Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Mediamax, Armenia
Nov 20 2008

Armenia needs peace more than Azerbaijan – minister

The Azerbaijani foreign minister has said that Armenia will benefit
from the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict more than
Azerbaijan.

In an interview with the Armenian news agency Mediamax, Elmar
Mammadyarov said that although Azerbaijan has had its territories
under occupation, Armenia suffered more from the protracted conflict
over breakaway Nagornyy Karabakh.

"The resolution of the conflict is in the interests of both Azerbaijan
and Armenia. And probably more in the interests of Armenia than of
Azerbaijan. Indeed, the territories of my country will be liberated
from occupation and thousands of displaced persons will return to
their homes. However, let us look at what Armenia and the Armenian
people have gained from this war. Azerbaijan’s GDP is four times
greater than that of Armenia. Armenia is not involved in any strategic
regional projects, the lion’s share of Armenia’s GDP goes to military
spending… All the communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan are
interrupted, etc. Naturally, Azerbaijan, which has a million of
displaced persons and refugees and is sustaining economic losses due
to continuing occupation, is not the gainer either. However, the
situations are incomparable," Mammadyarov said.

He went on to say that the resolution of the conflict would make it
possible to improve the situation.

"The resolution of the conflict would enable the opening of
communications, Armenia’s involvement in regional projects, huge
investments in your country and the overall improvement of the
climate. Armenia will only benefit from this. And, believe me,
Azerbaijan is interested in having a prosperous, peaceful and
predictable neighbour," he said.

WPS Agency, Russia
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 21, 2008 Friday

BAKU IS WORRIED BY INFORMATION ABOUT REPAIR OF ARMENIAN TANKS IN
TBILISI

Azerbaijan expresses concern about information that armored vehicles
of the armed forces of Armenia would be repaired in Georgia. During
the recent visit of the Defense Minister of Armenia to Georgia the
parties agreed not only on the transit of military cargoes to Armenia
via Georgia but also on repair of armored vehicles. Previously,
Armenian armored vehicles were already repaired in Tbilisi at the
former tank repair plant of the group of Russian forces in
Transcaucasia. So far, the Defense Ministry of Georgia does not
comment on this information.

Source: Vzglyad, November 19, 2008, p. EV
Translated by InterContact

ECONOMIC INFORMATION PORTAL "BUSINESS TODAY" OF "NOYAN TAPAN" INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL CENTER OFFICIALLY PRESENTED

Noyan Tapan

Nov 19, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "Business Today" economic
information portal of "Noyan Tapan" Information and Analytical Center
has been launched.

It will provide exact economic information about companies operating
in Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh, manufactured goods and provided
services, their prices and changes in prices. Along with providing
correct information about developments taking place in the market,
the portal also offers an opportunity to compare prices and make
operational marketing decisions, the Manager of the portal Satenik
Gharakeshishian stated at the November 19 presentation of "Business
Today" ( or ).

According to S. Gharakeshishian, the idea of creating such a portal
was proposed at Noyan Tapan as early as 5 years ago, but for certain
reasons it has become possible to finish part of the envisaged huge
work only today.

The chief programmer of "Business Today", Founder of "Hangyuts"
Club Mher Abrahamian said that the portal is the only one in Armenia
in the sense that users may quickly receive, via the Internet, data
for contacting companies and choose the necessary goods and services
from the exhaustive database accessible in the real-time regime. In
the future, the companies – participants in "Business Today" will
have the opportunity to complete information about their goods and
services on their own.

The Director of Grant Thornton Amyot consulting and audit company
Arman Pinarbasi stated that he anticipates accurate, fresh, profound
and independent information from "Business Today". According to him,
their company will be in the role of both a provider and user of the
portal’s information as information is an indispensable tool in work
of any consulting company.

The Assistant of the Chairman of the RA National Statistical Service
(NSS) Hayk Grigorian read the message of the NSS Chairman Stepan
Mnatsakanian on the occasion of launching "Business Today" portal,
which in particular says that the portal "will contribute to the
creation and development of an economic information system" and
"the formation of an information society in Armenia".

KONSTANTIN ZATULIN: KARABAKH WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS INDEPENDENT STATE SOONER OR LATER

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.11.2008 13:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh conflict will never be resolved
without participation of Karabakh itself in talks, a Russian politician
said.

"The Moscow declaration is a unique document, since it ruled out
resolution of the conflict by use of force. As to Azerbaijan’s
statements that Russia will "cede Karabakh and bunko Armenia", they are
extremely improper. Russia can’t cede a land which doesn’t belong to
it," Konstantin Zatulin, State Duma member, director of the institute
of CIS studies, told a news conference today.

During the November 2 meeting, the Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of
Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
signed a declaration envisaging resolution of the Karabakh conflict
on the basis of principles and norms of the international law.

Russia, like Armenia, is not prepared to recognize independence of
Nagorno Karabakh yet, according to him.

"However, recognition is inevitable. During 17 years, Karabakh
proved its being a developing and democratic state, contrary to
Azerbaijan. Besides, no one can insist that the right of nations to
self-determination is a secondary principle. I am confident Nagorno
Karabakh will be recognized as an independent entity sooner or later,"
Zatulin said.

RUSSIA, UKRAINE AND IRAN ALREADY CONFIRMED THEIR PARTICIPATION IN "KAMURJ 2009" TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 20-23

Noyan Tapan

Nov 11, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The 6th international economic
forum "Kamurj 2009" ("Bridge 2009") will be held in Tsakhkadzor on
February 20-23, 2009. The delegations of Russia, Ukraine and Iran
have already confirmed their decision to participate in the forum,
the event’s organizers – the director of "Master" international
integration assistance center Norayr Nazinian and the chairman of
the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) Arsen
Ghazarian announced.

According to A. Ghazarian, the fact that "Kamurj" forums have taken
place for the sixth consecutive year bears evidence of the efficiency
of holding this event called "Armenian Davos". In particular, thanks to
the programs envisaged by the agreement signed between UMBA and Union
of Production Cooperatives of Czechia and Moravia during "Kamurj 2008",
a number of Armenian companies have managed to import conveyers and
equipment from the Czech Republic on beneficial terms, while several
others plan to implement investment programs in that country.

In the opinion of A. Ghazarian, the number of countries and
organizations to take part in "Kamurj 2009" will be more by 20-30%
than in 2008. More than 300 participants representing companies and
state government bodies of 7 countries took part in the previous
economic forum.

He announced that "Kamurj 2009" will have the slogan "The Prospects
of International Economic Cooperation. The Problems and Solutions",
and the choice of this slogan was conditioned by the fact that UMBA
attaches importance to raising Armenia’s organizing role in the economy
of the region and to promoting the country’s exports. "We paid more
attention to the subjects of the round tables to be conducted in order
to highlight the problems we see in the current economic situation,
especially under conditions of the crisis that affected international
financial markets," the UMBA chairman said. He added that special
importance has been attached to those sectors and branches of the
economy, which are considered as subject to development and investment
making and in which it is possible to maintain the development rates
of the past 6-7 years.

A. Ghazarian stated the the organizers of "Kamurj 2009" aim to increase
once again the work opportunities in markets of neighboring countries
and to start a new phase of investments in Armenia.

In his words, efforts will be made to ensure the participation of
delegations of Georgia and Turkey in "Kamurj 2009". He underlined the
importance of the participation of a Georgian delegation in terms of
an exchange of experience in the construction sector. He announced
that an invitation to take part in the forum was sent to the Union
of Manufacturers of Turkey, adding that the delegation of UMBA has
repeatedly attended the regional economic forums held in Turkey.

Speaking about the issues to be discussed during the round table on
construction, A. Ghazarian said that this year the construction in
Armenia, as well as imports of building materials into the country,
domestic production and consumption did not decline, although some
experts forecast such a decline as a result of the international
financial crisis. Sales of living and office spaces declined to
some extent.

"Kamurj 2009" will be held with the official assistance of the RA
ministry of economy, the RA ministry of foreign affairs, and the
Central Bank of Armenia.

ARDSHININVESTBANK, CONVERSEBANK, VTB BANK (ARMENIA) LEADERS OF ARKA PRESS RATING IN Q3

ARKA
Nov 11, 2008

YEREVAN, November 11. /ARKA/. The ARKA News Agency has released a
press rating of Armenian banks for the 3rd quarter of 2008. During
the period under review, only three banks – Ardshininvestbank,
Conversebank and VTB Bank (Armenia) – proved to be leaders against
four in July-September 2007.

An analysis of press reports showed that banks were much more active
in the 3rd quarter, with more information contained in their reports.

In the 3rd quarter of 2008, the number of press reports increased by
54.3% as compared with the corresponding period last year. The share
of negative reports was 5.2% against 1.3%.

In general information on the banks, the share of the heading
"General" increased from 25.3% up to 57.1%. As regards the other
headings the situation is as follows: "Bank Development Policy"
(37.8% down to 20%), "Banking Activities in Figures" (17.4% down to
10.2%), "Bank’s economic forecasts and opinions" (9.5% down to 3%),
"Clients and services" (9.9% down to 9.6%).

According to the ARKA press rating, Conversebank recorded the highest
indices in the headings "General" and "Bank Development Policy"
– 84.54 and 151.22 respectively. The VTB Bank (Armenia) recorded
the highest indices in the headings "Clients and services" (40.96),
"Banking activities in figures" (99.97) and "Bank’s economic forecasts
and opinions" (15.3).

The ARKA press rating is based not on financial and economic
indicators, but on the reports on banking activities provided by
means of mass media. As a result, the better is the awareness
of a bank’s activities the more effective is its communication
policy. Advertisements were not studied or analyzed for the press
rating.

For more details see Press Rating of Banks #04 (39) for the 3rd
quarter 2008.

ARMENIAN, GREEK MONKS ROW AT CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.11.2008 12:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Israeli police have had to restore order at one
of Christianity’s holiest sites after a mass brawl broke out between
monks in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Fighting erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of Christ’s
crucifixion.

Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded
kicks and punches at the shrine, said police.

Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to mark the annual Feast of
the Cross.

The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognizing their rights inside
the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one
of their traditional ceremonies.

An Armenian clergyman said the Greek clergy had tried to place one
of their monks inside the Edicule, an ancient structure which is said
to encase the tomb of Jesus.

"What is happening here is a violation of status quo. The Greeks have
tried so many times to put their monk inside the tomb but they don’t
have the right to when the Armenians are celebrating the feast,"
he said, BBC reports

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Surp Harutyun) is a Christian church
within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. The site is venerated by
most Christians as Golgotha, (the Hill of Calvary), where the New
Testament says that Jesus was crucified, and is said to also contain
the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulcher). The church has been
an important pilgrimage destination since at least the 4th century,
as the purported site of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem

9 Nov 08

JERUSALEM (AP) ‘ Rival monks brawled at one of Christianity’s holiest
sites, and police have detained two clergymen for questioning.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says fighting erupted Sunday between
Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
in Jerusalem. The church marks the traditional site of Jesus’
crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

Police detained one monk from each side.

Rosenfeld says fighting flared over preparations for the annual
ceremony held by the Armenians to commemorate the 4th century discovery
of the cross believed to have been used to crucify Jesus.

Six Christian sects control the ancient church. They regularly fight
over turf and influence, and Israeli police must occasionally
intervene.

US Department of State seeking clarification from the Government of
Azerbaijan on plans to discontinue local radio broadcasts of
international media

07 November 2008 [16:38] – Today.Az

The United States is deeply concerned by reports that Azerbaijanʼs
National Television and Radio Council may discontinue local radio
broadcasts of international media, including Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL), the Voice of America (VOA) and the BBC, according to
the statement, posted on the official website of the US Department of
State.

The Chairman of Azerbaijan’s National Television and Radio Council
(NTRC) said on October 31, that foreign broadcasts on frequencies
controlled by the government of Azerbaijan may cease in 2009. The
statement says there was no advance communication with the affected
broadcasters, nor with the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which
provides oversight for all U.S. international broadcasting.

"The United States believes that international broadcasters such as
Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the BBC have
enriched public debate in Azerbaijan and contribute to Azerbaijanʼs
democratic development. Discontinuing such broadcasts would send a
disturbing message. We are seeking clarification from the Government of
Azerbaijan". reads the statement

CHURCH HONOUR CONFERRRED ON ARMENIAN PATRIARCH

UNI (United News of India)
November 6, 2008 Thursday 2:15 PM EST

Kottayam, Nov 6 (UNI) The Order of St Thomas, the highest honour of
the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, was conferred on the visiting
Patriarch Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians by Catholicos and
Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Didymus I at a function
here today. The function began with lighting the traditional lamp by
the Patiarch, Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Didymus and Catholicos-
designate Paulose Mar Milithios. Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus
Suffragan Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church, Kottayam Archbishop
Mathew Moolakkattu, Church of South India (CSI) Bishop Thomas Samuel,
legislators V N Vasavan, K C Joseph and Joseph M Puthusserry, Malankara
Association Secreary George Joseph were among those who felicitated
the Patriarch. He also launched an endowment scholarship instituted
as part of the ‘Sapthati’ celebrations of Thomas Mar Athanasius
Metropolitan of the Chengannur diocese. The Metropolitan had set
up several schools in Gujarat. A Student representative from that
State felicitated the septuagenarian prelate on the occasion. Mr M
G George Muthoot, Orthodox Church trustee representing the laity,
and Rev Yohannan Ramban also addressed the meeting.