Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SPECIFIES CENTRAL BANK’S REPORT SUBMISSIONS TO PARLIAMENT

ARKA
Jan 22, 2009

YEREVAN, January 22. /ARKA/. Armenian Government approved the
amendments to the country’s laws about the Central Bank, National
Assembly regulations and the budgetary system at its sitting Thursday.

The aim of the amendments is to specify the procedure for the Central
Bank to submit reports to the country’s parliament, the Chairman of
the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Artur Javadyan said.

Every year the CBA submits two reports to the parliament – on the
status of inflation in the first and third quarters. In 2008, the
report for the first quarter was submitted as late as in November
and the one for the third quarter has not been submitted yet,
Javadyan said.

Not only the technical norms, but also the submission deadlines will
be specified to avoid delays in consideration of reports, he said.

ARMEN ALAVERDIAN: WORRIES OF ECONOMIC ENTITIES ARE MAINLY CAUSED BY THEIR INGNORANCE OF LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS

Noyan Tapan

Jan 22, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The deputy chairman of the RA
State Revenue Committee Armen Alaverdian on January 22 met with
representatives of some trade organization points, particularly,
such fairs as "Vagharsh & Sons", "Gnuni Market", "Narek" in order to
give explanations to economic entities about problems related to the
introduction of cash registers at trade organization points.

During the meeting, those conducting trade in the gold market expressed
their concern that in case of exceeding the VAT threshold of 58
million 350 thousand drams, they may have difficulties because of
"being moved to some other field of taxation". They said that the
indicated threshold is quite hard for those engaged in gold trade
which may prevent them from benefiting from the advantages that
business has received as a result of the recent reforms.

The next issue raised by economic entities was related to the
difficulties in obtaining documents that substantiate their expenses,
in particular, the purchase of gold from individuals. They also have to
incur extra expenses within the fairs in order to pay for accounting
and other services. The representatives of trade organization points
expressed their willingness to pay a higher fixed payment if the
state does not oblige them to use cash registers.

However, A. Alaverdian told them that the introduction of cash
registers is an irreversible process, and those engaged in trade must
meet the requirements of the law. He said that the burden of taxation
on small business was reduced and the accounting was simplified as a
result of the recent legislative reforms. In his words, the worries of
economic entities are mainly caused by their ignorance of legislative
amendments.

A. Alaverdian assured the representatives of fairs that their tax
burden will not increase with the introduction of cash registers: via
a network connection of cash registers, the tax bodies will follow
entities with a considerable turnover (the so-called risky ones),
while small businessmen have no reason for concern.

UN HEADQUARTERS HOST CONFERENCE ON GENOCIDE PREVENTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.01.2009 19:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The UN headquarters in Geneva hosted Wednesday a
scientific conference on prevention of genocides, the RA MFA press
office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Armenia was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakossian,
who stated that genocide is a deliberate crime against humanity.

"Genocide incites hatred and gives birth to impunity. The UN should
help work out mechanisms of genocide prevention," he said.

"INVESTMENT FIELD IN ARMENIA NOT DAMAGED"

Panorama.am
16:31 22/01/2009

Irrespective of the world crisis the investment filed in Armenia
is not damaged, said the former director of Yerevan Brandy Company
Sedrik Retaio in a press conference.

According to him the evidence to it is the third cellular operator to
be established in Armenia – Orange. He said that another successful
investment is Pernod Ricard which made its investment 10 years
ago. "It is beneficial not only for the company and Armenia but for
the agriculture of Armenia which is developing every year," he said.

US READY TO ASSIST IN IMF TALKS, SEES COOPERATION WITH TURKEY IN MIDEAST

Hurriyet
Jan 23 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – The United States said it is important for Turkey to cut
a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that it expects
cooperation to increase with Ankara on the Middle East.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said in a speech in Istanbul
where he attended a meeting of the Foreign Economic Relations Board
of Turkey (DEIK) that he met with the IMF officials last week and
that there have been "encouraging and good developments".

"The United States is ready to assist anyway it can on the talks
between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund," Jeffrey said on
Friday. IMF officials are currently in Ankara to hold talks on the new
deal which is expected to include $15-20 billions in financial support.

He also said the one of the issues that the Washington administration
plans to discuss with the Turkish government is ways to tackle the
problems regarding greenfield investments. American companies are
concerned about intellectual property rights and the illegal economy
(in Turkey), he added.

COOPERATION IN MIDEAST

The new administration should be given some time to draw out its
policies and although President Barack Obama is the only person who
decides foreign policy, he is accompanied by many experienced advisors,
Jeffrey said.

"Palestine-Israel, Afghanistan-Pakistan, Iran and Iraq are among the
issues that the U.S. looks to closely work with Turkey," he added.

He also said "very, very important developments" are seen in
Turkey-Armenia relations and many changes are underway, he said.

Jeffrey said Obama was pleased with the Turkish government’s position
on Afghanistan, and also said that Turkey was an example for regional
countries.

The U.S. ambassador also said Turkey was playing key roles, like
the one it had in Gaza, and underlined the importance of working
together, adding that the new U.S. administration took over the mission
optimistically, and was aware that Turkey was an important ally.

He also reiterated his country’s support to Turkey’s European
Union bid.

CONSULTATION WITH PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PARTNERS HELD AT RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA

Noyan Tapan

Jan 21, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A consultation with the participation
of the RA minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian, the director of the
RF Foreign Ministry’s Department for Work with Compatriots Living
Abroad Alexander Chepurin and the Russian ambassador to Armenia
Nikolay Pavlov took place at the RA Ministry of Diaspora on January 20.

Ms. Hakobian said that the RA Ministry of Diaspora functions under
the general direction of Armenian president and conducts executive
power’s state policy on promotion of Diaspora-Armenia relations. She
presented the programs implemented by this newly-created ministry, as
well as programs to be implemented in scientific, legal, organizational
and financial spheres.

A. Chepurin in his turn presented in detail Russia’s policy with
respect to compatriots living abroad. In particular, he said that a
coordinating body – a governmental commission for issues of compatriots
living abroad was set up in 1999. Its main goals are to support the
compatriots who live in other countries, protect their rights and
freedoms, and implement programs aimed at preserving and spreading the
Russian language and literature. Besides, conferences of compatriots
who live abroad are held every year, and congresses of compatriots with
the participation of Russian president are organized every three years.

NT was informed by the Press and PR Department of the Ministry of
Diaspora that at the conclusion of the meeting the sides expressed
their willingness to assist each other with implementation of programs,
development of mutual links and examination of Diaspora-related
problems.

ARARAT ARMENIAN SOCCER TEAM SUFFERS REGULAR DEFEAT AT CIS CUP TOURNAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.01.2009 14:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ararat Armenian soccer team has left the CIS Cup
tournament after suffering a regular defeat.

Kazan’s Rubin scored a 3:2 victory over Ararat, the only team which
failed to gain any points in the tournament.

AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO HOLD NEXT MEETING IN ZURICH ON JANUARY 27

Azeri Press Agency
Jan 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov and Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will
hold next meeting in Switzerland on January 27, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said, APA reports.

The Minister noted that OSCE MG French co-chair contacted with him and
said that Armenian president agreed to meet with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev within the framework of World Economic Forum in Davos.

Mammadyarov underlined that he would meet Armenian counterpart a day
before the meeting in Zurich.

Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents are expected to have meeting on
January 28.

HAYASTAN ALL ARMENIAN FUND COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION OF APAVEN VILLAGE WATER MAIN

ARMENPRESS
Jan 21, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS: The construction of the new water
main in Apaven village, Lori province, has been completed. An official
from the Hayastan All Armenian Fund told Armenpress that the project,
worth around 32 million Armenian drams, was sponsored by the Fund’s
Montreal local committee.

Through the 620 m long pipeline and 1200m long inner network drinking
water is already supplied to around 30 households of the community.

"Before launching a new project, we first tackle the most important
problem existing in the community; that is a principle approach we
have adopted," the Fund Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan said.

The village of Apaven located 1650 m above sea level had been
experiencing water supply problems for many years now. Water running
from the old and excessively damaged pipeline was no longer fit for
drinking and was a serious problem for the residents.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST PREDICTS RISE IN HATE CRIMES IN RUSSIA IN 2009

Interfax
Jan 19 2009
Russia

Human rights activists have pointed out to the growth of hate crimes
in Russia at the beginning of the year.

"The first two weeks saw 15 attacks stemming from aggressive xenophobia
resulting in 10 people being killed and nine injured," head of the
Moscow Human Rights’ Bureau Alexander Brod told Interfax on Monday.

Most of the attacks were registered in Moscow – nine killed, eight
injured. There were also attacks in St. Petersburg (one injured)
and in Ulyanovsk (one killed), he said.

"The most frequent victims of attacks were Uzbeks (four killed, one
injured), Vietnamese (two killed), Armenians, Chechens, Kyrgyz and
Africans (one killed each)," Brod said.

He said he expected an upsurge in hate crimes in 2009.

"The current social and economic situation does not give a chance for
any optimistic forecasts. It is likely that the number of xenophobic
attacks and murders will continue growing at the same or higher pace
than in 2008. The economic crisis may have a strong impact on the
activities of radical nationalist groups," Brod said in an interview
with Interfax earlier.

In 2008, the bureau registered about 300 hate attacks in which 122
people were killed and some 380 wounded.

According to human rights groups, Russia has tens of thousands of
skinheads and activists of various radical nationalist organizations,
who mainly attack people from Central Asia and the Caucasus as well
as members of youth subcultures and sexual minorities.