"PERNOD RICARD" AND THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT SEEM TO BE READY TO SETTLE THE CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net - 15.09.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The heads of the Yerevan Brandy Factory (YBF) stated today at the meeting with the Armenian Premier Andranik Margarian that their promise to buy 10.000 tons of grapes from local producers remains true.

Moreover, the heads of YBF stated that they negotiate with the leadership of Pernod Ricard for a possible purchase of additional 5000 tons.

The Prime Minister of Armenia assured the leadership of the Yerevan Brandy Factory that the government won't permit the export of brandy production from Armenia if it has non-registered trademarks. A. Margarian charged "Armpatent" to make suggestions for a legal settlement of the conflict, aroused between the YBF and "Great Valley" company.

If by September 18 the question of recognizing invalid the trademark of "Great Ararat" won't be solved, "Pernod Ricard", the owner of the Yerevan Brandy Factory (YBF) will refuse to buy grapes from local producers, said today's spread official statement of YBF.

The conflict between YBF and "Great Valley" company, which makes brandy under "Great Ararat" trademark, aroused after "Armpatent" took a decision, according to which "Great Valley" could realize the sale of the drink under "Ararat" trademark.

In June 1998 the YBF was purchased by Pernod Ricard for 30 million dollars. -0-