Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

ARMENIAN ECONOMY REGISTERS SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATES

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2010 13:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said that
the anti-crisis measures implemented by the Government in 2009 had
a positive impact on the country’s economy.

"The official data certifies that the country’s GDP has exceeded the
planned one by 2.5%, as a result of monetary-credit and tax-budgetary
policy," Mr. Sargsyan said during a government session, summarizing
the results of the first quarter of 2010.

Besides, according to the PM, positive trends are recorded in tax
collection and compulsory social payments. "The quarter program for
tax proceeds has been exceeded by AMD 9.5 billion, the factual figure
totaling AMD 126 billion against the planned AMD 117 billion," he
said. "As for the compulsory social payments, this figure has been
exceeded by AMD 4 billion, specifically the factual figure reached
AMD 26 billion against the planned AMD 22 billion."

"Salaries increased by 5.8% at the quarter-end," added the PM.

Meanwhile, according to him, this positive dynamics was recorded both
in budgetary and in non-budgetary organizations.

Export increased by 53%, while import reduced by 15%. The export boost
was conditioned 45% growth in the mining industry, 9% increase in
the processing industry, while the construction materials production
increased twice. 39% growth was recorded in diamond cutting, 25% –
in gold production and 16% – in medicines’ production.

33 PERCENT COMPLETED

/eu
04:03 pm | March 30, 2010

Official

Reforms prescribed within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation
are in 190 directions and include 277 functions.

The inter-ministerial commission coordinating the cooperation between
Armenia’s state bodies and European organizations held a session today.

The session was headed by Secretary of the National Security
Council Artur Baghdasaryan who informed that in 2009, nearly
40 inter-ministerial working groups have been created, while ten
concepts, one strategy and four national projects have been developed
and confirmed in 2009.

"Thirty-three percent of prescribed actions have been completed or are
near completion and the rest of the activities will be implemented
in 2010 and 2011. All projects prescribed within the framework of
Armenia-EU cooperation must be completed according to schedule,"
said Baghdasaryan.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Karine Ghazinyan presented the
activities for signing agreements on association of Armenia and EU,
as well as deep, comprehensive and free trade.

According to Ghazinyan, the goal of the agreements on association to
be signed with the EU within the framework of "Eastern Partnership"
program is to deepen the political association with EU-partner
countries and promote economic integration to ensure markets for
both sides.

The EU Commissioner on Broadening and Neighborhood is scheduled to
visit Armenia and the topic of discussion will be the mandate for
holding talks on the agreement on association which will be granted
to Armenia by April.

UNIQUE NEURO-ARTERIAL SURGERY CENTRE OPENED IN YEREVAN

news.am
March 31 2010
Armenia

March 31, a center of neuro-arterial surgery opened at Yerevan State
Medical University (YSMU). RA President Serzh Sargsyan, state officials
and high-ranking guests attended the ceremony of a unique center in
the region.

"The center provides unique opportunity to diagnose all disturbances in
cerebral arteries and cerebral vessels, reducing the risk of stroke,"
YSMU head Gohar Kyalyan said adding that the center is donored by
benefactor Nazar Nazaryan.

The center will operate in a separate radiological building supplied
with up-to-date equipment, and its experts got training in the best
world clinics, Kyalyan noted.

"One of the best computed tomography units (CT) in the world was
delivered to Armenia," center physician Harutyun Muradyan told
NEWS.am-Innovations. According to him, it will enable avoiding use
of invasive methods while examining the coronary vessels.

"During the coronary angiography the research with probe is carried
out, whereas this device enables doing it by intravenous injection,"
Muradyan said noting that the unit makes possible examination and
get precise information on the state of coronary vessels.

It will also help to fully examine the heart and conduct all types
of checkups with a 64-layer magnetic field, Muradyan emphasized.

RULED ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL

2010/03/30/sd
06:20 pm | March 30, 2010

Politics

The Constitutional Court recognized the article of the Penal Code that
permitted quashing the criminal case on the grounds of insufficient
evidence as anti-constitutional and invalid.

The Constitutional Court took the decision today by examining the
appeals filed by Armenian National Congress representative Karapet
Rubinyan and "Hanrapetutyun" (Republic) party leader Aram Sargsyan
through a written procedure.

After March 1, 2008, a criminal case had been brought up against
Karapet Rubinyan and Aram Sargsyan under the charges of usurping state
power and organizing mass disturbances, but both were off persecution
in December 2008 on the grounds of insufficient evidence through the
application of Part 2, Article 35 of the Penal Code.

Artak Zeynalyan, representative of Aram Sargsyan and Karapet Rubinyan,
told "A1+" that they are dealing with a hypothesis: If there is
no evidence, there is no guilt and the case must be quashed on the
grounds of innocence.

"We think there is no need for Article 35. It goes against Articles
18 and 21 of the Constitution," said Artak Zeynalyan and informed
that they were going to appeal to the Cassation Court with the demand
to reconsider the appeals by which the grounds for quashing the case
against those persons was still in effect.

MTS AND DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AGREE TO INTER-CONNECT THEIR NETWORKS

ArmInfo
2010-03-30 20:34:00

ArmInfo. MTS and Deutsche Telekom have agreed to inter-connect their
networks, reports the press service of VivaCell-MTS (subsidiary of
MTS in Armenia).

The networks are inter-connected through the Ancotel colocation data
center in Frankfurt.

According to this agreement, MTS will be able to have traffic in all
mobile and fixed networks of Deutsche Telekom, including T-Mobile
networks, in Europe, Asia and America. Deutsche Telekom will get
traffic in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
(with MTS-Ukraine the German company has an individual agreement).

"Being the leading telecoms operator of Russia and the CIS, we pay
special attention to quality and are sure that direct exchange of
traffics with Deutsche Telekom will help both companies to improve the
quality of their home network and roaming services. This partnership
is one more step towards direct exchange of traffic with the biggest
international operators and owners of mobile networks," says Yevgeny
Moskalev, MTS Group’s operator liaison and broadband access manager.

MTS already has direct inter-connection agreements with TeliaSonera,
Telecom Italia Sparkle, TATA Communications, Telefonica, KPN (iBasis)
and Orange.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJCS) is subsidiary of MTS in Armenia. It
provides mobile telephony and broadband internet services and is one
of the country’s biggest tax payers.

TURKS DETERMINED TO COOPERATE WITH ARMENIAN DIASPORA

Panorama.am
15:01 30/03/2010

Region

"Justice and Development" Turkish ruling party’s assistant of
President Suat Qynyqloglu is determined to have a meeting with the
representatives of Armenian Diaspora during his April travel to the
United States, Turkish Stargazete reported.

According to the Assistant the recognition of Armenian Genocide
resolution by the parliaments of different states make the political
will of normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties weaker.

"It’s important to cooperate with Armenians over idea of "honest
recollections"," Turkish deputy said.

It’s worth reminding that Turkey’s FM Ahmet Davutoglu has recently
sent similar messages to cooperate with the Armenian Diaspora.

TODAY HOUSE OF LORDS DISCUSSED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

news.am
March 29 2010
Armenia

U.S. Congress and Swedish parliaments already recognized Armenian
genocide on the threshold of its 95th anniversary, which is long
overdue. Currently, Turkish government asserts that massacres in
Ottoman Empire are untrue, claiming that the land is Turk’s home
and opposes the recognition. Recalling Hrant Dink’s murder, Turkish
government should stop distorting the history no mater of what period.

Turkish position denies Armenian genocide as well, which is a
dishonest refusal of historical truth. Evading true facts of Armenian
genocide, Turkish Government questions unequivocal evidences of its
perpetration. These events will not be forgotten by mankind as giving
death to a whole race, including women, children and elderly. In
spring of 1915, the deportation of Armenians, that separated men from
families, who got shot later in a desert area was carried out. Turkish
policy of deportation, extermination and massacres of Armenians is
inconvertible.

Consequences of Genocide denial is impunity, having destructing
the Armenian civilization in culture, including in NKR territory by
Azerbaijanis. There was an obvious ethnic cleansing in the beginning
of last century. Each year visiting Genocide memorial all Armenians
commemorate their victims. The genocide denial policy jeopardizes
the whole world.

Lord 2:

The Armenian Genocide issue was widely discussed by Turkish writers.

Hrant Dink’s murder proves the prosecution of Armenians even in modern
Turkey. Under the article 216 of Turkish Penal Code instigating a
part of the people having different social class, race, religion,
sect or region to hatred or hostility against another part of the
people in a way dangerous for the public security.

Turkey puts political pressure on media as a result of U.S. committee
recognition of genocide. Prime Minister Erdogan being on official
visit in UK this month, opposed the voting, threatening to deport
100.000 Armenians from Turkey. Both Turkey and Armenia should start
from contemporary analysis of the fact of genocide in Ottoman Empire
in 1915. U.S. State Department published a book of U.S. Ambassador
to Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau "Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story".

Turkish Grand national assembly considered appeal by the US as
fabricated propaganda and asked to repudiate it. Attempts in
destruction of criminal documents of those times prove the fact
of genocide.

None of 33 members of both houses in TGNA in January, 2006 reacted
to our proposal to discuss authenticity of documents published in the
"Blue Book" (in 1916 British Parliament published a "Blue Book" that
identified the events of 1915-16 as a systematic effort to exterminate
the Armenian people-NEWS.am’s note). I urge Minister Erdogan to open
dialogue on 1915 events starting with "Blue Book" and try to overcome
the hostility of 100 years and join us with TGNA again.

Lord 3:

In 1915 Turkish government planned and organized massacres and
it was a final solution to Armenia-Turkey relations, end seems to
be compelling. If Turkey could apology to Armenian government for
prosecution and persecution of historical writers presenting the
truth of terrible events that took place from Turkey. Continuance
of denial of what happened began between Turkey and Armenia, having
a large number of Armenian workers deported from Turkey, diverting
attention from urgent constitutional reforms, that many Europeans
consider necessary within Turkey and its application for EU membership.

Lord 4:

It is inappropriate to dwell on century-old events, and NKR conflict
that yet remained unresolved, now 1 million Azerbaijanis have status
of refugees deprived of right to return to their homes. It’s a
humanitarian disaster, carried out by Armenians. It would be much
more relevant instead of self-indulging of what happened 100 years
ago in Ottoman Empire. There is no reason or excuse of defending
either side, but from my reading I believe Armenian-Russian attempts
provoked the conflict, that actually resulted in killing of a large
number of people in harsh circumstances.

UK should remember 1922 — Kemal Ataturk, ally of UK and we are
grateful for Turkish participation in guarding freedom of Europe. For
that reason I believe we should be very careful not to alienate our
Turkish ally, considering that US congressional committee only voted
by majority in favour of the resolution.

Lord 5:

Conflict of Muslims and Christians in many countries occurs, including
this case as Armenians are Christians and Turks — Muslims. My sympathy
goes towards Armenians, as I am Christian and my daughter works there
for many months to release them from Soviet Union regime consequences.

This was 100 years ago and qualifying this as genocide is unhelpful
to the situation between Turkey and Armenia and NKR conflict.

Azerbaijanis murdered by Armenians having supported by other counties
made Azeries flee. Arguments come from both sides, 2 countries should
negotiate, and US and UK should not interfere, it’s a matter of
Turkey and Armenia to resolve these issues as hundreds thousands died
on both sides. My position is that we have to make some movement and
governments try to make movement on these subjects and sub-commissions
having Switzerland as mediator should search the facts quietly and
diplomatically not trying to raise temperature. We see what happened
in Sweden, and we should not support this motion.

Lord 6:

Unconditional support to Turkey’s view, including Cyprus conflict,
Hamaz view of Palestinian intervention in Gaza was blindly advised
by anti-Semites. Passions go high in this area.

We should not always support Christians against Muslims. There are
many historical wrongs in the pasts, not only Turkish and Armenian
governments. We killed Muslim population being not wonderfully
civilized but fate of Armenians was a tragedy: huge number was killed,
forced to live their villages, much legacy of Armenian civilization
was lost. But in Caucasus history became less stable. And on event
in Ottoman Empire, having myself getting to know Turkey better, I
know grandchildren of those who escaped offered choice of expulsion
or death. Arguing people who themselves are victims, there were
massacres of Armenians in World War I, but also Turkish army under
Kemal Ataturk. In my opinion the least bad Turkish government that
we had for my life, this is a government which modernized Turkey and
tries to open up to Armenia and solve Kurdish minority issue. Turkish
government makes progress in Kurdish issue and relations with Armenia.

I support their government that aims to move forward
Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, and NKR is part of this package. Both
sides committed a number of acts. Steps it makes towards civilizing
the society, I wish would move faster, but still encourage Armenian,
Azerbaijani and Turkish governments to come to more open and friendly
relations.

Lord 7:

1915-1917, 1920-1922 years were tragic periods in Armenian history and
we would like to thank Baroness for initiating this today. Armenian
population was annihilated in most cruel and barbaric way, it was a
crime against humanity and Armenian people. These events cannot be
forgotten, but they have to move forward -Armenians and Turks should
live for a better chance and future. They initiated diplomatic
Protocols on reconciliation for the first time in the history
and the investigation of events of the past. But process stalled
despite pressure from the US. Neither parliament has yet approved the
Protocols, Armenian President Sargsyan said that Armenian Parliament
will ratify the Protocols as soon as Turkey does so. If Turkey fails
to do so within reasonable timeframe, I will recall signature from
the documents. If progress makes so fast, the governments should
work together and ratify the deal as soon as possible. Within this
limited success Erdogan threatens to deport 100.000 illegal Armenians
from the country. Can Baroness tell what discussions are made between
their governments to ease this tension? Widely accepted that prospects
of Turkey’s EU membership will force to change in a constructive way
and examine its past in his area. I urge to reconcile descendants of
victims and have free historical debates, as well as support all both
parliaments can do.

Lord 8:

Answering Cox’s question, as Geoffrey Robinson concluded, ministers
are responsible for the statements they make to parliaments. Cox
says of resolutions in decisions by Swedish and U.S. governments, but
Armenian and Turkish people should address these issues. Our embassy
in Turkey conveyed letter inviting dialogue based on "Blue Book".

Their response had been negative towards conference idea, but
reconciliation is all we want to see. PM Erdogan voiced threats
on deportation of illegal Armenians, while Gul’s said that Turkey
does not discriminate against Armenians working in Turkey. Tolerance
should be in Turkey towards immigrants, having immigration in line
with Turkey’s international commitments.

Concerning Turkey’s EU membership, genocide recognition is not a
precondition for that, but under political criteria Turkey has to
respect relations with regional countries, and Armenia is part of it.

On NKR, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan had constructive
meetings and we maintain hope that will see continuing progress. The
issues raised in January and February this year aim at normalization
of relations with Armenia. UK government considers that both
governments should move forward and reconcile their differences. FMs
had discussions, and projects in both countries for young people
implemented in Yerevan prove this. In the context of EU integration
the countries opened contacts and hold discussions. EU remains fully
involved in Turkey and Armenia to improve the relations.

Accession treaty recognizes progress that Turkey made in relations
with Armenia, but there is still a way to go. Bringing end to this
tragic history, I hope that we can together ensure this and with
great interest I will do that.

OSCE MG STATEMENT SAYS ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

ArmInfo
2010-03-30 13:08:00

ArmInfo. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Yuri
Merzlyakov of Russia, Bernard Fassier of France, and Robert Bradtke
of the United States, released the following statement today:

The Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov, Russian
Federation; Ambassador Bernard Fassier, France; Ambassador Robert
Bradtke, United States) visited Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabkah March
26-29. They updated the de facto authorities March 27 on the current
state of negotiations. In Yerevan March 28, the Co-Chairs met President
Serzh Sargsian and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to further
discuss Armenian comments on the Basic Principles for the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict. While in Armenia, the
Co-Chairs also had a number of other separate bilateral meetings. After
the recent meetings between the Co-Chairs and the parties in Paris and
in the region, the Co-Chairs note with satisfaction the commitment
of the parties to reach a peaceful settlement within the framework
of the Madrid Principles, the OSCE headquarters reported.

ARMENIAN ARMY DEVELOPS NEW METHOD OF FIGHTING WITH EGGS

Today
March 30 2010
Azerbaijan

Interesting things are happening in Armenia. Local politicians love
to make belligerent statements against everyone.

They will either declare Turkey’s borders "invalid" and will require
the world to force Turkey to give part of its territory to the
long-suffering Armenia or, failing to achieve the opening of the
Upper Lars checkpoint, will incite separatism in Javakheti. Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan will make strong statements. Recently, he said
from the rostrum of the London Chatham House that the "Karabakh people"
are ready to defend their cross-stones with weapons. He reiterated
the same threats in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro,
saying that Armenia does not want war but is ready to fight.

It is necessary to remind Sargsyan that the conflict that has lasted
for more than 20 years was ignited by the Armenian side. It was
Armenia that began ethnic cleansing in the region and, with the
capture of Shusha and Lachin by the Armenian forces, the conflict
moved from local clashes to full-scale war. As a result, it is Armenia
that holds 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s lands under occupation, and,
in general, countries that do not wish war, do not behave like that
and their presidents do not voice such statements. London analysts
did not conceal that they were also disappointed with the tone and
content of Sargsyan’s Chatham House speech. Similarly, the French
public gave an adequate assessment of his interview with Le Figaro.

The reason is simple. No one expects such statements from Armenia
and its president. Even desperate Armenian lobbyists in European
capitals admit that unlike Azerbaijan with its oil and gas reserves
and Georgia, which has become an important communications hub, Armenia
is of interest to the world only in the sense that there would be no
war in this country located in a region as strategically important
as the South Caucasus.

On this backdrop, Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian decided
to act as a peacemaker. It is a rhetorical question whether Ohanian,
one of the orchestrators of the Khojaly massacre and former commander
of a battalion of 366 Regiment, fit for the role of "a dove of
peace." At the Rose Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
in Yerevan, he said that his country is opposed to an "arms race"
in the region and in no way intends to participate in it. According
to the minister, the emphasis should be placed not on a quantitative,
but on a qualitative indicator of the army.

It is unclear what Mr. Ohanian had in mind when speaking of "quality
growth" especially against the background of mass migration of
families where there are conscript youth from Armenia. But military
experts know that talks of commissars on valor and fighting spirit
are senseless. Today no one doubts that Gaulle was right when he said
wars are won in the rear.

Such talks can make a lasting impression on Yerevan housewives who,
accidentally switching from soap operas to news program, may hear
something frightening about Azerbaijan’s military budget, which
exceeded the entire state budget of Armenia. And they may begin to
ask whether it would be better to negotiate with Azerbaijan on an
amicable way until Baku has run out of patience.

Frankly, Ohanian’s statements that he personally will not be involved
in the arms race remind one of the famous parable of a fox and grapes.

The fox calls the grapes sour because it cannot reach them. Mr.

Ohanian knows better that Armenia has neither strength nor financial
capacity to participate in an arms race.

Amid Ohanian’s statements criticizing an arms race, the Armenian
National Statistics Service published a report, according to which
prices on consumer goods and services in Armenia increased 10 percent
on average. Fish products have risen in price more than anything – 60
percent – and sugar by 34 percent. Only prices on eggs saw a decline,
as much as 12 percent.

Moreover, this report does not include the latest data on a significant
increase in prices on public utilities like gas, water and electricity.

In short, we can only advise Mr. Ohanian to add a new military
discipline to combat training for Armenian conscripts – throwing eggs
at the enemy and then declaring these eggs the new secret weapon of
the Armenian army and announcing that the capability to "fight with
the eggs" of the Armenian army is a 100 times greater than those
of Azerbaijan.

By the way, the eggs marked the "Defense Ministry" have appeared
in Yerevan shops. So, it is possible that experiments have already
started.

Hurriyet, Turkey
March 28 2010

Azerbaijani soldier killed by Armenian forces

Sunday, March 28, 2010
BAKU ` Agence France-Presse

An Azerbaijani soldier was killed in fighting with Armenian forces
near the disputed Nagnorno-Karabakh region, Azerbaijan’s ANS
television reported on Sunday.

The soldier, Vusal Salakhly, was shot in the head when after Armenian
forces opened fire on his post in the village of Tagibeili in the
Agdam district of Azerbaijan late Saturday evening, ANS said. The
Azerbaijani defense ministry could not be reached for comment.

Tension over Nagorny Karabakh has heightened in recent months amid
efforts by Armenia and Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, to
establish diplomatic ties and reopen their border after decades of
hostility. Backed by Yerevan, ethnic Armenian forces seized control of
Nagorny Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in
the early 1990s, in a war that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives.

The two former Soviet republics have cut direct economic and transport
links and failed to negotiate a settlement on the region’s status.
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are now spread across a ceasefire line
in and around Nagorny Karabakh, often facing each other at close
range, and shootings are common.

Azerbaijan’s defence minister warned last month that the threat of
conflict with Armenia was rising fast and that all-out war was
inevitable if Armenian forces failed to pull out of the region.