Category: News

A1 Plus | 19:37:17 | 15-04-2004 | Politics |
FOR INSULTING AUTHORITIES AND PRESIDENT
The first instance court sentenced the head of Republic party’s Talin office
Jora Sapeyan to a two-month imprisonment for insulting the authorities and
the president.
Khachik Simonyan, who was captured in the party office Monday night, was
sentenced to five days in jail.
The court held its session behind closed doors.

CENN – APRIL 14, 2003 DAILY DIGEST —- ARMENIA
Table of Contents:
1. Armenian Water Industry to Be Handed to Private Operator
2. Function on Occasion of Country’s Day to be Held in Yerevan
3. 25 Cases of Measles Registered in Armenia
1. ARMENIAN WATER INDUSTRY TO BE HANDED TO PRIVATE OPERATOR
Source: Armenpress, April 12, 2004
The government of Armenia and World Bank has concluded negotiations on a
fresh credit for handing Armenia’s water industry (supply of drinking
water and sewage network) over to a private operator, which will be
required to restore the entire system. World Bank Board of Director is
expected to consider the $26 million worth project in May, which is
supposed to start in September. The government has committed to release
$3 million from its budget to support the project. According to Adibek
Ghazarian, the head of the project implementing office, the ultimate
goal of the 6 yearlong project is to secure round the clock water supply
across the country and reduction of losses. Ghazarian said a relevant
tender would be announced soon.
2. FUNCTION ON OCCASION OF COUNTRY’S DAY TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN
Source: ARMINFO, April 12, 2004
A function on the occasion of the Day of Country is to be held in
Republic Square in Yerevan on April 25, 2004 the press service of the
Public Ecological Council of Yerevan reports. Tree planting, territory
cleaning and an exhibition of works of ecological organizations are
expected to be organized. An exhibition of works about nature,
children’s traditional drawings on asphalt and a concert of children’s
groups are expected as well. The participants will receive T-shirts with
slogans. Flying pigeons will mark the opening. The arrangement will be
organized by the Public Ecological Council of Yerevan and the Center of
regional development (Armenian branch of the Transparency International
organization).
3. 25 CASES OF MEASLES REGISTERED IN ARMENIA
Source: ARMINFO, April 12, 2004
Twenty-five people ill with measles are registered in Armenia. Head of
the National Program of Immunization, Deputy Director of the Center for
Control and Prevention of Diseases, the Public Health Ministry of
Armenia, Sirak Sukiasyan told ARMINFO. He said that such an activation
of the disease has not been observed since 1997-98, while in 2003 only 2
cases were registered. Eight pupils are ill with measles in the schools
No.60 and No.68. The remaining are adults in Yerevan and Gyumri. The
Public Health Ministry takes all the measures to prevent spreading of
the disease. According to preliminary data of physicians, by 2005 the
spreading of measles may increase, and then it will decrease again.
In Armenia, in conformity with the recommendation of the World Health
Organization, children at the age of 1 and 6 are vaccinated against
measles, German measles and parotitis in the regional polyclinics free
of charge.
—
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CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
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Armenian foreign minister, Chinese official discuss development of ties
Arminfo
13 Apr 04
YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today met the assistant
foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li Hui.
Arminfo news agency has already reported that Li Hui has passed
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan an invitation from Chinese
President Hu Jintao to pay an official visit to China. Vardan Oskanyan
expressed the hope that the forthcoming visit of the Armenian head of
state to the People’s Republic of China would promote the development
of bilateral relations. The sides highly rated the current level of
Armenian-Chinese relations, pointing out that the deepening of
political relations will help raise economic, cultural and business
relations between the two states to a higher level.
The assistant foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li
Hui, also met his Armenian counterpart Tatul Markaryan. During the
meeting, the sides discussed ways of developing Armenian-Chinese
relations, as well as issues of cooperation within the framework of
international organizations.

Armenian foreign minister, Chinese official discuss ties
Arminfo
13 Apr 04

YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan today met the assistant
foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li Hui. Arminfo
news agency has already reported that Li Hui has passed Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan an invitation from Chinese President Hu
Jintao to pay an official visit to China. Vardan Oskanyan expressed
the hope that the forthcoming visit of the Armenian head of state to
the People’s Republic of China would promote the development of
bilateral relations. The sides highly rated the current level of
Armenian-Chinese relations, pointing out that the deepening of
political relations will help raise economic, cultural and business
relations between the two states to a higher level.
The assistant foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li
Hui, also met his Armenian counterpart Tatul Markaryan. During the
meeting, the sides discussed ways of developing Armenian-Chinese
relations, as well as issues of cooperation within the framework of
international organizations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 13:46:37 | 14-04-2004 | Politics |
ARMENIA: JOURNALISTS BEATEN AT AN OPPOSITION RALLY
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns attack on several
Armenian journalists who were covering an opposition rally in the country’s
capital, Yerevan.
“CPJ calls on Armenian authorities to investigate these attacks against our
colleagues and bring those responsible to justice,” said CPJ Executive
Director Ann Cooper. “We also urge officials to ensure that journalists in
Armenia are able to do their jobs freely and safely”.

A1 Plus | 15:09:09 | 14-04-2004 | Politics |
RALLY IN LOS ANGELES ON APRIL 15
The ruling body of Hnchakyan Social and Democratic Party in Western America
appeared with a statement, condemning violence committed by orders of
illegal Authorities towards April 13 meeting participants.
The statement authors expressed their demands: To cease pursuing Opposition
figures and MPs, to allow people to implement their Constitutional right for
holding peaceful demonstrations, to stop assaulting press representatives
and to remove the obstacles on the way of free activity of local and foreign
TV Companies.
In that connection Hnchakyan Party calls upon the California residents to
assemble on April 15 before Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles and to voice
their support to the population of Armenia.

A1 Plus | 16:28:01 | 14-04-2004 | Politics |
OPPOSITION FIGURES MUST BE RELEASED
“Tension must lessen and the arrested people and Opposition representatives
must be set free”, USA Ambassador John Ordway said over the recent events
during the joint press conference with Armenian Defense Minister Serj
Sargssyan.
“I think the emotions must now relax. A political dialogue must be launched,
aimed at solution of political and economic problems in Armenia. Both parts
must promise to apply only political methods during the political strife”,
Ambassador said.

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Spokesperson and Press Division
Ref: 189a04
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:
Secretary General warns of anti-democratic decline in Armenia and appeals
for dialogue
Strasbourg, 14.04.2004 – Following a meeting with the Permanent
Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe yesterday evening,
Secretary General Walter Schwimmer expressed his concern about reported
violence in Armenia.
“There is incomplete and conflicting news of excessive use of force by the
police, of arrests – including of members of parliament – and of a media
blackout”, said Walter Schwimmer. “This confirms one thing: if there was
complete freedom of the media, we would have a clear picture of the
situation”, he added.
Recalling the strong position taken by the Parliamentary Assembly against
the use of arbitrary procedures for detention, as foreseen in the
Administrative Code, the Secretary General said that such detentions would
not be acceptable.
The Secretary General of the 45-member human rights organisation warned
against an anti-democratic decline in Armenia. “In a democracy, people are
free to gather and express their views – even if they are critical of the
President or of the government”, said Mr Schwimmer. “I call on the Armenian
authorities to guarantee all human rights which are protected under the
European Convention on Human Rights”.
“Today’s problems are partly caused by the lack of modern legislation, which
it would be possible to introduce before changing the Constitution. For this
and for other reasons, Armenia has already lost precious time for reform”,
he continued.
“I appeal to all political forces to refrain from violence, to resume
dialogue and to focus on democratic reform”, the Secretary General
concluded.
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common
responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 45 member states.

A1 Plus | 16:10:58 | 14-04-2004 | Politics |
BAGHRAMYAN AVENUE IS NOT THE PLACE TO DANCE
“I think Office of Prosecutor has the power to appraise the Police actions.
And the appraisal was voiced yesterday”, Armenian Defense Minister Serj
Sargssyan said referring to the events on April 13 night during the joint
press conference with USA Ambassador in Armenia John Ordway in Talin in
connection with opening of the hospital reconstructed by finance of USA
Government.
“Policemen had to protect the social order and they did it. I don’t think it
is right to disturb the vital functions of a big city through 2000 or 4000
people. I don’t consider Baghramyan Avenue to be the place to dance. People
didn’t have to attack policemen with stones or bottles”, Minister commented.

A1 Plus | 16:58:30 | 14-04-2004 | Politics |
DEFENSE MINISTER COMMENTING UPON BEATING JOURNALISTS
“If someone possesses a camera or a dictaphone, it doesn’t mean that he or
she is a journalist. I think journalists especially during such measures
must produce something to prove them to be journalists”, Armenian Defense
Minister Serj Sargssyan said referring to the assaults to journalists during
the recent events.
“I don’t want to justify anyone. But if the law machinery demands to respect
law, everybody must obey it”, Minister explained.
“I consider it is bad to beat in general. It is not strange to me that
journalists react to beating more morbidly if it happens to any of them. It
is beyond my commission to call what happened on Baghramyan Avenue as
“beating”, and I think law enforcement bodies are to engage in it”, Minister
added.