Author: Andres-Papazian

ARMENIA’S REPUBLICAN PARTY BOUGHT THE COUNTRY – OPPOSITION MEMBER

NEWS.AM
May 10, 2012 | 13:15

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s May 6 National Assembly (NA) elections are
a bitter reality, since they were disgraceful elections where the
Republican Party of Armenia bought the country and a segment of the
citizens sold itself. Opposition bloc Armenian National Congress
(ANC) representative and former single-mandate MP candidate Arshak
Banuchyan stated this during a press conference on Thursday.

He also noted that he had received 4,200 votes, but did not know how
many other ballots were stolen from him.

Banuchyan added, however, that the votes he received will not go in
vain, because the ANC has seven seats at the NA.

To note, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission has issued the
preliminary results of the May 6 parliamentary elections. Five
political parties and one bloc will be represented in the 131-seat
National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia: Republican Party of Armenia
– 44.05%, Prosperous Armenia Party – 30.20%, Armenian National Congress
– 7.10%, Heritage Party – 5.79%, ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party – 5.73%,
and Orinats Yerkir Party – 5.49%.

From: A. Papazian

HUNGER STRIKER KIDNAPPED

10:49 am | Today | Social

Member of the ad-hoc committee leading an investigation into the events
of March 1, Artavazd Vardanyan was kidnapped at midnight after being
on a hunger strike in front of the Central Electoral Commission for
a week.

As Artavazd Vardanyan told “A1+”, anonymous people approached him
at midnight, forcefully sat him in a car and took him to his home
located in Musaler.

“They told me not to approach the CEC at all, but after they left, I
immediately took a cab and returned to see that my tent and necessary
items had been stolen,” Vardanyan told “A1+”.

He says those people were sent by the authorities.

Today at 13:00 Artavazd Vardanyan will give a press conference near the
CEC and will announce whether he will stop the hunger strike or not.

We remind that Artavazd Vardanyan is on a hunger strike because he
believes that elections don’t change anything in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

ARAM SARGSYAN MAKES STATEMENT

03:02 pm | Today | Politics

Aram Sargsyan, Leader of the “Republic” (Hanrapetutyun) Party
has issued a statement, re-confirming his intention to reject his
parliamentary mandate.

“I wish the Armenian National Congress (HAK) success in its
parliamentary activity. My party is going to discuss the possible
format of cooperation with the opposition bloc [HAK] in the near
future,” said Sargsyan, who did not exclude their withdrawal from
the HAK.

“We have had some disagreement with the HAK over a number of interior
political developments and foreign political issues. I have publicly
voiced my opinion on these issues. I have always done my utmost for
the common good, subordinating my personal interests to the good
of the team and its objectives. I am deeply convinced that we all
deserve to live in a completely different Armenia,” the leader of
the Republic Party said promising to detail his future steps during
the party’s upcoming sitting.

From: A. Papazian

FM MEETS EGYPTIAN, LEBANESE, PALESTINIAN, TUNISIAN COUNTERPARTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2012 – 14:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met
with his Egyptian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Tunisian counterparts on
the sidelines of May 9-10 Sharm el-Sheikh-hosted Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) ministerial meeting.

During the meeting with Egypt’s Mohamed Amr, the officials discussed
expansion of bilateral ties. The parties also exchanged views on
Karabakh issue, with the Egypt’s official stressing Cairo’s adherence
to peaceful settlement of the conflict.

With his Lebanese counterpart Adnan Mansur, Nalbandian discussed
implementation of agreements reached during last year’s visit of
Lebanese president to Armenia. The parties also focused on cooperation
in international organizations.

The discussion between Palestine’s Riyad Al-Maliki and the Armenian
official centered on cooperation perspectives.

Regional and international issues were on Iran’s Ali Akbar Salehi
and Armenian Minister’s discussion agenda.

Cooperation in political and economic sectors was discussed with
Iraq’s Hoshyar Zebari, with regional developments in Middle East as
the focus of the meeting with Abubakr al-Qirbi.

From: A. Papazian

STATEMENT ON THE 2012 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 14:13:14 – 11/05/2012

The parliamentary elections that took place in the Republic of Armenia
on May 6, 2012 unfortunately do not assist the process of genuine
democratization of the country and do reflect the lack of political
will of the authorities to reform elections institutionally.

Confidence of the Armenian public in the electoral process
has gradually diminished starting from 1995. All elections were
marred by widespread harassment, threats, and vote buying, and in
2008, the elections were followed by tragic events resulting in
casualties. The need to conduct proper elections and to restore
public trust in the electoral processes has become a core issue
in the relationship of Armenia vis-a-vis other states and various
international organizations; it has been, in particular, reflected
in resolutions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
and the Association Agreement talks of Armenia with the European Union.

Despite these factors and the repeated public promises of the Armenian
authorities to hold “exemplary” elections, the Armenian public could
not witness democratic elections in May 2012, either, and both our
and the international community’s expectations were not met.

Besides certain positive improvements relative to the previous general
election (such as the mass media securing a “level playing field”
for the political forces during the campaign, the regulation of the
distribution of printed campaign materials, the clear assignment of
polling stations for voters on the voting day, and others), major
steps have not been implemented to secure fair elections reflecting
the free will of the voters. Vote buying, abuse of administrative
resources, political imposition and harassment of employees by the
public sector and private employers, and the use of numerous other
illegal “techniques” have affected the voting process and the election
result to an unprecedented scale. The law-enforcement agencies have,
as a rule, failed to act in prevention of irregularities and holding
the guilty ones responsible. Numerous cases of these practices were
reported by civil society organizations and individual voters.

Disappearing ink in the passport stamps that were introduced to
preclude the fraud further exacerbated concerns over inflated voter
lists.

The validity of the electoral process was strongly affected by
widespread poverty – unemployment, lack of protection for individual
citizens, and impunity for others have deprived scores of citizens of
the possibility to make a free, informed, and conscious choice. The
formation of this moral and psychological atmosphere was largely
due to the fact that the Armenian authorities have so far failed to
exert sufficient efforts to identify and punish those in charge of
organizing and carrying out the 1 March 2008 bloodshed, as well as
those responsible for the fraud in the 2008 and following elections.

On the eve of the 2012 May election, the National Assembly adopted
a contentious Law on the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency,
which allows the interference of the armed forces in the domestic
political process and was, as such, perceived by many as a threat.

As civil society representatives engaged in the promotion of human
rights and democracy, we are profoundly concerned over perpetual
sophistication and “improvement” of election fraud mechanisms, as
well as the impunity of those implementing the fraud. We believe that
both local and international organizations should draw appropriate
conclusions from yet another failure of Armenia to honor her
international commitments of implementing democratic reforms.

We find that the list of voters that participated in the 6 May 2012
elections must be published in order for democratic elections to
become institutionalized in Armenia. It is the primary step that
can demonstrate the will of the Armenian authorities to reconstruct
the real outcome of the election and to dispel the public skepticism
regarding the results of the vote.

Armenian Helsinki Committee

Protection of Rights Without Borders NGO

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

Journalists’ Club “Asparez” NGO

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Vanadzor Office

Open Society Foundations – Armenia

Menk Plus NGO

Arena of Education NGO

Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Collaboration for Democracy Center

Journalists for the Future

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S INCUMBENT, SECOND PRESIDENTS MEET – NEWSPAPER

news.am
May 11, 2012 | 08:01

YEREVAN. – A meeting between Armenia’s serving and previous presidents,
Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan respectively, was held in the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s (NKR) capital, Stepanakert, and under
the brokerage of former NKR President, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Zhoghovurd
daily writes, referring to its well-informed sources.

“The Kocharyan-Sargsyan meeting lasted a fairly long time. [And
Judging] From their mood, those who are close to the two came to the
conclusion that the pair decided to be united. They agreed to not
disturb one another, and no concrete arrangement was reached with
reference to Robert Kocharyan’s return to politics,” Zhoghovurd writes.

From: A. Papazian

SHIRAK PROVINCE GOVERNOR TO FACE DISMISSAL, PAPER REPORTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2012 – 10:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Governor of Shirak province Ashot Giziryan was
offered to submit a resignation application to the government,
Hayatsk paper reports.

However, the governor refuted this news. “I did not apply for
resignation, and have no intention to do so either,” Giziryan declared.

Hayatsk reminds that rumors on his possible dismissal spread after the
parliamentary elections, during which the governor failed to secure
large-scale victory for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN OLIGARCH TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PROFITS – NEWSPAPER

news.am
May 11, 2012 | 07:36

YEREVAN. – In line with Haykakan Zhamanak daily’s monitoring of
Armenia’s retail prices, it was found out that, as compared with April
9, the price for one kilogram of sugar increased in the country by
AMD 10 (approx. US$ 0.03) several days after the May 6 parliamentary
elections.

“On the average, 275 tons of sugar is consumed in Armenia every day,
and this means Samvel Aleksanyan, the sugar’s sole importer and
producer [in Armenia], receives an additional daily profit of AMD
2,750,000 [approx. $6,984], or more than AMD 82,000,000 [approx.

$208,243] per month. And it is difficult to say how many months it
will take him to ‘retrieve’ his expenses made for the elections.

Let us also note that the Alex Grig Company, which allegedly belongs
to Aleksanyan’s wife, has paid close to 15 percent less tax in the
first quarter of this year than in the previous year,” Haykakan
Zhamanak writes.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA-IRAN MISUNDERSTANDING?
HAKOB BADALYAN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 10:59:33 – 11/05/2012

The Armenian foreign minister Eduard Nalbandyan attending the
meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in the Egyptian resort of Sharm
El Sheikh met with the Iranian foreign minister Salehi and invited
him to Armenia.

This meeting and invitation is interesting because on April 30 Edward
Nalbandyan visited Iran. In other words, the political interaction
is becoming intensive, which is interesting.

Radio RFE/RL informed that the Iranian mass media mentioned that
during the meeting the Iranian foreign minister Salehi said the two
countries must work in a friendly atmosphere to avoid misunderstanding.

What happened between Armenia and Iran that made the Iranian side
speak about avoiding misunderstanding and cooperation? Most probably,
there was a case when Armenia acted without mutual agreement with
Iran or violated an earlier agreement. Perhaps this is the reason
why after the meeting of April 30 Eduard Nalbandyan needed another
meeting with his Iranian counterpart.

And the invitation to visit Armenia hints at one thing. Most probably,
Edward Nalbandyan met with Salehi in Egypt and tried to relieve certain
doubts of Iran. However Nalbandyan~Rs relief was not sufficient for
Tehran and Iran expects to get explanation and assurance from Serzh
Sargsyan, the president. Therefore, it was necessary to invite the
Iranian foreign minister to Armenia.

The most essential thing is what the Armenian-Iranian possible
misunderstanding was about.

Is it related to the domestic developments in Armenia or is it
related to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict? Certainly Iran is
interested in Armenia~Rs domestic life, maybe not directly and openly
but still. Nevertheless, it would hardly be interested in the result
of the parliamentary election. At the same time, the result itself
is not interesting but the logic of the process may interest Tehran
because the parliamentary election of 2012 is a step towards the West.

Hence, Iran may be sensitive about it and have certain concerns and
needs to relieve them.

For instance, it is not ruled out that before the election Edward
Nalbandyan had visited Iran and assured their government that Robert
Kocharyan who is the most preferable partner of Iran in Armenia would
have considerable representation in government. However, in the result
of the election the forces representing Kocharyan had a very modest
result compared with the RPA.

As to the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict, there have
been no public steps here though on May 11 the visit of co-chairs
is expected. It is not ruled out that their visit will be concerned,
and the issues that will be discussed. In addition, it is not ruled
out that the visit of the co-chairs will be related to Iran~Rs nuclear
program rather than Karabakh.

The point is that the Minsk Group co-chairs France, U.S. and Russia are
leading nuclear states, while the Minsk Group format has gone beyond
the format of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and transformed
into a small club of discussion of regional and geopolitical issues.

In any case, no Armenian-Iranian misunderstanding proceeds from the
interests of Armenia, despite the matter of misunderstanding. In
other words, misunderstanding means wily behavior or in other words,
one of the parties let the other down.

Most probably, in this case it was Armenia, if Iran~Rs foreign minister
highlights the necessity to work together and avoid misunderstanding.

In the meantime, clear disagreement between Armenia and Iran is better
than misunderstanding because it implies lack of confidence. And
if Armenia and Iran stop trusting each other, it will be a serious
political and psychological loss, even though the Armenian government
is trusted by the West.

Armenia cannot afford to gain the confidence of the West at the
expense of the confidence of Iran.

From: A. Papazian

SERZH SARGSYAN DID NOT APOLOGIZE
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 12:33:26 – 11/05/2012

The police launched proceedings against the activists fighting to save
Mashtots Park who allegedly used violence against policemen on April
29. The police statement runs that their actions were not dangerous
for life. Nevertheless, Serzh Sargsyan who had to retreat under the
pressure of activists on May 3, has now instructed to punish them.

Meanwhile, on May 4 the balloons brought to the Republic Square for
the rally of the Republicans exploded and 150 people received burns
because instead of helium they were filled with flammable gas. Several
dozens of people are still in hospital, a lot of people were taken
to intensive care units. The police will hardly reveal who filled
the balloons with flammable gas. Or it has already revealed but will
hardly proceed with the investigation.

Serzh Sargsyan did not even apologize to people who were injured during
his rally. On the election day the TV channels televised images of
injured people who went to the polling stations to prove that they
had not been forced to attend the rally. Moreover, the TV channels
highlighted that those people received medical aid at the expense of
the state.

What is the reason that the Republican Party did not cover the
medical expenses if the tragedy was during their rally? Or does the
Republican Party treat the state budget as their own purse and can
spend it as they like? What is the reason that the Republican Party
does not apologize? What is the reason that Taron Margaryan did not
apologize for building “ugly” boutiques in Mashtots Park and then
dismantling them at the expense of the citizens?

In fact, man is a weak creature and hates to lose, and Serzh Sargsyan
cannot admit what happened on Mashtots Park. Although, if he thought
in accordance with the Constitution and legislation, his right decision
would be used as his victory rather than humiliation.

However, Serzh Sargsyan chose theater, discarding the legal procedure
of dismantling, and staged a performance before the civil audience.

Now Serzh Sargsyan will try to persuade the audience that there was
no theater. Just like the TV channels claimed that nobody made those
people attend the rally and people went there willingly. Where were
these people when the Republican Party won absolute majority? Why
aren’t people celebrating this victory?

From: A. Papazian