Month: April 2007

"OBSERVERS WILL NOT PURSUE GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS"

A1+
[05:00 pm] 25 April, 2007

The RoA law enforcement bodies haven’t studied the recent case of
hindering the campaign of the Heritage Party, reported on April 20
at Avan Community of Yerevan.

Reminder; the party volunteers were distributing pre-election
booklets when four young men drove up in a BMW car and seized all
the booklets. The owner of the car is Robert Petrosyan who lives in
the neighborhood.

During the incident Raffi Hovannisian was in the Armenian
regions. Later on, he went to the Police and the mayor of Avan for
apology and compensation for the damage.

"The march towards victory continues, the election campaign of the
party is gathering momentum and goes on with positive emotions,"
says the leader of the Heritage.

Raffi Hovannisian states that there are no equal opportunities,
parties are denied access to halls for rallies and advertisement is
limited. Even if there is a preliminary arrangement, the municipalities
and privately-owned companies refuse to place the advertisements
of the Heritage Party. There are other minor obstacles, such as
"medieval mayors who think their territory is their kingdom."

Moreover, Armenians are alienated from political hustle and bustle,
they don’t believe in the country’s future well-being.

Regardless of the current inequality, Mr Hovannisian is convinced that
"within the short period of the election campaign we can shape new
political culture."

"The parliamentary election should be free, the best for the
Armenians. And like for the presidential election, the Heritage Party
believes it is not important "who will be elected, it is important
that people elect."

The leader of the Heritage says this time the observers will not pursue
geopolitical interests, and they should be viewed as partners. "They
will watch the elections as they are well aware of our interior
problems."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEPUTY ARRESTED

A1+
[06:05 pm] 25 April, 2007

Nairi Iritsyan, a member of "United Javakhk" Democratic Alliance
Presidium and a deputy of the Akhalkalaki sakrebulo (the local
representative self-government body) and Arthur Poghosyan, an activist
of the alliance, were arrested at 10:00 p.m. April 24.

A few hours ago the detainees were taken to Akhaltskha, the centre
of Samtskhe-Javakhk.

According to some sources, the reason for Nairi Iritsyan and
Arthur Poghosyan’s arrest was the recent incident with the driver
of the Akhalkalaki regional prosecutor. Yesterday the prosecutor’s
driver knocked down Andranik Abelyan, a member of "United Javakhk"
Democratic Alliance and deputy of Akhalkalaki regional sakrebulo in
Azatutyutyun Street.

Further on, the driver picked up a raw with Nairi Iritsyan and Arthur
Poghosyan who rushed to help, report the witnesses.

It is noteworthy that the members of United Javakhk were returning
from Samsa village. They had attended an event dedicated to the
Armenian Genocide victims during which a monument to the Genocide
victims was unveiled.

Reminder; Nairi Iritsyan was the Mayor of Akhalkalak in 2003-2006
and is one of the founders of "United Javakhk" Democratic Alliance.

ERROR IS RECTIFIED

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[07:46 pm] 25 April, 2007

OSCE Minsk group American Co-Chair Mettew Bryza says that they have
admitted and corrected the mistake related to the interpretation of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict in the U.S. State Department’s annual report.

"The former version of the report was incorrect. Taking into
consideration the current phase of the negotiations I can say that
the mistake was our fault. Currently, the conflicting sides conduct
negotiations to decide Nagorno Karabakh’s status. We cannot predict the
outcome of the negotiations," Azerbaijani sources report Bryza’s words.

The American Co-Chair assures that the USA hasn’t changed its
stance towards Azerbaijan. "Even Azerbaijan’s map on the US State
Department’s website will convince the viewers that America recognizes
the territorial wholeness of Azerbaijan."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSKANIAN MET WITH SEMNEBY

A1+
[08:59 pm] 25 April, 2007

RoA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with Peter Semneby, EU Special
Envoy for South Caucasus. Reminder; Vartan Oskanian is in Belgium for
a working visit. The parties dwelt on regional issues, Armenian-Turkish
relations and the RA NA upcoming parliamentary elections.

Mr Semneby emphasized that the EU countries and the European
Commission highlight the conduction of the elections in compliance
with international standards. In this regard, he urged the Armenian
officialdom to take measures to avoid election frauds. Mr Oskanian
assured that all the necessary conditions are provided to have free
and fair elections.

MARKET RELATIONS REIGN IN ARMENIA

A1+
[08:46 pm] 25 April, 2007

Today Arshak Sadoyan, the leader of the Alliance of National Democrats
(AND) and the second candidate on the proportional ticket of the
Democratic Way Party (DWP), arrived at the Mirror Club in a new car.

Arshak Sadoyan’s car aroused great interest among the journalists. They
wondered whether the car was a gift by the acting authorities or
whether Arshak Sadoyan bought it himself.

Arshak Sadoyan gave diplomatic answers to the questions.

The club also hosted NA MP Garnik Isagulyan. The parties debated on
the pre-election campaign.

In Sadoyan’s opinion "market relations reign everywhere, namely in
election procedures. There is apparent public is polarization." To
testify to his words, Mr Sadoyan referred to the high tariffs of
political ads which exceed the tariffs of commercial ads.

To recover the mistake of the television, DWP "does assiduous work"
wandering through Armenian regions. Very often people wonder whether
Sadoyan participates in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The
reason for the public ignorance is the two-minute coverage of the
election campaign.

Garnik Isagiulyan emphasized the work of parties’ local
structures. "The parties that once opened local structures will face
fewer difficulties during the election campaign and they will overcome
the 5 per cent threshold easily," he says.

Later on, Mr Isagulyan started a series of advice which in his opinion
will be helpful to the oppositional forces during the election. Mr
Isagulyan finds the opposition’s separation a mistake but the acting
authorities aren’t guilty of it.

Arshak Sadoyan intends to send a letter to US State Secretary
Condoleeza Rice stating that no businessman dares to sponsor the RoA
opposition as it could threaten his business.

Mr Isagulyan opposed to Mr Sadoyan in this view saying that Ms Rice
can hardly do anything; the opposition must work intensively with
the local structures.

On this score Arshak Sadoyan noted that over 100-200 USD is required
to rent an area for headquarters.

In Mr Sadoyan’s opinion, DWP will enjoy 10-12% votes in May 12
elections.

SIX PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS WIN GRANTS FROM WORLD BANK

Panorama.am
19:30 25/04/2007

Today Yerevan Office of World Bank and Armenian Office of Foundation
for Support to Open Society Institute announced results of competition
for Small Grants 2007.

Six public organizations are declared winners, among them Yerevan
Forests, Goris Press Club, Comprehensive Life, Social Dialogue Center,
We Plus, and Planet of Childhood.

The winners were chosen among some 80 applications.

GODFREY EXPECTS POLITICAL WILL FROM AUTHORITIES

Panorama.am
19:31 25/04/2007

Anthony Godfrey, charge d’affairs of U.S. ambassador in Armenia,
voiced his belief at Central Election Committee today that
sufficient conditions are created for "free, fair and transparent
elections." However, he said the authorities must demonstrate
"political will" and the public must go to elections. "I am optimistic
on what I see," he said. Godfrey also said they rely on OSCE/ODHIR
reports.

TOROSYAN SENDS CONDOLENCES TELEGRAMS ON YELTSIN’S DEATH

Panorama.am
19:32 25/04/2007

Today Tigran Torosyan, speaker of the Armenian parliament, sent
condolences telegrams to Boris Grizlov, Russian State Duma chairman,
and Sergei Mironov, Federation Council chairman, on Boris Yeltsin’s
death. Torosyan pinpointed to the great role Yeltsin played in
development of Armenian-Russian ties.

The speaker rendered his condolences to "Russian nation, relatives
and friends of Boris Nikolaevich."

PRIME MINISTER MAKES NOTES IN MOURNING RECORD

Panorama.am
20:15 25/04/2007

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan visited today the embassy
of Russia in Armenia and expressed condolences on first Russian
President Boris Yeltsin’s death. Government press services report
that the prime minister pinpointed that "Yeltsin was a person close to
the outset of Russian democracy" and "a person with a vivid trace in
the history." Prime minister noted that everyone loved and respected
Yeltsin in Armenia. He underscored the great role Yeltsin played in
Russian-Armenian relations.

SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT RECEIVES NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF ITALY

Panorama.am
18:44 25/04/2007

Tigran Torosyan, speaker of the National Assembly, received today
Masimo Lavetso Kasinely, newly appointed ambassador of Italy in the
Republic of Armenia. Congratulating the ambassador, the speaker voiced
his assurance that the appointment will contribute to Armenian-Italian
relations. "We have long-lasting relations, which are not only deep
and close but also obligatory in terms of development the current
relations," Torosyan said.

The ambassador voiced his readiness to step up Armenian-Italian
relations as much as possible.