Armenia's Richest Men!

There is some controversy about the list of Armenia's Top 10 richest people that is to be published by Forbes Armenia, but something tells me it is pretty close, especially the top spot. Only the net worths of two people are given: Tsarukian at $400-500 million and Sargsyan at about $150 million.

I will be doing individual profiles of some of these people later on, so keep reading the blog. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!

1. Gagik Tsarukian - Businessman

Companies: Multi Leon - Kotayk Abovyan Beer Factory, Abovyan Plant of Measuring Equipment, Yerevan Chemical Drug Company, Mek Furniture Network, Aviaservice, Multi Stone Stone Processing Company, Yerevan Ararat Brandy, Wine and Vodka Factory.

2. Armen Avetisyan - Chairman of the State Customs Committee.

Fact: Admitted all the country's big importers are his friends.

3. Mikael Baghdasarov - Businessman

Companies: Mika Corporation - Armsavingsbank, Armavia Airlines, Mika Cement Plant, Mika Limited oil trading company.

4. Hrant Vardanyan - Businessman

Companies: Grand Holding - Grand Tobacco, Grand Candy

5. Khachatur Sukiasyan & Family - Businessman

Companies: Various.

6. Yervand Zakharyan - Mayor of Yerevan


7. Robert Kocharyan - President of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: It is known that Kocharyan was "elected" in 2003 with unfair means.

8. Serge Sargsyan - Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia

Fact: Once "Head of Propaganda and Agitation Division of the Stepanakert City Communist Party Committee."

9. Andranik Manukyan - Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia


10. David Harutyunyan - Republic of Armenia Minister of Justice


Well, there you have it! Of importance, the majority of the people on this list are government officials.

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Sources: ArmeniaPedia, and the original Forbes list.

EU & Nagorno Karabakh: Friends?

This is a pretty unexpected position on this issue.

During his recent visit to Armenia the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated that the European Union is likely to set up direct contact with Nagorno Karabakh.

He thinks that a more active approach of the EU would be helpful to the efforts for the settlement of the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Honestly, I don't know what so wrong about a direct vote: let the people there decide where they want to belong. A majority will obviously choose Armenia, and for that very reason Azerbaijan would never agree.

Source: Huliq

How Armenian Politicians Buy Votes

Want to know how Armenian politicians influence votes in their favor?

In past elections candidates were accused of buying votes by distributing sugar, flour or money to voters, but this time a much more sophisticated campaign is taking place.

On the grounds that drought had prevented peasants from storing seeds, Tsarukian's party began distributing winter wheat and potatoes in ten regions of Armenia. Bargavach Hayastan also launched a programme of providing free medical services for the residents of these regions.

His other initiatives have included sowing wheat and the setting up of a fund for impoverished students. And all his charitable activities are getting generous television coverage

Tigran Karapetian, chairman of ALM holding company and chairman of the People's Party, has been using ALM television for four years to promote his own charitable initiatives. The slogan "Be good to people at all cost” sounds out from television screens with an image of Karapetian and soulful music.

Karapetian has also been organising trips for provincial residents, mainly pensioners and the poor, in minibuses to visit Lake Sevan and other sights.

Zakarian has also criticised defence minister - and possible future president - Serzh Sarkisian for his involvement in opening a water supply system in the village of Tsakhkahovit last November instead of dealing with his defence portfolio.

The governing Republican Party of Armenia has also been engaged in controversial charitable initiatives, presenting provincial educational centres with computers and laboratory equipment.

It's a long post, but there you have it: craty Armenian criminals doing what they have to do to get or maintain power.

Source: IWPR

Armenian Government Confiscates Opposition Party Building

Events like this remind me why Armenia still has a long way to go before it is truly constitutional.

Meeting on December 28, the Armenian government ruled that a building erected by the opposition Orinats Yerkir (Law-Based State) party on Yerevan's Teryan Street on land owned by the state was built without official permission, Noyan Tapan reported.

The building in question and the ground on which it stands has therefore been transferred to the State Agrarian Academy. On June 10, the daily "Haykakan zhamanak"
estimated the cost of Orinats Yerkir's new building at $1 million.

So much for those fair elections, Robert. These dirty tactics are the unfortunate remainder of the former Soviet Union. Now that that "State" as a whole is gone, it is time to use them against political opponents.

Source: EurasiaNet

Aliev: Azerbaijan & International Community Agree on Nagorno-Karabagh

Neighbors should be friends, Ali, not aggressive pigs.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev has claimed that his government’s stated refusal to ever recognize Nagorno-Karabakh’s de facto secession from Azerbaijan is supported by the international community.

In his New Year address to the nation, Aliev also repeated his regular pledges to embark on a military build-up which he hopes will eventually force the Armenians to relinquish the disputed territory.

“We are at talks but the enemy should know that Azerbaijan can liberate native lands by any means at any time and we shall liberate it,” he said. “From now on, the army will be paid much attention.”

Is it me or is Azerbaijan about to re-elect its leader once more? Almost everything he is saying is completely false and unrealistic.

Source: ArmeniaLiberty

Kocharyan Assures Fair Elections

As you may know, Armenia will be the center of voting activity this May.

“I am sure that they will be held up to the mark,” he said in his New Year address to the nation. “Free and fair conduct of the elections should be a priority for each of us - Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Diaspora.”

None of the presidential and parliamentary elections held during Kocharian’s nine-year rule were recognized as democratic by the international community.

Call me a pessimist, but when a corrupt government is in power, what it requires is even more power and even fewer opponents. It was never about democracy with the current administration.

Source: Armenia Liberty

Armeconombank, Lufthansa, Hertz Introduce a Mastercard

One measure of economic progress is to see just how many major companies are considering Armenia a safe place in which to invest. So far, so good.

Armeconombank OJSC together with Lufthansa German Airways and Hertz car leasing company introduce a unique offer in the card market of Armenia, MasterCard Standard Co-branded cards. The cardholders of MasterCard Standard Co-branded cards will benefit from unprecedented opportunity to rebate not only in Armenia, but in around 150 countries throughout the Globe.

Armeconombank MasterCard holders will be granted a discount of 5% and an opportunity to haul a 10kg additional cargo in case if they purchase air tickets from Lufthansa German Airways. Armeconombank cardholders, who lease cars from Hertz company will be granted a 15% discount in, and a 10% discount outside Armenia.

Its noteworthy that the new product allows the cardholders to benefit from discounts in more than 150 countries of the World.

That all sounds great, but what's with these bank names? Try saying Armeconombank three times, really fast. Bet you can't.

Source: Huliq

Armenia Tries to Lure Tourists...with Noah and Goats!

You're wondering what all this goat business is about! Well, you see, Armenia is working hard to get as many touri$t$ into the country as possible. Here's their latest idea.

Armenia is gunning for its spot on the tourist map by marketing its religious attractions. The country's current slogan is "Noah's Route, Your Route," a nod to the belief that Mount Ararat is the place where Noah's Ark landed.

We know Armenia's probably not working with Sweden's budget, but they could probably benefit from a more cohesive collection. Beautiful scenery? Check. Goat portrait? Check. Random, unidentified toddlers? Check...and kind of creepy.

Any publicity is good publicity, folks!

Source: Jaunted