Author: Vardanian Garo

OSCE HEAD OF OFFICE AND THE MINISTER OF NATURE PROTECTION OF ARMENIA DISCUSS WAYS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN NUBARASHENCHEMICAL WASTE DUMP

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 20, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, 20 MAY, NOYAN TAPAN. Joint actions to handle the environmental
threat posed by a chemical waste dump of Nubarashen and other issues
of mutual co-operation were discussed today at a meeting of the Head
of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Kapinos and the Minister of
Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan.

The Ambassador Kapinos at the meeting welcomed the immediate reaction
of the Government to the alert signaled by the OSCE on the acute
environmental risk stemming from the Nubarashen chemical waste dump
and expressed readiness to assist Armenia on the issue.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan developed an emergency action plan to
contain the immediate threat jointly with the Armenian Ministry of
Emergency, and invited experts to make preliminary assessment of
risks. The international expertise was provided by the John Vijgen
from the Environment and Security Initiative, Kevin Helps from UN Food
and Agritecture Organization and Wolfhart Pohl from the World Bank.

At the initiative of the OSCE the international donor community is
being mobilized to assist Armenia in addressing the problem. The next
co-ordination meeting to this effect is hosted by the OSCE Office in
Yerevan on May 21.

As soon as the acute threat has been coped with, a long-term plan to
dispose of the waste is to be drafted with further OSCE assistance in
co-ordination with the Armenian authorities and other international
actors.

"We are glad to provide support in bringing about the international
expertise and do believe that coordinated reaction by the government,
civil society and the international community is important to
assist Armenia in eliminating this kind of emergency threats.," said
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan."

The Minister briefed on the urgent steps taken by the Government of
Armenia with a view of utilizing amount in 31 million drams allocated
from the Government budget to mitigate the immediate risks. The
Ministry of Nature Protection is tasked to organize the work at the
dump site and co-ordinate state bodies’ activities.

The Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan raised a number of issues
related to the current and future functioning of the Aarhus Centres
in Armenia. The follow-up discussion revealed identical positions on
the issues and mutual understanding on prospects to future of Aarhus
movement in Armenia.

MP SAMVEL ALEXANIAN FINED 2,5 MILLION AMD

May 19, 2010

On May 19, RA State Commission for the Protection of Economic
Competition (SCPEC) imposed a fine of 2,5 million AMD on Alex Grig
Company for providing an unfair competition in the market.

A SCPEC monitoring revealed that the trademarks of several vodkas
disstilled by Alex Grig are confusingly similar to some British and
Ukrainian trademarks. In particular, "Medoff," "Premium," "Ukraine"
bottled and sold by Alex Grig created confusion among buyers.

SCPEC registered a violation of RA Law "On Protection of Economic
Competition" and gave the company ten days to stop the production of
vodka and submit documents on fine payments.

Alex Grig was also fined 500000 AMD for its unauthorized activity in
the sugar and oil market.

HOT LINE LAUNCHED ON AREXIMBANK-GAZPROMBANK GROUP WEBSITE

/ARKA/
May 19, 2010
YEREVAN

A hotline was launched on the site of cjsc Areximbank-Gazprombank
Group, the press-release received on Tuesday stated.

"The hotline has opened in order to establish a stronger connection
between the bank and its customers," the bank said.

Through a new rubric anyone can ask the management and specialists
of the bank any questions, express their wishes and suggestions and
report on the lack of specialists of the Bank.

"The opening of the Hot Line will surely become a big and important
step towards the bank’s clients," the press release said.

Areximbank cjsc was founded in August 1998 to support entrepreneurship
and service financial flows between Russia and Armenia. The bank has
15 branches in Yerevan and in the regions of Armenia.

Areximbank is a principle member of VISA International and MasterCard
International payment system.

Since September 2008, Russia Gasprombank has been the full owner of
the bank.

As of May 2, 2010 the regulatory capital of the bank amounted to 16
billion AMD and the total assets equal to 47.8 billion drams.

IMF TO PROVIDE USD 52 MILLION TO ARMENIA WITHIN EFF/ECF PROGRAMS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 18:13 AMT 13:13 GMT

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Mark Lewis
visited Yerevan during May 6-19. At the end of the mission, Mr. Lewis
issued the following statement:

"The mission reached a staff level agreement with the authorities on
a program supported by arrangements under the Extended Fund Faculty
(EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The staff level agreement
is subject to approval by IMF management and the executive board. A
discussion of the program request at the executive boards is planned
for late June. Access under the program would total USD 392 million,
covering the period through June 2013. Board approval of the program
would enable Armenia to draw about USD 52 million.

While economic conditions remain difficult, the Armenian economy is
gradually recovering. Growth is expected to rebound in 2010, external
inflows are picking up and public finances have improved. Inflation
has remained high due to various supply shocks, but should come down
gradually over the course of 2010.

Nevertheless while the crisis has passed, important medium term
challenges have emerged: boosting growth while reducing poverty,
reversing the debt build-up and maintaining financial stability.

In support of these objectives, the authorities have committed to
a strong set of macroeconomic policies under the proposed EFF/ECF
program. Fiscal policy will continue to support economic activity,
but as the recovery takes hold, budget deficits will gradually fall
to keep public debt on a sustainable path. The authorities intend to
widen the tax base through improvements in the tax administration. The
will also further improve the targeting and efficiency in spending, and
taking further steps to protect the poor by enhancing the social safety
net. Maintaining low inflation will continue to be a key objective
of monetary policy. With supply pressures falling back during the
course of the year, inflation will likely continue to fall as well."

"On structural reforms, the program includes a strong set of tax
administration reforms aimed at boosting taxpayer rights, while
ultimately contributing to sound public finances and improvement of the
business environment. Regarding the financial sector, the Armenian
banking system has proven its resilience during the crisis. The
authorities intend to continue promoting financial intermediation to
support economic activity, strengthen the balance of payments, and lead
to continued progress in poverty reduction," the statement concluded.

Trend, Azerbaijan
May 14 2010

PACE president holds talks with Armenian officials

Mevlut Cavusoglu, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE), had separate meetings with Armenian
President Serzh Sargsian and Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan in
Armenian capital of Yerevan on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to news stories in Armenian media, Sargsian said in the
meeting that Cavusoglu’s visit would contribute both to relations
between Armenia and the Council of Europe and also to ties between
PACE and Armenian parliament.

Cavusoglu said he aimed to boost relations among member states of the
Council of Europe.

The meeting between Abrahamyan and Cavusoglu focused on normalization
process of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Abrahamyan said the process was a difficult and sensitive one, and if
protocols were approved in the Turkish parliament, Armenia was ready
to restore the process.

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: TURKEY’S INVOLVEMENT AS MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR NOT IN RUSSIA’S INTERESTS
Lena Badeyan

"Radiolur"
14.05.2010 17:33

To what extent is the Russian President’s visit to Moscow
dangerous to Armenia and what can it result in? Historian,
Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan says he understands the concerns of the
Armenian authorities, since history has shown what implications the
Russian-Turkish political cooperation can have for Armenia. However,
the historian does not see trends of negative developments.

Within the framework of the visit to Turkey Dmnitry Medvedev did not
only discuss the Karabakh issue with Turkey, which does not co-chair
the OSCE Minsk Group, but also declared that Russia and Turkey should
play an active role in establishing peace in the region. However,
this is a gesture of goodwill rather than a political statement,
Ruben Safrastyan told a press conference today.

"The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have declared many times that they
do not wish to see the Turkey as the fourth co-chair. Secondly,
I think that Turkey’s involvement in the process does not proceed
from Russia’s interests, since it is Russia’s main competitor in the
region. I think we can be calm in this regard," Safrastyan said.

Ruben Safrastyan says Armenia’s anxiety about Russian-Turkish relations
is justified. It has historical bases. "We had a negative experience
in 1920-21, when the two political regimes – Bolsheviks and Kemalists
– that came to power in Russia and Turkey respectively, came to an
agreement and actually divided Armenia. Today’s cooperation between
Russia and Turkey has economic reasons, not political ones.

Turkey remains a NATO member, Turkey remains the main ally of the
United State sin the Middle East. Therefore, I do not believe that the
cooperation between the two countries could grow into a geopolitical
alliance," he stated.

Ruben Safrsatyan reminded that Russia has economic interests in
Armenia. Besides, Russia and Armenia are the only countries of the
region represented in the same security system – the Collective
Security Treaty Organization.

As for the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process, the historian
characterized it as a "game," adding that Turkey is still interested
in the process. According to Ruben Safrastyan, the fact that Armenia
initiated the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process with the
"football diplomacy" and was the first to withdraw from the process,
evidenced that Armenia pursues an independent foreign policy without
any outer pressures.

H. HAKOBYAN: "WE WILL HAVE A 1 STEP FORWARD LABOUR CODE"

Aysor
May 13 2010
Armenia

Since tomorrow will start the RA Governmental discussions in the
Armenian National Assembly on making changes in the labour code. As
today in the press conference presented the chairman of the RA NA
Standing Committee on Social Affairs Mr. Hakob Hakobyan the government
has suggested 109 changes and the other organizations 120.

"As a result we will have 1 step forward Labour Code," H. Hakobyan
said.

He also mentioned that the RA Union of Employers the possible changes
has sent to the International Labour Organization and has already
received the ILO answer.

Deputy Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia Boris
Kharatyan informed that some part of the changes is technical, the
other part is editorial and the another part is principal. In case
of the last one it is suggested to include the institute of oral
work agreement.

"Today it is only the written agreement that is considered legal in
the working relations," stressed B. Kharatyan and presented their
objections concerning the oral agreements, "The oral agreements will
not promote the stabilization of the working relations and can give
birth to rather big problems in proving the bases of the agreement."

According to him the same opinion has the ILO according to which in
case of the oral agreement confusion will raise while settling the
working relations.

B. Kharatyan also mentioned that there are also positive changes,
for example by the acting code in case of late salary there is no
compensation, while in the new changes they suggest 1% compensation
for each delayed day, but not more than the received amount.

ARMENIAN RADIO AND TV DIGITALIZATION COSTS ASSESSED AMD12 BILLION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 12, 2010 – 14:47 AMT 09:47 GMT

Digitalization costs for Armenian radio and TV were set at AMD12
billion, according to the head of technical group for broadcast
digitalization, Semyon Aghajanyan.

"Digital broadcasting will cost every company USD300-400 thousand
refundable to the government within 10 years," Semyon Aghajanyan told
a news conference in Yerevan.

RA Deputy Minister of Economy Ara Petrosyan, in turn, added that the
amount of investments necessary will be assessed by the end of 2013,
AMD12 billion being the maximum sum. As he noted, interest-free
crediting from international sources and donor countries is expected.

REMEMBERING VICE-ADMIRAL DU FOURNET–SAVIOUR OF MUSA DAGH ARMENIANS

May 6, 2010
Paris, France

Louis Dartige du Fournet, was born in Orne Putanges, France, on March
2, 1856. He joined the naval academy in 1872, where he graduated top
in his class.

He proved his abilities during his first year of active duty in Siam
(Myanmar). In 1893 he attacked the Menam Pass with his brigade -The
Comet- to clear the port of Bangkok, a feat which earned him the rank
of captain. In 1909 he was promoted to admiral and then vice-admiral,
following the Balkan War of 1912-1913.

During the First World War, Dartige became the commander of the
Third French Squadron which had just been formed. Based in Syria,
the squadron was responsible for enforcing the blockade of the eastern
shores of the Mediterranean, enacted in August 1915.

He rescued 4,058 Armenians who were blockaded by the Turkish army on
Mount Moses (Musa Ler), located on the Syrian coast, north of the Bay
of Antioch, and evacuated them to Port-Said (Egypt). He then commanded
the allied fleets of the East in the Bosphorus. His brilliant service,
his intellect, his passionate leadership gained him the reputation
of flattering Paknam.

After the war, he wrote about his career. His memoirs were re-published
several times.

Dartige’s career involved two other significant events. The first was
glorious: In the summer of 1915, Admiral Dartige took the necessary
steps to evacuate Armenians who had escaped the Genocide. His portrait
appears in a supplement to the Diary–and Country France magazine.

The second episode was tragic. On December 1, 1916, near Athens, the
Greek Army fought against the landing of French forces. The French
wanted to force the King Constantine to take a positive attitude
towards the Allies. The French lost six officers and 64 sailors during
the bloody conflict The massacre of French soldiers was dubbed the
"Greek Vespers". The admiral had just been promoted grand officer of
the Legion of Honour. His cap bears the three-star of a vice-admiral.

He was brutally dismissed and left his command of the squadron on
December 18, 1916.

In 1922, he married Edmee de La Borie of the Batut Perigueux
(Dordogne). There, in his villa–Paknam–he wrote his memoirs. He
died on February 17, 1940 and is buried in St. Chamassy (Dordogne).

A UNIQUE MOMENT IN RUSSIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS
Liana Yeghiazaryan

"Radiolur"
12.05.2010 14:53

Armenian political scientists are concerned about the efforts of
Russia and Turkey to improve relations, because they might "bargain"
over the Armenian interests in the Karabakh issue.

Head of the Political Science Chair of the Yerevan State University
Gagik Keryan and analyst of the "Azg" daily, political scientist Hakob
Chakryan noted at today’s press conference that Turkey continues to
speculate on the Karabakh issue in the context of normalization of
the Armenian-Turkish relations. The political scientists voiced hope
that Russia would not subordinate Armenia’s interests in any case.

Are Turkey and Azerbaijan ready to pay any price to Russia to have the
Karabakh issue solved in favour of Azerbaijan? "It’s not an issue to
be solved by Russia only," Hakob Chakryan said, adding that the OSCE
Minsk Group would not allow that. He voiced hope that Russia would
never subordinate Armenia’s interests, since the two countries have
long been allies.

"The high-level Russian-Turkish meetings, the signing of over
20 documents are targeted at expanding cooperation rather than
establishing closer relations, since the ties with the West will
prevent Turkey from getting closer with Russia," Gagik Keryan said.

"Now there’s a unique moment in the Russian-Turkish relations, since
the two have traditionally been conflicting states," he added.