ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SALARY ABOUT $1000 ACCORDING TO 2003 BUDGET BILL

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 2003 state budget bill provides for salary of the Armenian President at the rate of 600 thousand drams, which makes about $1000. As reported by minister of finance and economy of Armenia Vardan Khachatrian, today the state head's salary makes 200 thousand drams (approximately $350). In his words, it was initially suggested to increase the President's salary to $5000, "but Robert Kocharian refused flatly." According to the budget bill, beginning in July 2003 the Prime Minister's salary will make 480 thousand drams (approximately $830), and the ministers and parliamentarians get 360 thousand drams (about $620).