PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS OF .65 MILLION CONDUCTED AT NASDAQ OMX ARMENIA OJSC ON MARCH 30
Noyan Tapan
March 30, 2010
YEREVAN, MARCH 30, NOYAN TAPAN. Purchase and sale transactions of
million 650 thousand at the weighted average exchange rate of 401.55
drams per dollar were conducted at NASDAQ OMX Armenia OJSC on March
30. According to the press service of the Central Bank of Armenia,
the closing price was 403.5 drams.
IMF APPROVES $73.6 MILLION DISBURSEMENT
armradio.am
30.03.2010 12:26
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed
the third review of Armenia’s economic performance under a program
supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The decision enables
the immediate release of an amount equivalent to SDR 48.485 million
(about US$73.6 million), bringing total disbursements so far an amount
equivalent to SDR 350.425 million (about US$532.2 million).
They Executive Board also approved a request for a waiver of
nonobservance of the end-December 2009 quantitative performance
criterion on the net domestic assets of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA).
The 28-month SBA was approved for an amount equivalent to a total of
SDR 368.0 million (about US$558.9 million) on March 6, 2009, with a
total amount of access augmented to an amount equivalent to SDR 533.6
million (about US$810.4 million) on June 22, 2009.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Armenia, Mr. Murilo
Portugal, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:
"Armenia’s performance under its Stand-By Arrangement with the Fund has
been strong, and the economic recession appears to have bottomed out,
aided by supportive monetary and fiscal policies. The challenge remains
to support the fragile recovery, address external vulnerabilities,
and advance a credible fiscal consolidation plan over the medium term.
"Fiscal policy aims to continue to support the recovery, while
gradually starting fiscal consolidation in 2010. Social spending will
be protected. The authorities are committed to make good progress on
the reforms in tax policy and administration, as well as on public
expenditure and debt management.
"Monetary policy aims to move from an accommodative to a more neutral
stance, in order to head off potential inflation pressures. The
authorities are committed to a flexible exchange rate regime, and
aim to strengthen the monetary transmission mechanism to enhance the
effectiveness of monetary instruments, as well as improve the central
bank’s communication strategy.
"The financial sector remains sound and well capitalized, and
the authorities have strengthened their crisis preparedness and
contingency planning frameworks. Further reforms will be important
to ensure continued resilience to risks.
"The authorities are committed to pursue broad-based structural
reforms to enhance productive capacity and promote long-term growth
through an open trade regime, an improved business environment,
better governance, and increased market competition in key sectors
of the economy," Mr. Portugal said.
BARONESS KINNOCK DOESN’T DENY THE FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.03.2010 14:46 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ UK Minister of State for Africa and the UN of the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Glenys Kinnock does not deny
the UK government’s 1915 position on the Armenian Genocide. However,
she rejected an invitation to the Genocide Monument in Cardiff.
During a debate on the Armenian Genocide motion in the House of Lords
on March 29, Baroness Kinnock said, "At the outset, I reaffirm that
the Government deeply regret the deaths of hundreds of thousands
of Armenians who were either killed by Ottoman troops or died from
starvation or disease at the beginning of the previous century. We
share the view expressed today that the victims of such suffering
should not be forgotten."
At the same time, she refused to send a representative to the Armenian
Genocide Memorial in Cardiff in April, saying, "I was aware last
year that noble Lords had raised the issue of a memorial. Sending a
government representative might suggest recognition, so, despite our
sympathies for the tragedy, we do not intend to send a representative."
She also noted that the fate of ethnic Armenians and smaller Christian
minorities, including the Assyrians, living in the Ottoman Empire at
the time was roundly and robustly condemned by the British Government,
referring of course to the government response on 21st October 1915by
Lord Robert Cecil (Under Secretary of State), who said, "I think it
may be said, without the least fear of exaggeration, that no more
horrible crime has been committed in the history of the world… This
is a premeditive crime determined on long ago. It is part of the
deliberate policy… it was a long-considered, deliberate policy to
destroy and wipe out of existence the Armenians in Turkey. It was
systematically carried out . It was ordered from above , and when, as
happened on one or two occasions, the local governors were anxious to
spare some of the children, or mitigate in some degree the horrors of
the operation, they were sternly ordered to go on with the work… Not
only was this premeditated. There was no provocation whatsoever…..
There was no insurrection, no riot… The crime was a deliberate one,
not to punish insurrection but to destroy the Armenian race."
SERIOUS CHANCES TO REACH PEACE, AZERBAIJANI MP
news.az
March 29 2010
Azerbaijan
Asim Mollazade Armenians are imitating the continuation of negotiations
and do not take steps to reach peace, MP Asim Mollazade said.
A round table discussion on "Stability and security in the South
Caucasus, Nagorno Karabakh-search of ways for successful solution or
uselessness" has been held in Brussels.
The event involved member of the MM committee on international
relations and interparliamentary ties Asim Mollazade.
He noted that the main discussions were connected with the current
state of the negotiation process and the search of ways for the
conflict settlement:
‘I would especially like to note that Armenians are imitating the
continuation of negotiations and do not take steps to reach peace.
Today the legal nihilism is the main obstacle on the way to the
problem solution. We have put the liberation of Azerbaijani lands to
the agenda. There are also serious chances to attain peace.
To get this chance Armenia may force us use other ways to liberate
our lands. Therefore, Azerbaijan accepts the new format of the Madrid
principles and expects the same from Armenia. Only in this case will
it be possible to take steps for peace, otherwise, the situation in
the region will worsen’.
BUDGET WOES DELAY ARMENIAN HOUSE PLAN
By Paula Lloyd / The Fresno Bee
Fresno Bee
March 29 2010
CA
Question: What is the progress of the boarded-up houses on blocks in
Old Armenian Town?
— Dolores Monahan, Fresno
Answer: The five houses built between 1890 and 1908 were part of
Fresno’s historic Armenian Town settled by Armenian immigrants.
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church at M and Ventura streets is
in the heart of the former neighborhood between Broadway and Inyo,
O and Los Angeles streets.
The homes were originally along N and O streets. Two of the houses
are listed on the city’s Local Register of Historic Resources:
the Hoonanian home built at 461 N St. in 1900 and the Schmidt home
built at 460 N St. in 1908. Both were constructed in the Queen Anne
architectural style.
The houses were moved in 2003 to a lot at Santa Clara and N streets
and were expected to be moved in the fall of 2009 to another lot at
Santa Clara and M streets as part of the revival of Old Armenian Town.
They can be seen from southbound Highway 41, looking to the right
beside the Van Ness Avenue offramp.
In July, state lawmakers voted to take more than $8 million in local
redevelopment money, which halted the project.
Plans are progressing to move the houses by the end of the summer,
said Terry Cox, project manager for the city’s Redevelopment Agency.
% tourism growth planned in Armenia in 2010
27.03.2010 15:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 5% growth is stipulated by 2010 tourism development
program in Armenia; a number of events aimed at tourist flow increase
are envisaged, the head of tourism management department at RA
Ministry of Tourism Mekhak Apresyan said.
As he told a news conference in Yerevan, world crisis made a strong
impact on tourism growth in Armenia. Before 2009, it amounted to
20-25%, while in 2009 the figure went down to 3%.
As Mekhak Apresyan stated, Armenia has infrastructure development
-related tasks, such as service quality and personnel qualification
improvement.
Nevertheless, significant progress was registered in tourism
infrastructure over the last years. `Here are some figures, allowing
to assess the level of infrastructure development in Armenia: in 2000,
only 3-4 hotels could host foreign tourists, while at present there
are over 170 hotels and other facilities all over Armenia to meet
modern standards,’ he emphasized.
COURT TO ISSUE DECISION REGARDING TEGHUT MINE TOMORROW
Arman Gharibyan
2010 /03/23 | 12:30
At today’s hearing pitting opponents of mining operations at Teghut
with the government, Administrative Court Judge Artzrun Mirzoyan,
stated that he had reached a decision that would be issued tomorrow.
Neither side in the case was permitted to make any statements, since
the case was given expedited status.
The environmental activists, represented by the group "Ecodar", are
seeking to halt all mining by the Armenian Copper Programme at Teghut.
A lower court had found in favour of the government’s decision to let
the mining proceed. After the hearing, Hetq spoke with Hayk Alumyan,
a lawyer for the plaintiff "Ecodar".
Mr. Alumyan said that no government office had yet to respond in
writing to the petition submitted by the activists arguing against
mining operations and that it was their obligation to do so. He added
that as a result neither the activists nor the court have a clue as
to where the government stands in the matter.
When asked about the expedited court session, Mr. Alumyan described
today’s proceedings as "absurd", but expected. "You can only have
an expedited case when there is no need to hear from the parties
involved, when there is no need to delve into the arguments of the
case," he said.
TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN DOESN’T KNOW WHETHER TO CALL THE MASSACRES OF THE ARMENIANS A GENOCIDE OR NOT
Panorama.am
17:52 23/03/2010
Politics
Leader of Liberal-Democratic Party of Turkey Cem Toker told reporters
in Yerevan today that he doesn’t know whether to call the massacres
of the Armenians in Turkey a genocide or not.
"There were horrible brutalities and I don’t know whether to call these
genocide or not. I don’t like history and I don’t get interested in it:
it bores me," the Turkish parliamentarian said noting it’s difficult
for him to comment on the events that occurred before his birth.
He read the books of Armenian historians and heard that there was
Armenian Genocide, but he said he has read Turkish historians as well,
the latter saying that brutalities actually happened but "this wasn’t
a genocide."
Hence, the Turkish parliamentarian said he has no firm opinion as
to whether the massacres of the Armenians carried out by Turkey was
genocide or not, though, he affirmed he understands that this is a
"deep national trauma."
"I understand and respect this. Though, I try to remain abstinent as
I don’t know what to call it," C. Toker said.
As he said, during his 5 visits to Armenia, he saw that each family
has a story to tell over "the brutalities and the disaster".
"As they say, even God cannot change the past," the Leader of
Liberal-Democratic Party of Turkey concluded.
"SET HISTORY FREE FROM POLITICAL DISTORTIONS" SAYS COMMISSIONER HAMMARBERG
NOYAN TAPAN
MARCH 23, 2010
STRASBURG
"Historical controversies should not hold human rights
hostage. One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events
have sometimes led to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia and
renewal of conflict. It is crucial to establish an honest search for
the truth",- said Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights,
in his latest Viewpoint published on 22 March.
According to him, "Gross human rights violations in the past continue
to affect relations in today’s Europe. In some cases the right lessons
have been learned; genuine knowledge of history has facilitated
understanding, tolerance and trust between individuals and peoples.
However, some serious atrocities are denied or trivialised, which has
created new tensions. There are also cases where violations in the
past have been exploited in chauvinistic propaganda, causing division
and hatred. Bogus interpretations of history have in fact been used
to justify discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
There is an understandable urge among all peoples to seek pride in
their own history. Or to focus on previous misdeeds by other peoples.
This tendency is often more dominant in situations of crisis or when
national identity is uncertain or questioned. Experience shows that
strong nationalistic feelings tend to limit the space for an honest
analysis of what one’s forefathers or their neighbours may have done
in the past.
Coming to terms with history is always essential, but particularly
crucial in cases of massive atrocities and human rights violations.
Such crimes cannot be ignored without severe consequences. Prolonged
impunity or lack of acknowledgment over several generations tends
to create bitterness among those who identify themselves with the
victims, which in turn can poison relations between people who were
not even born when the events in question took place.
The former colonial powers in Europe have been reluctant – even long
afterwards – to recognise the full extent of the damage caused by the
ruthless exploitation of human beings and natural resources in Asia,
Africa and Latin America. They strongly opposed an original proposal
at the World Conference against Racism in Durban 2001 that the outcome
document should refer to these historic facts – which resulted in a
bleak compromise formulation. This was rightly criticised.
The Nazi crimes and in particular the Holocaust were denied,
trivialised or ignored by many when the killings were going on.
Afterwards, every sane person has had to recognise this monumental
crime against humanity – which also made the world community adopt the
concept of genocide and an international convention for the prevention
and punishment of such crimes in the future.
It has to be recognised that post-war Germany has made enormous
efforts to expose the Nazi crimes, to compensate surviving victims,
to punish perpetrators when possible and to educate future generations
about the horrors committed in the name of their forefathers. All this
has been absolutely necessary, nothing less would have been acceptable.
Authorities in some other countries have been less open about
co-operation with the Nazis in the executions of Jews which were
committed on their soil. The mass killings of Roma have not been given
sufficient attention, and compensation to survivors has been late
and minimal. The murders of homosexuals and the medical experiments
on and killings of persons with disabilities have also tended to be
pushed aside.
Crimes in the Soviet Union were exposed, not least by the powerful
writings of Alexander Solzhenitsyn. The glasnost during Mikhail
Gorbachev opened the doors for further revelations; Andrei Sakharov
and the organisation "Memorial" contributed massively to revealing
the truth. Still, the full scale of the Stalinist repression seems
not to be recognised by everyone in Russia. The initiated review of
history education in schools should address this problem.
The recent discussion in some European countries about the role of the
Soviet army during World War II was not appreciated in the Russian
Federation. There was a feeling that the sacrifices during what the
Russians call "the Great Patriotic War" were disregarded and – even
worse – that their contribution to fight against Nazism was compared
with the brutalities of Hitler’s army. The exchanges illustrated the
need to make the necessary distinctions when history is discussed –
in this case between Stalin’s dictatorial policy and the efforts by
soldiers and civilians from the same country to defend their nation
and combat Nazism.
Even more controversial has been – and is – the very description of the
enforced mass displacement, the ensuing deaths as well as the outright
killings of ethnic Armenians in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire. Even
though this happened before the creation of the new Turkish republic,
there has been unwillingness there to discuss these crimes. Writers
and journalists who raised the issue were brought to trial. Now,
the first steps towards recognising the facts have at long last been
taken – through academic discussions – but more needs to be done.
One group of people whose history has been grossly neglected in
Europe is the Roma. Not only have the Nazi crimes against them been
largely ignored, the accounts of the brutal repression or systematic
discrimination of them before and after this period in several European
countries have not been recognised. Official apologies have been slow
to come, if at all.
In the Balkans, the different versions of historic events – some of
them going back several hundred years – became a distinct factor in
the conflicts during the 1990s and severely undermined international
peace efforts. During the war new atrocities were committed,
the scope and even the existence of which became disputed. Human
rights organisations all over the former Yugoslavia are asking for a
regional truth commission – which would be an important initiative
to avoid distortions of history becoming the cause of new tensions
in the future.
Not only in the Balkans but also in other previous conflict zones,
there could be more than one single historical narrative to be
discovered. They can all be truthful – though seen from different
perspectives and with emphasis on different aspects. It could be
of paramount importance that different groupings in the community
become aware of such diversity of historical accounts – and accept
that there are differences even when the basic facts are established.
One example of a constructive project to create understanding of this
kind was initiated in Northern Ireland. A dialogue was organised
with the purpose of encouraging the different sides to recognise
the legitimate version of the others. Judgments of the European
Court of Human Rights in relation to unsatisfactory investigations
into sectarian killings in Northern Ireland played a part in this
historical reconstruction.
After the fall of the junta in Greece in 1974 trials were held to
establish accountability. Similar efforts in post-dictatorship Spain
and Portugal focused a lot on the activities of the secret services.
In the former Communist countries in Eastern Europe the so-called
lustration process was used as an instrument to address the past.
Establishing true accounts of previous human rights violations is
indeed essential for building the rule of law in all post-conflict
situations. In the immediate aftermath this is crucial to the efforts
to bring those responsible to justice, to compensate the victims and
to take actions to prevent the recurrence of these crimes.
To establish the truth is also important in a longer-term perspective.
Those killed were human beings, not numbers. Individual survivors
as well as the children and grandchildren of the victims have the
right to know and to grieve in dignity. The possibility to remember
and commemorate must be protected.
Society as a whole must learn from what happened and therefore
continue to document the events, to establish museums and memorial
sites and to give the next generation a chance to understand through
proper education.
The Council of Europe has extensive experience in fostering
multi-perspective history teaching through the provision of interactive
teaching materials and bilateral cooperation. It has developed teaching
kits for key events of the 20th Century and the European dimension of
history. Women’s history has been part of these endeavours. Currently
new materials are being prepared for the portrayal of "the other"
in history teaching to ensure a diversity of perspectives.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of Europe coordinated the
preparation of Common Guidelines which led to the drafting of new
history and geography textbooks as well as teaching manuals. Teachers
have taken an active part in the process and demonstrated enthusiasm
about learning multi-perspectivity and new interactive teaching styles.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has also
highlighted the role of history teaching for reconciliation in
post-conflict situations. It has stressed the need to deal with
controversial questions in history teaching without resorting
to a politically expedient approach of representing one single
interpretation of events. It noted that there is now international
acceptance that there may be many views and interpretations – all
based on evidence.
Historical controversies should not hold human rights hostage.
One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events should
not be allowed to lead to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia
and renewal of conflict. New generations should not be blamed for
what some of their forefathers did.
What is important is an honest search for the truth and a sober,
facts-based discussion about the different versions. Only then can
the right lessons be learned".
Picket in defense of Javakheti Armenians held in Moscow
21.03.2010 16:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A picket in defense of Armenians of Samtskhe
Javakheti was held in Moscow on March 30.
Some 15 people (the number of demonstrators was limited by Moscow
authorities) marched with Armenian flags and distributed leaflets
telling about the persecutions of Armenians in Georgia.
The Javakheti Diaspora of Russia said that such protest actions will
continue and called for formation of a commission to address the facts
of discrimination against Armenians in Georgia.