Month: March 2007

PROPOSAL OF "AYLENTRANK" ABOUT STARTING PROCESS OF IMPEACHMENT NOT FIND RESPONSE, INITIATIVE MEMBERS SAY

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Aylentrank" (Alternative)
public-political initiative worked out its own programs of organization
of the public life, which is impossible to implement while officiating
of the present authorities. Ashot Sargsian, a founder member of
the initiative stated about it during the March 2 rally of the
"Aylentrank." In his words, it is impossible today in Armenia to reach
serious changes with the help of elections, and it is meaningless to
demand resignation from President Robert Kocharian. Consequently,
one must go in the way of impeachment and "get free of the illegal
administration in that way." "Aylentrank" member Aramazd Ghalamkarian
stated that a number of opposing figures, particularly, Artashes
Geghamian, Stepan Demirchian, Artur Baghdasarian, Raffi Hovannisian,
Vazgen Manukian, displayed indifference attitude towards the idea
of impeachment and "did nothing for that program of power shift was
carried out." Vahagn Khachatrian, another member of "Aylentrank,"
former Mayor of Yerevan stated that the application addressed to the
Public Television and Radio Company Council, by which the initiative
demanded to give broadcast, remained without response. "We did not
ask for charity from the Public Television, we demand to respect
our rights," he mentioned, V.Khachatrian stated that during the
recent days "Aylentrank" addressed to all the television companies,
asking to broadcast their statement awaring about the rally, but no
one meet that request half-way, being afraid of having problems with
the authorities. He mentioned that the right of freedom of expression
is violated in Armenia, and added that they will demand from the
authorities to re-open A1+ and Noyan Tapan TV channels.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION GETS OTHER 3 CLAIMS FOR NOMINATION ON MARCH 2

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The United Labour Party, People’s
Party of Armenia and Marxist Party of Armenia placed orders on March
2 with the RA Central Electoral Commission (CEC) for nomination at
the coming parliamentary elections by the proportional electoral
system. Commission Press Secretary Tsovinar Khachatrian informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent about it. The CEC had got other 6
claims earlier on the same day. There are 68 candidates in the PPA
list. It is headed by party Chairman, NA "Ardaroutiun" (Justice)
faction head Stepan Demirchian. There are 83 candidates in the ULP
list. It is headed by party Chairman, parliamentary faction head
Gurgen Arsenian. There are 8 candidates in the MPA pre-electoral
list. It is headed by party Chairman Davit Hakobian.

PPA MEMBER SMBAT YEGHIAZARIAN PRESENTS SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS TO PARTY CHAIRMAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Smbat Yeghiazarian, the Secretary of
the Abovian territorial office of the People’s Party of Armenia (PPA)
stated that he has information that party head Stepan Demirchian
has negotiated with the authorities still from September, 2006,
to guarantee five per cent of votes for the PPA at the future
parliament. He promised to present the facts during the coming
days. The "Haykakan Zhamanak" (Armenian Time) daily writes about it.

"The party betrayed its principles today. Stepan Demirchian has never
had independence. One can say he has always been led. The party today
betrayed its members," Smbat Yeghiazarian stated on the previous day,
after the serious scandal promoted in the PPA Abovian territorial
office, which finished with the latter’s resignation. NA PPA deputy
Grigor Haroutiunian who was present at the precedent, qualified these
accusations addressed to St.Demirchian as absurdity, adding that the
PPA has never betrayed and will never betray its principles. In PPA
Political Council member Ruzan Khachatrian’s opinion, Yeghiazarian
spoke only after the party list was read. In her words, there are many
people deserving the first place of the list, but nobody responded
in this way.

But before it S.Yeghiazarian mentioned that his statement has no
relation with that lists. He insisted that he proposed to make staff
changes to take the party out of the hard state and S.Demirchian was
against it. In his words, Demirchian, maybe, prepares to go to the
elections without the PPA.

G.Haroutiunian stated that they convened a council sitting, and the
council did not receive S.Yeghiazarian’s resignation application. In
S.Yeghiazarian’s words, his application was not accepted as all the
council member arose the issue that if he would leave they would leave,
too. "But I will not take any step with a similar person. I will
not subject to the council decision. I have nothing to compromise,"
S.Yeghiazarian stated.

AS OF 16:50, MARCH 3, CEC GETS 8 CLAIMS FOR NOMINATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. As of 16:50, March 3, the RA Central
Electoral Commission (CEC) got other 8 claims for nomation at the
coming parliamentary elections by the proportional electoral system. To
recap, the nomination deadline was 18:00, March 3. As CEC Press
Secretary Tsovinar Khachatrian informed the Noyan Tapan correspondent,
besides the ARF and "Hayots Hayrenik" (Armenian Fatherland) parties,
the Communist Party of Armenia (CPA), "Zharangutiun" (Heritage),
"Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law), Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), Progressive United Communist Party of Armenia (PUCPA) and
the "Impeachment" alliance registered at the CEC also presented
documents for participation on the same day. Ruben Tovmasian,
the First Secretary of the party Central Committee heads the CPA
proportional list. 51 candidates are nominated. The "Zharangutiun"
(Heritage) party proposed 58 candidates by the proportional electoral
system. Party founder, former Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian
heads the list. The proportional list of the "Orinats Yerkir" party
is headed by party Chairman, former NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian. 131
candidates are nominated. The RPA proportional list is headed by party
Chairman, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. 112 candidates are
nominated. The PUCPA proportional list is headed by party head Vazgen
Safarian. 30 candidates are nominated. 68 candidates are nominated by
the proportional list of the "Impeachment" alliance. The list is headed
by Nikol Pashinian, the editor-in-chief of the "Haykakan Zhamanak"
(Armenian Time) daily.

27 PARTIES AND ONE ALLIANCE NOMINATED AT COMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS BY PROPORTIONAL ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The term of nomination of deputies’
candidatures at the coming parliamentary elections by the proportional
and majoritarian electoral systems finished at 18:00, March
3. 27 parties and one pre-electoral alliance have been nominated
at the RA Central Electoral Commission (CEC) by the proportional
electoral system since February 2. Those are: "Azgayin Miabanutiun"
(National Unity) (Chairman Artashes Geghamian), "Nor Zhamanakner"
(New Times) (Aram Karapetian), People’s Party (Tigran Karapetian),
"Bargavach Hayastan" (Prosperous Armenia) (Gagik Tsarukian),
"Zhoghovrdavarakan Ughi" (Democratic Path) (Manuk Gasparian),
Democratic Party of Armenia (Aram G. Sargsian), Progressive Party of
Armenia (Tigran Urikhanian), Liberal Progressive Party of Armenia
(Hovhannes Hovhannisian), National Democratic Party (Shavarsh
Kocharian), Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (Ludmila Sargsian),
United Labour Party (Gurgen Arsenian), People’s Party of Armenia
(Stepan Demirchian), Marxist Party of Armenia (Davit Hakobain),
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (the list is headed by Bureau
member Vahan Hovhannisian), "Hayots Hayrenik" (Armenian Fatherland)
(party head Arshak Baklachian), Communist Party of Armenia (Ruben
Tovmasian), "Zharangutiun" (Heritage) (founder Raffi Hovannisian),
"Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law) (Artur Baghdasarian), Republican
Party of Armenia (Andranik Margarian), Progressive United Communist
Party of Armenia (Vazgen Safarian), Armenian National Movement
(Ararat Zurabian), "Hanrapetutiun" (Republic) (Aram Z. Sargsian),
"Dashink" (Alliance) (Samvel Babayan), "Azgayin Hamadzaynutiun"
(National Agreement) (Aram Haroutiunian), Youth Party of Armenia
(Sargis Asatrian), United Liberal-National Party (Levon Martirosian),
"Kristonya-Zhoghovrdakan Veratsnund" (Christian-People’s Re-birth)
(Mkrtich Gimishian) parties and "Impeachment" pre-electoral alliance
(the list is headed by Nikol Pashinian).

RA CEC GETS ON MARCH 3 15 CLAIMS FOR NOMINATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. 14 parties and one pre-electoral
alliance placed orders with the RA Central Electoral Commission
(CEC) on March 3, the last day of nomination for the coming
parliamentary elections by the proportional electoral system. The
ARF pre-electoral list is headed by Bureau member, NA Deputy Speaker
Vahan Hovhannisian. 117 candidates are involved in the list.

There are 25 candidates in the list of the "Hayots Hayrenik"
(Armenian Fatherland) party. It is headed by party Chairman Arshak
Baklachian. The proportional list of the Communist Party of Armenia
is headed by Ruben Tovmasian, the First Secretary of the party Central
Committee. 51 candidates are nominated.

58 candidates were nominated by the proportional electoral system
of the "Zharangutiun" (Heritage) party. The list is headed by party
founder, former Foreign Minister Raffi Hovannisian. The proportional
list of the "Orinats Yerkir" (Country of Law) party is headed by party
Chairman, former NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian. 131 candidates are
nominated. The proportional list of the Republican Party of Armenia is
headed by party Chairman, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. 112
candidates are nominated. The proportional list of the Progressive
United Communist Party of Armenia is headed by party head Vazgen
Safarian. 30 candidates are nominated. The proportional list of the
Armenian National Movement is headed by party Board Chairman Ararat
Zurabian. 70 candidates are nominated. The "Hanrapetutiun" (Republic)
party list is headed by party head Aram Z. Sargsian. 61 candidates
are nominated. The "Dashink" (Alliance) party list is headed by party
head, former NKR Defence Minister Samvel Babayan. 47 candidates are
nominated. The "Azgayin Hamadzaynutiun" (National Agreement) party
list is headed by party head Aram Haroutiunian. 12 candidates are
nominated. 22 candidates are involved in the list of the Youth Party
of Armenia. Party head Sargis Asatrian heads the list. There are 23
candidates in the list of the United Liberal-National Party. The
list is headed by party head Levon Martirosian. There are 22
candidates in the list of the "Kristonya-Zhoghovrdakan Veratsnund"
(Christian-Democratic Re-Birth) party. Party head Mkrtich Gimishian
heads the list. 68 candidates are nominated by the proportional
list of the "Impeachment" alliance. The list is headed by Nikol
Pashinian, the editor-in-chief of the "Haykakan Zhamanak" (Armenian
Time) daily. The alliance was formed by "Zhoghovrdavarakan Hayrenik"
(Democratic Fatherland) and Conservative parties.

DPA LEADER PROPOSES TO FORM UNITED HEADQUARTERS OF OPPOSITION FOR CONTROL OF ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia is at the stage of stably
developing crisis." Aram G. Sargsian, the Chairman of the Democratic
Party of Armenia stated about it at the 7th congress of the party
on March 3. In his words, processes taking place in Armenia during
the recent years brought to formation of the clan-oligarchic system
which excludes possibility of normal development of the country. He
mentioned that not science and industry but sphere of service
develops in Armenia. A.Sargsian stated that in the formed situation
when economy is practically monopolized by few big oligarches, and
80 per cent of the country population drags pitiful existence, power
shift, sponsored by the clan-oligarhic system, is a primary task:
"It is necessary that the ruling regime bears responsibility for it
has done before the people, and it must become a lesson for the next
authorities," A.Sargsian stated. As for the May 12 elections of the
National Assembly of Armenia, he expressed sorrow that the opposition
did not manage to form blocs based on ideological generality.

A.Sargsian stated that the DPA proposes all the opposition forces
to form a united headquarters for control of the elections: "If the
opposition is not able to unite in this case, either, I will already
start doubting if it is an opposition or just anybody’s appointed
people," the DPA Chairman stated. The congress in which 300 delegates
participated heard the control commission’s report, elected heading
bodies of the party and affirmed changes in the party program.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST EXHIBITION OF REGIONAL MEDIA TO WORK FROM ARPIL 26 TO MAY 1 IN IRAN

Noyan Tapan
Mar 05 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. First exhibition of media with
participation of regional public press and media will work from April
26 to May 1 in Tehran. According to the report provided to Noyan
Tapan from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department, at
the conference regional countries should present their printed press
and information agencies, the materials of which contain publications
relating to cultural, social, economic, political spheres, as well as
publications regarding affairs of children, women and youth in Persian,
Arab, English and French languages. The exhibition’s goal is to promote
cultural, social, economic relations among regional media, to mutually
get acquainted with abilities of media, to familiarize visitors
with information system of regional countries. The participants of
exhibition will be given an opportunity to meet with political and
cultural high-ranking officials of Iran and to visit cultural and
historic places.

US ACCREDITATION OF AUA TO INFLUENCE ARMENIA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 2 2007

YEREVAN, March 2. /ARKA/. The accreditation of the American University
of Armenia (AUA) to the US Western Association of Schools and Colleges
(WASC) will exert considerable influence on Armenia’s education system,
RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtichyan told reporters.

"From now on, besides international universities founded under
intergovernmental agreements, an internationally accredited higher
school will be working in Armenia," he said.

Mkrtichyan pointed out that since the very first days of Armenia’s
independence the AUA has been involved in forming the country’s
independent statehood.

"We intend to apply the AUA’s positive experience in Armenia’s other
higher schools," he said.

In this context the Minister reported that the RA Government is
considering a new order of accrediting higher schools supposed to
improve the situation in Armenia’s higher education sector.

"We want the state-run and private higher schools that intend to get
accreditation to realize that this process must be started inside
the higher school through the estimation of internal resources and
settlement of issues of administration and education and consistent
preparation for accreditation," he said.

On March 2, 2007, the AUA was accredited to the US Western Association
of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for seven years. The AUA is the first
higher school outside the USA having this accreditation.

The idea of founding the AUA was suggested in 1989. The first students
were admitted in 1991. The AUA was founded by the RA Government, the
University of California, UAS, and the Armenian General Benevolent
Union. The AUA trains lawyers, specialists in medicine, business,
management, engineering, linguistics and diplomacy.

YSU THIRD OF ARMENIA’S SICENTIFIC POTENTIAL

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 2 2007

YEREVAN, March 2. /Novosti-Armenia/. A third of Armenia’s scientific
potential falls to the share of Yerevan State University (YSU),
YSU Rector Aram Simonyan told reporters.

"1,300 out of 4,000 scientific papers published in 2006 fall to
YSU’s share, which confirms that YSU remains the country’s leading
scientific center," he said.

According to Simonyan, the Government must pay more attention to the
scientific sector.

He pointed out that the RA Ministry of Education and Science has
started reforms and expressed hope that the concept of scientific
reforms will radically change the situation.

A total of AMD 5.5bln are budgeted for the scientific sector in
Armenia in 2007.

On August 18, 2006, the RA Government approved the schedule of measures
under the concept of scientific reforms.

The reforms are aimed at forming a universal system of state management
of Armenia’s scientific sector, enhancing the efficiency of scientific
institutions, modernizing the infrastructure and material and technical
base, specifying the major scientific fields to be developed in
Armenia, integrating science and education and commercializing
scientific products. P.T.