

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SOUTH-CAUCASIAN RAILWAYS MEETS WITH ARMENIAN TRANSPORT WORKERS

ARKA
May 19, 2009

YEREVAN, May 19. /ARKA/. Director General of the South Caucasian
Railway CJSC Shevket Shaidullin held a meeting with representatives
of the Association of Armenian Transport Workers and Forwarders.

The company’s press service reported that the sides discussed issues
of rendering comprehensive transport services, particularly issues
of dispatching container trains, switching over to through rates,
creating legal underpinnings for higher-speed transportation and
favorable conditions for certain export products.

Shaidullin expressed his readiness to provide possible aid in
developing the business.

"Our mission is developing a national transport company, upgrading
the quality of its services by achieving certain strategic goals,"
Shaidullin said.

Among them are enhanced long-term efficiency and financial stability,
higher-quality services, integration into the Eurasian transport
system.

President of the Association of Armenian Transport Workers and
Forwarders Makar Arakelyan said that the first meeting with
Mr. Shaidullin produced a great effect. He showed a professional
approach to corporate clients’ problems in the context of transport
services. "I hope for mutually advantageous cooperation that will
promote Armenia’s economic development, especially in export. The main
goal of our work is to protect Armenian forwarders’ rights abroad,=E
2 Arakelyan said.

The South-Caucasian Railway Company is fully owned by the Russian
Railways OJSC. Under a 30-year concession contract signed on February
13, 2008, the South-Caucasian Railway Company became manager of the
Armenian Railways Company.