Author: Khoyetsian Rose

DID ARMENIA FUND AND KARABAKH GOVERNMENT AGREE?

Lragir.am
18:32:54 – 14/01/2009

At last Armenia Fund set up an office in Karabakh. The strange
situation when the organization implementing projects worth millions in
the country has no office in that country was finally solved. Everyone
commended, although nobody explained why Armenia Fund operating in
Karabakh since 1992 did not have an office there. An explanation
was found in the ways of funding projects which in case of having an
office would be done through Karabakh. Others thought it was banal
antipathy between the leadership of the fund and the former prime
minister of Karabakh Anushavan Danielyan.

Anushavan Danielyan left office a year and a half ago, the leadership
of the fund has changed over that time, and someone has apparently
decided that Karabakh must be given more independence. The Fund was
provided with office at the home of the government of Karabakh, and
the head of the office is Valery Ghazaryan, an engineer who has worked
for the NKR department of construction. This department controlled the
quality of facilities built by Armenia Foundation, and "thanks" to this
department part of facilities were not approved for operation. Hence,
Valery Ghazaryan knows about the drawbacks of Armenia Foundation
better than others, and it is easier for him to fix the holes.

And there were a lot of shortcomings. For instance, the 170 km road
Nort h-South which must connect the regions of Karabakh bypassing
Aghdam.

Although the money was raised a few years ago, the construction of the
road is not over yet. The government of Karabakh was dissatisfied with
the quality of road works on a big section, and they demanded that the
Foundation or the contractor eliminated the drawbacks on their expense.

However, neither of them provided extra funds, and the section was
not built.

After this incident the legal aspect became more obvious. It turned
out that the Foundation and the government of Karabakh are unable to
share responsibility for the quality of construction. Who must assess
the work?

This question has had no answer for a long time. And the problem
was not just the moral function of "control" but also material
accountability.

It is not clear whether these issues have been addressed. Obviously,
the Karabakh government disliked that an organization carries out
large-scale work in its territory separately. Armenia Fund the chair
of the board of trustees of which is the president of Armenia would
also dislike being subject to the government of Karabakh. So, that is
why there is a fund which handles considerable funds and does a lot of
useful work. The CEO of the president has been an acting CEO for many
months now. Will this problem be solved after the office is set up?

PACE winter session: consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia,
situation in Gaza and the global financial crisis

Strasbourg, 15.01.2009 – The implementation of Resolution 1633
< Doc=3D%20R%C3%A9solution%201633> on the consequences
of the war between Georgia and Russia, adopted in October 2008, and the
humanitarian consequences of the conflict will be one of the highlights
of the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE), which will take place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January
2009.

The parliamentarians will discuss the reports by Luc Van den Brande
(Belgium, EPP/CD) and Mátyás Eörsi (Hungary, ALDE), co-rapporteurs
of the Assembly’s Monitoring Committee, and Corien W.A. Jonker
(Netherlands, EPP/CD), rapporteur of the Committee on Migration,
Refugees and Population, following their visits to these countries.

The PACE Bureau has proposed (*) a current affairs debate on the
situation in Gaza and an urgent debate on the consequences of the
global financial crisis.

The Assembly will also discuss Armenia’s implementation of Resolutions
1609
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/FRES1609.h tm> and 1620
< /Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/FRES1620.htm> , which PACE adopted in April 2008, and will give its opinion
on a proposal by the PACE Monitoring Committee to suspend the Armenian
delegation’s voting rights. The committee considers it "unacceptable"
that persons could be charged and deprived of their liberty for
political reasons and asks the Assembly to suspend the delegation’s
voting rights until the authorities have clearly demonstrated their
political will to resolve this issue.

The Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero [subject
to confirmation], has been invited to address the Assembly on Tuesday 27
January. In the context of the Spanish chairmanship of the Committee of
Ministers, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will address
the parliamentarians on Wednesday 28 January. Philippe Kirsch, President
of the International Criminal Court (ICC), will make a speech on Tuesday
27 during a debate on co-operation with the ICC. Terry Davis, Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, will report on the state of the
Organisation on Monday 26 January.

The agenda also includes attitudes to memorials open to different
historical interpretations, the investigation of crimes allegedly
committed by high officials during the Kuchma rule in Ukraine, access to
rights for people with disabilities and the regulation of audiovisual
media services.

——————

(*) The Assembly will decide on its final agenda at the opening of the
session.

Draft order of business

Monday 26 January 2009 (opening at 11.30am)

* Opening of the first part of the 2009 Ordinary Session
* Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Assembly
* Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and the Standing
Committee
* Communication from Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, on the state of the Council of Europe
* Access to rights for people with disabilities and their full and
active participation in society
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11694.htm>

Tuesday 27 January 2009

* The implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolutions 1609 (2008)
< D/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1609.htm> and 1620 (2008
< /Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1620.htm> ) (Doc. 11786
< Doc=3DDoc.%2011786> )
* Address by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain
[to be confirmed]
* Co-operation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its
universality
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11722 .htm> and statement by Philippe Kirsch, President of the
International Criminal Court
* Investigation of crimes allegedly committed by high officials during
the Kuchma rule in Ukraine – the Gongadze case as an emblematic example
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11686.htm>
* Nomination of candidates and election of judges to the European Court
of Human Rights
< D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11767.htm>

W ednesday 28 January 2009

* The implementation of Resolution 1633
< ttp://assembly.coe.int/ASP/Doc/RefRedirectEN.asp?D oc=3D%20Resolution%201633> (2008) on the
consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia
* The humanitarian consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc09/eDOC11789.htm>
* Communication from the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary
Assembly presented by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Co-operation of Spain, Chairperson of the Committee of
Ministers
* Palliative care: a model for innovative health and social policies
< =3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11758.htm>
* The regulation of audiovisual media services
< =3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11775.htm>

Thursday 29 January 2009

* Possible current affairs debate: the situation in Gaza
* Possible debate under urgent procedure: the consequences of the global
financial crisis
* Private military and security firms and the erosion of the state
monopoly on the use of force
< /Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11787.htm>
* A ttitude to memorials exposed to different historical interpretations
in Council of Europe member states
< D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11746.htm>

F riday 30 January 2009

* Electronic democracy
< k=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11783.htm>
* Feminicides
< p?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11781.ht m>
* Environmentally induced migration and displacement: a 21st century
challenge
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11785 .htm>

Practical information

Press conferences:

Lluís Maria de Puig, PACE President, will give a press conference on
Monday 26 January at 10.45 am. Other press conferences will be announced
on the spot.

Further details: see the Assembly’s website,
< t/> . Additional information may also be found on
the Council of Europe web portal,

For TV planning Units: videos in broadcast quality summing up PACE
highlights can be downloaded for free at
<; no later than two hours after the event.

Contact: PACE Communication Unit: Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93;
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

For accreditation: Directorate of Communication :

Danielle Schreiber-Somoza, [email protected]
<mailto:danie [email protected]> , tel. +33 3 88 41 25 44

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 029a09
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the
Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC
(Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group);

ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the
Unified European Left).

ARMENIAN INFLATION IN 2008 AT 5.2%, GDP UP 7.2% IN 11 MTHS

Interfax
Jan 11 2009
Russia

Consumer prices in Armenia in January- December 2008 increased by 5.2%,
the National Statistics Services said.

Inflation in December went up 0.1%.

In December, in comparison with November, prices on foodstuffs
(including alcoholic and tobacco goods) went up 0.7%. Tariffs on
services increased went up 0.2% while non-foodstuff prices went down
by 2.3%.

In addition, GDP in Armenia in January-November 2008 went up 7.2%
year-on-year, or, in absolute terms, increased in 3.29 billion dram
($11 billion).

It was earlier reported that the government’s forecast on inflation
in 2008 came to 4%, give or take 1.5%. The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) put this figure at 7.5%.

Armenian inflation in 2007 came to 6.6%, topping an earlier
forecast. The IMF puts inflation in Armenia at 5% for 2009.

Armenia’s GDP growth forecast for 2008 comes to 10.4% and 9.2% in
2009. In 2007, Armenia’s GDP went up 13.8% in comparison with 2006.

VLADIMIR TIMOSHENKO: "THE FACT THAT ARMENIA HAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF ARMS BY NO WAY GUARANTEES ITS SUCCESS IN WAR"

Today.Az
ics/50048.html
Jan 12 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia will never make an official statement about the new illegal
delivery of arms in the amount of $800,000,000 to Armenia, said
military expert Vladimir Timoshenko.

According to him, only international inspectors can hold an
investigation, referring to a contract on limitation of ordinary arms
in the flanks, according to which there are restrictions for Armenia
and Azerbaijan, which they have no right to violate.

"Moreover, Russia’s decision to withdraw arms from Georgia to Armenia
should not be surprising. To dislocate a part of them in Armenia
is easier for Russia than to transport them back to Russia. This is
natural and this was known before", said he.

He confirmed that there is a need for the international investigation
of the delivery fact, which however can be investigated only by
international structures.

Speaking about the importance to challenge Russia’s role as an
unbiased mediator in the Karabakh conflict resolution, considering
the strengthened supply of arms by this country to one of the conflict
parties, he said there are grounds for raising such issues.

"But I also stress that Russia is not interested in the resolution
of this conflict. Official Moscow even avoids statements in support
of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, preferring phrases like
"Negotiation yourself and we will support this agreement".

Any issue can be raised theoretically… But no practical steps will
be taken", noted Timoshenko.

He said the intensive armament of Armenia may break the balance,
but it should be taken into account that not only technical factor
plays a role here, among which he listed the preparation level of the
personal staff, moral spirit, tactics and strategy of conduction of
hostilities and so on.

"Many factors play a role here. Therefore, the fact that Armenia has
a large amount of arms by no way guarantees its success in war".

DETOX DIETS
by Jasmin Bhawra

Varsity
476
Jan 12 2009
Canada

Over the past few years, detoxification diets have caught on as a
weight loss method that cleanses the body of harmful toxins. Many
of us have considered the infomercials advertising body-cleansing
kits, such as Dr. Ho’s infamous Ab Trimmer. Detox kits often use
a combination of supplements, including herbal laxatives, colon
cleansers, and antioxidants. Some actually claim to flush out the
toxins responsible for fat storage and illness, cleanse the liver
and digestive tract, and eliminate cellulite.

Yet detox diets have numerous complications. Many of the herbal
laxatives used, such as burdock root and dandelion, can cause
dehydration and electrolyte loss by diarrhea. For users under 18,
pregnant or lactating women, or those with a serious health condition,
there are multiple adverse effects that can result from electrolyte
imbalances or unfavourable drug interactions. These products are
unregulated in Canada. Yet each year consumers looking to feel more
energetic or lose a few inches spend millions of dollars.

Despite all the claims, many physiologists and medical professionals
agree that detox regimens are not necessary and perhaps even
dangerous. Says Kevork Peltekian, an associate professor of medicine
at Dalhousie University, "If you’re healthy, your liver and kidneys do
a perfectly good job of getting rid of toxins in the body. There’s no
scientific evidence that detox diets augment the body’s own natural
mechanisms." The human body has a very efficient detoxification
system whereby wastes and toxic substances are removed via sweat,
feces, and urine. The liver acts to remove waste from the bloodstream
for excretion via the kidney, and the large intestine effectively
reabsorbs minerals and water.

The best method is always prevention: avoid putting toxins in your
body in the first place. Some toxins present in our atmosphere,
such as pesticides and pollution, are difficult to avoid, but a lot
can be done by eating better. Enjoying a healthy, balanced diet high
in essential nutrients, drinking plenty of water, and incorporating
exercise into your routine all contribute to a healthier digestive
system. They also help control your waistline and boost energy
levels. Before detox regimens became a fad, this is precisely how
detoxification was accomplished.

There would be no need for such extreme measures if living a healthier
lifestyle was given greater priority. Decreasing consumption of
processed foods, eating more fresh meals to limit toxin intake
associated with chemicals, and reducing unhealthy consumption would
allow our body to cleanse itself of all unwanted substances. These
behaviours keep our organs and associated systems healthy.

SecondsOut
Jan 4 2009

Vanes Martirosyan: 2009 and Beyond
Sun 4-Jan-2009 12:21

PHOTO: Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan: HoganPhotos.com

By Derek Bonnett: In July 2008, Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan, 22,
was counted among the top four Armenian-born fighters in the world of
boxing in my Each Nation’s Best article focusing on Armenia.

The young prospect, who represented the U.S.A in the 2004 Olympics
after defeating Andre Berto to earn his berth on the team, went
unbeaten in five bouts in 2008 to move his record to 22-0 (14). The
orthodox fighter, now making his home in Glendale, CA, went the 10
round distance twice against his strongest opposition to date (Angel
Hernandez and Michael Medina), nearly shutting out both men on the
judges’ scorecards.

It would seem that Martirosyan is ready for the next step of his
professional career and capable of shedding his `prospect’ label
altogether. Now that a February 7 date has been set for The
Nightmare’s 2009 debut, Team Martirosyan has its eyes set on the
future and what they expect to be a fruitful year.

`2009 will by far be the biggest year in Vanes Martirosyan’s career in
terms of a make or break year. Shelly Finkel, his manager, plans to
move Vanes along from prospect to top 10 contender status during the
year,’ stated Al Nazaryan of Team Martirosyan. `If all goes well, we
would like to see Vanes challenge for a world title by the end of
’09. To get to that goal, Vanes would first need to show strong
performances against some top fifteen guys in the junior middleweight
division, then perhaps fight for the NABO or NABF before taking that
big step to the world title bout. While some may argue that he is
being moved along somewhat slowly, we can only respond by assuring
them he has the best in the business in his corner and that our long
term goals are all set and will be met, God willing.’

No names of these top fifteen contenders were mentioned by Team
Martirosyan, but one source mentioned Billy Lyell, 18-6 (3), of
Youngstown, OH as the opponent for February. While hardly a top
fifteen caliber opponent, Lyell does bring greater experience with him
to the ring after having squared off with James Kirkland, Yory Boy
Campas, and David Lopez over the last two years. However,
Martirosyan’s management is well aware of who is who amongst the 154
pound bunch, particularly Vanes’ contemporary prospects.

`If you ask Vanes, he believes he is ready to compete with ANYONE in
the division, and that of course is a healthy mindset for a rising
prospect to have. Ideally, we would like for him to meet the likes of
Alfredo Angulo, James Kirkland, John Duddy, Joe Greene, Yuri Foreman,
and Chavez Jr., all of whom are solid undefeated prospects/contenders
in their own rights,’ Nazaryan explained. `These fights of course
won’t happen just yet, but along with Vanes Martirosyan, these are the
biggest names in the division and one or two will stand above the rest
after all is said and done. The trick of course is to try and remain
at the top once you get there, nothing can be worse for a young
fighter than short lived glory followed by a sudden downfall.’

2008 was witness to quite a few sudden downfalls concerning young,
highly touted prospects such as James McGirt Jr., Andy Lee, Yoan Pablo
Hernandez, and Amir Khan. While the hottest prospects at 154 may not
be on the table just yet for Martirosyan, the team is well aware that
there cannot be a reward without taking a substantial risk.

When asked about his opinion of how his career has been paced, Vanes
has this to say, `I just take it as it comes. I’m always ready to
fight whoever they put in front of me. I have a lot of respect and
trust for my team, that includes my manager Shelly Finkel, promoter
Bob Arum/Top Rank, trainer Ronnie Shields, and of course my dad and
uncle who all want the best for me. I think my progress has been
steady considering I joined the pro ranks at the young age of 18, now
we are ready for the next step and I think you will see that going
into 2009. We have always stressed a common goal, which is not only to
get to the top, but to get there at a level that will see me remain at
the top for some time.’

Staying power is hard to come by and only the best of the best manage
to keep their name atop their division for very long. Before the
boxing world can worry itself about Martirosyan’s ability to remain a
champion, it must first be convinced he battle his way through the
division’s young guns and earn his shot. That march will begin this
February.

PHOTO: Martirosyan lands a right hand on Marcus Brooks:
HoganPhotos.com

`I will definitely be on the Darchinyan vs. Arce undercard come
February 7th at the Honda Center in Anaheim. I will train to be ready
for the best as I always do. I didn’t even stay in LA to spend
Christmas or New Year’s with my family; that has been my sacrifice and
determination over the years,’ Martirosyan explained. ` I’m back in
Houston to work with Ronnie and be in top form both physically and
mentally. This will be a big fight for me considering Anaheim is a
short drive from my hometown of Glendale. A lot of my loyal fans will
be at the Honda Center for both myself and my countryman, the now
undisputed world champion, Vic Darchinyan. Jorge Arce of course is
another good friend and Top Rank stable mate of mine. I’m real
excited; expect plenty of fireworks come February 7th.’

But will the fireworks end there? What about the rest of the pack at
154?

`We are all bound to collide with one another at one point or another
for junior middleweight supremacy,’ Martirosyan stated. `There are at
least six or seven young, undefeated, solid prospects/contenders
including myself in this division, who are all capable of winning
world titles. I’m not sure how many other divisions can offer that at
this time. As for me, I really don’t have a preference on who I’ll
fight against, just bring me the best, and I will be ready to do my
thing come fight night.’

If Martirosyan’s calling for the best at 154, well, that can be as
difficult to determine as who leads the current crop of prospects? Is
it the unbeaten Sergiy Dzinziruk? The newly crowned Paul Williams? Or
perhaps old warhorse Vernon Forrest? Who stands above all the rest?

`At this time, in my eyes, it has to be Sergio Martinez,’ Martirosyan
conceded. `He was most impressive out of all the champions when I last
saw him on HBO. Very technical, good speed, and a fun fighter to
watch. Some of the other champs are getting older and are perhaps on
their way out to make room for this new school coming in. In another
year’s time, I honestly believe 154 will have the most excitement to
offer compared to all other divisions.’

The junior middleweight division has been in a transitional period for
the last couple of years as most of the excitement and talk has been
centered around the welterweight division. The welterweights once had
a pretty firm grasp on the title of being called the best division in
the sport, but the super bantamweight, super flyweight, and junior
flyweight divisions have made it a close race. I believe boxing fans
wouldn’t be too upset about a new horse entering the race. If the new
class of junior middleweights feel their up to the task, then here’s
to hoping Vanes Martirosyan isn’t the only one with a big 2009 on his
mind.

January 4, 2008

PHOTO: 22 year-old Vanes Martirosyan 22-0 (14) : HoganPhotos.com

View photos at 0&cs=51161

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 30 2008

Armenians most TV-watching nation
30.12.08 13:29

The analysis of TV and advertisement market in Armenia carried out by
TV MR AM representing AGB Nielsen Media Research company showed that
TV is more popular in Armenia than in other countries – Armenians
spend 316 minutes before their TV sets, reported ARKA.

Marketing Manager Vigen Gabrielyan told journalists that despite the 6
minutes’ reduction in time spent by Armenians before TV sets as
compared with 2007, still the indicator remains the highest among 80
countries where the study was conducted.

According to the results of the study, the smallest time ` 128 minutes
– is spent before TV sets by residents in some Chinese provinces. The
average time is 3 hours throughout the world.

TV MR AM company was founded in 2005 and represents AGB Nielsen Media
Research in Armenia. It conducts surveys of TV audience and provides
monitoring data to TV companies and advertisement agencies.

AGB Nielsen Media Research is a world’s biggest company engaged in TV
market reserach. It was established in 2004 through a murger of AGB
Group and Nielsen Media Research International. The company’s
headquarters are situated in Switzerland. The company has
representative offices in 28 countries.

Contactmusic.com, UK
Dec 27 2008

CHARLES AZNAVOUR – AZNAVOUR AWARDED ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP

Veteran French singer CHARLES AZNAVOUR has been granted Armenian
citizenship by presidential decree.

The 84-year-old singer – born Shahnur Aznavourian – was born in Paris,
France to Armenian parents.

He serves as Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Aznavour also set up a foundation and organised a series of charity
concerts to help earthquake victims in the country, ravaged by the
1988 disaster which left 25,000 people dead.

The presidency of the ex-Soviet republic said on Friday (26Dec08):
"Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has signed a decree granting
Armenian citizenship to the prominent singer and public figure, a hero
of the Armenian people, Charles Aznavour."

nsf/article/aznavour%20awarded%20armenian%20citize nship_1090309

PROFESSIONAL ALL-ARMENIAN NETWORK TO BE CREATED IN 2009

Noyan Tapan

Dec 26, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Diaspora among
2009 programs attaches most importance to holding of all-Armenian
conferences.

Minister Hranush Hakobian reported at the December 26 brief press
conference adding that in 2009 April it is envisaged holding
conferences of Armenian architects, in September Armenian lawyers,
then of Diasporan Armenians graduating from a higher educational
institution in Armenia. Besides, according to H. Hakobian, events
should be organized dedicated to Armenian National Hero Charles
Aznavour, Kirk Kerkorian, and Alex Manoogian for "presenting them
properly" both in the country and in the Diaspora.

The most important program to be implemented in 2009, according to H.

Hakobian, will be creation of an all-Armenian professional network
within the framework of the Diaspora-Armenia cooperation. As she
affirmed, thanks to that network it will be possible to efficiently
use nation’s mental potential.

The Minister said that within the three months of its activity
the Ministry has worked out and presented to various departments
and Armenian and Diasporan organizations a draft conception of
Armenia-Diaspora Partnership Development. According to H. Hakobian,
positive responses have been received on it from different corners
of the world. The draft will be submitted to RA government’s approval
in 2009 February.

H. Hakobian also said that the experience of work organization with
diasporas of various countries, in particular, Greece, Serbia, India,
Israel has been studied. For instance, as the Minister emphasized
it, Armenia will need the experience of Greece when adopting laws on
Diasporan Armenians.

Among the work done H. Hakobian also mentioned the launching of
the movement Armenians without Smoking in the Diaspora and Armenia,
preparation of all-Armenian Olympic Games.

COMMISSION FORMED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES OF LAKE SEVAN

A1+
[04:39 pm] 26 December, 2008

On December 25 Serzh Sargsyan signed an order on establishing a
commission dealing with the issues of Lake Sevan. The order sets the
structure of the Commission.

Vladimir Movsisyan, Executive Director of the Forest Reforestation and
Development Fund has been appointed President of the Commission. Yuri
Javadyan, Director of the Hayjrnakhagits Institute is the Vice
President.

Today the President of the Republic held working consultations with
members of the Commission.

Noting that the consultations are aimed at launching the activity of
the Commission and coordinating its principles, Mr. Sargsyan said:
"I do not consider it necessary to dwell on the issue of importance of
Lake Sevan for Armenia. The issues connected with Sevan are of vital
importance for us. It is directly or indirectly linked to a number of
spheres – environmental protection, agriculture, energy, fish breeding,
drinking water, etc. It’s easier to say what it is not connected with.

Without any exaggeration, Sevan is one of the most valuable resources
of Armenia, and its importance will only be growing during the years
to come. We must be able to properly preserve and develop this gift
of nature. On the other hand, we should be able to make a reasonable
and full use of it. It is our duty.

I should note with appreciation that a great work has been done in
the direction of protecting Sevan over the past ten years. Today we
must make greater efforts to solve the issues Sevan faces. I think
the Commission is going to become a powerful engine of it. These are
my expectations. We must be able to achieve essential results in this
direction in 2009."

Serzh Sargsyan pointed to several issues that should be the main task
of the commission. He said it’s necessary to control all kinds of
economic activity that can have a negative influence on the ecosystem
of the lake.

President of the commission, Executive Director of the Forest
Reforestation and Development Fund Vladimir Movsisyan said the
establishment of such commission speaks about the resoluteness of
the Armenian authorities to solve the existing problems. According
to Vladimir Movsisyan, members of the Commission are professionals,
who have the experience and ability to solve the issues.