Month: June 2005

A1plus
| 12:20:43 | 27-06-2005 | Politics |
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROCESS IN ARMENIA: RESOLUTION 1458 (2005)
1. The Parliamentary Assembly recalls that the revision of the
Constitution is a pre-condition for the fulfilment of some of the most
important commitments that Armenia undertook upon its accession to the
Council of Europe. These include the reform of the judicial system,
local self-government reform, the introduction of an independent
ombudsman, the establishment of independent regulatory authorities
for broadcasting and the modification of the powers of and access to
the Constitutional Court. The deadlines for the completion of these
commitments, stipulated in the Assembly’s Opinion No. 221 (2000)
on Armenia’s application for membership of the Council of Europe,
have now long expired.
2. The Assembly therefore is deeply concerned that the delay in
agreeing and adopting the constitutional amendments is holding back
Armenia’s progress towards European democratic norms and standards
in key areas of political life.
3. The present Constitution, adopted in 1995, has played an essential
role in the development of democracy and its irreversibility and has
allowed Armenia to become a member of the Council of Europe. However,
its practical day-to-day implementation has increasingly revealed
serious conceptual shortcomings which have become an obstacle for the
further democratic development of the country. In the first place,
the Constitution endows the President with excessive prerogatives and
does not provide for clear separation and balance of powers within
the state structures. Equally serious is the lack of constitutional
guarantees for basic human rights, of independence of the judiciary
and of local self-government in conformity with European standards.
4. The Assembly recalls the failure of the first referendum on
constitutional amendments of 25 May 2003 and the fact that the
authorities at the time had not committed themselves to a campaign
in support of the reform as parliamentary elections were held in
parallel. The subsequent deadline fixed by the Assembly in Resolutions
1361 and 1405 (2004) for the holding of a new constitutional referendum
– not later than June 2005 – has been missed.
5. The Assembly recalls that in 2001, the Armenian authorities and
the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission)
had arrived at a mutually acceptable draft Constitution in line
with European standards. This draft, however, underwent significant
changes during its examination and adoption by Parliament and the
text submitted to referendum in May 2003 represented an important
step back. The Assembly therefore insists that such a scenario must
not be repeated with the new draft.
6. The Assembly notes with approval the renewed active and intensive
co-operation between the Armenian authorities and the Venice Commission
since 2004. It regrets, however, that after several expertises of
different subsequent drafts and after the first reading in Parliament
on 11 May 2005, the draft still needs substantial revision, according
to the Venice Commission. In its second interim opinion of 13 June
2005, the Venice Commission expressed deep disappointment with the lack
of satisfactory results, deploring the fact that the recommendations,
notably concerning the balance of powers between the President and the
Parliament, the independence of the judiciary and the election of the
Mayor of Yerevan (instead of his/her appointment by the President),
had not been taken into account.
7. The Assembly welcomes the memorandum on further co-operation
signed between the Venice Commission working group and the Armenian
authorities on 2 June 2005. It commends the Armenian authorities
on presenting an improved version of the text within the deadlines
agreed in the memorandum. However, the Assembly insists that the
final proposed amendments do comply with all the recommendations of
the Venice Commission and are finally voted as such by the National
Assembly.
8. The Assembly underlines that the new constitutional referendum
can only succeed on the basis of a very broad public consensus. In
addition to the political significance of such an act, the consensus
is also needed for technical reasons – the constitutional amendments
must be approved by more than 50% of the votes but not less than one
third of all registered voters. It is therefore important that the
voters’ lists are updated so that the necessary quorum can be achieved.
9. The Assembly deplores the breakdown of dialogue between the ruling
coalition and the opposition. It regrets that the ruling coalition
has not yet been able to agree on the three key requests of the
opposition which coincide with the recommendations of the Venice
Commission: separation and balance of powers, independent judiciary
and a real local self-government. It equally regrets the fact that
the opposition resorted to a boycott of parliamentary sittings. The
Assembly therefore strongly hopes that an agreement on the three
points will lead to the opposition returning to Parliament.
10. The Assembly points out that a proper awareness-raising campaign
in favour of the constitutional reform can only start after agreement
has been reached on the remaining problematic areas. If the latest
deadline for holding the referendum – November 2005 – is respected,
any further delay in reaching a political consensus can jeopardise
the chances of the draft being accepted by the population.
11. The Assembly reiterates its previous concerns with regard to
media pluralism and balanced political coverage in the electronic
media. The media, and television in particular, should play a major
role in allowing the public to make a well-informed choice in the
referendum. One of the main reasons for the present unsatisfactory
situation resides in the shortcomings of the Constitution with regard
to the appointment of members of the broadcasting regulatory bodies.
12. The Assembly strongly believes that, for the sake of its own people
and for the sake of its further European integration, Armenia cannot
afford another failure of the constitutional referendum. It supports
the expert advice of the Venice Commission as a clear indication
of the direction to follow and believes that if it is backed by
political will and democratic maturity, the necessary ingredients
for a successful constitutional reform would be in place.
13. The Assembly therefore calls on the Armenian authorities and the
parliamentary majority to:
i. fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission;
ii. undertake clear and meaningful steps in order to resume an
immediate dialogue with the opposition;
iii. adopt the text at second reading without altering the agreement
reached with the Venice Commission on the above-mentioned points
and no later than August 2005;
iv. provide live broadcasting of the parliamentary sittings where
the constitutional amendments will be discussed and voted;
v. start a well-prepared and professional awareness-raising campaign
immediately after the adoption of the text at the second reading;
vi. implement without delay the Assembly recommendations with regard
to media pluralism in order to guarantee the broadest possible
public debate;
vii. urgently update voters’ lists;
viii. hold the referendum no later than November 2005;
ix. and to provide for the coming into force of the constitutional
reform as soon as reasonably possible.
14. The Assembly calls on the opposition to stop its parliamentary
boycott and do everything possible to promote the recommendations of
the Council of Europe with regard to the constitutional reform.
15. The Assembly expresses its support for the adoption of a draft
Constitution fully complying with the Council of Europe standards
and calls on all political forces and civil society to assure the
success of the constitutional reform.
16. The Assembly resolves to observe the constitutional referendum
and, in the meantime, declares its readiness to provide any assistance
that might be needed for its preparation.

ARMENIAN SOCIETY REJECTS DRUG ADDICTS
A1plus
| 14:39:52 | 27-06-2005 | Social |
“The Armenian society rejects the drug addicts, in contrast to the
developed countries where they are considered full members of the
society”, says Arthur Potosyan, head of the Trans Caucasian Drug
Trafficking and Drug Combat regional program Armenian non-governmental
organizations net. In Armenia they are considered criminals, and in
Europe – ill people.
According to Arthur Potosyan, the drug addicts are people with mental
disorder, as “they do not think about their health”. Potosyan thinks
that a community cooperation must be created which will combat drug
addiction. Work must be carried out with the drug addicts themselves,
as “they do not know that they must be cured, and they know if they
are revealed, the society will reject them”.
There are no exact figures about the number of drug addicts in
Armenia. At present investigations are being held in Trans Caucasus,
and the results will be made public in 3-4 months. But it is already
clear that the situation in Armenia is much better than that in the
other states of Trans Caucasus.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADMINISTRATION UNAWARE
A1plus
| 13:38:30 | 27-06-2005 | Social |
The Yerevan municipality Environmental administration and the RA
Ministry of Environment processed the new penalties for illegal
tree-cutting. “For cutting a tree 30 sm in diameter a fine of 22
500 drams is envisaged; and in Yerevan – ten times more”, informed
Environmental administration head Romik Kosemyan during the press
conference in the municipality.
We tried to make inquiries if we could cut half the trees in Yerevan,
pay the fines and sleep in peace. “There is a limit after which a
criminal case is aroused”, said Mr. Kosemyan. He could not recall a
criminal case aroused till today. “It is not my business”, he added.
We also asked how many trees have been cut illegally for the last
5 years. “The calculation is not our business”, informed the
Environmental administration head. Mr. Kosemyan also said that this
year there have been 10 alarms of illegal tree-cutting. Then he
consoled us, “There are law violations, but they have reduced”.

GOOD ELECTORAL CODE NOT NEEDED FOR FAIR ELECTIONS?
A1plus
| 13:17:56 | 27-06-2005 | Social |
According to the readers of the “A1+” internet site, the most necessary
condition for free and fair elections is the national control. This
is the opinion of the 41.5% of the voters. And only 30.2% of the
readers see the necessity of the will of the authorities.
14.3% of the voters finds the presence of the organized and united
opposition necessary, and the Proper Electoral Code can contribute
to the organization of fair elections according to the 14.0% of
the voters.
258 people took part in the poll.
The internet site “A1+” continues the polls on the Constitutional
theme. The question of this week’s poll is “Who should appoint the
Prime Minister? “. We call everyone to actively take part in the poll.

WHO CAN SCORE AGAINST ROMAN?
A1plus
| 18:06:01 | 27-06-2005 | Sports |
The goalkeeper of the Armenian national football team Roman Berezovski
has not allowed a single goal for the last 3 games in “Dinamo”. Roman
is in perfect fit now and finished the game with “Tomi” 0:0.
As for Perm “Amkar” midfielder Albert Sargsyan, he continues to get
yellow cards. In the 13th round he played against “Krilya Sovetov”
and got the usual yellow card.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROYAL-ARMENIA” OUSTED FROM MARKET?
A1plus
| 17:51:38 | 27-06-2005 | Social |
In 10-15 days the coffee of the company “Royal-Armenia” may be
ousted from the local market, as according to the representative of
the company the Tax Committee does not give them license. Today the
representatives of the JSC “Royal-Armenia” rendered a press conference
to express their discontent with the State Tax Committee.
According to the company head Gagik Hakobyan, the Committee does
everything to oust them from the market and to make the other companies
play the game with their rules. By the way, only 20% of the production
of the company is consumed in the local market, the rest is exported
mainly to Russia and Georgia.
The problem is that the products of “Royal-Armenia” get customs
clearance for twice as much as the other companies. According to
the company lawyer Gevorg Minasyan, they pay 1.8 USD for 1 kg of
Indonesian coffee, while others pay not more than 1.1 UDS. “If what
we pay is right, why do they harm the country taking less money from
other companies? “, said the lawyer.
According to the case against “Royal-Armenia” on the basis of the
protocol about the violation of tax rules, according to the lawyer,
the circumstances which served ground for it are false, and “it was
made up as a result of the cooperation of the State Tax Committee
officials and the ex-supplier of the company, head of “Federal
Investment Group”, US citizen Vache Petrosyan”.
By the way, according to Mr. Hakobyan, the organizer of all this is
the STC Judicial administration head “who was convicted in 1996 for
bribery and cheating”.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINISHING
A1plus
| 16:06:30 | 27-06-2005 | Sports |
The Chess European Championship is coming to its end. In the 8th
round Karen Asryan who is still struggling for a medal beat Konstantin
Sakaev. Ashot Anastasyan, Artashes Minasyan and Levon Babujyan also
won their games. Levon Aronyan and Gabriel Sargsyan played draws.
After the 8th round Sergey Karyakin tops the list with 7
points. Karen Asryan has 6 points and shares the 3rd place with 6
other players. Levon Aronyan has 5.5 points. In the 9th round Karen
Asryan will play with Mikhay Krasenkov, and Aronyan will play with
Dmitri Yakovenko.

PROTEST ACTION AGAINST “SPIRITUAL GENOCIDE”
A1plus
| 15:59:52 | 27-06-2005 | Social |
“Numbering is spiritual genocide”, this is the opinion of a group of
believers who organized an act of complaint opposite the Government
building today. Together with Khachik Stamboltsyan and a group of old
people they prayed and demanded the Government members not to make
them get the social cards. They also demanded their old-age pensions
and the wages they failed to get.
“I do not want to get the devil number”, said Laura Barsegyan, member
of the “Against People’s Numbering” council and noted, “I’m 70 years
old, and I have not received my pension for 6 months. My husband is
dead and I have no children, what shall I do? “.
The participants of the action have written 168 letters to different
parties but they have received no written answers for the past
4 months.
The participants of the action were received by the Government Religion
and National Minorities Administration head Hranoush Kharatyan and
agreed to informed the higher officials about their demands.
By the way, Hranoush Kharatyan informed, that she will tell them about
the demand of the people, but she is not responsible for the results.
The sit-down strike has started and it will continue until “the hungry
people are fed”, informed Khachik Stamboltsyan.

CLOSER TO PEACE THAN A YEAR AGO?
A1plus
| 15:06:35 | 27-06-2005 | Politics |
“It is very difficult to win peace, but I believe we can do it”, said
the OSCE Minsk group co-head Stephen Mann in his interview to the
“Azatutyun” Radio station Azeri service.
He also said that “The positions of the Armenian and Azeri sides
are closer now than a year ago, but we cannot claim that agreement
looms”. Stephen Mann has confirmed the information given by Vardan
Oskanyan that in July the Minsk group co-heads will arrive in the
region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

JUSTICE BLOC HAS YET TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RETURN TO THE PARLIAMENT OR NOT
A1plus
| 19:31:43 | 27-06-2005 | Politics |
The COE Ministers Council Ago monitoring group, with the German
permanent representative to COE Roland Vegener at the head met the
Justice bloc today. We learned from the leader of the Justice bloc
Stepan Demirchyan that the Ago group was concerned with the realization
of the Constitutional referendum and the adoption of the Constitution.
The members of the Justice bloc claimed that if the agreement reached
in Strasbourg is realized, and the draft Constitution is reformed, it
will be a step forward, but the problems of out country are conditioned
not by the quality of the law but by their non-observance of the laws.
The Ago group persuaded the opposition to return to the Parliament
and to take part in the discussion of the Constitutional reforms
till the second reading. Stepan Demirchyan answered that if the
draft constitution is ready and they are sure that the agreements
reached have been put into practice, they will think about return to
the Parliament.
Stepan Demirchyan also informed that they have raised the issue of the
“Electoral Code” and underlined that the law which enjoys the approval
of the Venice Commission does not secure the stability principle in
the Committees.
The opposition has also spoken about the TV Company “A1+” which has
been deprived of air and informed the group that the no efforts are
made to solve the problem.
Justice bloc leader Stepan Demirchyan, secretary Viktor Dallakyan,
members Grigor Haroutyunyan and member of the Armenian delegation
to PACE Shavarsh Kocharyan took part in the meeting with the Ago
group. “Nationaly Unity” refused to take part in the meeting.