Pan Armenian News

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO CANADA GAVE LECTURE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

06.07.2005 05:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ July 4 Armenian Ambassador to Canada Ara Papian gave a
lecture at the London-based summer institute after General Romeo Dallaire
(Ontario, Canada). His lecture was dedicated to the 90-th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, RA MFA press center reported. Numerous tutors, students
and guests attended the lecture. The activities of the institute founded
with the assistance of Association for the Elimination of Hate (AEH) are
targeted to encourage efforts for the investigation of the Armenian Genocide
and Holocaust.

Today, Azerbaijan
July 6 2005

57 countries, OIC members support Azerbaijan unanimously in
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict

57 countries, members of the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC), have unanimously supported the position of Azerbaijan by
adopting 3 resolutions at the next 32-th conference of the Foreign
Ministries (FM) heads of the OIC member-countries, which took place
in the Yemen’s capital city, Sana, head of the II territorial
Administration of the Azerbaijan’s FM, Azer Husseyn told the briefing
on 5 July, Trend reports.

Resolutions, adopted at the conference, where Azerbaijan has been
represented by the FM Elmar Mammadyarov, strongly condemn the
Armenia’ actions as the aggressor-country, they reflect the attitude
of Islamic countries to destruction of the Azerbaijan’s cultural
heritage on the occupied areas. According to Husseyn, support of the
Islamic countries means very much for Azerbaijan. «The very fact of
voicing the Upper Karabakh problem from the tribune of such an
authoritative organization is an important support for Azerbaijan’,
the FM official spokesman stated.

According to Husseyn, the FM Mammadyarov addressed the conference
with the proposal to hold the next conference in Baku. Thus, by the
conference’s decision the 33-th conference of the FM heads of the OIC
countries and Ministers of Tourism will be held in 2006 in
Azerbaijan.

Within the conference, the FM of Azerbaijan held a number of
bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Iran, Pakistan, Russia,
Palestine, Turkey and other countries to have exchange of opinions on
bilateral issues.

According to Husseyn, the conference took a decision to give Russia,
where 20 million Moslem live, the observer’ status. «By the
far-sighting policy of Azerbaijan, while establishing the observer’s
status in the organization, provision on not acceptance the
countries, having conflicts with another member of the organization
has been adopted’, Husseyn stressed. In other words, Armenia has no
chances to join the organization.

URL:

Today, Azerbaijan
July 6 2005

Members of PACE Monitoring Committee held press-conference devoted to
results of visit

06 July 2005 [10:57] – Today.Az

Closed meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe was held in Baku yesterday.

The members of the PACE Monitoring Committee held a press-conference
for journalists after the meeting.

The deputy-chairman of the committee Mrs. Severinsen informed that
the question of fulfilling the commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan
before the Council of Europe was discussed in the sitting, an
exchange of views on free gathering and protecting the election
rights in Azerbaijan was held with the representatives of the
government, opposition and non-governmental organizations. Severinsen
reminded that the elections to be held in November are vital for
Azerbaijan and said that the same question will also be discussed in
the meeting with Ilham Aliyev yesterday.

The co-raporteur on Azerbaijan of the Monitoring Committee Andreas
Gross said that he will leave for Gazakh, Sheki, Ganja and Gabala
with his colleague Andres Herkel tomorrow for studying the situation
on pre-elections environment and right of gathering in the regions.
`Azerbaijan does not consist of only Baku, the situation seems better
from the regions’ saying Andreas Gross considers that at least ¼ of
the parliament should consist of the representatives of the
opposition. `When the relation is lower than this, then the
parliament is not formed well.

The parliament should not be the continuation of the Cabinet; it
should consist both of the government and opposition’. Another
co-raporteur on Azerbaijan of the Monitoring Committee Andres Herkel
called the meetings they held very efficient. The co-raporteur noted
that existence of the right of gathering of the people in the regions
is important and expressed his regret that the opposition could
realize the actions only in 4 regions, though they wanted to do it in
17 regions. Herkel called abolishing the imprisonment sentence on the
former prisoners to be very important event and welcomed 4 former
political prisoners’ obtaining the right of being elected. He did not
also hide his trouble about that the activity of the Public
Television remains only on the paper till now. `This television has a
great role in holding debates. We are troubled with absence of the
political dialogue between the government and opposition’.

The PACE raporteur on the Upper Garabagh conflict David Atkinson
reminded that the document related to the problem was adopted in
January of this year. He said that the structure he represents wants
this problem to be solved only in peaceful way and declared that
parliamentarians’ joining this question is the desired case. `I
regret that the parliament members were not drawn into the OSCE Minsk
Group five meetings which were held between the representatives of
Azerbaijan and Armenia in the frame of the meeting of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I feel regret about
such meeting’s not taking place in the January session. I hope that a
round table on the Upper Garabagh subject will take place in
October’.

The head of the delegation of Azerbaijan in PACE Samad Seyidov
expressed his gratitude to the Monitoring Committee for holding such
meeting in Baku.

The parliamentarian called the meeting very important and efficient
and said that necessary discussions for the future of Azerbaijan were
held here and informed that both positive and negative opinions were
sounded.

He expressed his hope that all problems will be solved till the
elections. Andreas Gross answering the questions informed that except
the government, no one is satisfied with the pre-elections situation.
`We are not satisfied with the changes made to the Election Code and
we are troubled with the non-equal composition of the election
commissions’.

/APA/

URL:

Today, Azerbaijan
July 6 2005

Andreas Gross: `There is hope, but there is no confidence in
elections to be held democratically in Azerbaijan’

06 July 2005 [10:09] – Today.Az

There is hope, but there is no confidence, that the forthcoming
parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be held democratically,
the rapporteur on Azerbaijan, the deputy from Switzerland, Andreas
Gross told journalists at the briefing, staged on 5 July after the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) monitoring
committee sitting in Baku.

Deputy chairman of the PACE monitoring committee, Mrs. Severince,
the PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Andres Herkel, the PACE
rapporteur on the Nagorno Karabakhconflict, David Atkinson, as well
as the leader of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation to PACE,
Samed Seyidov took also part in the event. (Trend)

Andreas Gross noted as the negative fact that during the discussions
of supplements and changes to the Election Code at the Milli Mejlis
(Parliament), recommendations of the CE Venice Commission have not
been taken into consideration. The same concerns the proposals of the
oppositional parties on the change of the election committees’
composition. He noted that they are concerned over the unequal
formation of the electoral commissions’ composition.

The co-raporteur noted that the fate of the elections will be defined
not in the capital city, but in the regions, therefore they will
visit the regions of Azerbaijan.

Another co-rapporteur of the PACE monitoring committee, the Estonian
deputy Andres Herkel noted, that some problems in the human rights
field still exist in Azerbaijan and among them he emphasized the ban
for holding rallies. As confirmation of his words he gave the
example: the oppositional parties planned to hold rally on 2 July in
17 regions, but only 4 of them took place. Furthermore, the
co-rapporteur voiced discontent by the delay of the Public TV
operation, the absence of political debates between the authorities
and opposition, and etc.

The PACE rapporteur on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, David Atkinson
noted the necessity to involve the representatives of Parliaments of
Armenia and Azerbaijan to negotiations, held within the OSCE Minsk
group.

URL:

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 6 2005

Iran to pursue good-neighborly policy under new president

YEREVAN, July 6. (RIA Novosti)-A senior Iranian official said
Wednesday that the new president of the country would continue to
maintain good relations with neighboring countries.

While meeting with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, the governor
of the province of Hormozgan, Ebrahim Derzmisu, said Iran’s new
presidential elect, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, would pursue the
good-neighborly policy of his predecessor after his inauguration in
August.

The Armenian president’s press service reported the governor had also
conveyed a message of greetings from Iran’s ex-President Mohammad
Khatami.

The governor said there were two free and three special economic
zones, three international airports and a seaport in the Hormozgan
province, which created favorable conditions for the further
development of Armenian-Iranian economic relations. The official
stated he was set personally to help Armenian businessmen eager to
cooperate with Iran.

The Armenian president said he hoped bilateral agreements would also
continue to be valid throughout Ahmadinejad’s presidency.

According to Kocharyan, Armenia’s developing economy opened up new
opportunities for further bilateral economic cooperation. In
particular, the president stressed that a new highway to link Iran
and Armenia would considerably increase cargo traffic.

Besides plans to build a thermal power plant, the countries have
recently agreed to accelerate the construction of the Kajaran tunnel
in the south of Armenia, which will help trade between the countries.
Another project seeks to connect the countries’ fiber-optic cable
networks. If a 40-kilometer cable is laid in the north of Iran, the
country will be able to follow the example of Armenia and become
hooked up to the Russian fiber-optic network.

Armenia is most of all interested in energy cooperation with Iran, as
the country is not rich in energy resources and is planning to shut
down its sole nuclear power plant in 10 years’ time. If the thermal
power plant is built and Armenia gains access to other Iranian energy
facilities, the country’s energy security would be significantly
improved.

The construction of a 140-kilometer gas pipeline to connect the
countries is one of the most promising projects. Although it has been
under discussion for many years, the project has not yet been
implemented, as high prices for Iranian natural gas make exports
impractical. However, a pipeline to link Iran and Turkmenistan has
raised hopes that the project will become a reality and cheap natural
gas from Turkmenistan will be pumped through Iran to third countries,
which may include Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEMONSTRATION OF FILMS BY GERMAN DIRECTOR R.W. FASSBINDER TO BE IN
YEREVAN IN JULY-AUGUST

YEREVAN, JULY 6. ARMINFO. Demonstration of films by a German
cinematographer Rainer Werner Fassbinder timed to his 60th anniversary
will be organized in Armenia’s National Picture Gallery in
July-August.

Program manager Melik Karapetyan informed at today’s press-conference
that 31 films reflected Germany and German society of 70-80s’ will be
presented to Armenian audience.

To note, Fassbinder (1945-1982) has shot more than 40 films, created
numerous TV- and radio-programs, following his motto to achieve such
heights “Shakespeare in literature, Marks in politics and Freud in
psychology”.

Lennmarker: the best way is to unite Karabakh with Armenia

06.07.2005 15:23

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly continued to
discuss the report made by Goran Lennmarker, the special
representative on the Karabakh conflict, at its session in Washington
on Tuesday, Armenpress reported.

Speaking to an Azerbaijani news agency following the discussion,
Lennmarker noted, “By appointing a special representative we intended
to engage the parliamentarians of Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

In his turn, Satar Safarov of the Azeribaijani delegation, has told a
Baku-based newspaper that the Swedish politician has said at the
closed session that “the recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
by Europe is unacceptable and would lead to many negative
consequences,” adding, however, that the best way to ensure Armenians’
security is the unification of Karabakh with Armenia.

The Azerbaijani delegation was also informed that the Minsk Group is
to make specific proposals for the conflict resolution before the
Kazan meeting.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/05/2005
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1) Lennmarker Speaks of ‘Golden Opportunity’ in Settling Karabagh conflict
2) OSCE Parliamentarians from 55-Member States Defeat Azeri Effort
3) Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Closing Ceremonies End on High Note

1) Lennmarker Speaks of ‘Golden Opportunity’ in Settling Karabagh conflict

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)–Speaking at an Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) session in Washington, DC, Swedish member of
parliament and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Rapporteur on the Karabagh conflict
Goran Lennmarker said, “There is now a golden opportunity for a peaceful
solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based on a win-win concept where
both
Armenia and Azerbaijan come out better.”
Presenting his report to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Heads of
Delegations,
Lennmarker spoke of peaceful solutions to the Karabagh conflict within the
OSCE
Minsk Group–co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States.
Lennmarker stressed that though “the conflict is not frozen,” Armenia and
Azerbaijan must intensify the negotiations. “There is no alternative to a
peaceful solution; in fact, there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in
order to end the personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of
this
conflict.”
The OSCE rapporteur suggested basing a solution on experiences from Europe,
where democracy and integration are fundamental components in securing lasting
peace. Strong European and international institutions stand ready to support
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lennmarker stressed.
Commenting on the effectiveness of the work done by the Parliamentary
Delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lennmarker said, “Once a peace
agreement
has been finalized by the two Governments, the parliamentary dimension becomes
invaluable in informing the public and in ensuring the implementation. It is
of utmost importance that networks of Members of Parliaments already exist and
stand ready to take on these tasks.”
Lennmarker was appointed in June 2002 and has since then visited Armenia and
Azerbaijan on numerous occasions.

2) OSCE Parliamentarians from 55-Member States Defeat Azeri Effort

ANCA Welcomes Parliamentary Assembly’s rejection of divisive Mountainous
Karabagh resolution

WASHINGTON, DC–The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) meeting last night in Washington, DC,
voted
overwhelmingly to defeat a controversial measure on Nagorno Karabagh authored
by Azerbaijani Parliamentarian Sattar Safarov, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The vote took place during a meeting of the OSCE PA’s Heads of Delegation, as
part of the opening session of the four-day meeting for members of Parliament
from the 55 member states of the OSCE. The Safarov resolution, which was
widely
viewed as a biased and divisive measure, received only token support, with
nearly all the Heads of Delegation voting to keep the measure off of the OSCE
PA agenda.
The OSCE PA proceedings are being presided over by Congressman Alcee Hastings
(D-FL), the first US legislator to ever serve in this capacity. Other members
of Congress participating in the Assembly include: Senator Sam Brownback
(R-KS), who is heading the US delegation, Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), and
Representatives Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD),
Benjamin L.
Cardin (D-MD), Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL),
Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA), Mike Pence (R-IN), and Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
The Armenian delegation is being headed by Vahan Hovhannisian, the Deputy
Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament. Other members of the delegation are Artashes
Geghamyan, MP and Samvel Nikoyan, MP. The ANCA worked closely with the
Armenian
delegation and the Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC, as well as with
Armenian
National Committee affiliates in Canada and throughout Europe, in sharing with
OSCE PA members the dangers of the Safarov resolution.
“We would like to thank Congressman Hastings for his leadership in the
Assembly’s proceedings, and to express our appreciation to all those who voted
against the Safarov resolution for their responsible stewardship of the OSCE’s
efforts to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
The defeat of the Safarov resolution set the stage for the standard
consideration by the Assembly of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. This
discussion is being led by Swedish Member of Parliament Goran Lennmarker, who
has served since June of 2002 as the OSCE PA special representative on this
issue. In preparation for the OSCE PA meeting, Lennmarker presented a report,
titled “A Golden Opportunity: Some Ideas on Nagorno Karabagh Conflict,” to the
Heads of Delegations to the OSCE PA.
In this report, Lennmarker stressed that there is now a golden opportunity,
through the OSCE Minsk Peace-process, for a peaceful solution of the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict, based on concept where both Armenia and
Azerbaijan come out better. In his remarks, Lennmarker noted that “the
conflict
is not frozen,” adding that “there is no alternative to a peaceful
solution–in
fact there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in order to end the
personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of this conflict.” He
proposed basing a solution on experiences from Europe, where democracy and
integration are fundamental components in securing a lasting peace, and added
that strong European and international institutions stand ready to support
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In the weeks leading up to the convening of this meeting, the ANCA–through
grassroots outreach–stressed to the US members of Congress–serving in the
OSCE PA–that Armenian Americans attach tremendous importance to Mountainous
Karabagh’s rights to freedom, democracy and, self-determination. The Armenian
American community, the ANCA stressed, has invested considerable hope in the
OSCE Minsk Group process and is strongly against any efforts to derail this
effort.
In a June 24th letter sent to Congressman Hastings and to others in the US
delegation, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian warned of the dangers presented by the
Safarov resolution. He described it as a “one-sided approach to a complex
issue,” that “neither fairly characterizes the conflict nor presents any
practical steps toward its resolution. In sum, it is a destructive measure
that
will, if adopted, ultimately threaten the progress of the OSCE Minsk Group
peace talks.” Hachikian specifically called on the US members of the Assembly
to vote against the Safarov resolution and “to strongly oppose any and all
efforts to use the Assembly’s meeting as a forum for one-sided efforts to
derail progress toward peace in Nagorno Karabagh.”
The OSCE PA is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe, whose 55 participating States span the
geographical
area from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The primary task of the 317-member
Assembly
is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, an important aspect of the
overall effort to meet the challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area.
Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations
Charter, the OSCE is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict
prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in its area.
The
Parliamentary Assembly, originally established by the 1990 Paris Summit to
promote greater involvement in the OSCE by national parliaments, has grown
into
a very active and esteemed member of the OSCE family.
To learn more about the OSCE PA, visit:

3) Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Closing Ceremonies End on High Note

VAN NUYS–More than 20,000 people flocked to Birmingham High School’s athletic
field on Monday, July 4, to celebrate Homenetmen’s 30th Navasartian Games
closing ceremonies, officially marking the end of the athletic competitions.
With colorful flags depicting the region’s 18 Homenetmen chapters and the
Navasartian torch burning at the center of the field, the Homenetmen Regional
Scouting Council members, accompanied by Regional Executive chairman Raffy
Ispendjian, led the procession of guests to the field, including Navsartian
Honorary presidents Mr. & Mrs. Shant & Vergine Haytayan and Western Prelate
Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian, along with the 2005 Homenetmen Exemplary member
Lilit Baghdasarians and her husband. Following the ceremonial permission by
the
Honorary President, the Homenetmen regional scout council members and chapter
scoutmasters proceeded to the field.
With Regional scoutmaster Hrayr Boyajian’s cue, the closing ceremonies
commenced with the Homenetmen color-guard bearing the flags of the US,
Armenia,
Mountainous Karabagh Republic, Homenetmen, and three state flags. A second
color guard–bearing the flags of the US and Armenia symbolizing the 30th
Navasartian Games–made their ceremonial entrance onto the field. The US and
Armenian national anthems were performed by the Homenetmen Western Regional
marching band.
Special guests included Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian; Consul
General of the Republic of Armenia Hon. Gagik Kirakosian; Sheriff Lee Baca;
Homenetmen Central Executive members Manuel Marselian and Mher Tavitian; ARF
Central Committee representative Hagop Tufenkjian; ARS Central Committee Vice
Chairman Hasmig Derderian; State Assembly member Carl Liu; City of Los Angles
councilwomen Wendy Greuel; City of Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian; Clerk of the
City of Glendale Ardashes Kassakhian; Glendale Unified School District Gregory
Krikorian; Burbank Unified School District member Paul Krikorian; and former
Homenetemen Honorary presidents Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Ghailian and family.
The pre-show featured the energetic and graceful Nairi Dance Ensemble of the
San Fernando Valley Hamazkayin chapter, directed by Cathrine Hairabedian.
Homenetmen Regional Executive Chairman Raffy Ispendjian highlighted the
importance of Homenetmen, declaring, `Empower the body and mind and you will
not only elevate yourself but others with you. This was the objective for a
group of visionaries who had survived the First genocide of the 20th century
when they established this organization. Nearly nine decades later, while the
Universal acknowledgement of the first genocide of the 20th century remains
unexplainable missing, the acknowledgment of individual and collective
advancements is refuted.’
Placing the celebration of the 30th Navasartian Games in the US in context,
Ispendjian stressed, `We are undeniably aware of the inseparable connection
between individual and collective freedom. Our forefathers–both Armenian and
American–fought bravely to guarantee us these truths and it remains our
inherent responsibility to protect them. Homenetmen is committed to the
Armenian youth, with them we will grow and for them we stand as guardians for
their right to individual excellence and collective advancement.’
Homenetmen Central Executive member Mher Tavitian gave an inspiring speech
about Homenetmen’s work on a global level, as he announced the Pan Homenetmen
games to be held in Athens, Greece.
A poignant moment was when the Homenetmen Ararat Choir, conducted by Arig
Gevorkian, took the stage and performed a special Navasartian song written by
Gevorkian for the 30th Navasartian Games.
Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian commenced his blessing remarks by
praising Homenetmen for its continuous efforts to educate generations of
Armenians throughout the world.
Following the Bishop’s address, Winds of Passion, In Progress…, and the Gor
Band performed Armenian songs.
The parade’s announcers–former Regional Executive member Garbis Chkherdemian
(in English) and HTV Armenian news anchor Nora Tchaparian– outlined each
chapter’s achievements and Navasartian wins as the trophies were presented. As
Regional scoutmaster Boyajian gave the command, the long-awaited parade of
athletes and Homenetmen members began. Cheers filled the stadium as Homenetmen
chapter Executives, Committee members, coaches, athletes, and scouts proudly
marched.
The evening’s festivities continued into the late hours of the Navasartian
festival.

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EurasiaNet Organization
July 6 2005

TBILISI ELECTION LAW FUELS GEORGIA’S POLITICAL OPPOSITION
Vladic Ravich 7/06/05

New legislation concerning the election of Tbilisi’s mayor has
sparked a political debate over President Mikheil Saakashvili’s
commitment to democratic reform. Opposition leaders say the new law
skews the electoral framework in a way that could help Saakashvili’s
National Movement maintain a tight grip on power.

Under the legislation, passed on July 1, the capital’s mayor will be
elected by the Tbilisi City Council, or Sakrebulo, rather than
directly by voters. The City Council itself will be elected primarily
under a winner-take-all system, rather than by the previous
proportional system, which allotted council seats to political
parties in accordance to their share of the vote. Under the new
system, registered political parties may nominate two or three
candidates in each of Tbilisi’s 10 districts, depending on the size
of the constituency. The party that receives the most votes in a
particular district will automatically gain all of that district’s
seats in the City Council. This system covers 25 of the council’s 37
seats. The remaining 12 seats will be allotted on a proportional
basis to parties that receive at least 4 percent of the vote in all
city districts.

Council members, in turn, will elect Tbilisi’s mayor. Prior to
passage of the new legislation, Tbilisi’s mayor was a presidential
appointee. The capital’s incumbent mayor is 33-year-old Zurab
Chiaberashvili, a Saakashvili ally who has held the post since April
2004.

Opposition politicians and some local non-governmental organization
(NGO) activists have denounced the new legislation as
anti-democratic. The chief intent of the new election system, some
allege, is to make it easier for the National Movement, which holds a
dominating majority in parliament, to control the country’s political
sphere. The New Rights Party, a leading Saakashvili critic, proposed
a bill that would have provided for the direct election of Tbilisi’s
mayor, but it did not gain sufficient support in parliament.
Opposition legislators were not on hand in parliament for the final
vote on the Tbilisi election law. At the time the vote was taken,
opposition MPs were participating at a rally staged to condemn the
use of riot police to disperse a June 30 street protest. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Saakashvili defended the election law, saying it strengthens the
political voice of elected local assemblies. The president, who
himself served in 2002-2003 as City Council chairman, also indicated
that the law would facilitate closer ties between the mayor, the
council and the ruling party. During the run-up to the law’s passage,
Saakashvili scoffed at the New Rights Party’s advocacy of a direct
mayoral election. “Do not believe claims that a directly elected
mayor of Tbilisi will be a strong figure,” the president told
reporters in a televised June 22 press conference. “No, he will be an
extremely weak figure. Only a mayor that has a council behind him
will be strong.”

One Georgian non-governmental organization – the International
Society for Fair Elections and Democracy – reminded Saakashvili and
his National Movement followers that they advocated direct elections
as a tactic to break then-president Eduard Shevardnadze’s
stranglehold on power. “Only two years ago, opposition political
forces [including the National Movement] considered the direct
election of … local government bodies as one of the most important
democratic values,” the NGO’s statement said. “Unfortunately,
electing the Tbilisi [m]ayor directly by the citizens of the capital
is now unacceptable for today’s revolutionary government.”

[The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy receives
funding from the Open Society-Georgia Foundation, which is part of
the Soros foundations network. EurasiaNet.org operates under the
auspices of the Open Society Institute, also part of the Soros
foundations network.]

Throughout the Caucasus, debate on the nature of local government,
and responsibility for the election/selection of local officials, has
intensified in recent months. For example, Armenia, citing the need
for political unity, long resisted pressure to hold direct elections
for the mayor of Yerevan. In June, however, Armenian officials
relented, succumbing to the wishes of the Council of Europe on
proposed constitutional amendments.

The Armenian example seemed to have little impact on the Georgian
legislative debate. “We do not need anyone else’s recommendations,”
Saakashvili declared during a televised interview in early June.
“What did the leader of the free world [US President George W. Bush]
say? Georgia is an example to everyone, a beacon.” [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Georgian opposition parties, which have been largely fragmented
during the Saakashvili presidency, have seized on the Tbilisi mayor
issue as a rallying point. Saakashvili opponents now hope they have
an opportunity to inflict political damage on the president. A recent
poll conducted by the International Republican Institute and funded
by the US Agency for International Development, showed that 89
percent of Tbilisi residents favor a direct mayoral election.

The New Rights, Labor, Republican and Conservative Parties have vowed
to boycott by-elections scheduled to be held in Tbilisi expected this
autumn. The Republican and Conservative Parties have also joined
forces with 20 NGOs to lobby for a national referendum that would ask
voters whether or not they want city mayors and regional governors to
be directly elected. At least 200,000 signatures must be collected
for the referendum effort to proceed.

Additional controversy surrounds the Central Elections Committee
(CEC), the body that would be charged with conducting a referendum if
the signature requirement is met. The CEC was recently restructured
to include members that are nominally independent. But the opposition
has charged that the chairman, Gia Kavtaradze, and most of the new
members, have ties to the government, or the National Movement. The
new members were selected by a commission headed by top presidential
aide Gigi Ugulava, and approved by Saakashvili.

“Everyday, they [members of the National Movement] are creating
something new and the only goal of these people is to stay in power
forever,” Irakli Iashvili, a Conservative Party member of parliament,
commented on the boycott decision. “I am very afraid for the future.”

One prominent Tbilisi analyst, however, countered that the
opposition’s concerns are misplaced. The real issue, he said,
concerns the constitutional interpretation of executive authority.
“The president is the only power in this country,” said Devi
Khechinashvili, president of the Partnership for Social Initiative.
“It is his right – it is only logical – that he would fill the CEC
with his people and dictate how to pick the mayor.”

Some opposition leaders are expressing doubt that the CEC would allow
a referendum to occur, even if the necessary number of signatures
were gathered. “The whole election system is controlled by the
government, the top management, the middle, the bottom, everybody,”
said Iashvili, “I am absolutely sure the referendum will not happen,
but I am very much interested in how they will explain the refusal.”
National Movement loyalists, meanwhile, deny that they would use
unconstitutional means to block a referendum.

Editor’s Note: Vladic Ravich is a freelance journalist based in
Tbilisi.

Compelled to vote

The Guardian – United Kingdom; Jul 06, 2005

SARAH LUDFORD MEP GEOFF DOBSON ALUN DAVIES JOHN LOADER

With typical Labour arrogance, Geoff Hoon proposes that we be fined if
we don’t vote (Hoon calls for compulsory voting, July 5). Typically in
a general election, three-fifths of those who vote in a parliamentary
constituency see their vote wasted, under the winner-takes-all
electoral system. The situation in Belgium is quite different: who
knows if turnout is 90% because of compulsion or because of fair
voting?

Those who, like me, have never had the “privilege” of being
represented at Westminster by someone they voted for will resent
Hoon’s preference for compulsion under first-past-the-post over
electoral reform.

Sarah Ludford MEP

Lib Dem, London

* The government has an immediate opportunity to extend
enfranchisement. In 2004 the European court of human rights ruled that
the UK government’s blanket, automatic ban on voting by sentenced
prisoners was in violation of protocol 1, article 3, of the European
convention on human rights. The UK is one of only nine European
countries automatically disenfranchising all sentenced prisoners, the
others being Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,
Luxembourg, Romania and Russia. The ban dates back to the Forfeiture
Act of 1870 and has no place in a modern democracy.

Geoff Dobson

Prison Reform Trust

* There is just a possibility that it would be better to tackle the
underlying problem that many people do not vote because they know
their vote could not affect their local result or, consequently, the
national result. Changing the voting system to the single transferable
vote would give every vote the potential to affect the local and
national results and give politicians an incentive to campaign to
every elector in every area instead of just the swing voters in key
marginals.

Anthony Tuffin

Chichester

* Well that’ll be a day I never thought would happen – I’ve agreed
with Geoff Hoon. His call for compulsory voting is absolutely right. I
know Britons appear to have a compulsive loathing of compulsion, but
the debate surrounding the policy would be a serious contribution to
making people think about and actually use their vote.

Alun Davies

Bristol

* So Geoff Hoon wants compulsory voting. Geoff, why not start with
compulsory attendance at all debates and subsequent divisions by all
MPs?

John Loader

Ely, Cambs