Author: Kalashian Nyrie

DEHLI TO KEEP ARMENIAN-INDIAN RELATIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PanARMENIAN.Net
31.08.2009 16:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Upon ending his diplomatic mission, Armenian
Ambassador to India Ashot Kocharyan met with senior Indian officials,
including Vice President Hamid Ansari, chief Minister Delhi Sheila,
State Minister of External Affairs Makharan Prinit Kauri and Deputy
Foreign Minister, Head of Armenian-Indian Intergovernmental Committee
Neelakantan Ravi.

During the meetings, Ashot Kocharyan said that various Armenian-Indian
programs had been implemented in spheres of agriculture, chemical
production, education and high technologies, and good circulation
volumes had increased several times. Stressing Armenian community’s
role in development and strengthening of Armenian-Indian relations,
Armenian diplomat highly appreciated Indian authorities’ considerate
attitude to Indian-Armenians and Armenian historical-cultural monuments
situated on country’s territory.

Indian side stressed Ashot Kocharyan’s investment in the development
of bilateral ties. Official Dehli will keep Armenian-Indian relations
in the spotlight, RA MFA press service reports.

ARMENIA FULL OF "INITIATIVE", AZERBAIJAN "IRRATIONAL"

Aysor
Aug 27 2009
Armenia

"The presence of any peace-keeping force in this territory will provoke
military operations, because not only our sides but also Iran, the
third, the fourth and the fifth countries which have interests here
will disagree",-said the president of the Armenian Democratic Party,
Aram G. Sargsyan at the press conferefnce.

As to him, no situation dictating new intensifications is to be
allowed.

In the open letter addressed to Serzh Sargsyan, a series of facts
are introduced, which are sufficient for the Armenian side to present
new conceptual approach, not letting the break off the talks.

"New approaches can be old, but can be represented in a new way", –
mentioned A. Sargsyan, and said that according to the inquiries made
by them, 61% of the questioned is against the "Madrid Principles".

In the letter the main principles, which according to them should
substitute the "Madrid ones", are proposed for discussion.

According to these principles "the sides agree on starting at least
three parallel processes: signing a peace treaty between the sides
on conflict, which is valid till the end of the talks and serves the
basis of giving up the advocating against each other, realization
of activities designed by a special program to ensure the trust and
mutual understanding, and an economic process; in the first stage
the realization of the mediated cooperation programs to ensure
preconditions for NKR to take part in the projects on territorial
issues and to contact with Azerbaijan directly".

A. Sargsyan is sure that the Armenian side is to take the initiative
and Azerbaijan can refuse the offers and be "irrational".

MANVEL SARGSYAN: RECONGNITION OF ABKHAZIA, SOUTH OSSETIA, KOSOVO ALTERED SITUATION

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 26 2009
Armenia

14:30 / 08/26/2009What was the influence Russia’s recognition of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia exerted on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process? Answering the question, Manvel Sargsyan, expert for the
Armenian Center for National and International Studies, said: "It
is difficult to speak of an immediate influence, but the fact that
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have been actively trying to find
a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem for a year, of course,
has to do with it. The situation has changed and we can witness a
stronger interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process."

On the other hand, the situation has changed on the whole. "The
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia and of Kosovo by
the West has altered the course of discussions of the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem. More has been talked about the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
this year, and the issue has actively been discussed. For example,
speaking of Kosovo, U.S. President Barack Obama stated that people
struggled for independence, which, he said, was indicative of a new
situation. Of course, there also exist new, Russia-related, threats. It
is clear that, last year, Russia was doing its best to extend its
achievements in Georgia to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. That
was dangerous, as, if any individual country tries to find solutions,
others start making steps. For example, Turkey’s activity has added
to disagreements between superpowers," Sargsyan said.

As to what was Nagorno-Karabakh’s benefit from temporarily refraining
from participating in the Russia-initiated meetings of the leaders of
unrecognized states, the expert said the meetings would hardly exert
any essential influence on the development of Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process. "I do not think it was Nagorno-Karabakh participating in the
meetings or not that accounted for Russia’s position. Russia’s attitude
to the problems of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is entirely different
from that to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem – these are basically
different directions. In the context of international relations, the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem is much more serious. Of course, Russia might
as well recognize Nagorno-Karabakh, but it would not have anything
in common with other tasks. It has to do with Russia’s interests in
this issue," Sargsyan said.

ARMENIA’S COMMERCIAL BANKS TO FINALIZE 2009 WITH A PROFIT

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.08.2009 16:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Commercial banks will finalize 2009 with a profit,
Emil Soghomonyan , chairman of the Union of Banks of Armenia said.

According to Soghomonyan, Armenia’s commercial banks have finalized
the first half year at a profit, amounted to 4.4 billion (about U.S. $
12 million), which is very low indicator, since the profit of the
banking system in 2008 amounted to 28 billion drams.

"We expected that in the first half of 2009 the profit will be about
14 billion drams, along weith the growth of the loan portfolio of
banks," he said.

According to him, out of the 22 commercial banks of Armenia 16 have
had profit, and only 6 have suffered losses. "The losses of banks were
caused by the return to a floating exchange rate," Soghomonyan said.

UNLIKE ARMENIA, TURKISH STATE OFFICIALS ARE MORE INTOLERANT TO NORMALIZING BILATERIAL TIES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.08.2009 16:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Certain circles in Armenia oppose to Armenian-Turkish
process. They mostly include society representatives and political
forces. But the state has a unanimous position on the issue. Armenian
political elite acts in support of Armenian-Turkish process, Caucasus
Institute Director, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told
today a news conference in Yerevan. "Situation in Turkey is quite
different. Its state government system and ruling forces are more
intolerant to normalizing ties with Armenia. Therefore, Turkish
President, Premier and Foreign Minister have to act against the
interests of their political elite," Armenian expert stressed.

AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGES 98,583 DRAMS IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-JULY – 12.1% INCREASE

ARKA
Aug 21, 2009

YEREVAN, August 21. /ARKA/. Average monthly nominal wages was 98,583
drams in Armenia in January-July this year – a 12.1% increase as
compared with the same period of last year, the RA National Statistical
Service reported.

According to the preliminary information, salary in budgetary
organizations was 82,172 drams in the period – an 18.1% increase
against the level of January-July 2008. Increase in the salary was 5%
in July as compared with the previous month.

Monthly average salary in non-budgetary organizations was 122,324
drams – a 6.9% rise against the level of January-July last year. In
July against June the salary grew by 3.2%.

Overall monthly average salary level went 4.1% up in July against June.

($1=373.95 drams).

COME HOME PROGRAM’S THIRD STAGE LAUNCHES

Noyan Tapan
Aug 19, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The third stage
of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Come Home program launched on August
18. 60 participants of the program arrived in Armenia from Iran,
Georgia, Russia, Germany, U.S and France. They visited Etchmiadzin
and Sardarapat on August 18.

In the evening Deputy Minister of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Stepan
Petrosian and Staff Head Artak Zakarian received the participants
of the program and the members of the families that host them at
the Ministry.

The responsible of the program, the Chief of the Department on
All-Armenian Programs Zhenya Azizian introduced the details of the
events being held till August 31 to them.

According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora, at the meeting the Diasporan Armenian guests
were given bags, shirts and hats with distinguishing badges of the
Come Home program.

NUMBER OF STATE NURSERY SCHOOLS WILL GROW IN NKR

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
August 18, 2009

Today, the regular session of the Government chaired by the NKR
Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan was convoked. According to the
law draft on introducing additions in the NKR law "On NKR Regional
Administrative Division" which met the approval of the Executive,
the fortification of the borders of NKR communities and regions is
reserved to the Government.

Description of the administrative borders of Shahoumian region’s
communities as well is specified by the law draft.

The Executive approved the NKR law draft "On Discussion of Citizens’
Proposals, Applications and Complaints", which regulates the legal
relations connected with the realization of the right of NKR and
foreign citizens and of those without any citizenship to apply to
local self-government authorities and public officials which is fixed
by Article 28 of the NKR Constitution, as well as defines the order
of discussing the citizens’ proposals, applications and complaints
by state and local self-government authorities and public officials.

The order of discussing the citizens’ proposals, applications and
complaints defined by the law draft does not cover the proposals,
applications and complaints for which another order of discussion is
defined by the NKR legislation.

The Government affirmed the list of corporal defects and diseases
hindering from appointment in the post of judge.

The Executive affirmed a number of decree projects presented by
the NKR Ministry of Healthcare, according to which licenses for the
activity of preserving drugs and tranquilizers will be rendered to
"Public Hospital" CJSC of Stepanakert, "Arevik" children’s hospital,
medical posts of Askeran, Hadrout, Shoushi, Martouni, Martakert
and Kashatagh regions, as well as to the "Psychological Dispensary"
CJSC of the Healthcare Ministry.

According to the decree adopted by the NKR Government the
order of removing dangerous food products, dangerous substances
getting in contact with food products and dangerous food stuffs was
defined. Defining of counterfeited production used in public catering
sphere will be made on the basis of examination results. In the
conclusion on considering the product to be dangerous in accordance
with defined order ecologically safe ways and conditions of danger
source’s liquidation are given. The Government has also affirmed the
order of notification on dangerous food stuffs, second helpings and
substances contacting them, posing hazard to a person’s health.

According to the Government Head’s consideration very often the
adopted resolutions are not put into practice, but issues concerning
the population health need special attention and solutions. The Prime
Minister charged the authorized bodies with a task to set close
control and conduct frequent supervisions with the aim to prevent
sale of overdue goods.

By the Government decree "Base Metals" CJSC received a
permit for needed amount of explosives to be brought in the
Republic. Corresponding authorized bodies are obliged to provide
safety receipt, transportation and storage of explosives in the defined
order. In case of sale of substances and means to the third party the
"Base Metals" CJSC is obliged to inform the National Security Service
and the Police adjunct to the NKR Government beforehand submitting
information about the part to deal, article of trade and its quantity.

By the amended government decree aimed at regulation of the separate
article of the NKR law on taxes the order and forms of submitting
information on concluding different bargains to the Tax Service.

Changes and additions were introduced into the Government decree
"On Providing Implementation of the NKR law "On Obligatory Social
Insurance in Cases of Temporary Disablement".

The resolution project "On Foundation of State Pre-School Educational
Establishments" presented by the Ministry of Education and Science
was approved. The quantity of kindergartens will increase by 3 and
will form 24.

Soon pre-school educational establishments will be opened in the
capital, Martakert and Arachadzor. The Prime Minister noted that
restoration of former kindergartens and construction of new ones will
continue. "The State does not spare means for well-to-do future of
the young generation." A.Haroutyunyan noted.

Taking into consideration the fact that the Armenian Evangelical
company doesn’t use "Karkar" children and youth health-improving
camp purposefully: means for its accomplishment and reconstruction
are not anticipated, the Government resolved to give the camp back
to Stepanakert Municipality on terms of creation of normal conditions
for schoolchildren’s rest.

UEFA PROBES THREE MACEDONIAN SOCCER CLUBS FOR FIXING MATCHES

The Associated Press
18/08/2009 10:30 AM

NYON, Switzerland – UEFA is investigating more allegations of
match-fixing in Macedonia, where it recently banned former champion
FK Pobeda from European competitions for eight years.

The European football authority said Tuesday its gathering evidence
about four suspect matches involving three Macedonian clubs, including
a Europa League fixture played last month.

FK Milano, runner-up in the Macedonian championship last season,
was beaten 12-2 on aggregate by Croatia’s Slaven Koprivnika in the
second qualifying round.

It lost 4-0 in the July 16 first leg at home with Slaven scoring all
the goals in the first half, then lost 8-2 in Croatia a week later.

The lopsided defeat in a first leg at home is similar to the
Pobeda case which saw the club become the first to be banned from
UEFA-organized competitions.

In April a UEFA disciplinary panel ruled that Pobeda deliberately lost
its Champions League qualifying match against Armenian club Pyunik in
July 2004. It trailed by three goals at halftime, eventually losing
3-1, then was eliminated after tying the second match 1-1 in Armenia.

UEFA received reports from bookmakers of irregular betting patterns
and banned Pobeda’s president and a former player for life after
finding they had manipulated the result "to gain an undue advantage
for themselves and a third party."

Michel Platini, the UEFA president, said at the organization’s congress
in Copenhagen last March that match-fixing and illegal betting are
the greatest problems facing European football.

UEFA’s investigation unit is also looking at FK Vardar’s loss
to Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus in the UEFA Cup in July-August
2007. Vardar lost both ties 1-0, conceding an 88th-minute goal in
the first match at home.

A third club, Rabotnicki, is the subject of probes into two suspect
matches which were not identified.

UEFA had previously opened an investigation into bets made on an
Intertoto Cup match between Makedonija and Bulgarian side Cherno
More in July 2007. The Macedonian side lost 4-0 at home and then 3-0
in Bulgaria.

MONUMENT TO PHILOSOPHER OF 7TH CENTURY ANANIA SHIRAKATSI TO BE PLACED IN GYUMRI

ARMENPRESS
Aug 19, 2009

GYUMRI, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS: Basalt monument of the philosopher
of the 7th century Anania Shirakatsi will soon be placed in
Gyumri. Sculptor Samvel Petrosyan is already finishing 8-meter-high
monument. The author initiated the creation of the monument of medieval
philosopher before the 1988 earthquake during which the gyps variant
of the monument was damaged. The works were again restarted in 2007
on the initiative of the mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan.

The sculptor told Armenpress that the monument is a donation to Gyumri
by him and architects Arthur Tarkhanyan and Vardan Shakhulyan.

The monument will be placed on Shirakatsi Street but the author said
that the place must be reviewed as taking into consideration the
sizes of the monument it needs larger territory.