Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

ARMENIA’S MULTI GROUP SELLS GOLD RIGHTS TO S. AFRICAN CO

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
September 5, 2006 Tuesday 5:33 PM MSK

Armenia’s Multi Group has sold the rights to the Mghart gold field
in Armenia’s Lori district to South Africa’s Magaro, a source at the
Armenian Trade and Economic Development Ministry told Interfax.

The ministry did not say how much the deal was worth.

It said that Multi Group had been developing the site for three years
and had built a small recovery plant next to the open pit.

The State Reserves Committee has said that the ore is graded at
an average of 10 grams per tonne for gold. The field contains an
estimated 250,000 tonnes of ore.

Multi Group is not developing any other metal deposits.

The group includes 35 industrial, trade and service enterprises,
including Ararat Cement, Ararat Winery and Multi Stone. It is one of
Armenia’s biggest corporations and is owned by the businessman and
parliament member Gagik Tsarukian.

THE INTELLIGENTSIA GETS AQCUAINTED WITH THE VLLAGE PROGRAM

A1+
[08:03 pm] 05 September, 2006

Vartan Oskanian claims that the third Armenian-Diaspora conference
which is to be held on September 18 will be based on the
intelligentsia.

"I do think that there is ideology in it. The moment will be
historical, and we shall have a chance to look behind and share our
opinions on our past, to analyze whatever we have done and to plan
our further actions together with joint efforts," Vartan Oskanian
told the representatives of the Armenian intelligentsia during his
meeting in the Writers’ House.

Though the preliminary agenda of the 3rd Armenian-Diaspora conference
is already ready, The Minister assured that the opinions of the
intelligentsia will be taken into account as well.

The Foreign Minister claims that the number of the Diaspora
participants will outnumber 2000 by the start of the conference.

The conference will focus on the development program of the rural
areas. In comparison with the previous two conferences a number
of practical issues will be discussed this time. "There has been
significant growth in Armenia in the previous years. But unfortunately
it is not obvious in rural areas. Each visitor immediately notices
that there is a huge gap between the capital and the rural regions. We
must attach great importance to these regions if we want to have a
developed country as the migration mainly generates from frontier
regions, " noted Vartan Oskanian.

The initiators of the conference have chosen 50 frontier villages,
made survey. They will work out a program on the bases of their results
and implement it. "This will have a continual character." Asked how
they intend to gain the confidence of the public Mr.

Oskanian answered that the program is initiated by the Diaspora and
they will gain the confidence through this program..

By the way, a final document will be made at the end of the conference
which will be presented to the Armenian authorities and Diaspora
representatives.

PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHAYAN ON A WORKING VISIT TO ARAGATSOTN MARZ

ArmRadio.am
05.09.2006 12:39

RA President Robert Kocharyan left for Aragatsotn marz on a working
visit today.

The President is accompanied by RA Minister of Education and Science
Levon Makrtchyan and Minister of Agriculture David Lockyan.

Robert Kocharyan participated in the opening ceremony of the new school
in Aragats village built on financing from the state budget. Later
the President visited Saghmosavank complex, where he was welcomed by
Head of the Aragatsotn Diocese Torgom Tonikyan.

Mr. Kocharyan is expected to visit also regional center Ashtarak to
hold working consultations.

U.S. CONGRESSMEN ENCOURAGE NKR FOR INDEPENDENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.09.2006 14:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S. Congressmen Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg
congratulated the NKR President and people on the 15th anniversary
of Karabakh independence proclamation. The message says in part,
"Dear President Ghukasian, We congratulate the people and government
of Artsakh and you personally on the 15th anniversary of independence
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. This historical date is an important
landmark of your struggle for freedom. September 2, 1991 the people
of Nagorno Karabakh declared their intention to build an independent
state. With this declaration the heroic people of Karabakh voiced
decision to live freely.

You asserted you right to live freely and successfully counteracted
the Azeri military aggression. Many brave sons and daughters of your
land died in the name of freedom in Artsakh. Unflinching belief in
the just cause, your persistency let you achieve greater victories
in restoring the economy destroyed by the war and forming a firm
basis for the further development and prosperity. During recent 15
years the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) proved its viability
and adherence to universal values of freedom, peace, democracy and
human rights protection.

We have always endorsed you in your struggle and go on supporting
you in your noble aspiration to achieve international recognition
of you independence. We assure you that we will contribute to the
strengthening of security and development of Nagorno Karabakh and we
are looking forward to the moment when the state flag of independent
Artsakh will be hoisted all over the globe as a symbol of realization
of your expectations."

ALIEV WAS FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH KARABAKH
Naira Bulghadaryan

A1+
[01:53 pm] 04 September, 2006

President of NKR Arkadi Ghoukasyan presented Azeri advocate Arzu
Abdulaeva who visited Karabakh with the whole pack of the negotiations
with Azerbaijan. The pack contains the agreements signed by Azerbaijan
and Karabakh mainly without the participation of Armenia.

According to Arkadi Ghoukasyan, by one of them Heidar Aliev authorizes
his representative "to carry on negotiations with the representative
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic".

"When Azerbaijan needed to cease the military operations, they
actively communicated with Karabakh", Arkadi Ghoukasyan announced
during the meeting with Armenian and Azeri advocates. He claimed that
now Azerbaijan does not even want to listen to Karabakh.

During the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian and Azeri
Committees of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly, the Vanadzor Office, and
the Karabakh NGO "Helsinki Initiative" Arkadi Ghoukasyan spoke about
the possible ways of the settlement of the conflict, about Karabakh’s
participation of Karabakh in the negotiations, about the problem of the
of fates of missing persons, the results of the hostilities between the
countries and the necessity of creating an atmosphere of mutual trust.

According to the NKR President, the main precondition of the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict is the creation of an atmosphere of mutual
trust and making the voice of the residents of Karabakh audible for
the international community.

"The residents of Karabakh do not want to return to Azerbaijan. The
Republic of Azerbaijan is not considered the assignee of the Soviet
Union. Nagorno Karabakh ceased to be part of Azerbaijan according to
the same law according to which Azerbaijan ceased to be part of the
Soviet Union. So, what does Azerbaijan have to do with Karabakh? ",
Arkadi Ghoukasyan said.

According to Mr. Ghoukasyan, this approach does not mean a wish to
re-launch war. The President offers to listen to the facts brought
about by Azerbaijan, including the issues about referendum and
transitional status. But what is most important is that Nagorno
Karabakh must be included in the negotiation process.

"After all, Karabakh suffered more losses than Azerbaijan and Armenia",
the President said and added that the bombs were thrown at Stepanakert
and not at Yerevan or Baku.

He thinks that even if a document is signed, the nations must be
ready for historical reconciliation.

Otherwise, "if you do not exclude the possibility of launching was
in about 10-15 years, you will never compromise".

He recalled the years of war when the situation was milder and the
communication with the Azeris was closer. And now the sides speak
a language which "does not contribute to the peaceful settlement of
the conflict".

ARMENIA’S POPULATION SPENDS 13.2% OF ITS INCOME BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2006 FOR BUYING CURRENCIES

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 31, 2006

YEREVAN, August 31. /ARKA/. Armenia’s population spent 13.2% of its
income between January and July 2006 for buying currencies (11.4%
in Jan-July 2005), National Statistical Service of Armenia said in
its report sent to ARKA News Agency on Thursday that the population
expenses for currency purchase grew 39.1% in Jan-July 2006, compared
with the same period a year earlier, while its aggregate income rose
only 19.4% and expenses 21.2%.

People spent 78.8% of their incomes for buying goods and paying for
services in Jan-July 2006 against 80.7% at the same period of 2005.

These expenses grew 16.5% in Jan-July 2006, compared with the same
period of previous year.

Binding and voluntary payments rose 18.1% under pegged share in total
amount of income.

People’s expenses were 1.2 percentage points less than their incomes
in Jan-July 2006. Incomes exceeded expenses 2.7% in Jan-July 2005.

Population income totaled AMD 846824.9mln in Jan-July 2006 after
growing 19.4%, compared with Jan-July 2005, and expenses totaled AMD
836609.3mln after growing by 21.2%, compared with the mentioned period
in 2005. ($1 – AMD 396.54).

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

30-08-2006

Minister Oskanian Participates in
International Conference Caspian Outlook 2008

On August 27-28, Minister Oskanian participated the Bled Strategic Forum, an
international conference entitled ‘Caspian Outlook 2008’ held as a joint
initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and the Institute
for Strategic Studies in Ljubljana.

Minister Oskanian delivered a statement during a panel entitled "European
Neighborhood Policy: The End Game." Minister Oskanian specifically stressed
the importance of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) for development,
stability and peace in the region. "What European structures have done is
invaluable. In Europe’s search for peace, stability and prosperity for
itself, it has rightly decided to enhance rule of law, democracy and
economic development to those who live at its borders. We share these values
and we want them to take root in our societies – for our own sake, not just
for Europe’s."

"Looking at it from the inside out, the Neighborhood Policy has facilitated,
encouraged, rewarded reforms. In Armenia, those reforms are irreversible and
already showing remarkable results. We are going to move now to second
generation reforms in order to continue to register successes in the second
half of this decade," he continued.

The Minister expressed hope that ENP implementation by the three South
Caucasus countries will facilitate regional cooperation as well. Regarding
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict specifically, the Minister said, "We are at a
critical stage now. On the one hand, there is a sound and balanced document
on the table which is the result of two years of work by all parties, and
many of those principles have already been agreed to. There are a few left
to address, but we are hopeful that there, too, agreement can be found. On
the other hand, there is increasing Azerbaijani intransigence commensurate
with their accumulation of oil wealth, there is the illusion that time is
working to their advantage, and that there is always a possibility of a
military solution." Minister Oskanian continued and said this is extremely
dangerous, because first, it can indeed become a self-fulfilling prophecy,
and second, this public rhetoric is effecting perceptions inside Azerbaijan
and making it difficult to reach a compromise resolution. The minister
reiterated the view that there is no military solution to this conflict and
the only way forward is through mutual compromise on the basis of the
current document.

AZERI MEDIA DISSEMINATE RECURRENT MISINFORMATION

ArmRadio.am
28.08.2006 16:50

Armenian Defense Minister’s Press Secretary, Colonel-General Seyran
Shahsuvaryan refuted the recurrent misinformation of the Azeri media
on the violation of the cease-fire regime by Armenia on August 27.

Seyran Shahsuvaryan characterized this report as the recurrent lie
of Azerbaijani media.

It should be noted that Azeri media reported yesterday that the
Armed Forces of Armenia opened fire on Azerbaijani positions from
the Southeastern positions 1km away from Gyulustan village between
19:45 – 20:15.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANEWS RELEASE
1 AMERICAN AVENUE
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 464700
FAX (+374 10) 464742
E-MAIL: [email protected]

August 28, 2006
Law Exam Surpasses High Bar
On Saturday, August 26, 2006 the Chamber of Advocates (Bar Association) of
the Republic of Armenia conducted the first advocate qualifying exam (bar
exam) in Armenia in five years, and the first exam ever under auspices of
the newly unified Chamber.
Armenia suffers from a severe shortage of qualified defense attorneys for
both civil and criminal cases and the exam process in previous years has
been tainted with controversy from a lack of consistent procedures and an
exam process that was not transparent.
Three hundred and nine candidates from all over Armenia took the exam in the
gymnasium of Yerevan State University under very tight security provided by
the Chamber and under the watchful eyes of Armenian monitors and
international observers, including dozens of student volunteers as well as
representatives of the judiciary and press.
ABA/CEELI, funded by USAID, provided technical assistance in preparing exam
study guides with 2,400 questions and answers which were freely distributed
to all those interested. They also provided the computer technology to
generate randomized variants of both the criminal and civil exams with 100
questions each drawn from these guides on the eve of the exam. The exams
were sealed in envelopes and stamped by the Chamber´s qualifications
commission and locked up over night until opened publicly and distributed on
exam day.
The exams were graded Saturday night and results posted on Sunday morning.
190 candidates (61%) passed the written test and will advance to a second
round of oral testing next month.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTED AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON EDUCATION

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
25 Aug 2006

On August 23, the National Assembly met to discuss the amendments
to the NKR Law on Education. Speaker Ashot Ghulian emphasized
the importance of ideas of members of the parliament and teachers
expressed during the August 21 parliamentary hearings, as well as the
explanations by the officials invited from the Republic of Armenia. The
minister of education, culture and sport Kamo Atayan emphasized the
necessity of introducing the 12-year school education and presented
the preparations. The conclusion of the Social Committee, which
was presented by Arpat Avanessian, chair was positive. Touching
upon the preparations, namely special furniture for 6-year-old
children, as well as training of teachers, Member of Parliament
Lyudmila Barseghian emphasized the importance of the problem and
therefore she said she would vote for the amendments. Member of
Parliament Gegham Baghdassarian said the parliamentary group ARF –
Movement 88 accepts the idea and essence of the new system but would
abstain from voting because they thought, "it would be preferable
if the adoption of the new system was not compulsory, but conscious,
and what is more important, after due preparations, what we failed to
do." At the same time, he said, " considering the importance of public
debates, we propose continuing these debates even after adopting the
new system." The speaker said during the parliamentary hearings an
arrangement was made to resume the hearings by the end of this year
or in the middle of the academic year to discuss the difficulties,
preparations, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, which will
become clear later. As for the compulsory adoption, he said it is
impossible, because everyone is free to express their opinion. There
were no other opinions, and the bill was put to vote. The absolute
majority voted for the amendments. After the voting Speaker Ashot
Ghulian made two announcements, which referred to offering proposals
on the draft conclusion of the parliamentary hearings on the Karabakh
settlement in April and the upcoming debates on the draft of the NKR
Constitution. NKR National Assembly Press Secretary

AA. 25-08-2006