Author: Maral Takmazian

                                        Thursday, 
States Bodies Warned Against Election Meddling
        • Sisak Gabrielian
Armenia -- A voter is about to cast a ballot in municipal elections in Yerevan, 
23Sep2018
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian warned government ministries and other state 
bodies on Thursday against attempting to influence the outcome of Armenia’s 
snap parliamentary elections expected in December.
Pashinian paved the way for the elections when he tendered his and his 
government resignation on Tuesday. He and his cabinet members will continue to 
perform their duties in the interim.
Pashinian said that “the state governance system must not be involved in 
pre-election processes in any way” when he chaired a cabinet meeting in 
Yerevan. The government should instead work in a “more intensive and effective” 
manner in the run-up to the vote, he said.
“This is a very good period for working in tranquil conditions,” he told 
ministers and other senior officials attending the meeting.
Armenia’s previous governments heavily relied on their administrative levers to 
help the ruling parties and their presidential candidates win elections. That 
involved strong pressure exerted on many public and even private sector 
employees.
There were practically no reports of such abuses of administrative resources 
during the September 23 municipal election in Yerevan which Pashinian’s My Step 
alliance won by a landslide. Its official results were accepted by virtually 
all other parties and blocs, another sharp contrast with past Armenian 
elections.
Pashinian claimed that his government has already “rooted out” the country’s 
culture of electoral fraud when he met with President Armen Sarkissian late on 
Wednesday to discuss the upcoming polls.
“For us, democracy is not a slogan or method,” said the premier. “Democracy is 
our political creed. Democracy is what we have fought for.”
The Armenian police promised, meanwhile, that they would act strongly against 
any attempts to bribe voters or rig vote results.
“The police are prepared for the excellent conduct of the pre-term 
parliamentary elections,” the police chief, Valeri Osipian, told reporters 
after Thursday’s cabinet meeting. “For this purpose, we will use new 
approaches, especially in the regions. I won’t specify them now.”
More Former Oppositionists Win Lawsuits Against Armenian State
        • Naira Bulghadarian
FRANCE -- An exterior view of the the European Court of Human Rights in 
Strasbourg, April 18, 2018
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday ordered Armenian 
authorities to pay a total of 7,500 euros ($8,600) in compensation to two 
former opposition activists who were arrested during 2008 post-election 
protests in Yerevan.
The plaintiffs, Grigor Voskerchian and Masis Ayvazian, ran regional campaign 
offices of Levon Ter-Petrosian, the main opposition candidate in the disputed 
February 2008 presidential election. They also actively participated in nonstop 
demonstrations staged by Ter-Petrosian in protest against alleged vote rigging.
Both men were arrested when security forces dispersed protesters camped out in 
Yerevan’s Liberty Square early on March 1, 2008. Riot police and interior 
troops went on to break up renewed protests that were staged by Ter-Petrosian 
supporters later on that day. Eight protesters and two police servicemen were 
killed as a result.
Voskerchian, who coordinated Ter-Petrosian’s election campaign in the town of 
Abovian, was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison for organizing “mass 
disturbances.” He denied the charges as politically motivated.
The ECHR ruled that Armenian courts did not have sufficient grounds to allow 
investigators to keep Voskerchian under pre-trial arrest. The 62-year-old is to 
receive 3,000 euros in damages.
Ayvazian, for his part, received a suspended two-year jail sentence at the time 
for assaulting law-enforcement officers on March 1, 2008. He too strongly 
denied the accusations. The ECHR said that Ayvazian must be compensated 
financially because he was kept in pre-trial detention longer than was allowed 
by an Armenian court.
Both former activists hailed the Strasbourg court’s rulings, while complaining 
that they are long overdue.
Dozens of Ter-Petrosian loyalists, among them Armenia’s current Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian, were jailed on controversial charges stemming from the 2008 
violence. Many of them filed lawsuits to the ECHR.
Pashinian ordered a renewed criminal investigation into the bloodshed shortly 
after he swept to power in May. In July, the Special Investigative Service 
(SIS) arrested former President Robert Kocharian widely blamed for the 
post-election crackdown on the opposition. Armenia’s Court of Appeals freed 
Kocharian from custody more than two weeks later, saying that the ex-president 
enjoys legal immunity from prosecution.
Kocharian still stands accused of illegally using the armed forces against the 
protesters. He denies the accusation, saying that Pashinian is waging a 
“political vendetta” against him.
Press Review
“Aravot” says it is only natural that members of Armenia’s former ruling elite, 
who “have a lot to lose,” fear losing their assets and even freedom and are 
doing everything to “miraculously change the situation.” “They are in for 
disappointment,” writes the paper. “It is impossible to restore the situation 
that existed in Armenia before April.” It says that former officials cannot 
defend themselves with claims about their “political persecution.” In 
particular, they must explain how they made fortunes while in office.
“Zhoghovurd” reports on Wednesday’s meeting between President Armen Sarkissian 
and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. “It was their first meeting since Nikol 
Pashinian’s resignation,” notes the paper. “It also carried interesting 
messages. Pashinian assured the president that the parliamentary forces have 
worked out a common approach regarding the conduct of pre-term elections.” The 
paper says it remains unclear whether Sarkissian will sign into law a 
controversial parliament bill that could have made it harder for Pashinian to 
dissolve the current National Assembly.
“Zhamanak” says that during his five-month tenure Pashinian has managed to 
“solidify the velvet revolution,” spare the state apparatus “internal and 
external shocks,” and maintain peace and stability in the country. “These are 
very important factors, especially considering just how intensively the former 
regime worked to hit and stop the revolution process in that regard,” writes 
the paper. It says that the regime had grown so closely interconnected with the 
state bureaucracy than it was not easy to separate them without damaging state 
institutions. “In that sense, Nikol Pashinian and his team have carried out 
complicated and successful surgery in the last five months,” concludes the 
paper.
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 
NEW OPPORTUNITIES INTRODUCED FOR FRANCOPHONES IN ARMENIA
AGBU CHAPTERS LAUNCH A NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND WRITING COMPETITION TO 
ENCOURAGE ENHANCEMENT OF FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN ARMENIA
In the light of this year's Francophonie Summit held in Yerevan, AGBU Montreal 
and AGBU France have launched new projects in an effort to support 
French-speaking youth in Armenia, as well as promote French language and 
culture. Every two years, the Francophonie Summit-the main decision-making body 
of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF)-brings together 
leaders and representatives of 84 member-states for a series of discussions. 
For 48 years, OIF has actively advocated French language, linguistic diversity 
and humanist values across the world. 
On October 12, the final day of the Summit, AGBU Montreal and the Agence 
universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), a global network of French-language 
universities and research institutions, signed a framework agreement creating 
new educational opportunities for Armenia's Francophone students. Each year, 
four students from Armenia accepted to Quebec's French-language universities 
will get scholarships to pursue their doctoral degrees. AUF will grant the 
shortlisted candidates the exemption for tuition fees, while AGBU will oversee 
the selection process, provide some financial assistance to these students and 
facilitate their integration into the global Francophone community. The signing 
ceremony was held at the AGBU Armenia Office, with Armenia's Minister of 
Education and Science Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as government and university 
officials in attendance.
"This agreement creates better opportunities for Armenian students to pursue 
higher education in French, thus targeting the objectives of OIF of spreading 
French language around the world," said Rector of AUF Jean-Paul de Gaudemar. 
Chairman of AGBU Montreal Chahé Tanachian noted that commitment to education is 
at the core of AGBU's mission. "It is a special agreement that we signed with 
AUF on the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit. Having students from Armenia 
in French universities will enhance cooperation in the field of education 
between Canada and Armenia and will make French language more popular in the 
Armenian society," Tanachian said. "AGBU is also looking forward to more 
closely working with Armenia's Ministry of Education to develop better 
expertise and skills in areas needed today."
In an effort to promote French-Armenian connections and boost people's interest 
in French language, AGBU France-in partnership with the French Embassy in 
Armenia-announced the launch of a contest of short stories themed "Armenia of 
My Dreams in 2050 AGBU France-in partnership with the French Embassy in 
Armenia-announced the launch of a contest of short stories themed "Armenia of 
My Dreams in 2050."  
This contest is set to encourage the Francophones citizens of Armenia to 
imagine a better future for their homeland given the recent revival of 
democracy. "Taking advantage of this important moment, the Francophonie Summit 
in Yerevan, AGBU France contributes to the promotion of French language in 
Armenia through this contest. This contest is also a tribute to Charles 
Aznavour who skillfully used this language,'' said President of AGBU France and 
AGBU Europe Nadia Gortzounian. ''We hope that the contest's theme will inspire 
many applicants."
The contest is open to the residents of Armenia who can submit their short 
stories in French -up to three pages or 4,500 characters-through December 15. 
Authors of the top three stories will receive monetary awards. 
For more information about the contest, please visit 
ugabfrance.org/2018/10/concours-recits/.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world's largest non-profit 
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, 
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a 
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the 
Armenian diaspora.  Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: 
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit 
www.agbu.org.

ArmenPress, Armenia
Oct 12 2018
Armenia will bring forward a number of initiatives during its
chairmanship over Francophonie summit – FM Mnatsakanyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS. During the chairmanship over
Francophonie summit Armenia will bring forward a number of
initiatives, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab
Mnatsakanyan said about this during the press conference summarizing
the 17th Francophonie summit. “In line with the economic strategy of
Francophonie we will organize an economic forum in Armenia over the
cooperation between Francophonie and regional integration processes”,
Mnatsakanyan said.
The Armenian FM emphasized that it’s a great honor for Armenia for
serving as a platform for a key international gathering. “The Armenian
people are faithful towards the traditions of hospitability of their
ancestors. We welcomed with open-arms representatives of countries
from different continents. The Armenian youth participated in the
events with great enthusiasm and love towards the French language and
the Francophone culture. I would also like to recall the moments of
grief that we lived as a result of the demise of Charles Aznavour”, FM
Mnatsakanyan said, thanking French President Macron for involving
Armenia in the ceremony of national tribute to Charles Aznavour on
October 5.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents one of
the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than
just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted
by the French language. The French language and its humanist values
represent the two cornerstones on which the International Organisation
of La Francophonie is based.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie was created in 1970.
Its mission is to embody the active solidarity between its 84 member
states and governments (58 members and 26 observers), which together
represent over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and
account for a population of over 900 million people, including 274
million French speakers.
IOF organizes political activities and actions of multilateral
cooperation that benefit French-speaking populations. Its actions
respect cultural and linguistic diversity and serve to promote the
French language, peace and sustainable development.
IOF has concluded 33 cooperation agreements with international and
regional organisations and has established permanent dialogue between
the major international linguistic zones (the English, Portuguese,
Spanish, and Arab-speaking zones).
The IOF has its head office in Paris as well as four permanent
representations in Addis Ababa (at the African Union and at the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa), in Brussels (at the European
Union), in New York and in Geneva (at the UN). It has three regional
offices (West Africa; Central Africa and Indian Ocean; Asia-Pacific)
located respectively in Lomé (Togo), Libreville (Gabon) and Hanoi
(Vietnam) and two regional antennas in Bucharest (Romania) and in
Port-au-Prince (Haiti).
Alongside the IOF, the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie and
the four direct operators are responsible for implementing the
programs decided at the Summits. The four direct operators are: the
Academic Agency of La Francophonie, TV5Monde, the International
Association of Francophone Mayors and The Senghor University of
Alexandria.
61 Member States and Governments: Albania, Principality of Andorra,
Armenia, Kingdom of Belgium, French Community of Belgium, Benin,
Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,
Canada-New-Brunswick, Canada-Quebec, Cape Verde, Central African
Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon,
Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Laos,
Lebanon, Luxembourg, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco,
Niger, New-Caledonia, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Säo Tomé
and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia,
Vanuatu, Vietnam, UAE, Kosovo, Serbia.
29 Observers: Argentina, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Canada-Ontario, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Dominican Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia,
Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Mozambique, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Thailand, Ukraine,Uruguay, Gambia, Ireland, Louisiana (USA),
Malta.
Armenia has assumed the chairmanship over the organization’s summit
for the period until 2020.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan