Author: Tashjian Arbi

DALAI LAMA NOTICES SOME SIMILARITY BETWEEN KARABAKH AND TIBET PROBLEMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.01.2007 13:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I have heard about Nagorno Karabakh, but I do not
know details," stated Dalai Lama XIV. In his words, it seems that
there should be some similarity between the Nagorno Karabakh and Tibet
problems, but some differences too. Responding the question how it is
important the right to self-determination, when today nations join in
various unions, Dalai Lama stated, "I have already said earlier that
it is very important: the right of nations to self-determination and
to keeping cultural heritage. After all, the cultural heritage forms
in the process of evolution and it meets the needs of certain people,"
‘The Komsomolskaya Pravda’ reports.

WB: REMITTANCES BY MIGRANTS GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO GDPs OF POOREST COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA

Washington, January 16. ArmInfo. Remittances by migrants are the
biggest source of external income for many poorest countries of
Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For the last 15 years they have
been insuring them against economic and political shocks, says the WB
"Migration and Remittances in Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union."

Remittances by migrants make up over 20% of GDPs of Moldova and
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and over 10% of GDPs of Albania, Armenia
and Tajikistan.

The US and Russia top the list of countries receiving migrants. They
are followed by Germany, Ukraine, France, India, Saudi Arabia,
Australia, Kazakhstan and Poland.

Russia receives migrants mostly from the Caucasus and Central Asia,
Ukraine and Poland are transit countries for people migrating to
Western Europe.

WB experts say that youth migration in those countries will continue
to grow due to rising demand for labor force following the declining
birth rate over the greater part of the region.

JERUSALEM CHURCH LEADERS OFFER TO MEDIATE IN FATAH, HAMAS CONFLICT

Ecumenical News International, Switzerland
Jan 16 2007

Jerusalem (ENI). Church leaders in Jerusalem have warned warring
Palestinian factions they could trigger civil war and, offering to
play a mediating role, they are urging an end to violence in order
for them to focus on the true priority of their people – independence.

"As leaders of the Christian churches in Jerusalem concerned at the
present situation in the Palestinian Territories we feel we must
voice our anxiety for all our people – Christian and Muslim alike –
at the deteriorating relations between Fatah and Hamas leaders and
the armed forces," they said.

In a statement made available on 15 January, 13 church leaders noted
that "all kinds of mediation and attempts at reconciliation have so far
failed, resulting in a deadlock in the situation". They said the latest
accusations and threats made known through the media had triggered
"some large-scale fighting which soon will be very difficult to stop".

They warned, "Fighting and kidnapping opponents will not bring down
the Separation Wall or end the embargo on the Palestinian people."

News agencies have in recent days reported fighting of an unprecedented
ferocity between Fatah and Hamas, the two major Palestinian factions,
noting that more than 30 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza
Strip since Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah and president of the
Palestinian Authority, said at the end of 2006 there should be fresh
elections.

The church leaders noted: "The threatening language of the last few
days by representatives of both movements and other related parties are
both unprecedented and very aggressive. Such occurrences can only bring
a civil war nearer by the hour. The outcome would be so drastic that
it will obscure the real priorities of the whole Palestinian issue."

Among the signatories of the statement are, the most senior Roman
Catholic leader in the Holy Land, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah;
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III; Patriarch Torkom II of the
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church; Anba Abraham of the Coptic Orthodox
Patriarchate; the leader of the Anglican community in the Holy Land,
Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal; and Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

They said, "The time has come for an all-out effort to unite our
people and so concentrate on working for independence together," to
offer " the opportunity for all people in this Holy Land – Christian,
Muslim and Jew – to know security and peace".

Clement John, the international director of the Geneva-based World
Council of Churches said on 15 September: "The churches are putting
the best interests of the Palestinian people first at a critical
time." He added: "Factional fighting is a failure of vision and
responsibility for a people who will soon face their 40th year under
foreign occupation. As the churches point out, the real priority is
the same for everyone – Christians, Muslims and Jews."

The Jerusalem church heads called for a removal of arms from the
street, a government of national unity and an Israeli-Palestinian
return to the negotiating table, and they pledged to play their part in
ending strife and made an offer of mediation. "Bloodshed and violence
will not bring peace; it will only further destroy family life and
further endanger the economy of our land," said the church leaders.

Full statement of church leaders:

IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE IN THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION

ArmRadio.am
16.01.2007 13:20

The project of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline is in the centre of
attention of senior officials of the two countries. Corresponding
specialists are carrying out the construction of the pipeline on both
sides of the border, Head of the Economic Department of the Embassy
of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shahrolh Edrisabadi said in response
to Armenpress question.

According to him, the final stages of the pipeline construction
slowed down because of the unfavourable weather conditions. However,
officials carrying out the construction intend to complete the works
in the near future.

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Jan 12 2007

VimpelCom counts on reaching an agreement with the Armenian
providers, involved in IP-telephony

Yerevan, January 12 /Mediamax/. The representative of VimpelCom,
which owns the 90% shares of the `ArmenTel’ Company, stated that the
representatives of the company met the Armenian providers `and there
was no indignation from their side’.

Mediamax reports referring CNews that the Regional PR-Manager of
VimpelCom Artem Minayev stated:

`On Thursday, we met with the representatives of providers and there
was no indignation from their side. We are for free competition, we
consider the present situation a transitional one, and we are ready
to work out a mutually acceptable decision for this period of time’.

Mediamax recalls that last week the Commission for Regulation of
Public Services of Armenia granted `ArmenTel’ the right to disconnect
from its net legal entities and natural persons, involved in
providing IP-Telephony services, as the given sphere is still
considered the monopoly of `ArmenTel’.

ARMECONOMBANK AWARDED DIPLOMAS TO "ARMINFO" AGENCY, "SHANT" TV CHANNEL AND "HAYOTS ASHKHAR" NEWSPAPER FOR BEST FINANCIAL-ECONOMIC ANALYTICS

Yerevan, January 9. ArmInfo. One of the leading commercial banks
of Armenia, the Armeconombank, has announced of the results of a
competition, announced in the beginning, 2006, for the best analytical
publications and TV-Radio programs in financial-economic sphere.

The chairman of Armeconombank, David Sukiassyan, has presented
diplomas to the representatives of "ArmInfo" News Agency, the "Shant"
TV channel and the "Hayots Ashkhar" newspper. He thanked the Mass
Media representatives for the objective and deep broadcasting of
economic problems and noted the Bank’s adequate contribution to the
formation and development of financial-economic journalism.

Remaining faithful to traditions, D. Sukiassyan has presented
diplomas to the best borrowers of her Bank in 2006, the "No Problems"
and "Zangk-97 Companies", which had presented the most literate
business-projects in the industrial area. The best employees of the
Bank, including the Bank’s press-service, were also awarded diplomas.

The Chairman of RA CB, Tigran Sarkissyan, has congratulated the Bank’s
employees and wished new successes to Armeconombank in increasing the
credit opportunities and extension of services rendered. According to
him, the Bank’s successes are mainly stipulated for the professional
management. "Those, who gather the best staff, survive in the
competition", T. Sarkissyan said.

To note, the Armeconombank is in the five of the leading banks of
Armenia. 25% of the Bank’s capital belongs to the Eurobank, with
which a number of big credit projects is being implemented. Upon the
yearly results, the main indicators of the Bank have increased by
30% on average. The growth of assets made up 23%, mainly assured at
the expense of credit investments for 21 bln drams and investments
to the securities for 6 bln drams. In 2006, the Bank had opened and
renewed several branches. This year, it intends to greatly strengthen
the sphere of crediting the regional borrowers, jointly with the
Eurobank. Signing of an Agreement with the International Financial
Corporation is envisaged in 2007 in order to receive a credit in $2
mln to be proportionally aimed at the crediting of a small and middle
business and at the development of the hypothec market.

ARMENIAN "FORBE’S" JOURNAL TURNED OUT TO BE UNLICENSED

Yerevan, January 9. ArmInfo. RA press has dug up that the first
December issue of the Armenian "Forbe’s" journal, has no relevant
license. The Armenian "Haikakan Zhamanak" newspaper reports, with
reference to the Editor-in-Chief of the "Forbe’s-Russia" journal,
Maxim Kashulinsky, that the Armenian "Forbe’s" has nothing common
with the "Forbe’s- Russia" or the "Forbe’s-USA", M. Kashulinsky said
in response to the written inquiry of some RA citizen G. Torossyan.

In his turn, the Director of "Forbe’s-Armenia", Elizabeth Petrosyan,
told the "Haikakan Zhamanak" that M. Kashulinsky is not authorized
to come out with such statements. Asked if the "Forbe’s-Armenia"
has received a license from the American "Forbe’s", E. Petrosyan
gave no definite answer. In its turn, the "ArmInfo" Agency had also
addressed the publisher of "Forbe’s", the "Axsel Springer" and its
Russian representation in the midst of December. However, it received
no answer on this occasion.

To note, the first issue of the Armenian "Forbe’s" had caused a
sensation, having published a list of the 10 most well-to-do people
of Armenia, consisting of representatives of the top political and
business circles of Armenia.

TURKEY MAY TAKE UNPREDICTABLE MOVES

Yerkir
08.01.2007 16:42

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – In 2007, the Near East will still be in the
limelight of the world policy, since it’s the very place where the
interests of the West with the United States at the head contact
with the Islamic world split into Shiism and Sunnism, director of
the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA Academy of Sciences,
Dr Ruben Safrastyan told a reporter. In his opinion, the U.S. may
lose control over Iraq thus boosting the possibility of large-scale
armed collision between sunnits and shiits supported by Saudi Arabia
and Iran respectively.

On the other hand, further escalation of conflicting zones in Palestine
and Lebanon, struck by bloody battles last year, is also possible.

Tension over the Iranian nuclear program is predictable as well. "We do
not rule out that the U.S. may deal a blow on Iran’s nuclear facilities
and this will be the worst scenario pregnant with catastrophic
consequences," Safrastyan said adding that the domestic situation
in Turkey that tends to involve the army in politics may lead to
unpredictable moves taken by the state in the region, specifically
in Iraqi Kurdistan.

"All this gives to understand that the U.S. program on
"democratization" and "stabilization" in the Near East so much
advertised by the Bush administration has actually failed," he
underscored.

ARMENIANS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE 220 TIMES IN 2006

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 28 2006

Armenian Armed Forces have violated the ceasefire 220 times in 2006,
APA reports.

According to the results of the monitoring conducted by APA basing on
the information given by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry to mass media,
Armenian Armed Forces violated ceasefire 10 times in January, 14 times
in February, 50 times in March, 65 times in April, 15 times in May,
11 times in June, 9 times in July, 19 times in August, 5 times in
September, 10 times in November and 12 times in December. The ceasefire
was most violated in April and least in September and October.

Ceasefire was mostly violated in Ahgdam, Gazakh, Tartar and Fuzuli.

Mazam, Gizilhajili, Balajafarli and Boganris Ayrim villages of Gazakh;
Hasangaya, Chayli, Gerabert, Garanly villages of Tartar; Bash Gervend,
Ortagishlag, Gulchuluk sovkhoz villages of Ahgdam; Ashagi Seyidahmadli,
Alkhanly and Ashagy Abdurrahmanly villages of Fuzuli and tallish and
Tat-Garagoyunlu villages of Goranboy were mostly fired on by Armenians.

14 soldiers of Azerbaijani Armed Forces died and 2 were captured
during this year.

MASTER PLANS OF 26 ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES APPROVED IN 2006

Noyan Tapan
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006, the Armenian government
approved the master plans of 26 Armenian communities, and the
decelopment of another 10 master plans is at the final stage. The
RA Minister of Urban Development Aram Harutyunian stated this on
December 27 during a press conference to summarize this year’s
results. According to him, work on development of master plans
is done especially in those communities which have a potential
for investment attraction. A. Harutyunian attached importance to
successful implementation of the Program of Apartment Purchase
Certificates. In 2005-2006, 800 certificates were given and one
billion drams (about 2.7 mln USD) was spent on the implementation of
the program. Thie year a 24-apartment building was constructed with
budget resources in Martuni, a building of the same type in Talin,
759 mln drams was allocated to rural communities for completing the
construction of 50 buildings. Besides, money was allocated to 300 rural
families for completing the construction of their houses. According to
A. Hatutyunian, in 2006 two schools were put into operation in Gyumri,
one school in Stepanavan, one – in Spitak, one – in Vanadzor and one
school in Alaverdi with budget resources of 12 billion drams. It
was noted that in 2007, 20 bln drams will be allocated for school
construction. The minister said that this year 250 facilities (at
which 10 thousand builders were engaged) were constructed and put
into operation with budget resources.