Author: Topchian Jane

TURKEY GOT A WARNING FROM THE USA

Aysor
Aug 28 2009
Armenia

Under the heading "A friendly warning to Turkey" the Turkish daily
"Sabah" has published Robert Veksler’s, the co-chairman of the group
of friendship with Turkey in the House of the Representatives of the
USA, call to Ankara.

"The friend of Turkey Robert Veksler has called to Ankara to accelerate
the dialogue with Armenia. In the talk with the President Abdullah
Gul Veqsler has stressed that if the dialogue stops the draft law
about the Armenian Genocide will again appear in the agenda of the
US Congress and this time will get an approval."

According to the periodical Veksler has also promised to make new
efforts in deepening and developing the Turkish – American ties.

GEORGIA EXPANDS TERRITORY AT ARMENIA’S EXPENSE

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Aug 26 2009
Armenia

13:44 / 08/26/2009Georgian authorities decided to extend territories
at the expense of Shirak region, Armenia, while Georgian frontier
guards now and then occupy Armenian territories.

Georgian border guards push as far as for dozen meters to Armenian
land on Armenian -Georgian border (Shirak region sector), Aravot
daily reports. Though the locals have title deeds and plots, however
Georgian frontier guards ignore these documents, asserting that not
yet specified sectors of Armenian-Georgian border should be obtained
in Georgia’s interests. The issue is extremely topical in Bavra
village. Koryun Sumbulyan, village community head informed the daily
that locals cannot enter their territories of 3 km and 408 meters.

Demarcation commission on Armenian-Georgian border at RA Foreign
Ministry did not give the definite answer to Sumbulyan. He was advised
to dispose the land as he finds it expedient in the RA Ministry of
Territorial Administration. However Georgian frontier guards keep on
imposing obstacles while Armenian ones are silent.

Georgian side claimed of the allegedly existing treaty dated 1947,
under which the mentioned territories belong to Georgia. As far as
villagers unavailingly try to protect their property rights, the
issue overgrew into a serious intergovernmental problem. According
to some political analysts, Armenian-Georgian relations are tensed,
being unsettled within first 20 years of the contemporary history.

NEWS.am delegated a reporter to investigate the situation in the spot.

ARARATBANK INTENDS TO CARRY OUT THE THIRD ISSUE OF CORPORATE BONDS BY THE END OF 2009

ArmInfo
2009-08-25 20:38:00

ArmInfo. By the end of 2009, ARARATBANK intends to carry out the
third issue of corporate bonds, Chairman of Board of ARARATBANK Ashot
Osipyan told ArmInfo correspondent. According to him, at the moment the
bank is working at the parameters of the planned issue which should
meet the current business trends and market demands. "Placement of
the bank’s two issues of bonds, the first one being repaid in 2008,
took place in a more favorable period – under conditions of economic
growth and activity in the market of corporate bonds. The bank will
place the third issue under conditions of economic downturn against
the background of the crisis",- he said.

As regards ARARATBANK’a initiative to hold IPO at Warsaw Stock
Exchange, Osipyan said that the consultative talks with the leadership
of the Warsaw Stock Exchange are suspended over the holiday time and
will be resumed in the near future. He said IPO preliminarily amounts
to $30 mln.

Concerning adoption of a law on issue of corporate bonds in free
currency, Osipyan said that there is no need to adopt such a document
in Armenia. He thinks that each country’s policy should first and
foremost aim to stimulate the national currency turnover.

To note, the placement of the first issue of ARARATBANK undocumentary
coupon corporate bonds worth 250 mln AMD with quarterly coupon
payment, annual yield of 8%, circulation period of 1 year, took place
on 3 May 2007. The bonds of the first issue were redeemed on 12 May
2008. Throughout the whole period of circulation of the first-issue
bonds at NASDAQ OMX Armenia, transactions amounted to 450 mln AMD
(94 transactions). The placement of the second issue of ARARATBANK
undocumentary corporate bonds worth 400 mln AMD, with annual yield
of 9% and circulation period of 1,5 years, took place from 9 till 24
June 2008. The period of redemption of the second issue expires on
December 24, 2009. From July 2008 till 24 August 2009 inclusive 45
transactions worth 267 mln AMD were carried out with the second-issue
bonds at the stock exchange. These securities are listed at Bbond by
NASDAQ OMX Armenia.

ARMENIAN BANKS CLOSING THE YEAR WITH PROFIT

Aysor
Aug 25 2009
Armenia

In the banking area legislative improvements are expected. As Emil
Soghomonyan the president of the Union of Banks of Armenia informed
during the press conference the legislative proposals from the
banks the Union has summed up and presented to the RA Government. He
mentioned the legislative changes in the value added taxes, the taxing
of the non residents, and the pledging of moveable estate, etc.

E. Soghomonyan agreed that the banks have difficulty in providing
credits to the newly starting businesses: "We have a lot of cases
when, especially in the past , the banks were providing credits with
in cash and the future control was becoming impossible and it was
turning out that they had got a car by the credit. At present if
the banks are being sure least for 90% that it is a newly starting
business at they provide a credit."

Coming up to the credit percentage the president of the Union of
Banks assured that the percents are not that much high. According to
him because of the crises conditions the risks were to grow and not
the percents.

If included for 14 %, the cost price is 2%. So it is 16 %. At best 2%
margin must be used, i.e. credit must be provided with 18 %. 18 % will
have normal business credits and the more risky fields, consumers’ one,
for hypothec credits will have higher percents",-said E. Soghomonyan.

As to him, in Armenia the process of not paying back the credits
comprises 5-6% this year. Last year it was 1%. As to E. Soghomonyan
5-6 % is a big amount if the general capital is 30-40 million.

"In the first half of this year the banks registered profit of 4
billion 300 million (nearly 12 million drams). As compared with
the last year, this number is very low. 28 billion annual profit,
14 billion for six months. 16 banks out of 22 recorded profits, 6
had losses. The reason for losses was the omission of the currency
exchange rate on 3 March",-mentioned E. Soghomonyan, excluding that
the banks will have losses by the end of the year.

He ensured that if there is the second phase of the crisis, the
Armenian "banking system will not suffer".

E. Soghomonyan predicted a 10 % decrease in the economic situation
of RA. As to him, next year there will not be any decrease and the
increase will comprise 0%.

FOOTBALL ZUGZWANG

eng
12:54:38 – 24/08/2009

Serge Sargsyan is facing a difficult choice. First he needs to decide
on accepting or rejecting Abdullah Gul’s invitation to watch the
match Turkey vs. Armenia. If he rejects, he must give an explanation
to the international community because rejecting would mean the end
of the football diplomacy, that is the process of improvement of the
Armenian-Turkish relations. If he accepts, he will have to explain
to the Armenians because by accepting the invitation and visiting
Turkey Serge Sargsyan actually carries on the failure of Armenia and
fosters Turkey.

The Armenian Festival of Orange County
PO Box 3136
Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3136

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kalajian
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 17 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Contact: Paul Aslanian
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
(949) 309-2900 Ext 11 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

State, Civic and Community Leaders All Join to Commend Orange County
Armenian Festival

Laguna Hills, CA (Tuesday, August 25, 2009) – "All Armenians can take great
pride in knowing that our culture and its values are being accurately
portrayed," said Orange County Armenian Festival founding Executive Director
Paul Aslanian. "We Armenians know our culture and are proud to share it
with others, but we don’t often get a chance to share it on a scale like
this, with thousands in attendance. Our survey results showed that over
half our guests are new to Armenian food, music and dancing," he continued.
Guest satisfaction survey results also showed that over 92 percent of the
guests rated the festival’s food, entertainment, cleanliness and overall
experience as "great."

California Governor Schwarzenegger’s Representative Ms. Lisa Kalustian
presented Festival Executive Director Paul Aslanian with the Governor’s
Proclamation. Returning again was Orange County Sheriff and Coroner Sandra
Hutchens, Laguna Hills Mayor Allan Songstad, Jr., Mission Viejo Mayor Trish
Kelly, Orange County Supervisor of the 5th District Pat Bates, along with
City Council members Steve Simonian and Jim Gomez from La Habra, and Kirk
Cartozian from Downey. Also congratulating Festival organizers and enjoying
the festivities was Deputy Consul General from the Republic of Armenia,
Honorable Mesrop Shaboyan.

The Armenian Festival of Orange County, now in its 5th year, is being held
again on the beautiful park-like grounds of the Laguna Hills Community
Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway, in Laguna Hills, CA 92653 at the intersection
of Paseo de Valencia, on the weekend of September 12th and 13th. Ample,
convenient parking is free on the property. The festival site is
approximately 1 mile west of the Alicia Parkway exit on the 5 freeway, about
20 minutes south of Disneyland.

Distinctive because of its continuous entertainment, authentic Armenian
food, table seating under the enormous tent, immaculate and beautiful
grounds, affordable pricing and wholesome fun for the entire extended
family, the Armenian Festival of Orange County will feature live dance music
alternating between two Armenian bands under the main tent. The John
Bilezikjian Band and the Knar Band will both be appearing on both Saturday
and Sunday.

New this year are two stages for simultaneous live performances and other
presentations. Back again are spectacular professional dance groups,
cultural exhibits and demonstrations, and over ten popular Armenian guest
singers. Also available will be a Kids Zone with cotton candy, multiple
jumpers, multiple games and prizes, with great shopping for bargain hunters
and wholesome enjoyment for the whole family.

Admission to the Armenian Festival of Orange County remains trivial
for adults, while children age 12 and under are admitted free.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the music, fellowship, dancing and
delicious food.

Ariel view of site of 5th annual 2009 Armenian Festival of Orange County,
Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway, at the intersection of
Paseo de Valencia. The festival area is shown in the center of the image,
the food service and restroom facilities are top center, the large
children’s playground is shown on the left, and the main entrance is shown
on the right of the image. Source: Bing.com

Site of the 5th Annual Armenian Festival of Orange County, Laguna Hills
Community Center grounds.

Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Hon. Mesrop Shaboyan,
center, congratulates Orange County Armenian Festival organizers Paul
Aslanian, left, and Lydia Tutunjian, right.

Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Ms. Sandra Hutchens, second from right,
congratulates Orange County Armenian Festival volunteer organizers Ms.
Rosemary Saatjian, Mr. Paul Aslanian, and Mr. Greg Sermabeikian, left to
right.

Ms. Lisa Kalustian, second from left, representing California Governor
Schwarzenegger, presents the Governor’s proclamation to Orange County
Armenian Festival volunteer organizers Ms. Karmen Garakanian, Mr. Paul
Aslanian, Ms. Lydia Tutunjian and Ms. Rosemary Saatjian, left to right.

Pictured are civic and community leaders join together at the Orange County
Armenian Festival to extend their congratulations and present certificates
of appreciation to Executive Director Paul Aslanian, extreme right. From
left to right, Mr. Yeghig Keshishian of the Armenian Assembly of America,
City Council Member Mr. Kirk Cartozian of Downey, Mayor of Laguna Hills Hon.
Allan Songstad, Jr., Orange County 5th District Supervisor Ms. Pat Bates,
Mayor of Mission Viejo Hon. Trish Kelly, and City Council Members Messrs.
Steve Simonian and Jim Gomez of La Habra.

###

ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN: RA PRESIDENT IS VERY LIKELY TO LEAVE FOR TURKEY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.08.2009 16:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian-Turkish rapprochement is not in frozen
state; it is in progress, and likelihood for sudden breaks is very
little, Caucasus Institute Director, political scientist Alexander
Iskandaryan told today a news conference in Yerevan. "Turkey is
currently conducting energy policy in the region, which began long
ago. Ankara wishes to become a gas link between Europe and Russia,
and in that context, it attaches importance to ‘zero programs with
neighboring states’. And that is not an easy task for a country like
Turkey which used to be an Empire," Armenian expert noted.

"Developments observed in Armenian-Turkish relations over the recent
years are already serious, and while several years ago Armenia and
Turkey viewed bilateral relations from historical angle, they are
now discussing real political problems."

"Doors are still open for normalizing relations between two
countries. There is a serious progress in bilateral relations. Besides,
freezing in Armenian-Turkish process is not advantageous to
Ankara. President Sargsyan’s recent statement on going to Turkey to
watch Armenia-Turkey return football match only in case the border
opens or countries are in the run-up to lifting the blockade became
a kind of message not only for Ankara but also United States, Europe
and Azerbaijan," Alexander Iskandaryan said, adding that President
is very likely to leave for Turkey.

Return match between Armenian and Turkish national teams within WC
2010 frameworks is due on October 14 in Bursa, in the stadium named
after Ataturk.

KARO MURAT VACATED EUROPEAN SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE TO MOVE UP TO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.08.2009 19:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Europe Champion in super medium weight Armenian
boxer Karo Murat (Karen Muradyan) ), acting under the flag of Germany,
left the title vacant EBU, which he won in 2008 defeating the Italian
boxer Cristian Sanavia.

Karo Murad will make his first fight in the new limit on August 29
at the Gerry Weber Stadium when he clashes with Sergey Demchenko for
the vacant WBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title.

"We know the weight problems from Arthur Abraham, who vacated his IBF
Middleweight Title to join the Super Six World Boxing Classic," coach
Ulli Wegner said. "All the diets really affect your performance in a
negative way. I spoke to Karo about it. Since we have a very strong
line-up at super-middleweight, we decided that he will challenge at
light heavyweight in the future."

Karo Murat is looking forward to a new challenge. "I am a little sad
to vacate the European belt at super-middleweight," he said. "I was
very proud to be the European champion. But on the other hand I am
very happy to move up. Even though I have worked very hard and lived
disciplined in the last couple of weeks, I am still well over the
weight limit."

And he added: "I have great opportunities at light heavyweight. I
have already beaten Gabriel Campillo, who is now the WBA champion. At
1.79 metres I am tall enough to fight in this division. And my punches
will be even stronger."

Murat (19-0, 12 KOs) is currently shaping up in Team Sauerland´s
training camp base in Kienbaum, 20 miles east of Berlin. He believes
the fight against Demchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) on the Huck-Ramirez
undercard will be a good first test. "He is the former IBF
Intercontinental Champion," Murat stated. "It will be tough and a
good challenge for the first fight in the new limit."

CHARGE AGANIST ACTIVIST OF YOUTH GREEN MOVEMENT MARIAM SUKHUDIAN CHANGED

Noyan Tapan
Aug 19, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The Erebuni Investigation Unit of
the RA Police Department of Criminal Cases changed within two days
the charge against Mariam Sukhudian, an activist of SOS Teghut youth
green movement.

The case was opened based on a material of Haylur news program
broadcast by the Public Television Company on November 13, 2008. In
the material, one of the pupils of boarding school No 11 in Nubarashen
district told about the sexual harassment by a teacher.

Ecolur agency reported that on August 13, 2009 Mariam Sukhudian
received a summons to give evidence as an accused person on August
15. The RA Criminal Code’s Article 135 Part 1 – Libel was indicated
in the summons as the article, under which she was charged. However,
on August 15 she was told that she was charged under another article of
the Criminal Code – Article 333 Part 2 Point 3 – False Crime Reporting
for Mercenary Purposes, which is punished with imprisonment for a
term of up to 5 years.

The new charge was indicated in the August 15 summons, by which Mariam
Sukhudian is to appear as an accused on August 19.

WASHINGTON TO PREVENT DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.08.2009 18:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The strategic partnership between the countries
implies cooperation in a number of areas, but this does not mean
that the countries must cooperate absolutely in all areas, the same
applies to Armenia and Russia, the specialist in Turkic philology
Hakob Chakryan told a press conference in Yerevan today.

According to him, no matter how intense relations have Russia and
Turkey, this will soon fade, since Ankara will have to subordinate
to Washington and stop the process.

Mr. Chakryan also commented on recent statement by the Director of
the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Richard
Giragosian that Turkey allows Russia to use its airspace for equipping
the Russian base in Gyumri. "Interestingly, if the agreement between
Turkey and Russia was secret, where did he learn this information
from? I do not treat what Richard Giragosyan said seriously, because
the sources of his information are unknown, " Armenian expert said.