Month: June 2009

RANDOM CHECK-UPS AT THE ELECTORS’ ADDRESSES WILL GIVE NO RESULTS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 19:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At today’s news conference organized by "Transparency
International Armenia" and "Armenian Committee of Helsinki Civil
Assembly" Vanadzor Office, organizations’ leaders made statements
on numerous violations during yesterday’s elections into the Council
of Elders.

"Never in their lives did our observers feel so ashamed," "Armenian
Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly" Vanadzor Office Coordinator
Arthur Sakunts spoke of the elections.

Bakunts expressed his readiness to visit voters at their apartments
to clarify whether they participated in the elections, using the help
of police and public prosecutor’s office representatives.

Yet Amaliya Kostanyan, "Transparency International Armenia" Chairman,
voiced her doubts about effectiveness of check up, noting that "people
are scared, and the check up will give no results". She also stated
that she sees no opportunity to collaborate with state authorities,
believing such attempts to be futile.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH TIES NORMALIZATION DEEMED AS FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 19:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The recent announcement on normalizing
Turkish-Armenian relations is a potentially historic
breakthrough. However, the lack of progress in implementing the
"framework agreement" raises questions about Turkey’s intentions and
resolve, Columbia University expert David Philips says in an article
published in Boston Globe. "During the conflict in Karabakh, Turkey
closed border with Armenia in support of Azerbaijan. In the meantime,
Armenian-Turkish conflict has lasted many years because of Turkey’s
negation of Armenian Genocide during World War I," Philips writes.

After meeting with Turkish officials on April 7 in Istanbul,
Obama concluded that resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh was not
a formal precondition for normalization and recognition. But
as a practical matter it is a deal-breaker, the expert further
notes. "Armenian and Azerbaijani negotiators agree on ‘basic ideas’
for resolving Nagorno-Karabakh’s status. But Turkey responded that
Ankara’s interests cannot be held hostage by Azerbaijan forever. As
regards Obama administration, it is committed to good relations
with Turkey and Armenia. Both are US allies and help counter global
extremism. Therefore, US mediation is indispensable to the agreement
on normalization and recognition," Philips stresses.

RESULTS OF CONTEST DEDICATED TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMED UP IN RA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 19:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In honor of Council of Europe’s 60th anniversary,
a composition contest entitled "How would you characterize a true
citizen of Europe?" was announced in CE member states among young
people aged 10-18.

RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan congratulated
the winners.

In 3 age groups, the winners are: Brusov Yerevan Linguistic Institute
student Artsrun Khanjyan, Anahit Hovhannesyan (Abovyan School N2),
Marietta Gevorgyan (Vardenis School N 2).

Menua Sahakyan and Karen Grigoryan received special prizes from
contest committee.

The winner will be invited to Strasburg to participate in festive
events dedicated to Council of Europe’s 60th anniversary.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPOSITION HOLDS MEETING NEAR MATENADARAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 20:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today, about 07:00 p.m., Armenian National Congress
(ANC) started a meeting in Yerevan, with the participation of around
5 thousand people. In his speech delivered near Matenadaran institute
of ancient manuscripts, ANC coordinator Levon Zourabyan announced
that Yerevan would today be full of flags had the victory been
real. "Armenian authorities have managed to create a totalitarian
system of vote count. The possess accurate data on the persons selling
their votes and the prices offered. The entire state-government system
has one objective – to falsify elections," he said.

Zourabyan also said their party had been warned against interfering
in elections. But ANC finds elections to be the only way for making
people’s voice heard by political forces. "A leading political force
should always conduct its battle while being close to people. We
have considerable achievements; we were able make an advance steps
towards elaborating election mechanisms, and we’ll need that in future"
Zourabyan added. Opposition activist believes authorities have this
time managed to impose their rules on ANC. Anyway, he expressed
confidence of winning the final battle.

GENERAL MOTORS DECLARED BANKRUPTCY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 20:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Major American auto maker General Motors declared
bankruptcy – the largest in US history. The decision, supported by
government, was long expected – company’s sales suffered a major slump
within lasts years. Debts of around $170 billion twice exceeded its
market value. Supposedly, 60% of company’s stocks will be redeemed
by the government, who’ve extended a serious monetary support to
General Motors.

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION WAIVES ALL MANDATES OBTAINED AFTER ELECTIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 20:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the meeting held today in Yerevan,
ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared of opposition’s intention
to waive all mandates obtained after elections to Yerevan Elder’s
Council. Armenian opposition, he said, will not start dialogue with
authorities and any document signed with President will have no legal
force for it.

According to CEC preliminary results, parties topping the are:
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) – 190171 votes (47.39%), "Prosperous
Armenia" – 91141 votes (22.71%) and Armenian national Congress –
69871 votes (17.41%).

EU CONSIDERS ANY ELECTIONS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS ILLEGITIMATE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 21:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The European Union does not accept the legality
of the ‘elections’, nor its results. The vote represents a setback
in the search for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the situation
in Georgia," runs the statement.

"The EU reiterates its firm support for sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders,"
Civil.ge reports, quoting Czech Presidency’s statement.

PUBLIC COUNCIL TO BE FORMED AT RA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 21:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Based on demands arising in the process of reforms
in RA defense sphere as well as the need for strengthening of public
control over RA Armed Forces, defense of rights and freedoms of those
serving in the Army, a Public Council will be formed at RA Ministry
of Defense. The Council will involve representatives of science,
education, ecology, sports, healthcare, Armenian Apostolic Church,
culture, NGOs and national minorities residing in Armenia, RA Ministry
of Defense Press Service reported.

Those wishing to become affiliate members of Public Council, should
file in necessary documents to RA Ministry of Defense.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"KOMITAS" ARMENIAN CULTURAL UNION FOUNDED IN HOLLAND

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.06.2009 21:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Komitas Armenian Cultural House was opened in
Zutphen. Opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Mayor’s
Office and Armenian Organizations in Holland.

Catholic church choir gave concert, performing songs by Armenian and
Dutch composers.

In their speeches, participants stressed the importance of Armenian
community’s contribution to cultural ties between two states.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS REGISTER THAT THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF ELECTIONS CORRESPONDS TO EUROPEAN STANDARDS

ARMENPRESS
June 1, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS: The observing mission of CoE Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities welcomes the first elections of
Council of Yerevan Elders.

"We express satisfaction that the Yerevan citizens elect their
council and that the process was conducted in a normal way. The
congress delegation welcomes the fact that by these elections Armenia
on its own possibilities contributed to the implementation of local
democracy. On the whole the elections were positive," during today’s
press conference organized for the presentation of the initial report
the head of observing mission Nayjel Mermagen (UK) said.

According to him, the general organization of the elections
corresponded to the international standards. A considerable progress is
registered compared with the 2008 elections of local self governmental
bodies held in Yerevan.

"The congress delegation also noted that those who have their role in
politics in Armenia must change their attitude and behavior to ensure
the improvement of democratic process of elections. The elections
have to be clear, fair and transparent even out of the polling station
and an electoral culture must be formed," N. Mermagen noted.

The observers registered certain flaws in the election process. They
will involve all the details, all the registered flaws in their final
report which cannot affect the legality of the election results. Noting
that some flaws carried an organizational character N. Mermagen did
not wish to go into details today.

Observers representing the United Kingdom, France, Estonia, Hungary,
San Marino, Poland, Italy and Belgium were present in the polling
stations before their opening, walked round more than 200-230
stations being present from 5 minutes to two hours, in some places
they visited for the second time unexpectedly, they were also present
at the closing of stations and final calculation.

CoE Congress of Local and Regional Authorities was the only
organization which had an international observation mission. From May
3-6 the Congress delegates observed the pre-election procedures but
the short-term observers were in Yerevan from May 27 by now. They met
the representatives of authorities, opposition, mass media, NGOs and
Ambassadors accredited in Armenia.

The Congress observers are ready to listen to notifications of any
organization which will be taken into account in the final document. It
will be presented during the autumn session of the Congress in mid
October.

"The CoE wishes to see the consolidation of democracy in Armenia. Our
presence in these elections as well as the report to be prepared will
contribute to the consolidation of democracy," head of the Congress
delegation noted.