Month: April 2007

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNS ELECTION PLANS IN SEPARATIST KARABAKH

Day.az website, Baku
5 Apr 07

5 April: "The so-called election in the self-styled republic is
not valid and subsequently, it will not have legal outcomes,"
Xazar Ibrahim, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s
press and information policy department, has said in a comment on
"the presidential election" in the unrecognized "Nagornyy Karabakh
republic" scheduled for 19 July.

Ibrahim said that the separatists had tried earlier to hold all
possible elections and referendums and other similar events on
the occupied Azerbaijani territories but their moves have never
been recognized by the international community and international
organizations.

Ibrahimli said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have always said that the
elections in the Nagornyy Karabakh are not valid: "We are confident
that this election will also not be recognized by the international
community."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AS OF APRIL 4, OBSERVERS OF 13 LOCAL AND 4 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS REGISTERED AT RA CEC

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Central Electoral Commission
(CEC) refused on April 4 the accreditation applications of the
"Scarp Resort Center" and "Syuniats Ashkarh" educational-cultural
and social NGOs for implementing observations at the parliamentary
elections. The reason is absence of issues of democracy and human
rights protection in the latters’ regulations. As a result of an
additional study of the regulations of the "Gyumri Students’ Council"
NGO, the CEC decided to accredit the latter’s observers.

So, observers of 13 local and 4 international organizations have
already been accredited to implement observation mission at the
parliamentary elections.

The deadline for accreditation of observers is May 2.

VLADIMIR RUSHAYLO: WE CONNECT GREAT HOPES WITH APPOINTMENT OF SERGE SARGSIAN TO POST OF RA PRIME MINISTER

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "We perceived with regret and pain
the news of untimely death of Andranik Margarian, with whom we had
worked for a very long time and considered him a very effective Prime
Minister," Vladimir Rushaylo, Secretary of CIS Executive Committee,
stated in his interview to journalists on April 5. In his words,
they connect great hopes with Serge Sargsian’s appointment to the
post of Armenian Prime Minister. "We know Serge Sargsian well from
his previous activity, we constantly keep in touch with each other. I
positively estimate this appointment and think that we will hope for
greater effectiveness in our joint work," V. Rushaylo mentioned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TERM OF ARREST OF VARDAN MALKHASIAN ACCUSED OF MAKING APPEALS FOR SEIZING STATE POWER BY FORCE PROLONGED BY TWO MONTHS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Yerevan Kentron and Nork-Marash
communities’ first instance court presided over by judge Edik Avetisian
by its April 5 decision prolonged by another two months the term of
arrest of Vardan Malkhasian accused of making appeals for seizing state
power by force. V. Malkhasian and Coordinator of Defence of Liberated
Territories public initiative Zhirayr Sefilian are accused by the
criminal case instituted by RA National Security Service. The day
before the same court prolonged the term of Z. Sefilian’s arrest, too.

As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by V. Malkhasian’s defender
Mushegh Shushanian, the court did not take into consideration his
petition to replace arrest by pledge. He also said that V. Malkhasian
was registered as candidate for deputacy by majoritarian system by
district electoral commission N 14 and candidates for deputacy should
enjoy equal rights.

M. Shushanian also said that he will appeal against the decision of
first instance court at the Appeal Court for Criminal Cases.

CIS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’S OBSERVATION MISSION PLANS TO VISIT ALL 41 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS ON DAY OF RA NA ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The observation mission of CIS Executive
Committee plans to visit all of 41 electoral districts and over 60%
polling stations on the day of RA NA elections, May 12. Vladimir
Rushaylo, observation mission’s head, Secretary of CIS Executive
Committee, informed journalists on April 5 after his meeting with
Chairman of RA CEC.

In his words, 9 CIS member-countries have expressed readiness to
implement observation mission at Armenian parliamentary elections. It
was mentioned that the mission will hold long-lasting observations
in the preelection period.

The issue of bringing the number of observers accredited in CEC in
advance from 8 to 29 has been already coordinated for this purpose. The
number of observers carrying out observation on the day of voting
has not been made clear yet, but in V. Rushaylo’s words, it is no
less than 150 and even more.

V. Rushaylo said that the observation mission has started studying RA
Electoral Code. In his words, the most important task of CIS observers
is to find out correspondence of elections to the Electoral Code of
the country. He also said that in its activity the mission will be
guided by legal norms regulating international observation missions’
activity. V. Rushaylo stressed that the task of the mission headed
by him is to reveal the possible shortcomings and to find out their
character, as well as possible influence of the latters on election
results.

The observation mission of CEC Executive Committee will make a final
statement the day following summing up the results of elections. In
V. Rushaylo’s words, it will be based on the conclusion of the
coordinating council composed of CEC representatives of CIS
member-countries.

In response to the question about essentially differing conclusions of
CIS and OSCE observers about elections held in post-Soviet countries
in the past years, which , V. Rushaylo said that he does not comment
upon activity of other observation missions. He categorically refuted
the rumors that CIS observers usually make up the draft conclusion
in advance mentioning that it is impossible even if because deputies
of different CIS countries are included in the mission, and it is
impossible to instruct them.

As the Secretary of CIS Executive Committee affirmed, no "absolutely
sterile" elections are held in any country of the world, and there
are always some technical shortcomings and omissions. V. Rushaylo who
has personally observed at least 16-17 elections in CIS countries,
assured that usually the shortcomings did not have a systematic
character and had no impact on election results.

RUBEN SAFRASTIAN CONSIDERS THAT ARMENIA SHOULD RENOUNCE COMPLEMENTARY POLICY

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. "Simultaneously with the growing
aggravation of American-Iranian relations, another important tendency
is also noticed in our region: dispersal of the South Caucasus, and
Turkey greatly supports this." Professor Ruben Safrastian, Director
of Institute of Oriental Studies of RA National Academy of Sciences,
stated this at the April 5 press conference.

In his words, Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey union has started to be
outlined very exactly in the recent months. This union is based on
the factor of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku
railway corridor. R. Safrastian said that the process of establishment
of close relations among these states was outlined after aggravation
of Russian-Georgian relations. In his opinion, these three countries
are establishing close relations with the West, which "apparently
showed a green light to their unification."

As regards the issue, whether Turkey managed to fulfil its old striving
– to gain a firm hold in the South Caucasus, the scientist said that
such a conclusion is premature. "Geopolitical struggle for our region
is going on today, defeats of Turkish diplomacy are also possible here
and I do not exclude even the respective anti-measures by Russia,"
R. Safrastian stated. In his estimation, a new stage of coldness
starts in Russian-Turkish relations.

In connection with the issue, how much justified the complementary
course of foreign policy carried on by Armenia will prove to be under
the formed conditions, the scientist said that strengthening of tension
in relations betwen U.S. and Iran, as well as region’s dispersion will
make RA reconsider this course and start a more active policy based
on preservation of balance." If we continue carrying on complementary
policy, our positions in the region will weaken for even more, we
will become more isolated and our allies will turn their back upon us."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN CAN MAKE USE OF WAR OF U.S. AGAINST IRAN AND ATTACK NKR, PROFESSOR RUBEN SAFRASTIAN STATES

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. No war will start in Iran in the
nearest time, as all diplomatic abilities have not been exhausted
yet. Professor Ruben Safrastian, Director of Institute of Oriental
Studies of RA National Academy of Sciences, gave assurance at the
April 5 press conference. In his words, Iran’s isolation did not
reach the extent when U.S. could use military force.

R. Safrastian mentioned that Iran has diplomatic practice of many
years, which can play an "excellent role" in neutralization of
American diplomatic efforts. In the scientist’s words, in all cases
we can expect final developments of this process only in late May.

As regards possible influence on the South Caucasus of military blow
of U.S. upon Iran, R. Safrastian mentioned that Iran is an important
factor of stability in the region. However, if the latter concentrates
only on solution of its own problems, to which U.S. force it, no doubt,
this will have a negative consequence on the region. "Iran’s not giving
up its positions proceeds from national interests of Armenia, as Iran
is a serious counterbalance to influence of Turkey and Azerbaijan in
the region."

R. Safrastian did not exclude that if the American-Iranian
contradictions reach their culminating point, Azerbaijan can make
use of the chaotic situation formed in the region and organize armed
attack on Nagorno Karabakh. So, the Armenian side should be ready
for such development of events as well.

SERGE SARGSIAN IS APPOINTED RA PRIME MINISTER

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian signed
a decree on April 4 on appointing Serge Sargsian the Prime Minister
of the Republic of Armenia, releasing him from the acting RA Defence
Minister’s duties.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, by
the RA President’s another decree of the same day, S. Sargsian was
discharged from the post of the Secretary of the RA National Security
Council attached to President.

Serge Azat Sargsian’s biographic data:

He was born on June 30, 1954, in the city of Stepanakert, Nagorno
Karabakh.

He entered the Yerevan State University in 1971.

He served at the USSR Armed Forces in 1972-1974.

Graduated from the Philological Faculty of the Yerevan State University
in 1979.

Worked as a turner at the Electrotechnical Factory of Yerevan in
1975-1979.

He was the Department Chief of the LCYU Stepanakert Political
Committee, then its Second Secretary, First Secretary, Propaganda and
Agitation Department Chief of the Stepanakert Political Committee
of the Communist Party, the Assistant First Secretary of the NKR
Regional Committee.

He headed the NKR Self-Defence Forces Committee in 1989-1993.

He was elected a deputy of the Supreme Council of Armenia in 1990.

He was the RA Defence Minister in 1993-1995.

He was the RA State Security Department Chief, then National Security
Minister in 1995-1996.

Was the RA Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security in
1996-1999.

Was the RA National security Minister in 1999-1999.

Was the head of the RA President’s staff in 1999-2000.

He has been the Secretary of the RA National Security Council attached
to President since 1999.

He has been the RA Defence Minister since 2000.

Serge Sargsian is the RA "Martakan Khach" (Martial Cross) first level
order-bearer, Artsakh hero, "Voske Artsiv" (Gold Eagle) order-bearer.

Serge Sargsian was awarded the "Tigran Mets" (Tigran the Great) order
in September, 2006, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the
RA independence.

He has been a member of the Republican Party of Armenia since 2006.

Was elected the RPA Council Chairman on June 22, 2006.

Married, has two daughters, one grandchild.

DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR REGISTRATION OF 102 CANDIDATES BEFOREHAND NOMINATED FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS BY PROPORTIONAL ELECTORAL SYSTEM NOT PRESENTED TO CEC

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Central Electoral Commission
(CEC) registered on April 4 electoral lists of the 24 parties and
1 alliance placed orders for participation in the parliamentary
elections by the proportional electoral system. 1314 candidates for
deputy were in total registered by the proportional electoral system,
instead of the 1416 ones nominated beforehand.

The parties did not present the CEC documents necessary for
registration of 102 candidates.

The only not registered candidate of the Republican Party of Armenia
was RA Prime Minister, party Chairman Andranik Margarian, suddenly
died on March 25.

The electoral lists of the Armenian National Movement and Orinats
Yerkir (Country of Law) parties underwent the most number of
changes. The latters nominated but did not present necessary documents
for registration of correspondingly 13 and 11 candidates. Particularly,
Artur Haroutiunian, the Chairman of the Amasia territorial organization
of the party, Armen Zurabian, the Director of the "Hayk" Editorial
Office" LTD remained out of the ANM list, and NA deputy, party member
Gagik Avetian, party Board member Victor Martirosian remained out
of the OYP list. As OYP Deputy Chairwoman Geghine Bisharian informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, the mentioned 2 people did not present
the party documents necessary for registration of their candidatures.

TERM OF ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN’S ARREST PROLONGED FOR OTHER 2 MONTHS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 05 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Court of 1st Instance of the Yerevan
communities of Kentron and Nork Marash prolonged on April 4 for other
2 months the term of arrest of Zhirayr Sefilian, the coordinators of
the "In Defence of Liberated Territories" public initiative. As the
Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by Zh. Sefilian’s defender
Ara Zakarian, they intend to appeal the court decision at the Court
of Appeal on Criminal Cases.

To recap, coordinator of the "In Defence of Liberated Territories"
public initiative, commander of the "Shushi" battalion was arrested
on December 10, 2006 and accused of making public statements on
calls addresssed to violently changing the RA constitutional order
(Article 301 of the RA Criminal Code).