Month: March 2007

RIGHT OF SECRET BALLOT OF DISABLED IS VIOLATED DURING ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA, UNISON’S CHAIRMAN DECLARES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The right of secret ballot of disabled
is violated during almost all – presidential, parliamentary, local
self-government elections in Armenia. Armen Alaverdian, Chairman of
Unison NGO engaged in problems of disabled people, declared this at
the March 6 press conference.

Besides, in his words, according to the data of monitoring held
during the previous presidential and parliamentary elections,
only 10 out of 423 polling stations were accessible for disabled
people. A. Alaverdian said that candidates for deputy, parties
and Central Electoral Commission should undertake measures for
providing accessibility of polling stations for disabled people at
the forthcoming parliamentary elections. In addition to this, deaf
and blind people are not well-informed, either, on the threshold of
the elections. "For providing information to deaf people the parties
should have surdo-translation or information by running line in their
advertisement reels," he said. And brochures with Broil fonts on
activity of parties and candidates nominated by majoritarian system
should be published for blind people. Suren Ohanian, Chairman of
Paros NGO, said that soon they are going to implement programs aimed
at disabled people’s awareness in nine towns of the country. "The
disabled people will be provided information on electoral law and
parties’ preelection campaigns," S. Ohanian said.

WEIGHTLIFTING REPUBLICAN CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON MARCH 6 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 60 sportsmen take part in Weightlifting
Republican Championship, which started on March 6 in Yerevan. First
ladies’ competitions were held. Tehmine Karapetian (53 kg, Shirak
region), Liana Manukian (58 kg, Aragatsotn region), Heghine Yepremian
(63 kg, Aragatsotn), Meline Daluzian (69 kg, Shirak), Nazik Avdalian
(75 kg, Shirak) and Hripsime Khurshudian (more than 75 kg, Aragatsotn)
were recognized as winners. Among men, Rubik Mamoyan (Samaghar)
became champion of Armenia with a result of 230 kg in biathlon,
in competition in 56 kg weight category.

CHAIRMAN OF CHOICE IS YOURS NGO HOPES THAT AMENDMENT OF ELECTORAL CODE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HOLDING OF FAIR ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Haroutiun Hambartsumian, Chairman
of Choice is Yours NGO carrying out observation mission in Armenia
since 1999 hopes that the May parliamentary elections will not
pass with violations which were committed during 2005 referendum
on constitutional amendments and other state elections. As the
latter stated at the March 6 press conference, he is hopeful
that the elections will be fair due to the amendments made to RA
Electoral and Criminal Codes, according to which rather strict
sanctions are determined for electoral bribes and those taking
them. H. Hambartsumian also attached importance to the circumstance
that liability is determined for the heads and members of electoral
commissions who impede work of observers, empowered persons and
media representatives. Meanwhile, H. Hambartsumian expressed anxiety
in connection with a number of provisions of Electoral Code. In
particular, he mentioned the circumstance that after CC’s well-known
decision employees of judicial system were included in electoral
commissions instead of judges, as a result of which, however,
this problem was not liquidated. In H. Hambartsumian’s words, the
possibility to make a decision given to electoral commissions under
conditions of no quorum also causes anxiety. H. Hambartsumian gave
assurance that the main violations are committed during voting and not
when summarizing votes. He regretted to say that provisions on marking
fingers of electors having already voted, as well as on videoing the
whole process of voting were not included in the Electoral Code.

CHOICE IS YOURS NGO IS GOING TO OBSERVE NOT ONLY PROCESS OF ELECTIONS, BUT ALSO PREELECTION CAMPAIGN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. For the present, Choice is Yours
NGO is the only organization, which has been officially registered
for carrying out observation mission during RA parliamentary
elections. NGO’s Chairman Haroutiun Hambartsumian reported this at
the March 6 press conference. He reminded that the organization had
estimated holding of 2005 referendum on constitutional amendments
as "negative," which called forth discontent of even European
observers. In H. Hambartsumian’s words, Choice is Yours organization
has 4 thousand observers who have been involved voluntarily, are
not members of any party and are not paid. Their only goal is to
contribute to holding of fair elections. H. Hambartsumian said that
the organization will observe not only the process of elections,
but also the preelection campaign, which starts from April 8. In
his words, formerly the organization had managed to observe 60-70%
polling stations, while this time it will have observers at all
polling stations, electoral districts and at CEC. The observation will
be carried out in the whole process of elections and calculation of
votes. H. Hambartsumian said that the law does not permit observers to
apply to the court with accusation of electoral falsifications. Their
only opportunity is to inform the public about them.

RECEPTION DEDICATED TO 15th ANNIVERSARY OF RA ARMED FORCES ORGANIZED AT NATO ALLIED COMMAND ON MARCH 5

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

BRUSSELS, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of festivities
dedicated to the 15th anniversary of RA Armed Forces, the Armenian
military representation in NATO for the first time organized
a reception at NATO Allied Command on March 5. As Noyan Tapan
was informed from RA military representation in NATO, over 150
representatives of 49 NATO member and partner states – generals,
officers, other high-ranking officials took part in the reception and
congratulated the Armenian Armed Forces. The historic characteristic of
Armenian Army, the formation history and the way passed by the National
Army since Armenia’s independence were briefly presented to the guests.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: TURKISH GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO EXPORT ITS POLICY OF GENOCIDE DENIAL

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

WASHINGTON, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
being in U.S. on a working visit met with US Assistant Undersecretary
of State and US Minsk Group co-chair Matthew Bryza on March 5. The two
discussed the issue of Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement and the
upcoming meeting of the ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in Geneva,
on March 14, together with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group. According
to the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from RA Foreign Ministry Press
and Information Department, later in the day, with the co-chairs of
the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Minister Oskanian outlined the broad
US-Armenia agenda, and ways in which Congress can play a role. During
the meeting, the Genocide issue was also discussed. In referring to
the pending Genocide reaffirmation resolution, the Minister explained,
"The Armenian government, in contrast to the leadership in Ankara,
does not seek to lecture elected American officials on this core human
rights issue. Sadly, the Turkish government continues to export its
policy of genocide denial, seeking to impose upon the US and other
nations the very intolerance that inspired Section 301 and led to
the murder of journalist Hrant Dink. This should not be tolerated
by any individual or any country. The Armenian government has faith
in the American democratic process and respects the integrity of US
Congressional decision-making." During his visit, the Minister also
met with representatives of Armenian advocacy groups in Washington
and shared thoughts on current issues.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AND GEGHARKUNIK REGIONAL GOVERNOR DISCUSS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATE OF GEGHARKUNIK MARZ

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The social and economic state of
Gegharkunik marz was discussed at the March 5 working meeting of the
Armenian president Robert Kocharian and the governor of Gegharkunik
marz Arsen Grigorian.

Particularly, the work done in 2006 and to be done this year, as
well as programs on school building, water supply, etc. impemented
at the expense of resources of the RA state budget, Lincy and other
foundations were discussed. A. Grigorain presented the process of
implementation of the RA president’s assignments regarding execution
of community budgets. Problems related to the Sevan National Park
were also addressed during the meeting. R. Kocharian instructed the
governor to examine information about construction of unauthorized
buildings and legalize these buildings through court decisions or
dismantle them if they do not meet constrcution and other standards.

DRINKING WATER TARIFF IN YEREVAN TO INCREASE AFTER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Public Services Regulatory
Commission started examining the bid submitted by Yerevan Water
company, which proposes raising the tariff of 1 cubic meter of drinking
water by 9.1 drams to 181.9 drams (0.51 USD). NT correspondent was
informed about it from the commission, which will make a decision on
the bid within 90 days. According to the company, the basic tariff
of water will remain unchanged (144 drams) until 2009.

However, the commission may make some changes in the tariff, taking
into consideration a number of factors (inflation, electricity tariffs,
exchange rate of the Armenian dram). As a result, the tariff may
either increase or decline.

According to our information, the commission will make a decision
concerning a rise in the water tariff after the parliamentary
elections.

ARMENIAN SIDE NOT INFORMED ABOUT TARIFFS OF PORT KAVKAZ – POTI FERRY CARGO TRANSPORTATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Transport and
Communication has not been informed about tariffs of Port Kavkaz-Poti
ferry cargo transportations neither by the Russian side nor by
the owner of ferry-boats – Reserve Capital Enterprising Corporation
(Switzerland). NT correspondent was told about it at the ministry. To
recap, during the signing of the respective agreement on February 13,
it was announced that a final decision on tariffs will be made at
the sitting of heads of the railway departments of CIS countries to
be held in Moscow on February 21-22. It is envisaged to launch Port
Kavkaz – Poti ferry link on March 15.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM OPENS SERIOUS PROSPECTS OF ARMENIAN-ROMANIAN COOPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Newly appointed Ambassador of Romania
to Armenia Mrs Crina Rodica Prunariu handed her credentials to RA
President Robert Kocharian on March 6. Congratulating the diplomat on
the occasion of assuming her post, RA President expressed confidence
that her activity will be useful for further deepening of relations
between the two countries. Robert Kocharian estimated Armenian-Romanian
political dialogue as rather active and dynamic.

Emphasizing the importance of extending cooperation especially after
Romania’s membership to European Union, the President said that there
are sufficient legal-contractual bases for this. According to the
report provided to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Office,
Robert Kocharian also attached importance to cooperation between
the two countries in the context of Armenia’s policy of European
integration and said that the European New Neighborhood program opens
serious prospects of cooperation.