Month: March 2007

A1+

ARONYAN SURRENDERS
[01:27 pm] 26 March, 2007

Levon Aronyan was practically deprived of the chance
to win in the chess international tournament held in
Monte Carlo. Though Aronyan beat Morozovich 1.5:0.5 in
the 8th tour, he was beaten by Kramnik and Svidler
prior to his victory.

Currently Armenian GM Aronyan shares the 4th place
with Svidler, with 9.5 points each. Vladimir Kramnik
tops the meeting list with 12 points.

Anand is the second with 10.5 points.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1+

BALANCE BROKEN
[03:38 pm] 26 March, 2007

Aram Manukyan, member of the All-Armenian National
Movement, condoles with Andranik Margaryan’s family
and friends. He maintains that the prime minister’s
premature decease is a great loss for the political
sphere of the country.

`Regardless of the fact that the All-Armenian National
Movement often criticized the prime minister’s
actions, Andranik Margaryan was capable of balancing
the pro-governmental forces and finding a common
language,’ Mr. Manoukyan told A1+. Andranik
Margaryan’s death will affect on the dialogue between
various political powers

`Andranik Margaryan’s activity guaranteed tolerance in
the political sphere. He never criticized any party
explicitly and always created an atmosphere of mutual
respect and understanding,’ claims Aram Manukyan.

Mr. Manukyan is convinced that Andranik Margaryan’s
death will have its negative impact on the May 12
parliamentary elections. `The equilibrium will be
undermined as currently two parties are struggling
with each other; Republican Party and Prosperous
Armenia’.

A1+

LAST FAREWELL IN THE HOUSE OF OPERA AND BALLET
[10:59 am] 26 March, 2007

The state special commission at the head of RA NA
Speaker Tigran Torosyan, informs that the civil
funeral of the Armenian Prime Minster will take place
at Sayat-Nova 8, Avan District, at 5:00 p.m., on March
27.

The last farewell will take place in the Academic
Opera and Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendaryan at
12:00 p.m., on March 28. The funeral will take place
in the Pantheon after Komitas at 3:00 p.m.

President Kocharyan’s condolence to Andranik Margaryan’s family

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 10:11

President Robert Kocharyan sent a message of condolence to the family
of Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The message says, `I deeply
mourn the untimely death of Andranik Margaryan, the Prime Minister of
the Republic of Armenia,

prominent statesmen and my beloved friend. His death is a heavy loss
not only for Margaryan family, but also for the whole Armenian
people. I express my deep compassion and wish you patience and
strength of spirit. Andranik Margaryan’s memory will remain bright in
the heart of our people.’

US Charge d’Affaires expresses condolence

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 10:16

US Charge d’Affaires, Anthony Godfrey issued a message of condolence
connected with the death of RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The
message says,

`The United States joins Armenians in mourning the untimely loss of
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. We honor Prime Minister Margaryan’s
lifelong contributions to Armenian life, from his work with the
dissident National Unity Party during the 1960s and 1970s, through
independent Armenia’s emergence from Soviet rule, and as the head of
government since 2000. The prime minister has been a valuable partner
of the United States, especially in his capacity as Chairman of the
Governing Council of the Millennium Challenge Account – Armenia, which
was built on a firm organizational foundation. I would like to extend
my condolences to the Armenian people on this sad day.’

National Democratic Party expresses condolence

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 12:10

The National Democratic Party expressed condolence connected with the
untimely death of the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
conveying its compassion to Andranik Margaryan’s family, relatives,
Armenian people and the Republican Party of Armenia.

The message of condolence says, `In the course of years RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan greatly contributed to the state-political
life of our country. He passed away untimely, but he managed to
participate in the fulfillment of his dream ` the establishment of the
independent Republic of Armenia.’

Tigran Torosyan: We should find strength to continue his work

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 11:02

`The untimely death of the President of the Republican Party of
Armenia, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is an extremely great loss
for his friends, since the recent achievements and successes of the
party and the republics are connected with his name, said the Speaker
of the National Assembly of Armenia, Vice-President of the Republican
Party Council Tigran Torosyan. According to him, Andranik Margaryan
was not only a great politician and statesman, but also a man ready to
listen even to his opponent and rival, to every citizen.

He always stood for his tolerance and care for people. `Really, this
is a very great loss for all of us. However, I think the party, his
friends and family should find the strength to continue his work. This
will be the best tribute to the memory of Andranik Margaryan,’ said
Tigran Torosyan.

The visit of Robert Simmons postponed

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 12:20

The visit of the Special Representative of the NAO Secretary General for the
South Caucasus Robert Simmons to Yerevan has been postponed because of the
untimely death of the Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, Mediamax
reports.

New terms of the visit have not been fixed yet.

OSCE Office in Yerevan supports publications on elections

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 13:13

The electoral process in Armenia, as well as the corresponding
legislation and its practical implementation during the 12 May
parliamentary elections are the focus of two new publications
presented in Yerevan today.

The publications were prepared by a group of experts from the NGO
Democracy in co-operation with the Armenian Central Electoral
Commission, and published with financial support from the OSCE Office
in Yerevan and the Italian Government.

`The importance of proper education and training for election
officials is crucial for ensuring professionally administered
elections,’ said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE
Office.

`The new publications will be useful not only for professionals
involved in the electoral process, but also for voters in general.’

Garegin Azaryan, the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission,
added: `I believe the manuals will help all those involved in the
electoral process to fulfill their functions in line with the Armenian
legislation, will contribute to improvement of election
administration.’

The first publication, a guide for Precinct Election Commission (PEC)
members, will be used during training courses organized by the Central
Electoral Commission with the assistance of the International
Foundation for Election Systems prior to elections. It provides the
necessary information on the functions of PEC members, as well as the
rights and responsibilities of all sides involved in the electoral
process.

The second publication provides a comprehensive analysis of electoral
legislation and its application. It also introduces recommendations
on the settlement of electoral disputes in line with the existing
legislation, and describes potential conflict situations during
elections, and provides advice on how to solve them within the limits
of the existing election procedures.

The two manuals have a circulation of 20,000 copies each.

President Kocharyan accepted the resignation of the Government

ArmRadio.am
26.03.2007 14:33

RA Government held an extraordinary sitting today, chaired by
President Robert Kocharyan. With a silence minute the government
respected the memory of RA Prime Minister who died of heart attack on
March 25. `We have lost a statesman, colleague and friend who headed
the Armenian Government for 7 years in the 15 years’ history of our
Independence, and these seven years were the best in the history of
our state. Even occupying this high position, he remained modest and
tolerant. We all shall remember him primarily for his human
characteristics. Andranik Margaryan left us at a very responsible
moment, and we as a government should find correct solutions to come
out of the current situation,’ President Robert Kocharyan told members
of the Government.

In compliance with Article 55 of RA Constitution, the President
accepted the resignation of the Government. The President instructed
the resigned members of the Government to continue their work before
the formation of a new government. He underlined that the ministries
and agencies have a lot to do in the framework of the annual agenda of
the government.