Author: Chmshkian Vicken

CBA CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS 2010 DRAFT STATE BUDGET REALISTIC

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 20, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "I consider the 2010 draft state
budget of Armenia as realistic. I think this is the best document that
the government could submit under conditions of the gloal financial and
economic crisis," Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Arthur
Javadian said at the November 19 sitting of the National Assembly,
when presenting the CBA’s conclusion about the 2010 draft state budget.

The official conclusion of CBA notes that the draft presents in
detail the vision of improving the investment environment and the
tax and customs administration and assisting the development of
infrastructures, and it also indicates the necessity to continue
the anticrisis measures. It was mentioned that in case of efficient
coordination of the monetary and fiscal policies, it will become
possible to ensure macroeconomic stability and keep inflation within
the target interval of 4+-1.5%.

A. Javadian said that in the opinion of international experts, the
share of the shadow sector in the Armenian economy makes up 30-40%,
whereas in the CBA’s opinion, its share is 25-30%. In his words, the
draft budget "fully reflects the fight against the shadow sector". It
was stated that the government plans to collect 13 billion drams
through administrative measures, but there are also other measures
to be used by tax bodies and other state departments to fight the
shadow sector. "I believe that the actions the government is currently
taking in this direction are satisfactory," the CBA chairman said,
adding that "it is not an easy job".

POWER OUTAGES CAUSE MANY TRAFFIC JAMS IN THE CENTER OF YEREVAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
20.11.2009 20:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, on November 20, small center and Arabkir
community in Yerevan have been de-energized at 6:00 p.m. local time,
traffic lights stopped working, resulting in numerous traffic jams .

"Now traffic policemen are regulating traffic, the traffic police
representative explained. As expert of the department of emergency
situations of the Yerevan municipality told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter,
works are underway to eliminate the consequences of the accident.

EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN YEREVAN

Aysor
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Today in the National Art Center will be opened the exhibition named
"Karlsson-on-the-Roof flies again". As the organizer of the exhibition
Sussanna Manukyan, the head of the press department of the "Armenian
Youth Achievements" organization, informed to the Aysor.am reporter
that the exhibition will be dedicated to all of us, especially to
Ilon Vikland, who has created and drawn the beloved hero of the
children Karlsson.

The exhibition has been organized by the Presidency of the Sweden
of the European Union, the Consul of Estonia in Armenia, "Armenian
Youth Achievements" and Oriflamme Company office in Armenia.

Ilon Vikland, illustrator of the Swede writer Astrid Lindgren’s
"Karlsson-on-the-Roof" book and other books also written by her,
was born in Estonia and moved to Sweden with his grandmother when he
was 14 years old. As S. Manukyan informed today he is in Armenia for
opening the exhibition.

The exhibition is a part of the events dedicated to the international
convention of the children’s rights.

"During the exhibition there will be small sketches concerning the
children’s rights. Ashot Ghazaryan, with his group, Hrant Tokhatyan,
together with the children of "Orran" NGO and Zara Aramyan will be
present on the event", – S. Manukyan informed and added that the most
interesting thing is that the children present their rights through
short sketches and this event is exceptional as the sketches will be
presented in English.

She also highlighted the fact that Hrant Tokhatyan is presenting the
sketches together with "Orran" NGO. She also said that the children of
"Orran" who are mainly homeless children will speak about their rights.

It is necessary to mention that 400 pupils have participated in
the exhibition initiated by the "Armenian Youth Achievements"
organization. The teams have studied the rights of the children,
have discussed, written and presented a sketch presenting the rights
of the children. Three teams have been announced to be the winners;
school N149 in Yerevan, school N5 in Echmiadzin and the pupils of
the Nersisyan college of Echmiadzin who will present the chosen
performances together with the "Orran" NGO’s children and the group
of Ashot Ghazaryan’s "Humor school".

AHARON ADIBEKYAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT INEVITABLE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.11.2009 14:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armeian-Turkish rapprochement is inevitable,
according to Aharon Adibekyan, director of Sociometer center.

"The hardest task is to establish contact. Armenian and Turkish nations
are hostages to the policy of their countries," he said. "If we visit
Turkey and see something Armenian, we will not be able to prove its
affiliation to our culture."

"When Armenian President said we should help Turks learn themselves
better, it did not refer to the Armenian Genocide only. We should
remind them about their roots, since 30% of Turks are Armenoids,"
Adibekyan said.

At that, he noted that the Armenian-Turkish relations will improve
rather than worsen if the border is opened.

PREVENTED KOCHARYAN

Lragir.am
17/11/09

According to the political scientist Hmayak Hovhannisyan, Tigran
Sargsyan’s joining the Republican Party was an unexpected step. The
politician thinks it is impossible to hold a high office in Armenia
without being a member of the Republican Party.

According to him, Tigran Sargsyan’s joining the Republican had another
aim too. With this step, according to the politician, those forces,
which tried to enter in the active politics, were prevented.

Hovhanisyan means Robert Kocharyan and his staff a part of which is
connected with the current government.

According to the politician, they tried to weaken Tigran Sargsyan
and to take the office of prime minister from him. The government
prevented this step, according to the politician, making Tigran
Sargsyan a Republican member.

ARMENIA-TURKEY RECONCILIATION IN U.S. INTERESTS

news.am
Nov 18 2009
Armenia

If the protocols between Turkey and Armenia can both bring Armenia
closer to the West and closer to a political solution to resolving
Nagorno-Karabakh, I would support that," U.S Congressman Michael
E. McMahon told Azerbaijani Trend News agency, adding that the issues’
settlement is in U.S. and Russia’s interests.

The conflicts resolution "has serious implications for global energy
security," the source reads.

The Congressman underlined that Washington is interested in the prompt
resolution of these issues.

AZERBAIJAN’S DEPUTY JUSTICE MINISTER ADDRESSES CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE NETHERLANDS

APA
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Utrecht. Fuad Gulubayli – APA. Deputy Justice Minister of Azerbaijan
Vilayat Zahirov addressed the ministerial conference organized by the
Council of Europe and the government of Netherlands in Utrecht, APA’s
Europe bureau reports. Zahirov said the report made by Minister of
Public Administration and Local Government of Finland Mari Kiviniemi on
strengthening the activity of the Council of Europe was very important
for improving the work of the Council of Europe in the field of local
and regional democracy. He said Council of Europe’s strengthening
its relations with other international organizations will help member
states find answers to such global threats as economic crisis, national
extremism and terrorism. Deputy Minister said the forum will offer
opportunities to determine new priorities and give an impetus to the
development of the local democracy in the CE member states.

Expert of Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the
Open Society Institute, Professor Kenneth Davey made a report on the
impact of the economic crisis on the local and regional authorities
and cooperation of the bordering countries. Vilayat Zahirov said
he supported the views on financing the local authorities, meeting
the needs of the citizens, organizing effective cooperation and
facilitating the business sphere for eliminating economic crisis.

Touching on the cooperation of the bordering states, Deputy Minister
underlined that Azerbaijan ratified European framework convention
and additional protocols.

"We are developing our cooperation with Turkey, Russia, Georgia and
other neighbors. But such cooperation is impossible with Armenia
that occupied Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions. As a
result of Armenia’s aggression against our country, 20 percent of
Azerbaijani territories have been occupied, one million people have
been displaced. We are sure that after the occupation ends, the
relations with this neighboring country will be normalized," he said.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF RUSSIAN TV AND RADIO COMPANIES

armradio.am
17.11.2009 11:40

President Serzh Sargsyan received a group of directors of the Russian
TV and Radio companies and other representatives of the sphere,
who arrived to Yerevan in the framework of the Days of the Russian
Television in Armenia. The delegation is headed by the President of
the Russian Television Academy Foundation, Special Representative
of the President of the Russian Federation for interstate cultural
cooperation Mikhail Svydkoy.

Welcoming the guests and stressing the importance of this kind of
events, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the Armenian-Russian
strategic partnership requires constant attention in all areas. "We
attach great importance to the development of our relations also
in the humanitarian area. Our peoples are spiritually close, our
forefathers, grandparents and parents were friends. Today, we carry on
that friendship; however, I believe we should also consider the fact
that these relations require daily attention. The world changes, public
opinion is more and more influenced by a new mentality, therefore we
should bear in mind our past and pass it on to the new generations,"
President Serzh Sargsyan said.

With this regard President Sargsyan highlighted the role of mass media,
and television in particular. He mentioned that three Russian channels
are available for all Armenian viewers, which brings great influence
and, at the same time, implies great responsibility. The President
of Armenia stressed the importance of the presence of the Russian
channels in Armenia also from the point of view of broadening the
use of the Russian language.

The members of the delegation presented to Serzh Sargsyan the results
of their consultations with their Armenian colleagues and came up
with the proposals. In particular, discussed were issues pertinent
to the launching of joint Armenian-Russian TV programs, professional
training of the Armenian journalists and producers on the Russian
central channels, and possibilities of conducting joint seminars.

The President of Armenia awarded the President of the Russian
Television Academy Foundation Mikhail Svydkoy with the Movses
Khorenatsi medal for his significant contribution to the development
of the Armenian-Russian cultural cooperation.

EU TO DEAL WITH KARABAKH ISSUE

news.am
Nov 16 2009
Armenia

The European Union can and will play its role in the Nagorno-Karabakh
peace process, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter
Semneby stated during his visit to Azerbaijan.

Without making any specific forecast, Semneby said that, although the
EU is not an OSCE Minsk Group member, it has wide experience in this
field, which may benefit to Karabakh peace process.

As regards the negotiations, he pointed out that the process has
intensified. In this context Semneby mentioned frequent meetings
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents as well as Foreign
Ministers. Such meetings are positive events in the resolution process,
Semneby said. He also expressed hope for progress.

Americans for Artsakh
c/o NKR Office
1334 G St., NW
Suite 200
Washington DC, 20005
[email protected]

Americans for Artsakh
c/o NKR Office
1334 G St, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 223-3440

Americans for Artsakh Holds Awareness-raising Event at Armenian
Embassy in Washington

On November 12, Americans for Artsakh (AFA) hosted "A Celebration of
Artsakh" at the Armenian Embassy in Washington. The purpose of the
event was to raise awareness among the Washington community about
Artsakh in general, as well as AFA’s activities. It came at a crucial
period in the growth of the republic. As the Caucasus becomes
increasingly prominent on the international political scene, it is all
the more vital that people be properly informed about Artsakh and what
can be done to help it maintain its strength and identity.

The evening began with opening remarks by the Deputy Chief of Mission
at the Armenian Embassy, Varuzhan Nersessian. He was followed by NKR
Representative Robert Avetissian, who commented on the struggles that
Artsakh has overcome, and provided an overview of its present
situation. AFA Executive Director Sarah Ludwig then gave a
presentation about AFA and informed the audience about its completed
and future activities, which include educational training courses for
government employees and other groups in Artsakh. AFA is in the
process of expanding its scope of activities and is currently planning
career-enhancing educational opportunities for students and young
professionals.

The presentation portion of the evening was followed by outstanding
entertainment selections from well-known, highly respected performers.
AFA was honored to have pianist Naira Babayan, who played three pieces
of Armenian origin – one from Sayat Nova, and two by Aram
Khachaturian. Finally, professional actress and singer Norik Chekosky
recited poetry excerpts from Siamanto’s Ode to Fallen Heroes. Both
gave moving performances, and served to remind the primarily Armenian
audience about their rich cultural heritage.

Additionally, the guests were treated to dinner that was
professionally catered by Sabrina Mavian of the catering service
Dinner, Then Dessert. Local Armenian businesses contributed to the
evening, as well.

Americans for Artsakh is currently seeking funding for a youth
leadership course that will be held in Stepanakert in
January. Donations can be sent to:

Americans for Artsakh
c/o NKR Office
1334 G St., NW
Suite 200
Washington DC, 20005
[email protected]

Americans for Artsakh
c/o NKR Office
1334 G St, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 223-3440