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  • Armenia Profile

    Source: BBC
    Wednesday, 21 April, 2004, 15:34 GMT 16:34 UK

    Country profile: Armenia


    A landlocked republic with Turkey to the west and Georgia to the north,
    Armenia has seen great changes since the break-up of the Soviet Union in
    1991.
    Once dubbed the Soviet 'silicon valley', Armenia's economy collapsed when
    its old markets disappeared.

    OVERVIEW



    OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA


    It has since recovered significantly, but job creation and poverty reduction
    have not kept pace with growth. Armenia also suffers from a trade blockade,
    imposed by neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan since the dispute over
    Nagorno-Karabakh.

    The conflict over the predominantly Armenian-populated region in Azerbaijan
    overshadowed Armenia's return to independence in 1991. Full-scale war broke
    out the same year as ethnic Armenians in Karabakh fought for independence,
    supported by troops and resources from Armenia proper. A ceasefire in place
    since 1994 has failed to deliver any lasting solution.

    Armenia has always experienced waves of emigration, but the present exodus
    is causing much alarm. It is estimated that Armenia has lost 20% of its
    population in recent years, as young families leave for what they hope will
    be a better life abroad. The negative consequences for the economy have been
    widespread.

    Around 50% of Armenians live below the poverty line. Corruption and
    political killings add to the sense of a society under threat.

    Gunmen who stormed the Yerevan parliament in 1999, killing the prime
    minister and other politicians, said the plight of the Armenian people was
    the reason for the bloodshed. Analysts believe that there were more complex
    political factors involved as well.

    The government is trying to promote tourism and technology parks. But
    foreign investors are reported to be extremely wary.


    FACTS



    OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA


    Population: 3.1 million (UN, 2003)
    Capital: Yerevan
    Major languages: Armenian, Russian
    Major religion: Christianity
    Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
    Monetary unit: 1 dram = 100 lumas
    Main exports: Processed and unprocessed diamonds, machinery, metal products,
    foodstuffs
    GNI per capita: US $790 (World Bank, 2002)
    Internet domain: .am
    International dialling code: +374

    LEADERS



    OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

    President: Robert Kocharyan


    President Kocharyan
    President Kocharyan is a former president of the self-proclaimed
    Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. He became Armenian prime minister in 1997 and was
    elected president the following year on a platform of ensuring the existence
    of Karabakh and boosting the Armenian economy.

    Mr Kocharyan's reelection as president in 2003 was followed by widespread
    allegations of ballot-rigging.

    He went on to propose controversial constitutional amendments on the role of
    parliament. These were rejected in a referendum the following May at the
    same time as parliamentary elections which left Mr Kocharyan's party in a
    very powerful position in parliament.

    There were mounting calls for Mr Kocharyan's resignation in early 2004 with
    thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets in support of demands for a
    referendum of confidence in him.

    A Communist Party official in Soviet times, Mr Kocharyan is no longer a
    member of any political party.

    The Armenian president has said he wants to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh
    question and has held meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart. But while
    he acknowledges the importance to peace of compromise on both sides, he
    insists that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh must be guaranteed the right to
    exist within safe borders and that a link with Armenia must be maintained.

    Mr Kocharyan was born in Nagorno-Karabakh in 1954 and trained as an
    electrical engineer in Yerevan.



    Prime minister: Andranik Markaryan
    Foreign minister: Vardan Oskanyan
    Defence minister: Serzh Sarkisyan

    MEDIA



    OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

    Armenia's government oversees national TV and radio. The national public TV
    service can also be seen in many districts of neighbouring Azerbaijan. The
    main Russian TV channels are widely available.

    Libel and defamation are punishable by prison terms and journalists have
    been sentenced under these laws. All print and broadcast media must register
    with the Justice Ministry.

    In 2003 the US-based NGO Freedom House downgraded its assessment of the
    media climate in Armenia from "partly free" to "not free", citing the use of
    security and libel laws to silence criticism and the closure of a private TV
    station in 2002.

    The press


    Aravot - private
    Ayots Ashkar - private
    Ayastani Anrapetutyun - founded by Armenian parliament
    Aykakan Zhanamak - founded by opposition Democratic Homeland Party
    Azg - founded by Liberal Democratic Party
    Golos Armenii - private
    Iravunk - founded by Union of Constitutional Law party
    Respublika Armenia - founded by Armenian Presidential Executive Staff,
    parliament and government
    Yerkir - founded by Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun
    Television

    Public TV of Armenia - national, state-run
    Armenia TV - national, commercial
    Prometheus TV - national, commercial
    Radio

    Public Radio of Armenia - national, state-run
    Hai FM - first private radio station

    Hit FM - private, Yerevan FM station
    Radio Alfa - private, Yerevan FM station
    Radio Van - private, Yerevan FM station
    News agencies

    Arka - private
    Armenpress - state-run
    Noyan Tapan - private
    Mediamax - private
    Arminfo - private

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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