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LUJKOV AND KOBZON IN ARMENIA

Politics

Moscow Mayor Yuri Lujkov and singer Iosif Kobzon have arrived in Armenia for the second time. The first was before the presidential elections in Armenia.

Today the leaders of Moscow and Yerevan have signed 2005-2007 Cooperation Program in the new building of Municipality. Within that period Moscow House and wholesale trade centre are planned to build in Yerevan.

After signing the document Yuri Lujkov said it will be possible within cooperation to increase trade turnover between Armenia and Russia by 5 times. “I may be mistaken but only when citing the modest figure of growth”, Lujkov said.

It is to remind he had announced in Zvartnotc Airport the day before that the trade turnover between the 2 states had doubled after his previous visit to Yerevan.

Talking about ex President of Adzharia Aslan Abashidze who had found shelter in Moscow, Lujkov said: “Abashidze is my friend. He resides and works in Moscow. I think it was a political impoliteness by Sahakashvili to act that way towards Abashidze. The situation in Adzharia won’t last long. One day he will be back”.

Many Armenian figures conditioned the previous visit of Yuri Lujkov and Iosif Kobzon by Russia’s interest in the presidential elections in Armenia. The visit coincided with the Ukrainian movement and the probable victory of local “The Oranges”, which was undesirable for Russia.

We didn’t manage to get details from Moscow Mayor on the theme. But Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoli Dryukov who was present for the measure denied the political context of the visit of Lujkov-Kobzon saying they are just good friends. Then we asked Ambassador what with Kobzon is occupied in Yerevan since he is lacking in the framework of Lujkov’s official visit? He answered mysteriously: “We will soon learn about that”. Does Kobzon have economic interests in Yerevan? “Don’t look for that anywhere”, Anatoli Dryukov answered.

Let’s remind that murder in Moscow of ex renter of “Dvin” Hotel and sale of the hotel under Government decision was tied with the version of transferring the hotel into the property of Iosif Kobzon. “Caucasus Communication Group” Company of unknown origin is the owner of the hotel.