Author: Andres-Papazian

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD MAKE ADEQUATE APPRAISAL OF RIGGED ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN, ARFD MEMBER SAYS

news.am
Nov 8 2010
Armenia

Flagrant violations were registered in Azerbaijani parliamentary
elections on November 7. The elections were rigged and held under the
pressure on the opposition, MP from Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) Hrayr Karapetyan told a press conference
on Monday.

According to him, the oppositional representatives who entered the
Parliament are “moderate figures” not radicals. The international
community must make an adequate appraisal of the rigged elections in
Azerbaijan, Karapetyan stressed.

“In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the elections in
Nagorno-Karabakh, which were held freely, transparently, in conformity
with democratic standards, considering the fact that Azerbaijan is
a recognized state, whereas the world community does not recognize
Karabakh ” he emphasized.

On November 7, the ruling Yeni Musavat party won the parliamentary
elections in Azerbaijan. According to Azerbaijani oppositional
representatives, numerous violations were registered in the elections.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN SHOULD TRY TO ADOPT MORE COMPROMISING POSITION, EXPERT SAYS

news.am
Nov 8 2010
Armenia

Humanitarian agreements reached in Astrakhan, in particular those
to ensure stability on the border, will be strengthened in Astana,
Gagik Harutyunyan, Director of the Noravank research center told
journalists Nov. 8.

The expert thinks that Azerbaijan must seriously think over the
situation. Although Armenians complain about being surrounded by not
friendly states, Azerbaijan’s situation is not better, he added.

According to him, presently Azerbaijan has serious problems with
its neighbors, particularly Armenia and Iran. Attempts to create
confederation with Georgia is an information illusion, Azerbaijan
cannot go deeper in this direction. “Georgians realize that such
alliance will work to the detriment of Georgia. Therefore, Azerbaijan
should try to adopt a more compromising position during forthcoming
meetings on the Karabakh issue,” Harutyunyan concluded.

From: A. Papazian

ONE MORE ARMENIAN CAPTIVE PROVED TO BE IN AZERBAIJAN

news.az
Nov 8 2010
Azerbaijan

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
met with Armenian citizens detained in Azerbaijan.

Spokeswoman for ICRC Office in Baku Ilaha Huseynova said the meeting
took place on November 5. ICRC representatives visited six prisoners
of war and six civilians detained in Azerbaijan and took interest in
their detention conditions and health.

Five of the six civilians are the members of same family. Name of
other civilian was not publicized. It is not known when and how he
crossed into the Azerbaijani side.

There are six prisoners of war and six civilians of Armenia in
Azerbaijan. Armenian citizens Yegishe, Ruzanna, Alfred, Gayane and
Petros Gevorkian are the members of same family. They crossed into the
Azerbaijani side in January, 2010. Three of captives (Grant Markosyan,
Alik Tevosian and Arthur Sargsyan) crossed into the Azerbaijani side
in February 2009, two (Ohan Arutunyan and Gevork Tovmasyan) in May
2009 and another one (Karen Arutunyan) in July 2009.

From: A. Papazian

FREQUENCY OF USAGE OF SNIPER’S WEAPONS BY AZERBAIJAN INCREASES

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: The number of cases of violation
of the ceasefire regime in the Karabakhi-Azerbaijani contact line
decreased last week.

An official from the press service of the NKR Defense Army told
Armenpress that a week before the number of cases of the ceasefire
violations by the opponent was 165, and last week the number decreased
by 60. However the Azerbaijani party increased the frequency of usage
of sniper’s weapons.

There was some notable activity by the Azerbaijani air forces along
the border contact line. During spy flights the opponent applied both
military planes and pilotless vehicles.

The full land and air security of Artsakh was ensured due to proper
response-activities of the NKR Defense Army’s front units and
anti-aircraft forces. The Azerbaijani defense post units were given
proper responses in case of necessity.

From: A. Papazian

EUROPEAN UNION TO DISCUSS ONGOING AND FUTURE INVESTMENT PROJECTS IN ARMENIA

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: On 8-9 November representatives of
the European Union will visit Armenia to start the implementation
of a project on the rehabilitation of the Yerevan metro and discuss
an agreement on a water supply and rehabilitation project with
municipalities in Armenia, press service of the EU representation in
Armenia reported.

The purpose of the metro rehabilitation project is to finance priority
capital investments to renovate the Yerevan metro system. The project
will focus on the most immediate safety upgrade and renovation needs,
including rolling stock upgrades, track improvements, power supply
refurbishment, pump replacement and a maintenance trolley among
others. The first phase of Yerevan Metro Rehabilitation project was
approved in March 2010, and is supported by a ~@ 5 million EU grant
through the EU Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF), ~@ 5 million
loan by the European Investment Bank, as well as ~@ 5 million loan
and ~@1 million in technical cooperation grants by the EBRD. Phase
II, which will address other problems including water ingress to the
tunnel, has an indicative value of ~@ 15 million.

Apart from the metro rehabilitation, the EU is now finalising an
agreement on a water supply project involving different Armenian
municipalities through the NIF. The planned “Armenian Small
Municipalities Water Project” with a value of ~@ 20.8 million will
improve municipal water supply in selected municipalities (Tavush,
Lori, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Syunik municipalities and
Vayots Dzor province) and rehabilitate water treatment plants and
sewerage collectors in Dilijan and Jermuk. During their visit, the
representatives will also discuss possibilities for future projects
in other sectors.

From: A. Papazian

BAKO SAHAKYAN CONVOKES WORKING CONSULTATION ON FORMATION OF THE 2011 STATE BUDGET

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: On 8 November President of the
Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan convoked a working consultation with
the participation of National Assembly deputies and members of the
Cabinet on issues related to the formation of the 2011 state budget.

Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic
President told Armenpress that the president noted that the state
budget should be balanced, realistic and maintain its social direction,
underlining that the budget’s deficit should not cross the three
percent threshold. At the same time the President noted the importance
of target use of the budget means that would safeguard necessary pace
of the country’s development. Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot
Ghoulyan, premier Ara Haroutyunyan and other officials partook at
the consultation.

From: A. Papazian

THE NKR PRESIDENT SUMS UP RESULTS OF VISIT TO NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE KASHATAGH REGION

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
STEPANAKERT

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: President of the Artsakh Republic
Bako Sahakyan convoked November 6 a working consultation dedicated to
summing up the results of the November 4 visit to northern sections
of the Kashatagh region.

Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic
President told Armenpress that the president noted the importance of
the region’s socioeconomic development considering pivotal issues
related to electrification, road construction, communications and
telecommunications as well as water supply.

Bako Sahakyan gave concrete instructions to heads of corresponding
structures to improve the situation as soon as possible.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan, premier Ara
Haroutyunyan and other officials partook at the consultation.

From: A. Papazian

ORINATS YERKIR PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN NA ELECTIONS SEPARATELY

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: “Orinats Yerkir” party is getting
prepared for the coming parliamentary elections, being sure that its
party will have a weighty role at the next parliament. Member of the
“Orinats Yerkir” faction Khachik Harutyunyan said that the party has
enough experience and opportunity to have place in the NA and will
participate in the elections separately – without uniting with any
other party.

Mr Harutyunyan admitted that after the 2008 presidential elections
the rating of the party went down. “Enough time has passed and
people, I think, realized the truthfulness and importance of our
actions. At that time Armenia was in difficult political situation
and worsening the inner situation in the country included big threat,”
Mr Harutyunyan said.

As to the participation of the party in the presidential elections,
the parliamentarian reminded that after the previous presidential
elections while forming coalition an agreement has been reached that
the party will not forward candidate at the presidential elections.

“The party is committed to its promise and will back the candidacy
of current President Serzh Sargsyan,” Khachik Harutyunyan said.

From: A. Papazian

HOVHANNES SAHAKYAN: THE OPPOSITION IS MAINLY ENGAGED IN CRITICIZING THE LEADERSHIP

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS: The opposition is mainly engaged
in criticizing the leadership. Those who have not done anything for
many years are now in haste, and the Armenian Republican Party has
started implementation of its programs from the very second day of
the parliamentary elections, Member of the Armenian Republican Party
Hovhannes Sahakyan noted today during a debate with representative
of the Armenian National Congress Vladimir Karapetyan.

Mr. Karapetyan expressed his discontent on the works implemented in
the spheres of social-economic and human rights defense, adding that
the Republican Square remains inaccessible.

In response Hovhannes Sahakyan noted that it is difficult not to notice
a progress in the country, and as for the admissibility of rallies,
they are hold. “In case of having something to say people can also
voice about it in the neighboring territory of the square,” Mr.
Sahakyan said.

Speakers referred to the preliminary works of the elections and
unequivocally agreed that the formation of trust among society in
elections is of great importance, and according to Mr. Sahakyan,
the changes intended in the electoral code are directed toward it.

From: A. Papazian

LERNIK ALEXANYAN: ‘STRONG OPPOSITION REQUIRES STRONG ADMINISTRATION, AND VICE VERSA’

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 8, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS: ‘The administration and opposition
form the general body of a state: strong opposition requires strong
administration, and vice versa,’ Lernik Alexanyan, deputy of the
Armenian Republican Party, said today at a debate with Lyudmila
Sargsyan, representative of Social-Democratic Hnchak Party.

According to Lyudmila Sargsyan, the ARP, ‘Prosperous Armenia’ Party
and ARF have already started their pre-election propaganda campaign.

She said the ‘Prosperous Armenia’ Party expects more than 50% votes
in the forthcoming parliamentary elections and will not join the
coalition. She says it is quite possible that several deputies from
the Orinats Yerkir will be involved in the elections. She noted that
the opportunities of the Armenian National Congress ‘are quite big’.

Lernik Alexanyan says the three forces of the coalition have a great
potential. ‘I do not see any inner-party tension, though everything
is possible in politics. We will form coalition for implementing our
projects and not for coming up in elections,’ he said. He says he does
not exclude that the coalition forces may partake separately in the
elections. ‘The Orinats Yerkir is our main beat; it has provincial
bodies, certain number of voters, corresponding way of organizational
work and experience,’ Lernik

From: A. Papazian