ARMENIAN, NKR PARLIAMENT SPEAKERS DISCUSS NATIONAL GOALS
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 21:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan
met Monday in Yerevan with NKR parliament chairman Ashot Ghulyan to
discuss cooperation between the two Armenian states and resolution
of the Karabakh conflict. "Armenia stands for self-determination of
NKR and unification of the Armenian nation," Mr. Abrahamyan said.
WILL BRYZA BE APPOINTED U.S. AMBASSADOR?
A1+
03:54 pm | June 15, 2009 | Politics
OSCE Minsk group U.S. Co-Chair Mattew Bryza was reccomended as
U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, report
Azerbaijani mass media citing Foriegn Policy magazine. According to
the magazine, Bryza’s candidature was proposed by Assistant Secretary
of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried.
Mattew Bryza has made no announcements on the possible
appointment. Neither has the White House proposed Bryza for the
position.
"We have received no announcement. The issue must first be settled
by the U.S. authorities," Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
Elkhan Polukhov announced today.
Armenian politician Stepan Safarian said in this regard: "All
recent U.S. co-chairs of the Minsk group, including Steven Mann and
Mattew Bryza, were experts on energetic issues rather than experts
of conflict management. As U.S. Co-Chairs engaged in the Karabakh
conflict settlement they all pursued U.S. economic and military
interests in the Caspian region.
Mattew Bryza is a serious expert on energetic issues in the Caspian
region. Heritage’s announcement made after the Mein Dorf declaration
confirms that Karabakh conflict is used by super powers to extort
desirable decision from Azerbaijan."
And why is Bryza’s candidature circulated? Doesn’t it mean that Bryza
was not neutral in the negotiations over the Karabakh conflict? In
reply to A1+’s question, Mr. Safarian said: "Bryza is well aware of
the regional countries and, most important, has a great experience
with Azerbaijani authorities."
Stepan Safarian concluded his speech with a rhetoric question: "They
may have known from the very beginning that Karabakh conflict has
no settlement and they simply activated it. Who knows? Many consider
the conflict as a challenge rather than a chance."
"We hope that the new U.S. Co-Chair who will replace Mr. Bryza will
bring a new stimulus and reflect President Barack Obama’s stance
towards NKR conflict and Armenian-Turkish relations," added the
politician.
President of Armenia due in Moscow for the sitting of the Collective
Security Council
armradio.am
13.06.2009 14:09
On June 14 the delegation headed by President Serzh Sargsyan will leave
for Moscow on a one-day working visit to participate in the recurrent
sitting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security
Cooperation Organization.
The delegation headed by President Sargsyan will comprise Secretary of
the National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan, Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.
Armenia has been presiding over CSTO since September 2008.
ARMENIA CAN SEARCH FOR DONORS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 17:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Millennium Challenges Corporation’s decision to
suspend financing of Armenia is not connected with recent elections
into the Council of elders, Caucasus Institute Director, politologist
Alexander Iskandaryan told a news conference in Yerevan. "Firstly,
corporation’s management has been changed, so, probably the new
management has a new approach to some issues. Secondly, March 1-2
events has had a serious impact on Armenia’s image and it’s hard to
improve it, once impaired."
According to him, suspension of financing in Armenia will not promote
democracy development in the country. "This step won’t make Armenian
opposition better or more democratic. $ 70 million is not a large sum,
but in crisis circumstances, we surely, need the money. Such a decision
is a political loss to Armenia, but the country could look for donors
in other countries, Alexander Iskandaryan emphasized. According to
the politologist, this decision is not a consequence of Armenia’s
refraining from participation in NATO trainings in Georgia.
At the sitting of Millennium Challenges Board of Directors, headed
by State Secretary Hillary Clinton, Corporation decided to suspend
financing of Armenia. According to Corporation’s Director Deneral,
Rodney Bent, RA Government is responsible for the decision, as
its actions do not satisfy corporation’s principles for democratic
governance development.
RUSSIANS REGARD GEORGIA, U.S. AND UKRAINE AS THE MOST HOSTILE NATIONS
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
11.06.2009 19:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian sociologists revealed, which countries
are considered to be the most friendly by Russians. According to
a sociological poll, Belarus is most often called ally and close
friend by polled Russian citizens. Kazakhstan is at the second place,
Germany, India, China, Cuba and Azerbaijan are among friendly nations
for Russia.
Meanwhile, 13 per cent of polled are sure, that Russia has no friends
at all.
Among the most hostile states Russians regard Georgia. The second place
belongs to the United States, and the third – to Ukraine. Respondents
also classified as hostile Baltic states, Poland, Afghanistan, Iraq,
Iran. 3 per cent of polled are sure that Russia has nor enemies,
Baltinfo.ru reports.
"GROUNDLESS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION"
A1+
05:58 pm | June 11, 2009
Politics
A Kotayk Court today continued the trial on the case of NA MP Sasun
Mikaelian.
Advocate Hovik Arsenyan made a 20-page speech for the defence.
Defendant Sasun Mikaelian didn’t show up at today’s court sitting.
As usual the court building and its environs were overcrowded with
people who had come to support the detained MP.
Remind that Sasun Mikaelian is charged with calls for mass disorders
and acquisition of illegal weapons.
During his speech Advocate Arsenyan reminded that the presidential
election of 2008 made tens of thousands of people discontent and
disappointed. As a result, they staged peaceful demonstrations at
Liberty Square from February 20 to March 1 to contest the election
results. The police chained and dispersed the demonstrators who sought
asylum near the French Embassy and protested against rigged elections
and ill-treatment.
"No mass disturbance was reported on that day," stated Hovik Arsenyan
and added that his client had never participated in mass disorders. Nor
had he disturbed public rest. Just on the contrary, Sasun Mikaelian
had called demonstrators to give way to policemen.
"Sasun Mikaelian is subjected to groundless criminal prosecution for
his political stance and activity," said the Advocate.
"Moreover, he handed over the weapons after informing the
police. A person handing over weapons voluntarily is relieved from
responsibility."
The Court will announce the verdict on June 18.
Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
June 11, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CHALLENGES FOREIGN AID DOUBLE STANDARD
— Protests MCC Reduction and Cuts in Economic Aid to Armenia;
Tilt in Military Assistance Balance toward Azerbaijan
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today circulated a memo to Congressional offices documenting the
double standards used to set U.S. aid policy toward to the
countries of the Caucasus – policies which have, in recent weeks,
led to a proposed 38% cut in economic aid to Armenia and the
cancellation of an $80 million road project to the poorest regions
of this blockaded nation.
The document, released the day after the Millennium Challenge
Corporation effectively suspended a full third of its $235 million
grant to Armenia due to concerns over democratic governance,
compares the harsh U.S. response to Yerevan’s actions, both
rhetorically and in terms of aid levels, to the increased financial
support that both Azerbaijan and Georgia are set to receive despite
their serious shortcomings in the areas of democracy, corruption,
and governance.
The full text of the memo is provided below. To view the PDF ?
visit df
#####
Double Standards: U.S. Aid Policy in the Caucasus
The Administration’s proposal to cut economic aid to Armenia by 38%
and the recent decision by the Millenium Challenge Corporation’s to
effectively end an $80 million road project in Armenia both
highlight the absence of a consistent set of standards in setting
foreign aid policy toward the nations of the Caucasus.
Armenia:
— A proposed 38% cut in FY10 economic aid
— An $80 million reduction in MCC funds
— A proposal to break military aid parity in favor of Azerbaijan
The Millenium Challenge Corporation, on June 10th, effectively
stopped an $80 million roads projects in the poorest sections of
Armenia due to concerns over democratic governance. Prior to this,
in May of this year, the Administration proposed a 38% cut in
economic aid to Armenia, the sharpest cut to any of the nations of
Europe and Eurasia.
Azerbaijan:
— A proposed 20% increase in economic aid
— No MCC program
— A proposal to break military aid parity in favor of Azerbaijan
In May of 2009, the State Department proposed a 20% increase in
economic aid to Azerbaijan. This increase was recommended despite
Baku’s record of human rights abuses and its recent flawed election
ratifying a constitutional amendment that will allow the Aliyev
family to continue its corrupt and openly authoritarian rule. (An
Aliyev, either the current president, Ilham, or his father the late
Geidar, has ruled Azerbiajan for roughly 36 of the last 42 years.)
Georgia:
— A proposed 19% increase in economic aid
— A potential $100 million increase in MCC funds
— A partially implemented billon dollar post-war aid package
On September 9, 2008 the Millennium Challenge Corporation announced
a potential $100,000,000 increase to Georgia and praised Georgia’s
"strong economic foundation and its impressive record of reform."
In May of 2009, the State Department asked for a 19% increase in
economic aid to Georgia.
MCC’s assertion about Georgia’s "impressive record of reform"
contradicts its own determination that Georgia falls below MCC
standards for Political Rights, Civil Liberties, Voice and
Accountability, and other categories.
Human rights monitors, including the State Department, Human Rights
Watch, and Amnesty International, regularly criticize Georgia’s
conduct.
— The State Department, on February 25, 2009, issued its annual
human rights report on Georgia, which documented that: "The main
human rights abuses reported during the year included at least two
suspected deaths due to excessive use of force by law enforcement
officers, intimidation of suspects, abuse of prisoners, poor
conditions in prisons and pretrial detention facilities, police
impunity, lack of access for average citizens to defense attorneys,
reports of politically motivated detentions, lack of due process in
some cases, and reports of government pressure on the judiciary.
Respect for freedom of speech and the press lessened, but began to
rebound by year’s end. Other problems included reports of
corruption among senior officials and trafficking in persons."
t/2008/eur/119080.htm
— Human Rights Watch, on April 22, 2009, issued a report
detailing: "indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks during the
August 2008 armed conflict over South Ossetia; lack of
accountability for the excessive use of force by law enforcement
officials; criminal justice reforms that violate human rights
standards; and pressure and threats on the media."
/human-rights-watch-concerns-and-recommendations-g eorgia
— Amnesty International, in its most recent report on Georgia,
documented that: "Police reportedly used excessive force to
disperse anti-government demonstrations in November, and throughout
the year there were reports of police beating suspects when
arresting them. Unfair trials of political opponents of the
government were reported.
/report-2008
IFC TO PROBABLY BECOME PARTIAL GUARANTOR OF SECOND-ISSUE BONDS OF ARDSHININVESTBANK
ArmInfo
2009-06-11 17:28:00
ArmInfo. The International Financial Corporation (IFC) will
probably become a partial guarantor of the second-issue bonds of
Ardshininvestbank. As deputy Chairman of Ardshininvestbank’s Board
Sergey Virabyan told ArmInfo, the negotiations with IFC on this
subject started even in 2008, directly after successful placement
of the bank’s first-issue bonds. However, in view of the crisis and
unstable situation in Armenia’s money market, the negotiations were
put off for 2009, he said.
As S. Virabyan said, emission of the bank’s second-issue debt
securities is scheduled in the second half year 2009. He thinks the
money demand and necessity in credit resources is growing in Armenia,
transactions by clients become more active and, as a result, the
situation in the debt market of Armenia is improving as well. According
to the data of Ardshininvestbank, the bank’s first-issue bonds in
the volume of 1.5 bln drams, 10% profitability per annum and 1-year
maturity were issued on December 5, 2008, while they have been on
Cbond exchange list since December 22, 2008.
According to NASDAQ OMX Armenia data, the dealing in debt securities of
Ardshininvestbank at the Exchange over the whole circulation period,
from December 22 to June 11, 2009 inclusive, made up 683.9 mln drams,
about 60 transactions were carried with an average weighted annualized
return of 12,7919%.
To note, Ardshininvestbank enters the ten of the leading banks by
the volume of investments in government bonds, having assured this
indicator as of April 1, 2009 at the level of 4 bln drams or 6,25%
of the total volume of the banks’ investments in government bonds.
To recall, the International Financial Corporation (IFC) is one
of the majority shareholders of Ardshininvestbank with 10% capital
contribution.
IS REZAIE’S STATEMENT IRNA CANARD OR PRO-AZERI FORCES PROVOCATION?
PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.06.2009 12:42 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ IRNA news agency quoted Iran’s presidential hopeful,
former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Mohsen Rezaie on Monday
as saying that "if Iran had been more active, Nagorno Karabakh would
not have been occupied."
Judging by Rezaie’s political views, IRNA’s report can be eyed
skeptically, as it was used by pan-Turkic and pro-Azeri forces,
according to Aliq Tehran-based newspaper.
The newspaper said that Rezaie’s sister also insists that such
statements do not reflect his opinion on the issue. Rezaie’s foreign
policy approaches have always been concordant with Tehran’s official
position, it said.
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH CLERGYMEN ON MISSION IN ABROAD TO BE EXEMPTED OF CUSTOMS DUTIES WHEN IMPORTING THEIR PROPERTY INTO ARMENIA
ArmInfo
2009-06-08 11:58:00
ArmInfo. National Assembly of Armenia amended the Law on VAT as well
as the Customs Code in the second and final reading, Monday.
Deputy Minister of Finance Suren Karayan said the bill regulates the
property problems of Armenian Apostolic Church clergymen on mission
in abroad. In particular, they are exempted of customs duties when
importing personal property into Armenia after completion of activity
in abroad.
Earlier, the parliament provided similar privileges to Armenian
diplomats.