|
Sugar baron absolved from price fixing. All newspapers report that the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition discussed the recent significant rise in sugar prices in Yerevan and concluded that “bad weather conditions and a poor crop in India (India is the major supplier of raw materials for sugar production) led to a sugar price increase in the world market.” The devaluation of the Armenian Dram further contributed to the price rise. The Commission ruled that there were no violations of the competition law. NEWS.am maintains that, since sugar is imported to Armenia by MP Samvel Alexanian, “the Commission was not expected to declare a violation, given its helplessness in dealing with ‘strong’ personalities.”
Former Armenian diplomat on trial in U.S. HAYOTS ASHKHAR, AZG, HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK and ARAVOT report that, on August 24, the federal court of Santa Anna (CA) held the first hearing in the case of former Armenian Consul to the U.S. Norair Ghalumian. Ghalumian and four other suspects pleaded not guilty and denied forging documents. The ex-consul of Armenia and his four colleagues have been released on bail. The next hearing is on October 6, 2009. [They are accused of counterfeiting dozens of documents to help illegal immigrants avoid deportation from the United States.]
Border problems with Georgia. ARAVOT reports that Georgian border guards have illegally moved several meters across the border in some parts of the Shirak region and are not allowing Armenian farmers to cultivate their lands there. According to the newspaper, although the Armenian Foreign Ministry is well aware of the fact, it isn’t clear what is being done in order “to get back the occupied territories.” The newspaper quotes the press service of the Ministry saying that “such issues generally occur in those territories where the border is not agreed upon.” According to ARAVOT, political figures have avoided expressing their opinions on the matter.
Turkish Ambassador in Baku: "Sargsian can fly to soccer match." HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK reports that, in response to the possible opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Turkish Hulusi Kilic told the Azeri press “if there is progress in Azerbaijan-Armenia talks on Nagorno-Karabakh, then Turkey-Armenia relations will also succeed,” adding that progress on the latter is suspended as no advances have been made on the former. Commenting on President Sargsian’s statement that he would visit Turkey if the border is opened or the blockade is close to being lifted, Kilic said “if he [Sargsian] wants to watch the soccer game, he can travel to Turkey by plane.”
Armenian banks are sound. All of newspapers cover yesterday’s press conference by Union of Banks of Armenia (UBA) President Emil Soghomonian, who stated that the UBA, working with its members, has developed a package of proposals for the development of the banking system which have been presented to the relevant state agencies. The proposals suggest reviewing tax policy towards banks. (Note: Armenian banks are free of VAT except for some services.) Soghomonian also said that the legislation regulating banking has some flaws that need correcting. He stressed that Armenia’s banking system is very solid at the present and would be able to withstand a second world financial crisis.
Dashnaks against Armenia-Turkey dialogue. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) released a statement yesterday, in which it reaffirmed its opposition to the current process of Armenian-Turkish normalization, which contains “serious dangers” for Armenia and therefore must be discontinued. The ARF Executive Council also reiterated its position that Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandian is directly responsible for “diplomatic failures.” It called for discontinuing the negotiations which “are aimed at serving Turkish interests” and not allowing Turkey “to meet its international commitments while forcing Armenia to make concessions.” ARF also announced a public rally in central Yerevan on September 2, the day of the declaration of the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’” (RFE/RL, ARAVOT, HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK).
Ignore low-level Turkish officials. Head of “European Integration” NGO and member of the President's Public Council Karen Bekarian stated at a press conference yesterday that the words of Turkish officials often do not match their deeds, “and one should not pay serious attention to statements by low-level Turkish officials and diplomats.” Bekarian also expressed confidence that the Armenian authorities will never discuss settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Turkey, adding that “if the Turkish side brings up the issue during the talks, Yerevan will walk out.” (AZG, HAYASTANI HANRAPETUTYUN). |
