Author: Andres-Papazian

PAPER: ELECTORAL COMMITTEE REJECTS OPPOSITION CANDIDATE’S CLAIM AGAIN

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 4, 2012 – 10:41 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – According to Haykakan Zhamanak paper, the
electoral committee in Yerevan’s 7th constituency again considered
the complaint by opposition candidate Nikol Pashinyan and his proxy
Vahagn Hovakimyan.

Pashinyan and Hovakimyan have applied to the committee urging to
cancel registration of Samvel Alexanyan running for elections in this
constituency claiming he distributed money in the local N190 school
and pledged to organize a prom party for its high school students in
Parvana restaurant belonging to him free of charge.

The local committee rejected claims of Pashinyan and Hovakimyan on
April 27, daily says.

However, on May 2, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC)
cancelled decision by 7th constituency electoral committee saying
the ruling was illegal, and the committee must consider the issue of
banning Alexanyan from election campaign.

The local electoral committee again turned down the opposition
candidate’s claim providing no arguments.

Pashinyan and Hovakimyan are going to appeal against this decision
in CEC, Haykakan Zhamanak says.

From: A. Papazian

SARKOZY PLEDGES TO DRAFT NEW BILL CRIMINALIZING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL AS EARLY AS JUNE

armradio.am
04.05.2012 12:19

In two separate letters to Alexis Govciyan, President of the
Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France and Ara
Toranian, CCAF Co-Chair, the President of the Republic of France,
Nicolas Sarkozy, reaffirms his commitment to draft a new bill
criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial in June.

“Mr. Chairman,

April 24th, I participated in a ceremony commemorating the 97th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I was pleased to meet you on
this occasion and thank you again for your invitation.

As I said in Yerevan the Armenian people was victim of the first
planned campaign of extermination of an entire nation.”

“It was an honor for France to host the Armenians. Today is the honor
of our country to fight for the recognition of the genocide,” Mr.

Sarkozy said.

“The ceremony made me remember my solemn commitment of a law that
protects the recognition of the genocide and penalizes its negation.

Respecting the decision of the Constitutional Council, I want a new
text to be present in Parliament as early as June.

Be assured that I will pursue, on behalf of France, my struggle
to recognize the truth and restore justice on the Armenian issue,”
the President wrote.

From: A. Papazian

LES PROCUREURS ARMENIENS VEULENT COMBATTRE L’ACHAT DE VOIX
Stephane

armenews.com
vendredi 4 mai 2012

Le president Serge Sarkissian a ajoute sa voix a celles de l’opposition
quant a l’achat de voix en Armenie et a charge les procureurs d’etat
de prendre ” des mesures complementaires ” contre la pratique illegale
mais endemique.

Selon son service de presse, Serge Sarkisian a rencontre le Procureur
General Aghvan Hovsepian pour discuter ” des inquietudes de plus en
plus frequentes de pots-de-vins pour l’achat de vois qui sont exprimes
par le public “.

” Ce phenomène negatif jette une ombre sur la legitimite de n’importe
quelle election et il incombe a la justice de neutraliser une influence
si indesirable et d’assurer la conduite d’elections libres et justes
” a declare le president cite par son service de presse.

Il a ajoute que la police doit donc prendre ” des mesures
complementaires exigees par la situation dans une periode objectivement
courte de temps “.

L’achat de voix sous la forme d’argent comptant paye aux electeurs
ou d’une aide materielle a ete l’une des principales irregularites
dans le passe.

Gagik Tsarukian a fait don de dix tracteurs a des villages de Vayots
Dzor quand il a fait campagne dans le secteur agricole la semaine
dernière.

From: A. Papazian

URUGUAY’S FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ARMENIA

armradio.am
03.05.2012 17:52

The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uruguay Luis Almagro, will
pay an official visit to Armenia May 4-5 at the invitation of Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Within the framework of the visit the Foreign Minister will have
meetings with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Uruguay Luis
Almagro and Edward Nalbandian will be followed by a joint press
conference.

Luis Almagro will visit Tsitsernakaberd to lay a wreath at the memorial
to the Armenian Genocide victims.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA’S CONSUL GENERAL TO BATUMI GARIK ISRAELYAN PASSES AWAY

ARMENPRESS
3 May, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS: At the age of 64 died Consul General of
Armenia to Batumi Garik Israelyan. Armenpress was informed about this
from Ministry of foreign affairs of Armenia.

Garik Israelyan was born in 1948. He had work experience in Armenpress
as a senior editor, in Ministry of foreign affairs of Armenia, in
the Embassies of Armenia to Russia and Turkmenistan. Since 2011 he
was appointed as Consul General of Armenia to Batumi.

Garik Israelyan was married and had two children.

Armenpress agency staff presents its condolences to the family and
relatives of Garik Israelyan.

From: A. Papazian

NOT OVER TIL ITS OVER: MASHTOTS PARK ACTIVISTS SAYS MORE ISSUES REMAIN UNRESOLVED THOUGH KIOSKS BEING DISMANTLED
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow

03.05.12 | 16:04

Not Over Til Its Over: Mashtots Park activists says more issues remain
unresolved though kiosks being dismantled

End of Mashtots Park Saga?: President orders dismantling of
controversial park kiosks during campaigning tour

End of Mashtots Park Saga?: President orders dismantling
of controversial park kiosks during campaigning tour Although
environmental and civil society activists have eventually succeeded to
have the commercial pavilions installed in Mashtots Park dismantled,
the boulevard and continued protest remain in the focus of public
attention.

[mashtots-park-kiosk-dismentling-youth-activists.jpg] Enlarge Photo
[enlarg_image.gif] [mashtots-park-kiosk-dismentling-police.jpg]
Enlarge Photo [enlarg_image.gif]

For more than 80 days environmental activists had been protesting in
the small park next to Mashtots Boulevard, downtown Yerevan, against
the construction of kiosks earlier dismantled from the sidewalk of
another central avenue (Abovyan Street).

The kiosks are being dismantled after President Serzh Sargsyan’s
personal visit to the site on May 1 during which he urged city mayor
Taron Margaryan to get rid of the controversial structures.

Many believe that the president’s interference in this issue is a
campaign plot to win votes. The president’s visit came a week ahead
of the parliamentary elections, whereas people think that he should
have resolved the issue long ago preventing the clashes between law
enforcement officers and protestors. Therefore many believe that the
president’s actions were a well-planned political show.

While people discuss the recent developments, the protest organizers
in Mashtots Park intend to keep protesting.

Civil activist Gor Hakobyan told ArmeniaNow that now they will do
their best to have “all those who were trying to seize public areas,
as well as law enforcement officers brought to account for resorting
to violence and unlawful actions.”

“The pavilions would have been dismantled sooner or later; it was one
of our primary demands, however the struggle is not over,” Hakobyan
says, adding that the president issuing a decree on dismantling
the pavilions did not ground it by Armenian citizens’ rights
and fundamental interests (referring to the fact that Sargsyan’s
instructions were reasoned by the “ugliness” of the kiosks).

From: A. Papazian

SECOND COURT CASE TO BE LAUNCHED AGAINST TURKISH HISTORIAN WHO THREATENED ARMENIAN ON LIVE TV

news.am
May 03, 2012 | 13:45

Turkey’s “Say No to Racism and Nationalism” organization will file
a court case against Kemal Cicek, head of the Armenian Department at
the Turkish Historical Association, for threatening Garo Paylan, an
Istanbul Armenian school principal, during a live Turkish television
program.

According to the organization’s statement issued in this regard,
insinuating all Armenians in Turkey, Cicek threatened Paylan during
the live telecast on April 25 and said: “If you continue speaking
like this, you will meet the reaction by the Turkish society. You
will end up in California, too.”

“Saying such thing-one day after April 24, which is considered
Genocide Remembrance Day-to the Armenians who survived the Genocide,
is prosecuted by the Turkish Criminal Code: [on charges of] ‘Pushing
people toward hatred and hostility.’ Kemal Cicek’s threat is directed
not only at Garo Paylan, but at all Armenians of Turkey. We stand
alongside all Armenian citizens in being against such mindset, and
we call for the dismissal of Kemal Cicek,” the statement specifically
reads.

To note, the Istanbul branch of Turkey’s Human Rights Union is likewise
preparing to file a lawsuit against Cicek.

From: A. Papazian

A PHOTO EXHIBITION ON FREE SPEECH AND INFORMATION MARKS PRESS FREEDOM DAY IN ARMENIA

ARMRADIO.AM
03.05.2012 15:46

“Freedom of press: the right to know” is the theme of the exhibition
that opened in Yerevan today to mark World Press Freedom Day.

The event, organized by the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia
NGO in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union, brought
together journalists, representatives of state institutions, and
members of civil society. The event was also supported by USAID/Armenia
and the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The aim of the one week exhibition is to reflect on the challenges and
opportunities of exercising the right to information, and to remind
the government, media representatives and the public at large of their
role in achieving this right. All photos/caricatures included in the
exhibition, over 70 in total, will be published in a catalogue.

Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Traian Hristea
welcomed the exhibition as a creative way to demonstrate public
perceptions on access to information and freedom of expression
in Armenia.

“On 3 May we mark World Press Freedom Day. The European Union has
always promoted freedom of opinion and expression, since it is a
fundamental human right. I would like to take this opportunity to
underline the importance of the work of journalists around the world,
who sometimes risk their lives to ensure the freedom of expression. We
hope that we will witness such professional dedication during the
coverage of the upcoming elections in Armenia”, he said.

“Free expression and information are key to the respect of human
dignity and critical tools enabling citizens to take an active part
in public life. We hope the exhibition will remind the government,
media and public at large of the role they each can play in achieving
implementation of the right to free speech and information, mentioned
Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan”.

President of the Freedom of Information Centre, Shushan Doydoyan added:
“This is a special exhibition since everybody, including journalists,
citizens, and professional photographers were invited to present their
images on the topic. In the photos the heroes voice their disagreement
towards violence against press freedom, as well as their right to
access information despite the obstacles and barriers they face”.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern also made remarks commending
the organizers and commenting on the importance of a free press and
access to information for a well-functioning democracy. Ambassador
Heffern encouraged the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia
to continue the good work it does in promoting transparency and
accountability of public institutions.

The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated across the globe every May
3 to commemorate the fundamental principles of media freedom. The
event calls on member states to guarantee and promote freedom of
information and to remind civil society organizations, other relevant
stakeholders, and the news media in particular, of their central part
in furthering it.

From: A. Papazian

OSKANIAN NOT ACCEPTED BY PROSPEROUS ARMENIA – PAPER

Aysor.am
May 03, 2012

“I don’t know how many people in Prosperous Armenia are behind Vartan
Oskanian. I think there are too few of them,” RPA Deputy Chairman
Razmik Zohrabyan told 168 Zham, commenting on Vartan Oskanian’s harsh
criticism of RPA.

“We have criticized him so much. If Oskanian is accepted by his party,
why none of the Prosperous Armenia Party’s leaders responded to our
criticism? Perhaps they like it when we say that Oskanian is in the
wrong place,” Zohrabyan said.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA FINED FOR REFUSAL TO TAKE PART IN EUROVISION 2012
Valeriy Melnikov

RIA Novosti
03/05/2012
MOSCOW

The European Broadcasting Union fined Armenia for its refusal to
participate in the Eurovision international song contest

The European Broadcasting Union fined Armenia for its refusal to
participate in the Eurovision international song contest , which will
be held in late May in Azerbaijan, Armenia Today reported on Thursday.

The EBU resolution says that Yerevan should pay the full fee for
participation in the contest. In addition, as a penalty, Armenia has
to pay an additional fine equal to 50 percent of that amount. It is
also noted that the Public Television of Armenia will have to show
the finals of the international song contest live.

If the country fails to meet the EBU decision, it will be excluded
from participating in the Eurovision contest in 2013. EBU stressed
that the decision on the penalty was issued in accordance with the
rules of the contest and reasons why Armenia refused to participate
in the contest were not included.

Armenia officially refused to take part in Eurovision on March 7.

Earlier, a group of Armenian artists sent an open letter to the Public
Television of the country, which called for a boycott of the contest.

The reason for this was the death of a soldier on the Armenian border
with Azerbaijan, who was apparently killed by an Azeri sniper. Later
it turned out that the soldier was shot by a fellow soldier.

The final competition will be held on May 26.

From: A. Papazian