Author: Nahapetian Lilit

WATER RESERVOIRS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM ROOFS OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS

KarabakhOpen
16-05-2008 11:38:44

The attics and basements of apartment buildings are modified so that
the apartment building stops complying with seismic regulations,
said the deputy director of the Eastern Service of Seismic Protection
Arkady Grigoryan in the meeting of parliament. The official reported on
the performance of the government program of reduction of seismic risk.

The representative of the seismic protection service also said that
the water reservoirs which are spotted on the roofs of apartment
buildings are seismic danger. He singled out an apartment building
on Hekimyan Street on the roof of which there are 18 reservoirs with
a volume of 1 to 3 tons each.

It is not the only apartment building in Stepanakert. People continue
to spot new reservoirs on roofs, "privatizing" area that does not
belong to them. It is a breach of seismic regulations, besides the
inhabitants of top floors complain.

The board of public utilities says there is a decision on removing
the reservoirs from the roofs but the residents do not obey because
they get water once in two days.

Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 17 2008

Saakashvili vows to return to Georgians their "lawful property" in
Abkhazia

TBILISI May 17

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has ordered to the Justice
Ministry and the Foreign Ministry to track every instance of illegal
investment in Abkhazia and to take measures not to allow illegal sale
of real estate in Abkhazia.

"I want to order to the Justice Ministry and the Foreign Ministry not
to allow even a single attempt to make illegal investment in Abkhazia,
not to allow even a single attempt to illegally sell properties in
Abkhazia, because Abkhazia is Georgia. There our citizens have their
houses, their lands, their lawful property that will soon be returned
to them for their legal use," Saakashvili said at the government’s
session on Friday evening.

"This is Georgia’s legal demand that has already been reflected in UN
(United Nations) documents," he said.

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly passed Georgia’s draft resolution
on Abkhazia, which was favored by 14 countries, including
Azerbaijan. Eleven countries, including Russia, Belarus and Armenia,
opposed. The resolution recognizes Georgian refugees’ rights to return
to Abkhazia.

According to the UN charter, any resolution passed at the UN GA is not
binding and can only be a recommendation.

Meanwhile, on Friday the leader of the provisional parliamentary
committee on Georgia’s territorial integrity, Shota Malakhshiya,
accused Russia of ignoring the UN General Assembly’s resolution.

"Russia’s breach of the resolution on Abkhazia, passed by the UN
General Assembly on Thursday, can cost it very dearly, and it could be
left outside the peaceful talks on the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict,"
Malakhshiya told Interfax on Friday.

"Already today we saw Russia violating yesterday’s resolution, when
governor of the Krasnodar Territory Alexander Tkachov arrived in
Abkhazia to consider Abkhazia’s participation in the preparations for
Sochi Olympics and buying several properties," Malakhshiya said.

On Friday, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh and governor of Russia’s
Krasnodar Territory Alexander Tkachov signed in Gagry an agreement on
cooperation between the Krasnodar Territory and the Abkhaz Republic.

"The Agreement reflects the supplies that Abkhazia can make for
construction of the Olympic facilities in Sochi," Bagapsh said after
the signing ceremony.

Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 16 2008

Armenian solider was shot dead on Armenian-Azeri demarcation line –
Yerevan

YEREVAN May 16

Andranik Airapetian, an Armenian soldier, was killed by a gunshot that
originated from Azeri positions on May 15, the Armenian Defense
Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"The conscript was wounded by a gunshot coming from Azeri
positions. The private was admitted to a hospital where he died," the
statement says.

PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL VALUES AND DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN ART ARE TOP PRIORITIES IN CULTURAL SPHERE

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2007 state budgetary allocations of
16.7 billion drams for the sphere of culture were almost completely
spent, the RA chief treasurer Atom Janjughazian stated in the National
Assembly on May 14.

According to the minister of culture Hasmik Poghosian, the preservation
of the cultural heritage and the development of modern art were
priorities of the cultural sphere in the reported year as well. A
number of programs on cultural education were implemented.

With the aim of preserving the cultural heritage, restoration of
15 monuments and design of 15 monuments’restoration was done in
2007. Sums were allocated from the reserve fund of the government
for improvement of monument to the Serb pilots in connection with the
20th anniversary of the Spitak earthquake and for restoration of the
Bash-Aparan Memorial Complex.

584 mln drams was allocated from the 2007 state budget for 13 state
libraries under the jurisdiction of the ministry of culture, with
this sum being completely spent. According to the minister, a 3-year
program on major repairs of libraries was launched last year.

NON-FOOD COMMODITY PRICES GROW BY 0.6% IN ARMENIA IN APRIL 2008

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 14, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The 0.6% inflation in Armenia’s non-food
commodity market in April on March 2008 was somewhat affected by the
growth in prices of gasoline (2.5%) and diesel fuel (5.2%).

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the prices of
building materials, cosmetics, stationery, textiles, furniture,
horticultural items, detergents and jewelry increased by 0.1-4.6%
in April on March 2008. In parallel with this, there was a fall in
prices of fuel (4.1% – in connection with a 5% fall in price of liquid
petroleum gas), cultural goods (2.3%) and medicines (0.3%). The level
of prices in the other commodity groups under observation remained
the same as compared with the previous month.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS CONCLUDES HIS VISIT TO VATICAN

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 13, 2008

VENICE, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
Armenians Karekin II on May 13 concluded his 4-day visit to the head
of the Roman Catholic Church Benedict XVI and returned to the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

During the visit, on the morning of May 7 Karekin II went to the tomb
of Pope John Paul II and prayed for the peace of his soul. Then His
Holiness went to St. Gregory the Illuminator Square in St. Peter’s
yard where a statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator was set up in the
days of Pope John Paul II.

Then a meeting presided by Pope Benedict XVI and Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II took place in St. Peter’s Square. They addressed
their words of welcome to more than 35 thousand faithful who had
gathered in the square.

On the same day Catholicos of All Armenians went to the Pontifical
Salesian University where he delivered a lecture. His Holiness received
a doctorate in recognition of his activities in the "theology of
youth pastoral care".

The ceremony was attended by the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone and the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity Cardinal Walter Kasper.

On May 8 Karekin II accompanied by the prefect of the Vatican’s
Congregation of Eastern Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri went to the
Pontifical Oriental Institute and conveyed his blessing and greetings
to the participants of the congress on "holy sacrifice in the Armenian
tradition". Armenian and Catholic scientists from Europe and North
America made speeches at the congress organized by efforts of Father
Robert Tafti.

Early on May 9, the Armenian delegation went to the Vatican Apostolic
Palace to participate in the meeting of Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II and Pope Benedict XVI. During the meeting, the two leaders
spoke about close links and cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic
Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Then the two church leaders
presided over a short prayer.

At the end of the meeting, Karekin II and Benedict XVI had a private
talk to discuss a number of problems of importance to both churches.

At noon of the same day, Catholicos of All Armenians met with the
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in the Vatican’s hotel. During
the meeting, Supreme Patriarch and the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke
about the upcoming Lambeth conference of the Anglican Church and the
relations between the sister churches.

At the conclusion of the visit, a ceremony of ecumenical prayer took
place at the tomb of Apostle Paul. Bishops and clergymen of the Roman
Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church took part in the
prayer presided over by Catholicos of All Armenians.

Accordng to the infomation service of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, during the official visit, Karekin II and the Armenian
delegation visited Armenian and Catholic churches and sacred places.

Early May 10 Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied by high-ranking
clergymen left for Milan where His Holiness met with the Armenian
community.

On May 11-12 Catholicos of All Armenians was in Venice, in the island
of San Lazzaro where a meeting with the Mechitarist Congregation
was held.

PENSIONERS AND IRANIANS CAN BE SHAREHOLDERS OF ARTSAKH WATER POWER PLANT

KarabakhOpen
14-05-2008 10:48:29

The news conference of the prime minister was devoted to the energy
sector.

Ara Harutiunyan presented the programs of development of the sector
and said most of them will be implemented by Artsakh Water Power Plant
which was reorganized into an open joint-stock company. The prime
minister underlined that they expect no major investments, therefore
they decided to enable the local people, as well as foreigners to
invest money. Even pensioners will be able to buy shares of the
company. By the way, the value of the company is assessed at 5.6
billion drams.

In answer to our question whether there is a possibility to carry out
a joint project with Iran which has an extended border with Karabakh,
the prime minister said since it will take place through the stock
exchange, and transparency will be guaranteed, everyone will be able
to buy shares, independent from their place of residence.

According to Ara Harutiunyan, the government will hold the controlling
interest.

With regard to the sustainability of the program the prime minister
said there is arrangement with a person who is likely to invest 10
billion dollars. There are other investors too but their names are
confidential.

ALEXEY VLASOV: KREMLIN LACKS EXACT FORMULA FOR RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.05.2008 14:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Medvedev’s coming to power will not introduce
changes in Russia’s foreign policy, a Russian expert said.

"The course taken up by Putin will be continued at least for
2 or 3 years," said Alexey Vlasov, head of the information and
analytical center for public and political studies at Moscow State
University. "Neither Russia nor the West worked out new rules for
geopolitical games in the Caucasus and Middle Asia.

The Kosovo precedent caused chaos in the struggle for influence in
Balkans and South Caucasus."

In early 1990-ies, taking up an unbalanced position on the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, Russia has lost the role of Caucasus moderator. Now,
Kremlin still lacks an exact formula for resolution of conflicts in
the South Caucasus, practicing different approaches to Abkhazia and
Nagorno Karabakh," Vlasov said, 1news.az reports.

OSCE MONITORING FAILED TO REVEAL BREACHES OF THE CEASEFIRE REGIME IN THE ZONE OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

DEFENSE and SECURITY
May 12, 2008 Monday
Russia

According to an agreement previously achieved with authorities of
Nagorno-Karabakh, on May 7 the OSCE mission did preplanned monitoring
of the line of contact of the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh
and Azerbaijan in the Agdam area. The press service of the Foreign
Ministry of Nagorno-Karabakh reported that observation from positions
of the Nagorno-Karabakh army was done by coordinator of the OSCE
office Lieutenant Colonel Imre Palatinus (Hungary) and field aide to
personal representative of the acting OSCE Chair Irzhi Aberle (Czech
Republic). The monitoring was done in accordance with a preplanned
schedule. No breaches of the ceasefire regime were registered.

PRICE-GROWTH PRESSURE INCREASES
VASAK TARPOSHYAN

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 09, 2008
Armenia

During the recent times the price-growth evidently pressurizes the
domestic product market. If before the price-growth in Armenia
fluctuated within 3%, we must underscore that during the recent years
it is significantly high.

According to the official data, the price-growth of the last year made
up 6,5%. At the beginning of the year the situation tightened.
According to the observations of the statistic service, as compared to
the same period of the last year the prices have increased by around
11%. The high prices of the products of vital importance are
conditioned by both internal and external factors. The prices of the
products are continuously increasing in the international market that
has become a matter of concern even in the developed countries.

Being a country of limited resources that imports lots of products
Armenia is very vulnerable towards the influences of the foreign
market. It is not accidental that particularly these products become
expensive in the internal market.

The maximum, that the government can do in this situation, is the
mitigation of the influence of price-growth. They can achieve this by
monetary-loan policy and implementation of programs with social trends.
This is probably the only way to restrain the price-growth, and to
support the vulnerable group.

That is why the rumors saying that the increase of the pension on
January was senseless is not right. Doubtlessly had the pensions not
been increased the life of this layer would have been worse.

According to the data of the statistic service in the same period of
the previous year the price of wheat has grown by 45 drams, high-class
flour ` by around 65%, and the first-class ` by 55%. The prices of
these products started to fluctuate between 250 to 350 drams, from the
beginning of April as compared to 160-209 drams of the previous year.
The prices of different types of bread have increased by 40-45%, which
means from 250 to 430.

The price-growth is also high in the market of butter and oil,
respectively 71-51% within a year. The price of butter has reached 2376
drams this year as compared to 1565 drams of the last year and oil
prices have reached 968 drams as compared to 566 drams a liter of the
last year. Whereas not only is there no prospect for the stabilization
of the prices but also ` slow increase.

It’s worth mentioning that the price-growth of the before mentioned
products started last year. If from the beginning of 2007 the price of
wheat increased by 36 drams, from January 2008 it has increased by 9
drams.

The picture is the same in terms of the other products ` the first
class flour has increased by 60 drams from April to December of the
previous year, and by 10 drams from January 2008.

These developments testify to the fact that during the recent times the
price-growth in the domestic market has been mitigated. But it doesn’t
give any grounds to unwind, because the price-growth of the before
mentioned products have been rather abrupt in one year.

The price-growth in the product market is also conditioned by internal
factors. The increase of meat-product is also very noticeable. In
April, for example, the price of pork increased by 9% and beef by 4%.

On the other hand season also has some influence on the consumer
market. It is manifested especially on the agricultural products.
Especially the prices of the vegetables have evidently decreased. And
the prices of fruits have decreased by 8%.

The price-growth of non-food products and some services has been added
to the before mentioned tendencies manifested in the market of
food-products. The pressure of the price-growth in this sphere has
increased especially after the stop of the gas subsidizations.’