Author: Nahapetian Lilit

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ARF SUPREME BODY WILL BE HELD IN NKR

KarabakhOpen
11-09-2007 16:44:26

The 11th general assembly of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s Supreme Body
will be held in NKR, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s press secretary Gayane
Manukyan told the Novosti Armenia agency. She said the Supreme Body
of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Armenia made this decision on the 15th
anniversary of the liberation of Shushi.

The General Assembly will open on September 14 at the Cultural Center
of Shushi. The assembly will continue in Stepanakert. The agenda will
include the annual report of the Supreme Body, social and economic
issues, the foreign policies of Artsakh, the home political situation
in Armenia, the activities of the ARF parliamentary delegation and the
ministers, and the stance of the party on the presidential election,
the action plan, the election of a new staff of the Supreme Body.

EUROSET SACRIFICES BEELINE FOR MTS

CNews, Russia
September 10, 2007, Mon 12:46 AM Moscow

Euroset St. Petersburg outlets experienced decline in Beeline
subscriptions while MTS SIM-card sale grew in August. Euroset has
acknowledged concluding a contract with MTS. St. Petersburg cellular
retailers state cellular subscription fell by 10% in August as compared
to July, which might be accounted for usual summer vacations.

Euroset St. Petersburg outlets experienced decline in Beeline
subscriptions while MTS SIM-card sale grew in August. Euroset has
acknowledged concluding a contract with MTS. St. Petersburg cellular
retailers state cellular subscription fell by 10% in August as compared
to July, which might be accounted for usual summer vacations.

CNews got the August 6 largest St. Petersburg retailers subscription
data. The total number of contracts sold amounted to 186 thousand,
which is a 19 thousand decrease, as compared to July.

Beeline and Tele2 experienced the largest decrease in subscription as
compared to July (minus 12 and 7 thousands, relatively), Beeline main
sales decrease falling to two networks, i.e. Ultra and Euroset. At the
same time, the retailers claim MTS subscription to increase. According
to CNews, Euroset increased MTS contracts sale by 3.5 thousand,
while Ultra by 200.

MegaFon demonstrated the largest fall in the mentioned networks by
2 thousand.

CNews source in one of the cellular operators tells Euroset and Ultra
has concluded contracts with MTS, "that is why the mentioned above
companies are promoting only MTS at present at the expense of other
operators". "We have certain mutual obligations with MTS, while in
July they were renewed, – Euroset explains to CNews. – The growth is
connected with the mentioned factor". Valery Shishkin, Director of
Ultra Digital Technology Center notes MTS subscription increase is
connected with the company’s active marketing policy.

Euroset St. Petersburg outlets increased MTS SIM-cards sail, while
Beeline subscription reduced

It should be noted the subscription decrease affected all the cellular
retail market participants in August.

The highest decrease was experienced by Euroset and Ultra. "The
subscription reduction amounted to 5%, – Mr. Shishkin says. – That
corresponds to our forecasts, as we did not expect the subscription
increase in July". At the same time Euroset possessing the highest
number of outlets in St. Petersburg is the leader by the number of
contracts amounting to 61 thousand which is by 4.5 thousand lower
than in July.

Then Svyaznoy follows with 46 thousand contracts (minus 2 thousand),
Ultra with 33 thousand (minus 7 thousand). Teleforum concluded 32
thousand subscription contracts (minus 4 thousand). Cifrograd and
Betalink had correspondingly 17 thousand (minus 500) and 16 thousand
(minus 1.5 thousand) subscriptions.

Teleforum tells "in August the total sales bulk in the company’s
outlets was approximately equally distributed between the tree
operators, i.e. Beeline, MTS and Tele2. "At the same time Tele2
SIM-cards were sold mainly because of unbiased demand", – our
correspondent notes. – In general our sale expectations were not
approved, though the main tasks having been successfully fulfilled
by retail outlets".

Analysts and market participants account the subscription market
reduction for vacations, being highest in August. According to the
Analyst Denis Kuskov the situation with subscription reduction in
August repeats every year, but in Autumn it usually improves. "The
number of subscriptions to be made by the New Year is to be roughly
the same as in all previous months, – Mr. Kuskov says. – But then the
number of subscribers in St. Petersburg is to reduce, subscriptions
are to fall, so the operators will start struggling to retain the
existing subscribers".

MegaFon North-West Subsidiary confirms CNews data regarding the
insignificant reduction of new subscriptions in August as compared to
July. "That is sure to be connected with the seasonal activity slow
down, repeating from year to year, – the operator’s Press Service
confirms. – Besides, according to statistics, July is occupying the
second place by the rate of subscription after December, while August
is similar to January. In present August, according to roaming data,
subscribers were sure to go on holidays".

"We expect subscriptions to grow up in September, as September is
traditionally the most intensive month as compared to August", –
VimpelCom North-West representation office Press Service says.

Euroset is the largest mobile handset retailer in Russia and one of the
Russia’s leading dealers for major mobile network operators. The main
business activity of the Euroset Group is the retail sale of mobile
handsets, digital cameras, CD, MP3 players and DECT-phones, mobile
handset accessories and subscription to mobile network operators. In
the first half of 2005, the Group estimated its share of the mobile
handset retail market in Russia to be 23%. As of 31 October 2005
Euroset has outlets in 626 Russian cities, as well as in 25 cities in
Kazakhstan, 19 cities in Ukraine and one city in Belarus. Euroset’s
nest goal is to further develop its business in the Commonwealth of
Independent States and the Baltic States.

—————————————– —————————————

VimpelCom Group includes cellular companies operating in Russia,
Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and recently acquired
companies in Georgia and Armenia. The Company operates under the
‘Beeline’ brand. The VimpelCom Group’s license portfolio covers
approximately 240 million people. Geographically it covers 78 regions
of Russia with 136.5 million people, representing 94% of Russia’s
population as well as the entire territories of Kazakhstan, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Armenia. The company’s net income
and revenue for Q3 2006 was $268,4mln and $1,358mln respectively.

MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) is the largest mobile phone operator in
Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 72.86 million subscribers. The regions of Russia,
Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its
associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM services, have
a total population of more than 230 million. MTS completed its IPO and
listed its Level III ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2000,
under the symbol MBT. The Company’s shares have been listed locally on
MICEX since November 2003, under the symbol MTSI. The Company’s GDRs
are also traded in Europe. The free float of the Company’s shares
is approximately 46.7%. MTS is 52.8% majority-owned by Sistema,
the largest private sector consumer services company in Russia and
the CIS. The company’s consolidated revenues in the first quarter of
2007 reached $1,741mln.

"MESSAGE" COMMENTATOR
Kima Yeghiazaryan

Hayots Ashkharh dailyi
Sept 7 2007
Armenia

What Rumors Leader Of People’s Path Hears?

What dispositions and approaches are noticed in the opposite camps
prior to the presidential elections? How do the pro-governmental and
pro-opposition parties get prepared for 2008 election campaign? In
what case can the former MP support the ex-President?

Leader of People’s Path Manuk Gasparyan was the guest of "Pastark"
club yesterday. He mainly touched upon the before mentioned questions.

Leader of People’s Path says, " The political situation becomes more
and more tensed. The situation is more problematic particularly
in the pro-government wing. "I have already said this and I will
repeat, at the moment no one knows who will be the pro-government
candidate. Because Robert Kocharyan hasn’t got the pledge whether
the new President will guarantee the position of the Prime Minister
for him. That is why Robert Kocharyan delayed the congress of the
Republican Party." Manuk Gasparyan commented on the "messages" from
the government "kitchen".

As for the processes in ARF, he said he doesn’t have "information"
but he can predict, " Dashnaktsutyun won’t nominate a candidacy. They
will support Serge Sargsyan. But they will demand from him to guarantee
more levers for them in future."

By now Manuk Gasparyan avoided giving any commentaries regarding Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and supporters-activists, waiting for the decision of
the ex-President.

But yesterday he couldn’t resist. "Even if Levon Ter-Petrosyan doesn’t
nominate his candidacy, the fact that his name is discussed is a
phenomenon in the policy and it will liven up the society. When he left
no one wanted even to hear his name. But at present at least 10% want
to hear. But it is a question whether they will vote for him or not.

He also said, " I will not impede, if Levon Ter-Petrosyan becomes
the united candidate of the opposition, but I will not support him."

But anyway he said he would feel very happy if the ex-President
nominates his candidacy. "I will be very happy if Levon Ter-Petrosyan
nominates his candidacy. Most of the officials in the pro-government
wing will slowly, on the sly, take sides with Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
because once he has raised them. They will be military leaders,
members of the government… Messages reach me," the speaker said.

"But will L.T.P. make M.Gasparyan feel happy?"

It is difficult to say, "Levon Ter-Petrosyan is a vigilant person.

He doesn’t listen only to his guys. He should see whether there is
social demand or not. If no then he will not be nominated."

Touching upon the announcement of the vice-leader of "National
Unity", saying that it is not excluded that L.T.P. will support
Artashes Geghamyan’s candidacy, leader of People’s Path assured,
" Levon will never support anyone because he never considers anyone
higher than him." In general he confessed, "I fail to understand
Geghamyan’s recent messages."

Manuk Gasparyan has conducted a personal survey to clarify how many
votes will the opposition leaders get should the presidential elections
take place on the coming Sunday. " Some 6-7 people will obtain
2-3%, 1-2 people – 3-4%. They are Vazgen Manukyan, Aram Karapetyan,
Tigran Karapetyan, Artashes Geghamyan, and Stepan Demirchyan, Raffi
Hovhannisyan, and Arthur Baghdasaryan will obtain 3-4%. Though after
the recent majoritarian elections Raffi Hovhannisyan spoiled his
rating, but he can get even 8%," the speaker introduced the results
of the "social survey".

Later reminding that he has worked as a chief accountant for many
years, he started calculating, "If we assemble the votes of those
seven and add Levon Petrosyan’s votes to them we will get 21-22%. But
Serge Sargsyan, with his administrative levers can definitely obtain
this 22%. How are they going to struggle and even to appear at the
second stage? Serge Sargsyan will win an absolute victory at the
first stage. That is why better for those seven people not to waste
their money.

By the way, based on M. Gasparyan’s calculations opposition leaders
will spend not less than 25-30 million dollars.

MEETING TO DISCUSS ETHICS IN SOCIETY

Panorama.am
20:55 05/09/2007

On September 13-14, the UNESCO finance committee will convene, with
discussions planned about the issue of ethics in society. This was
informed by the European Council’s office in Armenia.

Information and communication technologies and their relation to
ethics and human rights are to be discussed during the meeting,
as well as the rising of the competence of users.

The meeting will start at 9:30 on September 3 (European Palace,
2nd floor, 9th hall), with the participation of EC representative
Mod de Pyor-Ppukiko, UNESCO information and communication assistant
director Mogena Shmidi, and the French UNESCO committee secretary
Jan-Pierre Boyer.

The following themes will be discussed in the meeting’s four round
rooms: possible solutions concerning information and communication
technologies, possible clashes in advancements, recommendations for
rules concerning Internet users, and limits of responsibility.

JEWISH COMMUNITY OF FRANCE ALWAYS RECOGNIZED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.09.2007 14:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Jewish community of France always recognized
the Armenian Genocide," First Secretary of the French Socialist Party
Francois Hollande told a news conference in Yerevan.

"From the very beginning French Jews rendered every possible assistance
to the Genocide survivors. They facilitated establishment of camps,
offered work and were engaged philanthropic activities along with the
French people. We think that France has commitments to the Armenian
nation and our country has been fulfilling them since 1915," Mr
Hollande underscored.

AREVIK IN EUROVISION

Panorama.am
19:23 03/09/2007

Armenia will, for the first time, participate in the Eurovision for
children, presenting the "Arevik" singers of National Radio. "Serious
works have already been created for the children," National Radio’s
director, Armen Amiryan, stated today. Although it is early to speak
about what to anticipate, Amiryan already has serious expectations
from the "Arevik" participation in the children’s’ Eurovision.

RA PRIME MINISTER SERGE SARGSYAN’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON KNOWLEDGE AND SCHOOLING DAY

armradio.am
01.09.2007 13:12

Dear Schoolchildren and Students, Esteemed Teachers and Lecturers:

I congratulate you on the Knowledge and Schooling Day.

Knowledge is the key to competitiveness for humans and societies in
today’s world to help keep pace with the rapidly changing realities. We
must live up to this challenge. There is no alternative left for
us. By incorporating education and science with the Government’s five
priorities, we have already declared that we will be consistent in
our efforts for the modernization of this sector.

Today is the start-up of the new academic year. There will be lots of
congratulations and best wishes today. I would like to add another
one aimed at streamlining your efforts and energy throughout the
year. Let us learn to become a good citizen of the Motherland. Apart
from being generous and kind, learned and skilled, let us honor our
own and other people’s rights, assume obligations, act and call for
due respect for a piece of work. Let us educate ourselves and those
around us to become citizens of the Armenian State.

I congratulate you once again and wish you all a successful academic
year.

IT IS NOT TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE

KarabakhOpen
03-09-2007 16:10:45

On September 2 Karabakh marked its 16th anniversary of
independence. And if in the past 15 years it was a real celebration,
this year it was marked by the bill on the recognition of the
independence proposed by the leader of the oppositionist Heritage
Party Raffi Hovannisian. Although no party has endorsed the bill, it
"sparked" debate on the priority of the international recognition or
setting down the factual independence.

"For us, independence is not an end in itself. It was the only way
of saving the country and people. We had to focus our resource and
efforts on defending the fatherland," said President Arkady Ghukasyan
in this connection. "In foreign affairs, our ultimate goal is the
international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, and I am sure it will
take place. We must be strong in all aspects: politics, military,
economy, culture, etc.," Arkady Ghukasyan said.

According to the speaker of the Karabakh parliament Ashot Ghulyan,
we have made considerable progress on our track for independence. The
speaker said "the quality of life, the effectiveness of the army and
the creation of a more favorable climate for the activities of various
branches of power help judge about the way the country has passed."

Armenia should be the first to recognize the independence, thinks
Raffi Hovannisian and a great number of Diasporans. The fact that
Armenia has not recognized Karabakh might be the obstacle to the
countries which have no reason not to recognize NKR. Meanwhile, the
Armenian political forces think at the moment the recognition of the
independence of Karabakh by Yerevan is not expedient.

"Over the past 2-2.5 years a significant factor has emerged in the
talks. The international organizations and the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs started to acknowledge the right of Nagorno-Karabakh for
self-determination.

I think this is a quite new stage for us. I would also like to
add that the PACE resolution passed in January 2005 maintains that
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic may be separated from Azerbaijan through
a democratic way. I think this is an achievement. On the whole,
the talks are satisfactory for us if the international community
eventually recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

I think it is inevitable. The problem is to bring this moment
as closer as possible," said the speaker of the Armenian National
Assembly Tigran Torosyan who had nevertheless arrived in Karabakh to
celebrate the Independence Day of NKR.

"I don’t think there are people who would not wish the recognition
of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. If it only depended
on the Republic of Armenia… The talks are underway which set their
rules. On the other hand, it’s a tradition that the Armenian parliament
is always unanimous regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It would
be desirable if the members of parliament sustained this approach. It
would enhance the role of the parliament regarding this issue,"
the speaker said. At the same time, he said every year when the
Armenian parliament adopts the budget, it recognizes the independence
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by providing an interstate loan to an
independent state.

As to Karabakh, it is highly skeptical towards the international
recognition of its independence. We conducted a poll in the streets of
Stepanakert to find out how important it is to people to be citizens
of an independent country.

"It makes no difference they recognize us or not. If there is no threat
and there are conditions to live. Now we are not in danger. Who knows
what will happen if they recognize the independence," said a shop
assistant on Azatamartikneri Street.

"First Azerbaijan must recognize. If Baku rejects relations with us,
nobody’s recognition will help," said a pensioner walking in the
central part.

"It makes no difference to me, independence or part of Armenia. It’s
important that we don’t depend on Azerbaijan. I heard on TV they are
always nagging at Armenians," said a student of Artsakh State.

"I used to work for the factory, I used to get a high salary. At that
time life was not so easy but now it’s worse. I get 18 thousand drams.

What can I buy on this sum?" says a pensioner selling herbs on
the market.

"Very good. I left Baku for a provincial town, now it has become a
capital. It’s not as big as Baku but it’s a capital. There are nice
concerts, people are cultured, they talk Russian. In 1990 they wanted
us to live in a village but I told my husband no, I want to live in
the city and I don’t regret," said a refugee from Baku.

ARMENIAN SOCIETY CELEBRATES MOVE TO NEW SITE
By Jason Wells

Glendale News Press, CA
08/30/politics/gnp-center30.txt
Aug 29 2007

Group has struggled with Presbyterian church, now its neighbor,
over how parking will work.

Photo: John Lalaian holds the shovel full of dirt Wednesday while
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian blesses it during a groundbreaking
for the Armenian Society of Los Angeles’ new site.

SOUTHEAST GLENDALE – Nearly four years after agreeing to make way for
the Americana at Brand project, officials for the Armenian Society of
Los Angeles on Wednesday celebrated their new location on South Louise
Street, making no attempt to iron over the sometimes contentious path
that got them there.

To help clear the footprint for the Americana development in 2003,
the society turned over its building on Brand Boulevard to the city
in exchange for $5 million and the lot at 117 S. Louise St., which
is next to the Glendale Presbyterian Church.

Armenian Society and church officials have been working through the
issue of environmental impacts borne out of on-site project proposals
submitted over the last two years.

But on Wednesday, a groundbreaking ceremony for the 27,000-square-foot
building that will soon house the society seemed to offer as much
relief as it did certainty for the nearly 100 supporters who attended.

"I’m happy we at least have a place," said John Lalaian, president
of the society. advertisement

In May 2005, the city’s Redevelopment Agency rejected the society’s
original plan for a four-story, 53,000-square-foot building that
included a library, theater and banquet hall, finding the structure
far too massive and incompatible for the area.

That raised concerns over the society’s financial prudence in drawing
up such a large structure, but officials there insisted they were
making a return on investments. No evidence or accusations of
wrongdoing were issued.

Last year, the Armenian Society submitted plans that cut the size of
the building almost in half, at about 27,000 square feet, and lowered
the floor count to three. In May, the agency approved the project,
along with an environmental study and parking exception, giving the
society about 250 nonexclusive spaces at the Glendale Marketplace
structure, in addition to the 14 on site available for staffers and
day-to-day operations.

Still, Glendale Presbyterian Church officials had voiced concerns that
Armenian Society events would draw attendees who would much rather
park at or near the building instead of use the parking structure.

Even as nearly 100 supporters Wednesday filled rows of plastic chairs
on what is now an old asphalt parking lot for the ceremony, officials
with both organizations said they continued to work together to
address issues as the planning and construction process moves forward.

"We’ve had some interesting turns in the discussions," the Rev. Craig
Hall said. "It’s a challenge."

But he, along with his counterparts at the society, also said they
maintain a mutual respect, recognizing the difficulty of relocation
and the difficult circumstances brought on with pressure to move out
of the way for the imposing Americana project.

"We hold them in the highest regard," he said of the society.

Likewise, Mayor Ara Najarian and former Mayor Larry Zarian, in
addressing the crowd Wednesday, thanked the church for the spirit
of cooperation.

"It wasn’t their decision to be here, in this place," Zarian said of
the society’s decision to facilitate city development with their
move, and then thanked the Presbyterian congregation for their
assistance. "Without your cooperation and your board, this could have
dragged out for a long time," he said.

FOREST BUSINESS OF ARMENIA EXTENDS BORDERS

arminfo
2007-08-30 20:17:00

ArmInfo. ArmInfo News Agency conducted its own investigation on
illegal deforestation and export of fine wood from the territories
of forestry in Lori, Tavush and Syunik regions of Armenia.

Shots were made during this investigation, where lorries without number
plates, loaded with wood, are traced. Transportation of the cut threes
is organized by the "wood mafia" at nighttime. The lorries with fine
wood can be seen on the republican highways almost every day. These are
routes Shikahogh-Kapan-Goris in Syunik region, Dsekh-Vanadzor in Lori
region and a highway Noyemberyan-Ijevan-Dilizhan in Tavush region. For
security purposes, the shootings were carried out secretly. Numerous
attempts to get explanations from the management of "Armleskhoz"
(Armenian Forestry) failed.

Moreover, Head of the "Gugark" forestry in Lori region Gagik
Amiryan said that the existing 60 sawmills and furniture workshops,
according to the local residents, use only wood, cut during sanitary
cleanups. The explanations of the forestry representative seemed
strange to the State Ecological Inspection of Armenia and the latter
promised to investigate the actual proofs, given by ArmInfo. Despite
this, by information of RA Prosecutor General’s Office, one case
on illegal deforestation near Shikhogh natural reserve in Syunik
region was investigated over the last three months, during which the
violator paid penalty at the rate of about 250,000 drams. Moreover,
the Ecological Inspection of Armenia detected illegal cutting of
200 cub m of wood in Tavush region of Armenia. Inspectors detained
lorries, loaded with fine wood on Vanadzor-Yerevan highway. The
traces of "criminal" forest working were found out in the territory of
Noyemberyan forestry, which received no permission for cutting, even a
"sanitary" one. In the issue of illegal deforestation, the blame is
laid only on forestry, however, it is obvious that more influential
persons put strings of the executors, who control this business.

Meanwhile, according to the results of the recent economic
investigations, carried out by OSCE order by the "Economy and Values"
Center, the volume of annual deforestation in Armenia makes up 339
400 cub m that, in its turn, is equal to 169 700 cub m of a building
board. The main wood products of 157 700 cub m is sold in the local
market and that to the sum of $2,7 mln is exported to Russia, Germany
and the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, unique products, that is,
rootstocks with a trunk called warts are exported.

By the way, by clients’ order, the woodcutters refused to sell the
wood cut that day. By ArmInfo-available information, the fine wood,
like oak and beech, with diameter of 25 cm are sold in the "black
market" at 72,000 and 24 thsd drams per one cub m. To note, the annual
shadow turnover of wood business, upon results of the above-mentioned
investigation, is estimated of $132 mln.