Author: Tamamian Anna

EDWARD SHARMAZANOV: ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS SHOULD NOT BE A MATTER OF SPECULATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
22.09.2009 13:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s position in normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations is clear: the Armenian side supports
establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries without
any preconditions, Edward Sharmazanov , spokesman for the Republican
Party of Armenia (RPA) told a press conference in Yerevan today.

According to him, the issue of the Armenian Genocide can not be
regarded as a precondition. The issue of Karabakh can not be tied with
the Armenian-Turkish relations as well. "Either in Armenia or Turkey,
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations has received various
reactions," Mr. Sharmazanov said. He also positively estimated that the
Armenian President organized public discussions with party leaders,
in National Security Council, the projected discussion on October 1
in the National Assembly.

"The position of political forces being always against introducing of
the Armenian Genocide issue in country’s foreign policy agenda, and
speculating today over that issue, is not clear. Neither the Genocide,
nor the Karabakh issue should become a matter of speculation," Edward
Sharmazanov said. He also stressed that RA President and foreign
minister repeatedly stated that the issue of the Armenian Genocide
cannot become an issue of trade.

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHIEF OFFICE OF THE "ARMSWISSBANK" TAKES PLACE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Opening ceremony of the chief office
of "ArmSwissBank" on V. Sargsyan 10 address took place today with the
participation of the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Prime
Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Ara Haroutyunian, Head of the
Armenian Central Bank Arthur Javadian, CB council members as well as
representatives of the financial sphere were present at the event.

After the blessing ceremony Executive Director of the Bank Gevorg
Machanian noted that the bank which has presented itself in the
market for more than four years has occupied its unique place in the
Armenian banking system. He promised that the Bank will continue its
activity on the principals adopted by it putting stress especially
on the investment policy. He expressed his special gratitude to the
Armenian Central Bank for the everyday assistance displayed to this
financial institution.

According to the Head of the Armenian Central Bank Arthur Javadian
the ArmSwissBank is distinguished from other banks functioning in
the market with provided services which are better corresponding to
the international high standard.

Despite the negative results of the world financial-economic crisis
the ArmSwissBank could ensure a 40% increase of its actives during
January-August and their annual average increase reaches 60%.

In his turn the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan expressed
hope that the ArmSwissBank with its activity will contribute to the
increase of competition in the banking system and its enhancement as
this financial institution develops in quite high tempos.

According to the Prime Minister the opening of the building promises
new opportunities to the Bank in respect of involvement of new
clients and providing of new services. He said that the ArmSwissBank
differs from other Armenian banks having the investment shift as
its peculiarity.

"The bank made of which have already been implemented by the Central
Bank; it is to establish such a legal field which will enable the
commerce banks also to launch investment activity. It is one of the
key issues of our economic reforms – to contribute to the development
of the stock market and to take the advantage that the "OMX-Nasdaq"
is in Armenia.

"I think that in this respect the ArmSwissBank will be one of the
leaders and I’m sure that the bank has the abilities; the Director
of the Bank has a rich experience, knowledge, has established a firm
team, has good specialists and taking up the role of the leader will
contribute to implementation of reforms in the stock market. I hope
that this new working conditions will facilitate fast implementation
of these reforms," T. Sargsyan said.

Owner of ArmSwissBank is Vardan Sirmakes who is also the founder,
co-owner and executive director of "Franc Muller Watchland" company
of Swiss watches.

As of September 15, 2009 the regulatory capital of the Bank reaches
5 billion drams, the entire capital – 6.1 billion drams. By November
1 the regulatory capital of the Bank will be filled up reaching 7.1
billion drams. At present it has more than 500 clients. ArmSwissBank
launches activity in three main directions – corporate, investment
and private banking.

As of September 15 the net revenue of the Bank reached 163 million
drams, actives – 33.1 billion drams, the credit investments increased
for 44% over the same period last year and reached 8.9 billion drams

EXTRAORDINARY SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA TO BE CONVENED ON SEPTEMBER 17

National Assembly of RA
Sept 17 2009
Armenia

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Hovik
Abrahamyan signed a decree, and in accordance with Article 70 of
the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia on the initiative of the
deputies of RA National Assembly,. on September 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m
an extraordinary sitting of RA National Assembly will be convened
with the following agenda:

the conclusion of the Ad-hoc Inquiry Committee into the Events
Occurred on 1-2 March in Yerevan and Their Reasons (the continuation
of the debate).

BANANTS JUNIOR PLAYER TO STUDY AT FC BARCELONA SCHOOL

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.09.2009 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ FC Banants junior player Erik Vardanyan will study
at FC Barcelona school for a year.

Erik is the winner of a football contest, in which 204 young
footballers took part. "Barcelona is a dream and I am happy that my
dream has come true. I will work hard to wear the jersey of this club,"
he said.

SYRIAN PRESIDENT WELCOMES ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 15 2009
Armenia

12:38 / 09/15/2009Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received Turkish
journalists and answered their questions before his visit to Turkey
scheduled September 16. The President touched upon Armenian-Turkish
relations’ normalization and Kurdish issue settlement, Turkish CNNturk
website reports.

He underlined that Turkey’s recent initiatives will have positive
impact on Turkey in particular and the region on the whole.

The President stated his readiness to support Armenian-Turkish
initiative, emphasizing the significance of the process for Syria.

Bashar al-Assad said Syria backs Turkey in its struggle against PKK
Party (Kurdistan Workers’ Party). If over 1500 Syrian Kurds hiding
in North Iraq lay down arms, Syria will accept them, the President
mentioned.

Minister of Diaspora urges Syrian Armenian businessmen to step up
their activities in Armenia

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Minister of
Diaspora Ms. Hranush Hakobian received a delegation of the
Armenian-Syrian Business Council on September 9. The delegation
composed of the Council’s representatives Shahe Yaghubian and Suren
Vardanian was headed by Co-Chairman of the Council’s Syrian side,
member of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce Levon Zaki Yetalian, Press and PR
Department of the Ministry of Diaspora reported.

The minister said that the Syrian-Armenian community is one of the most
well-organized ones. In her opinion, the visit of Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad to Armenia in June 2009 marked a new path in the
development of relations between Armenia and syria. She reminded that
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had stated during the indicated visit
that the bilateral relations have great opportunities for further
development, especially in the field of business and he had highlited
the importance of ensuring the continuity of the program on exhibitions
of Armenian and Syrian goods.

Ms. Hakobian urged the Armenian-Syrian busnessmen to step up their
activities in Armenia, to which work to be done in Diaspora communities
under the memorandum signed between the Ministry and the RA Chamber of
Commerce and Industry will contribute. A meeting of Diaspora Armenian
businessmen making investments in Armenia is scheduled to take place in
Yerevan in late November 2009.

The minister spoke about the field of partners of the Ministry of
Diaspora and the problems of specifying the needs of the communities,
whose solution will enable to increase the efficiency of the Ministry’s
assistance to the communities.

L. Z. Yetalian presented the Armenian-Syrian Business Council’s goals
such as the development of business links between the two countries,
the promotion of exports and imports. He expressed satisfaction with
the fact that the interest in business potential of the Diaspora is
growing in Armenia.

During the meeting Minister Hakobian and the Armenian-Syrian
businessmen also addressed problems of the business climate’s
improvement in Armenia. Ms. Hakobian presented the draft guide on the
legislative problems related to the stay and business activity of
Diaspora Armenians in Armenia.

YEREVAN OPPOSES TBILISI-BACKED UN RESOLUTION ON IDPS

AssA-Irada
September 10, 2009 Thursday
Azerbaijan

Armenia has voted against a United Nations resolution on displaced
persons from Georgias unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia. According to the Georgia Online news website, the
neighboring South Caucasus republic was among 19 countries opposing
the Tbilisi-backed resolution. 48 countries voted for the document
and 78 UN members abstained.

The resolution asserted the rights of all refugees and IDPs, regardless
of their ethnic affiliation, to return to their homes in Georgia,
including those in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It also said it was
necessary to draw up a timetable for a voluntary and safe return of all
displaced people affected by conflicts. Russian ambassador to the UN,
Vitaly Churkin, maintained prior to the vote that the resolution was
politically motivated and demanded stopping discussions on the issue
and preventing it from being put on voting. But the demand was not
met, and the UN General Assembly confirmed that Abkhazia and South
Ossetia are Georgian territories. Last Thursday the Russian Foreign
Ministry slammed the project as "counterproductive," saying that it
ignored the post-war reality of the two new independent states in the
Caucasus. In May 2008 the General Assembly passed a similar resolution,
referring only to Abkhazia, with 14 "yes" votes against 11 "no" votes.

Analysts say the outcome of the UN vote clearly shows that separatism
trends are condemned worldwide and draws a real picture about
countries opposed to supporting the territorial integrity of other
states, as well as indicates which states are friendly to Russia
and which ones favor the West. Besides Armenia, the opponents of
the resolution included Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan,
Russia, and Serbia, while the supporters included Azerbaijan,
Austria, Canada, Chili, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, and the United States. Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili has welcomed the adoption of the resolution. He
also said Moscow has sustained a diplomatic defeat. We recall that
a brief war erupted between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia in
early August 2008. Georgia launched large-scale military operations
to restore its territorial integrity. Moscow retaliated by sending
troops to the pro-Russian region, which struck at the Georgian armed
forces. A ceasefire was, subsequently, reached on August 17 with
Frances mediation. On August 26, Russia recognized the independence of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Only Nicaragua and Venezuela had followed
suit in acknowledging the regions’ independence.

HENRIK MKHITARYAN TO MISS WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING MATCH AGAINST SPAIN’S NATIONAL TEAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.09.2009 09:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Halfback of Armenia and Donetsk "Metallurg" Henrik
Mkhitaryan because of two yellow cards will miss the qualifying match
of World Cup 2010 against Spain’s national team, which will be held
on October 10 in Yerevan. Armenian midfielder in 2 games picked up
2 yellow cards and was disqualified for one match.

The first warning Henrik Mkhitaryan received at 90th minute against
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which defeated the Armenian team with a score
of 0:2. The second yellow card he earned at 19th minute of the match
against the Belgians, in which the Armenian team won its first victory
in the qualifying stage of World Cup with a score of 2:1.

CENTRAL BANK OF ARMENIA EXTENDS MONETARY LOOSENING CYCLE TO SEPTEMBER

World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
September 9, 2009

BYLINE: Venla Sipila

The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) yesterday cut its refinancing
interest rate by 25 basis points, taking the policy rate to 5.0%,
Reuters reports. The CBA Board took the decision in order to support
economic activity, while the move was facilitated by stabilising
trends in the financial markets. Weakened inflation pressures have
facilitated a prolonged monetary loosening cycle in Armenia this
year; the September cut already was the seventh policy interest
rate in 2009. The previous reduction was enacted only in August,
when the refinance rate was taken from 5.5% to 5.25% (seeArmenia:
12 August 2009: ).

Significance:Some further monetary loosening was expected, given the
weakness of inflation pressures in Armenia at the moment, together with
the collapsing economic activity. Indeed, consumer prices in August
continued to fall in monthly terms, while annual inflation in recent
months have remained comfortably below the CBA’s targeted rate of 4%
with 1.5 percentage points on either side (seeArmenia: 1 September
2009: ). Given the collapsing real economy, further interest rate
cuts may still follow in the coming months. However, the CBA needs
to balance its quest to support economic activity with the need to
secure price stability, and given the very wide external financing
needs of the economy in comparison to its foreign currency earnings,
the potential for even sharp further depreciation of the dram exchange
rate remains a risk. Any notable dram weakening would probably transfer
relatively rapidly to intensifying inflation pressures. Then again,
due to the undeveloped state of the financial sector, the role of
Armenian refinancing still remains mainly an indicator of the Central
Bank’s inflation expectations, rather than an effective policy tool
that would have a clear impact on market interest rates.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ARMENIAN SCHOOL

Glendale News Press
sept 10 2009
CA

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian speaks to students and parents gathered for
the 35th Anniversary celebration during the first day of school
at the Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale on Wednesday. (Raul
Roa/News-Press) Parents, teachers say Vatahan and Anoush Chamlian
Armenian School is like family.

By Max Zimbert Published: Last Updated Wednesday, September 9, 2009
8:28 PM PDT

It began with eight students in 1975, but in the 35 years since,
Vatahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School has grown to accommodate
500 first- through eighth-graders.

Its 35th anniversary celebration Wednesday drew religious and local
government officials, including Mayor Frank Quintero, who lauded the
school for its place in maintaining Armenian culture and traditions
among Glendale’s youth.

"It is not a celebration of 35 years of dedicated service, but the
success of the present and expectations and visions of the future,"
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, prelate of Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, said in an Armenian and English address.

Children ran around the playground before the ceremony and recited
Armenian and American pledges of allegiance to begin the anniversary
program. Eighth-graders held the hands of first-graders as they joined
the other students, a symbolic gesture to illustrate the continuity
of Armenian generations. The longevity of the culture, elements of
which organizers said date back to 3,000 B.C., is a central draw for
perspective parents.

"The first day of school is usually a big day, but this is very
special," said Nadia Shamsi, whose daughter is in third grade. "I don’t
think anyone expected this [milestone] in Glendale or in the Armenian
community, but we’re so proud of being here and being parents here."

School officials also presented Glendale firefighters with a $1,000
donation to the memorial fund for the families of two Los Angeles
County firefighters who died battling the Station fire.

Capt. Vincent Rifino took an impromptu poll, and asked students what
they thought was the hardest profession. Hands shot up, and Rifino
told students that teaching was the most difficult.

"We would not be up here doing what we do were it not for our teachers
and our first teachers — our parents," he said.

The first-through-eighth grade campus, like its sister schools and
kindergarten campus in South Glendale, is governed by the Western
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and fully accredited by
the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges. The main campus on Lowell
Avenue had its accreditation renewed last year.

Many students are born in the U.S., but the school has been an alma
mater for many immigrants from Armenia and diaspora countries like
Lebanon, Iran and more recently, Iraq, Chamlian Principal Vazken
Madenlian said.

In the last 35 years, students have been able to develop a duel
identity, he added.

"They know their culture, why they are in this school, and on the other
hand, they know they have to function in a broader American society, go
to university and be a contributing citizen to the community at large,"
he said. "They are as Armenian as shish kebab and American as popcorn."

Parents and teachers described Chamlian as a family, and that was
one reason Terri Melkonian said she decided to bring her fourth-grade
son out of public school and into Armenian school.

"This is such a nurturing environment and everyone is like aunts and
uncles," she said.

The opportunity to learn the Armenian language was pivotal.

"I speak it, but it’s great for him to learn," she said.

Councilman Ara Najarian, who has two nephews enrolled at the school,
said Chamlian was a valuable resource for families.

"It brings an energy and force for young students within the broader
Armenian community," he said.

School officials continue to look for a suitable property for a high
school, but there are no concrete expansion plans, Madenlian said.

"I went to Armenian school and we’re in diaspora away from the
country, so this helps children maintain heritage and puts it in
new perspectives," said George Khachatourian, whose daughter is
a sixth-grader.

Teacher Garine Palandjian finds her fifth- and sixth-grade students
especially receptive to lessons plans surrounding Armenian culture.

"They are so lucky to take classes in Armenian — it’s an ancient
language," she said. "Civilizations like Mesopotamia die out, but
Armenian culture continues to thrive."