THE VICTORY OF YEVGENYA DOLUKHANOVA
Aysor
Dec 21 2009
Armenia
Evgenya Dolukhanova, the champion of Ukraine, who is Armenian, took a
victory in the Bikova tournament that took place in Suzdal, in Russia.
The Armenian Grandmaster received 6.5 point from the possible 9 and
has received the first place, informs the Armenian Chess Federation.
YEREVAN BUS TERMINAL MORTGAGED AT GIVEAWAY PRICE
news.am
Dec 21 2009
Armenia
This year, 15,000 Armenians citizens lodged complains with RA President
Serzh Sargsyan, with positive decisions made in 30% of cases, Head
of the Control Service of the President of the Republic of Armenia
Hovhannes Hovsepyan told reporters.
He reported that the Service has revealed numerous violations in
various sectors. Specifically, the RA Ministry of Transport and
Communication failed to prepare route plans. The gravest violation
involves the Yerevan bus terminal, which was mortgaged at a bank
for U.S. $600,000 allegedly for the purpose of new buses. However,
the money was not paid to the bank, and it was not until the Armenian
President issued an order that the Ministry paid half of the amount.
The rest is to be paid soon. Experts estimate the Yerevan bus terminal
at U.S. $5m.
The Service also revealed violations committed by the RA Ministry
of Education and Science. In its turn, the RA Ministry of Urban
Development deliberately inflated the prices for building materials.
The Service revealed 100m AMD violations as a result of six
inspections. Five officials were dismissed.
The Service also revealed violations committed by the State Property
Department. Specifically, the Department registered goods at a price
of 200m AMD lower than their real cost. A total of 250m AMD were
not paid as income taxes. Also, 120m AMD (50% of the rest) was not
collected. The Service also revealed 175m AMD violations.
The violations in civil aviation involved the licensing of airlines.
In some cases, licenses were issued to entities that had no airliners
at all. The Service also registered violations involving the servicing
of airliners. Hovsepyan also said that most of the airlines registered
in Armenia pay absurdly small taxes. He stated that the airlines
that fail to meet legal requirements will be closed. Hovsepyan also
reported violations in the work of the Expert Center of Armenia,
which illegally reduced the customs tariffs for imported cars.
The RA Ministry of Labor and Social Security has problems in
implementing a contract with the Alliance Company. Under the contract
the company was to provide housing to alumni of orphanages, but
was delaying the implementation. The Control Service took necessary
measures, and the company provided 25 alumni with housing and returned
125m AMD to the state budget.
Almaty held informal meeting of leaders of seven CIS countries
19.12.2009 18:07 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presidents of seven countries – Russia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan began
informal meeting in hotel "Ak-Bulak" of a suburb of Almaty. As the
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev said, issues of security
and economic integration are to be discussed. Nursultan Nazarbayev
proposed to talk about "regional security, exchange views on measures
to counter emerging threats."
In turn, the president of Russia Dmitri Medvedev expressed hope that
today’s informal summit would "find answers to the questions faced by
our countries in this difficult year."
Hurriyet, Turkey
Dec 8 2009
First Impressions of White House Meeting
by Sedat Ergin
Any fresh-from-the-oven evaluation made based on the statements given
immediately after the meeting at the White House between US President
Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erodgan undoubtedly
carries the risk of missing out some details. However, it is
nevertheless still possible to highlight some of the lines drawn just
by looking at the general tone of the statements.
In particular, the warm tone dominating Obama’s statement is doubtless
important in that the President set himself the goal of raising
relations with Turkey to the highest level possible. It may be said
that Obama’s approach, as seen during his visit to Turkey in April,
has been given fresh impetus with this visit. The decision to set up a
new mechanism in order to take relations further seems to be one
tangible outcome of this visit in terms of bilateral relations.
Obama’s stressing that Ankara was increasing its influence in its area
shows that the regional role Turkey is playing is being both
appreciated and supported by the Democrat administration. Obama’s
comments at the same time showed once again the United States desires
to work closely and to cooperate with Turkey in international issues.
Protocols with Armenia not advancing
Obama praised Turkey’s courage for signing the protocols with Armenia
then voiced his expectations for the next step to be taken, for the
protocols to be ratified. Erdogan for his part said that progress in
Turkish-Armenian relations, in other words ratification of the
protocols, hinged on the Karabakh problem being fixed. "This is very
important for normalization," he said. By saying this, the prime
minister clearly told the United States that he expected it to apply
pressure on Armenia with respect to Karabakh. As it is now, all sides
are clearly maintaining their respective positions on the Armenia
issue. It all comes down to the degree to which the United States can
twist Armenia’s arm.
United States may not be insistent on Afghanistan
What gave yesterday’s meeting a critical image even before it began
was the United States request for Turkey to send combat forces to
Afghanistan. However, in the light of yesterday’s statements we can
say that this topic has been left behind. Obama talked of Turkey’s
"outstanding contributions" in Afghanistan even as he began his
address. This may be seen as a sign that he is not going to be
insistent on this matter. Erdogan recalled that Turkey was already
boosting the number of its soldiers in Afghanistan and stated that it
was going to play a more active role in training the army and the
police and was going to invest more in infrastructure. This can be
seen as an effort to make up in other areas for America’s request for
combat forces. It may be guessed that the prime minister voiced the
opinion that any dispatch of combat forces by Muslim Turkey would only
hinder any contributions that Turkey could make for Afghanistan. Obama
can be expected to have seen the sense in this.
Turkey could be trapped in the middle in Iran
Obama’s mention that Turkey could play an important role in
international efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear programme showed that
he appreciated the role being played in this area by Turkish diplomacy
in the new era. It is obvious that Erdogan wants to play a bridging
role between the United States and Iran. Following these statements it
may be guessed that there is going to be a lot of activity within the
Washington-Ankara-Tehran triangle in the period ahead. However,
yesterday’s statements gave no indication of how synchronization could
be achieved between the United States concerns about Iran and Turkey’s
more sympathetic approach to Iran in this matter when compared to the
West. If the United States goes for the diplomatic option and takes
the matter to the UNSC, Turkey could well find itself squished between
Iran and the United States.
Importance Of White House
When you look at the other topics apart from those ones you can put
another tick in the plus column for Turkey with Obama’s support for
the Kurdish overture and his unambiguous words of support regarding
terrorism. Visits to the White House have always been meetings that
bolster a Turkish leader’s political standing. In this respect it may
be said that Erdogan is going to return to Turkey this time with his
sails filled by the winds of Obama’s strong support.
[translated from Turkish]
ECONOMIC DECLINE TO MAKE 16-17% IN ARMENIA IN LATE 2009, WB REPRESENTATIVE SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 18, 2009
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. 2009 was a difficult year for
Armenia as the country was badly hit by the global economic crisis,
Head of the World Bank Amenia Office Aristomene Varudakis said at the
December 17 press conference. As regards indices, according to him, the
crisis was already at its height, and now some signs of stabilization
are noticeable. "However, we expect the economic decline to make 16-17%
for the whole year," A. Varudakis said.
He pointed out some positive changes in the Armenian economy, in
particular some growth in production indices in July-September 2009
compared to the same period of 2008. Despite a considerabel fall in
construction volumes, the number of transactions in the real estate
market increased in September-October.
A. Varudakis noted that in parallel with economic decline, the number
of the poor grew in Armenia, particularly, surveys show that the
number of people living below the poverty line grew by 90 thousand.
Speaking about the state debt of Armenia, A. Varudakis said it
currently makes 37% and is forecast to make up to 50% of GDP by 2011.
In his words, the recovery of Armenia’s economy will be slow and mild,
and in 2010 GDP growth will make 1.5%. He underlined that the crisis
demonstrated once again the need to raise the overall resistibility of
Armenian economy so that in conditions of the crisis it can maintain
sustainable growth rates and become more competitive.
A. Varudakis said there are three preconditions for improving the
resistibility of the country’s economy:
– it is necessary to ensure great opportunities for potential
investors, including measures to reduce the role of oligopolies in
the market and economy,
– a more favorable investment climate should be created for
investors, and in this connection the fight against corruption in
the revenue-collecting bodies is of importance,
– Armenia should make investments in infrastructure and IT sector
to reduce transport charges and make the domestic economy more
competitive.
ARMENIA, DENMARK INTERESTED IN DEEPENING BILATERAL RELATIONS
armradio.am
17.12.2009 18:06
The newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Armenia,
Michael Borg-Hansen, presented his credentials to President Serzh
Sargsyan.
President Sargsyan congratulated the diplomat on assuming office and
noted that Armenia was interested in the development of relations
with Denmark in bilateral and multilateral formats.
"We would like to intensify the political dialogue between the two
countries, which will lead to certain economic activeness," the
President underlined.
According to Serzh Sargsyan, aside from bilateral relations, Armenia
and Denmark have prospects of cooperation within the framework of
the EU Eastern Partnership Program.
The Ambassador emphasized Denmark’s willingness to reinforce the
bilateral relations with practical steps. As possible directions of
cooperation Mr. Borg-Hansen pointed to agriculture, effective energy
management and use, where Denmark has a great experience.
The interlocutors exchanged views on regional developments, as well.
President Sargsyan praised Denmark’s balanced position on issues of
our region. The parties agreed that dialogue and cooperation is the
best way for solution of any issue.
ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS DELAY MAKING EU, RUSSIA AND US NERVOUS
Tert.am
15:56 ~U 16.12.09
"Armenia must quickly ratify the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, and
the sooner, the better," said political analyst Stepan Grigoryan,
while speaking to journalists in central Yerevan today.
In Grigoryan’s opinion, the delay in the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations is beginning to get on the European Union’s,
Russia’s and the U.S.’s nerves.
"We have to ratify the Protocols and leave the accountability to
Turkey," said the analyst, adding that after ratification, Armenia can
at any time, in accordance with the RA law on international treaties,
withdraw its signature.
Grigoryan, however, believes that Turkey, nevertheless, will ratify
the Protocols, since international pressure is increasing on Ankara.
"If Turkey doesn’t ratify the Protocols, Turkey will be subjected to
pressure from the U.S., which will come in the form of recognizing
the Armenian Genocide," confirmed Grigoryan.
ZAHHAR: A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST ABBAS FOR TELLING LIES ABOUT HAMAS
PIC
16/12/2009 – 11:36 AM
GAZA, (PIC)– Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, a member of Hamas’s political
bureau, said Tuesday that his Movement filed a lawsuit against Mahmoud
Abbas for telling lies and rumors about Hamas, categorically denying
that his Movement suggested a presidential and legislative extension
for several years.
In a press statement to Al-Jazeera net, Dr. Zahhar noted that the
lawsuit was filed after Abbas fabricated lies about the escape of
Hamas leaders to Egypt during Israel’s war on Gaza.
He added that the charges were pressed with Gaza courts, but he ruled
out that the Palestinian prosecutor in the West Bank will summon
Abbas for questioning because of the current circumstances.
Abbas during his speech on Tuesday before the central committee of
the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) fabricated another lie
saying that Hamas had offered him a secret deal to extend his term of
office and the mandate of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC)
for three to four years.
For its part, the Movement of Hamas stated Tuesday that Abbas’s speech
was full of contradictions and lies, and misled the public opinion.
In a press release, Hamas added that Abbas miserably attempted to hold
it responsible for obstructing national reconciliation ignoring that
he and Fatah leaders are the parties responsible for not reaching
an agreement because of their insistence on the recognition of
the international quartet’s terms and their refusal to release all
political prisoners from their jails.
Hamas underscored that it rejects the extension of the presidential and
legislative terms of office as a substitute for elections, pointing
out that Abbas was the one who pursued the policy of extension when
he stayed in office for five years in violation of the Palestinian
basic law which sets a term limit to four years for the president of
the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Hamas called on Abbas to have the courage to declare the failure of
his negotiations, to stop his security coordination with the Israeli
occupation and to end the political arrest in the West Bank.
STEPAN SAFARYAN: TURKEY WILL NOT BETRAY AZERBAIJAN
Aysor.am
15/12/09
"The time and every single day of having relations with Turkey
proves to the Armenian authorities their own problems", – said
Stepan Safaryan touching upon the Armenian Turkish and Armenian –
Azerbaijani relations.
"As the Artsakh conflict is not solved yet there can’t be any
progress recorded in the Armenian – Turkish relations. This is what
the international analysts say", – Stepan Safratyan said.
According to him by the regulation of the Armenian – Turkish relations
they aimed at to pass the pressures on the border but they again
return to the Karabakh issue: "Turkey will not refuse his statements
in one day. There is also the factor of Azerbaijan which plays a big
role and everyone is waiting that the interests of Azerbaijan will
be satisfied, otherwise Azerbaijan will endanger the process."
Safaryan has the viewpoint that it doesn’t matter how long they will
announce that Azerbaijan has small role in the region, Turkey will
not try to regulate his relations with Armenia without taking into
consideration the factor of Azerbaijan. The speaker even foretold
the cessation of the Armenian – Turkish relations in case of not
satisfying the interests of Azerbaijan.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND EU AMBASSADORS DISCUSS COLLABORATION PERSPECTIVES
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.12.2009 18:43 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President Serzh Sargsyan met accredited EU
Ambassadors to RA and EC delegation head today, December 15.
The parties exchanged views on expanding RA-EU collaboration agenda,
last year’s results as well as future activities, presidential press
service reported.