Author: nina hovnanian

THE ARF AND REPUBLICAN PARTY: CAMPAIGN PROMISES RANGE FROM FREE APARTMENTS TO JOB CREATION
Grisha Balasanyan

hetq
10:40, April 11, 2012

It goes without saying that in the run-up to the May parliamentary
elections in Armenia, the political parties are making a number of
campaign promises to the voters.

As in past elections, what voters are mostly interested to hear are
the pledges the parties are making in the social sector – education,
health, pensions, employment, etc.

What follows is a summary of some of the more interesting aspects of
the campaign pledges being made by the ARF and the Republican Party
of Armenia in this regard.

The ARF’s election campaign focuses more on the social sector.

It sees the elimination of poverty by 2012 as a major priority,
coupled with the creation of a vibrant middle class and guaranteeing
a more comfortable living standard.

The ARF pledges to set the average old-age pension at 63,000 AMD,
more than doubling the current 31,255 amount.

The party proposes to cut unemployment by creating 200,000 new jobs
and raise the hourly minimum employment rate from 196 AMD to 400 AMD.

The ARF promises to increase the hourly wages of those working in the
national security and defense sectors, the police and health fields.

They say the average monthly salary will be 500,000AMD ($1,288).

The party pledges to make all pre-school education free in Armenia
and to raise the average monthly salaries of sector staff to 110,000
($283).

The ARF says it wants to institute serious reforms in the health
sector by allocating 150,000 AMD to each citizen for medical costs,
up from the current 63,000.

The party says it will allocate shelter to 5,000-6,000 needy families
in Armenia and will freeze utility rates for the next five years.

The ARF says it will allocate apartments to families with five or
more children at no cost.

The party plans to tackle the country’s demographic problem and raise
the average growth rate by 50,000 annually.

In contrast, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) makes
no quantitative pledges but affirms that changes will be made to
eradicate social inequality.

In this context the RPA says it will provide free education and
employment opportunities to destitute strata of society than are
able to work. Those not employable will be targeted with additional
assistance.

The RPA pledges to continue with implementing compensation for those
who had deposited money in the Soviet Union’s Economy Bank up till
1993.

The party says it will not only expand the current “Accessible
Apartments” and “Apartments for Young Families” programs, but will
subsidize new credit instruments for young people to assist with
education related and other social issues.

It says that it will continue to raise old-age pensions and state
assistance to families with three or more children. The party doesn’t
disclose any figures regarding these increases.

The RPA says it will focus more on preventative health measures and
promises to create a health insurance scheme for the neediest segments
of society.

NKR MOD DENIES AZERBAIJANI MEDIA NEWS ON SKIRMISH AT LINE OF CONTACT

NEWS.AM
April 11, 2012 | 11:12

STEPANAKERT. – The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) MOD has denied the
Azerbaijani media news that a skirmish had allegedly occurred at the
line of contact between the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing forces.

This is yet another misinformation by the Azerbaijani propaganda
machine, NKR Defense Army Press Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Senor
Hasratyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The information on ‘losses’ from the Karabakh side does not correspond
to the reality,” NKR MOD representative said, and added that the
causes for the wounding of the Azerbaijani soldier must be sought
after within the Azerbaijani army.

“The NKR Defense Army’s vanguard divisions honor the ceasefire. The
Azerbaijani Armed Forces, on the other hand, continue to regularly
violate the agreements,” Senor Hasratyan stressed.

UAR VOWS SUPPORT TO BUSINESSMAN WHO KILLED 3 PROTECTING HIS FAMILY

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 11, 2012 – 11:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Union of Armenians of Russia disseminated a
statement saying that “a tragic incident happened on April 7, 2012;
businessman Gagik (Gegham in earlier media reports) Sargsyan was
assaulted in his house in Bogoroditsk town in Tula region.”

“Four robbers (who later appeared to have previous criminal records)
armed with a gun, knives and baseball bat, attacked the house and
beat Sargsyan and his family, wife and four junior kids including a
one-year-old infant. In an attempt to protect his family, Sargsyan
grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the assaulters; 3 of four died
on the spot,” the statement said.

“Sargsyan is currently is hospital with numerous injuries. According
to media reports, both experts and neighbors agree that he did his
best to protect his loved ones. However, some doubts were voiced as
to Sargsyan’s possible exceeding the necessary self-defense.

This tragic incident has sparked large public debates. Representatives
of different nations address the Russian Armenians’ Union asking to
look into careful and fair investigation of this case.

In this regard, the Union of Armenians of Russia informs that
immediately after the incident, its leadership contacted the relevant
federal and state law enforcement bodies who confirmed that regional
and local authorities are actively investigating this case, and
undertake all necessary measures with regard to medical treatment to
victims and ensuring security for Sargsyan and his family members.

“We keep an eye on the situation and are ready to provide any support
to the family of our compatriot, if required,” the Union said.

Also, the Union is convinced that after necessary investigative
actions are taken, relevant conclusions will be drawn, and Sargsyan
who protected his family will face a just verdict.

Following the April 7 incident, a criminal case is filed against
Sargsyan, who is charged of homicide of two and more persons.

FEDERATION COUNCIL: AZERBAIJANI, RUSSIAN AND ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Trend
April 9 2012
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian parliaments can contribute
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, head of the Federation
Council of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko, who is on an
official visit to Azerbaijan, said.

“We should focus on organising the contacts, meetings of intellectuals
and cultural figures of the three countries,” Matvienko told the media
in Baku today. “Our goal is to create an atmosphere of trust. It will
be difficult to find a practical solution to this problem without
strengthening confidence.”

As a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia makes all the
necessary efforts to find a solution to this problem, she said.

Matvienko recalled that several tripartite meetings have been held
between the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents at the
initiative of President Medvedev. The formats of a mutually acceptable
solution have been discussed.

“This problem has no quick solution,” she said. “It is not easy, it
is difficult, but we are acting strictly within the UN resolutions
on this issue. We follow international law.”

She added that the potential of the OSCE Minsk Group has not been
exhausted. It gives the opportunity to continue this work. “Russia
has played and will continue playing an active role as a mediator in
finding mutually acceptable solutions. The good will from both sides
and the search for a peaceful solution are required.”

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

AZNAVOUR, NOW 87, STILL MAKING MONTREALERS SWOON

CTV.ca

April 9 2012
Canada

MONTREAL – Charles Aznavour might be 87-years-old but he’s ready to
unveil some brand new tunes alongside his timeworn classics at his
upcoming shows at Place des Arts.

It’s a bit of a homecoming for Aznavour, a Frenchman of Armenian
heritage who has been coming to perform in Montreal since the 1940s,
an era in Montreal which he recalls fondly.

“We were a little crazy, drinking a lot, smoking a lot, running a lot,”
said Aznavour.

The crooner has been named Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member
of the Order of Quebec and even once considered relocating here.

He still loves the city and particularly appreciates Old Montreal.

“Now that I’m coming back, almost like a tourist, I go to see it,”
he said.

Aznavour’s trips to Montreal haven’t always been without controversy.

In 1996 the singer was heckled during a concert by some fans unhappy
that he chose to sing some of his songs in English.

Prime Minister Chretien later apologized to the singer for the
response, leading nationalists to complain further.

His upcoming concerts are not expected to be lightning rods for
language disputes, however.

He’s planning on seducing loyal fans with old material plus, one-third
new material.

“I’m very intimate with the fans,” he said. “They’re going to discover
me a little more than before.”

He’ll be on stage with a five-piece band, something he’s grown to
appreciate more than the full-blown orchestra.

“If somebody changes his mind in the audience and asks something,
if you have the big orchestra you can’t do it.”

Aznavour perform Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Maison
Symphonique de Montreal at Place des Arts.

HE RECEIVED $130 THOUSAND FROM A PERSON CONDEMNED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Ruzan MINASYAN

April 5, 2012 15:57

The Special Investigation Service confirmed the information
of , according to which an investigation had been
launched against Gor Khachatryan, the chief of the medical service
at Nubarashen Correctional Institution, based on the complaint of
Ararat Muradkhanyan, a prisoner condemned to life imprisonment,
serving his sentence at the correctional institution.

According to the person condemned to life imprisonment, he gave Gor
Khachatryan $130 000 in parts for releasing him. However, G.

Khachatryan didn’t keep his promise and returned $30 000 to the
prisoner.

Murakhdanyan has applied to the National Security Service.

ARROGANT FRONT CANNOT HARM SYRIA: IRGC COMMANDER

press tv
Mon Apr 9, 2012 1:11PM

File photo shows a rally in support of the Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad.

Syria is one of the leading countries on the [anti-Zionist] resistance
front and is thus a very important [country].”

Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour

A top Iranian commander says the arrogant front will not succeed in
harming Syria as Syrians have become aware of the nature of Western
plots against Damascus.

“The arrogant front cannot harm Syria and Syrians have fully
comprehended the reason behind the attacks [against their country]
by some powers,” Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
(IRGC) Ground Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Monday.

Syrians have taken to the streets in great numbers and on many
occasions in Damascus and other cities across the country to show
their support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

President Assad said on March 6 that Syrians have “proven their
capacity to defend the nation and to build a new Syria through
their determination to pursue reforms along with the fight against
foreign-backed terrorism.”

“Syria is one of the leading states on the [anti-Zionist] resistance
front and is thus a very important [country],” Pakpour added.

Syria has been the scene of unrest since mid-March 2011, with
demonstrations being held both against and in support of Assad’s
government.

The West and the Syrian opposition blame Damascus for the year-long
turmoil, but the government says the “terrorists” are responsible
for the unrest, which it says is being orchestrated from abroad.

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL: ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN, AZERI PARLIAMENTS CAN PROMOTE KARABAKH RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 9, 2012 – 16:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani parliaments
can contribute to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, head of
the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko,
who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, said.

“We should focus on establishing contacts, organization meetings
between intellectuals and cultural figures of the three countries,”
Matvienko told the media in Baku on April 9. “Our goal is to create
an atmosphere of trust. It will be difficult to find a practical
solution to this problem without strengthening confidence.”

As a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia makes all the
necessary efforts to find a solution to this problem, trend.az quotes
Matvienko as saying.

Russian official recalled that several tripartite meetings have been
held between the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders on the
initiative of President Medvedev. The formats of a mutually acceptable
solution have been discussed.

“This problem has no quick solution,” she said. “It is not easy, it
is difficult, but we are acting strictly within the UN resolutions
on this issue. We follow international law.”

She added that the potential of the OSCE Minsk Group has not been
exhausted. “It gives the opportunity to continue this work. Russia
has played and will continue playing an active role as a mediator in
finding mutually acceptable solutions. The good will from both sides
and the search for a peaceful solution are required.”

ARMENIA’S COMMUNISTS FAVOR COUNTRY’S CHILDREN TO ATTEND RUSSIAN SCHOOLS

news.am
April 09, 2012 | 15:39

YEREVAN. – One of the priorities of the Communist Party of Armenia’s
(CPA) pre-election program-for the upcoming parliamentary elections-is
to lift the ban on Armenian children’s enrollment in Russian schools,
the Party’s leader Ruben Tovmasyan stated during a press conference
on Monday.

In his words, Armenia’s current education system does not teach a
necessary amount of Russian language to the children. At the same time,
however, the Communists demand that the teaching level of Armenian-the
country’s official language-be raised in schools.

In response to the question as to whether the initiative to open
Russian schools for Armenian children would be followed by a proposal
to join Russia, Tovmasyan noted: “Even if I were a super Communist,
I would not have agreed to Armenia joining Russia. But the CPA is a
supporter of friendly relations with Russia.”

Also, Armenia’s Communists are in favor of nationalizing the strategic
domains of the country’s economy.

And Ruben Tovmasyan suggested that the Chinese model should be used
in order to develop Armenia’s economy.

NO ELECTION-RELATED PROGRAM WILL BE PRESENTED TO VISITING PACE DELEGATION – ARMENIAN RULING PARTY MP

news.am
April 09, 2012 | 13:02

YEREVAN. – A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) will pay a visit to Armenia’s capital Yerevan,
on Wednesday and Thursday, to get acquainted with the country’s
pre-election process, Davit Harutyunyan-the ruling coalition’s
Republican Party of Armenia Executive Board member, National Assembly
(NA) Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Chairman, and Head
of Armenia’s delegation at PACE-told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his words, they have no plans of presenting any upcoming NA
election-related programs to the delegation members, but should they
have any related questions, they will be answered.

And with respect to the inaccuracies in the voters’ lists, Harutyunyan
said this was blown out of proportion.

“We took all the steps so that the lists become transparent in order
to fix them,” he said, and added that he anticipates high quality
parliamentary elections.

The PACE delegation will comprise representatives from the UK and
Poland, and, following their visit to Armenia, they will present a
preliminary assessment.