  |
|
|
home news banks cultural criminal dipcourier products subscribe |
INTRODUCTION OF PER-MINUTE PAYMENT FOR LOCAL CALLS TO DEAL UNSECURED PEOPLE SEVERE BLOW, DPA LEADER SAID
JANUARY 29. The "ArmenTel" company's resolution on
introduction of a per-minute payment system for local calls in
Armenia from Feb 1 will first off all ruin family budgets of the
country's most unsecured citizens, the member of the Political
Council of the "Socialist Armenia" Union, Leader of Democratic Party
of Armenia (DPA) Aram Sargssyan said at a press-conference today.
He said this circumstance will inflict a tangible blow on the
state budget as well, as "we shall be short of many millions of
unpaid taxes."
ALL POWER LINKS IN ARMENIA CORRUPTION-AFFECTED
JANUARY 29. Corruption in Armenia is of structural
character and involves practically all the power links, the
Parliament member Armen Rustamian stressed in his report delivered at
a seminar on struggle against corruption organized by the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).
In his speech, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Commission for
Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Vahan Hovhannessian
pointed out that the main obstacle to the country's political and
economic development is corruption. The deputy pronounced for the
elaboration of an effective anti-corruption program and a strategy of
its implementation. Hovhannessian stressed that the authorities must
form an atmosphere in which the interests of the citizens and state
would coincide.
Among the most dangerous phenomena typical of Armenia Hovhannessian
included the use of finances for coming to political power and vice
versa, the application of political instruments for financial
prosperity. Hovhannessian is convinced that the authorities must get
rid of their entourage that expect financial and other support of the
authorities. According tom him, for the struggle against corruption
to be effective, the presidential package of constitutional reforms
needs to include a point stipulating a mechanism of recalling
elective bodies i.e. the deputies representing the local
government bodies. Hovhannessian also proposed tightening the control
over the taxation and customs bodies on the part of public and
international organizations, which will contribute to the eradication
of corruption in these structures.
"In struggling against corruption the Armenian authorities must
display a political will, but no serious display of this will can yet
be observed," Hovhannessian told ARMINFO.
Head of the government staff, Minister Manuk Topuzian stated that the
government has already taken effective measures against corruption.
In particular, structural reforms are under way in ministries, a
governmental commission has been set up to elaborate an
anti-corruption program. Topuzian pointed out that the Commission
includes the ministers of national security, justice, internal
affairs as well as experts.
ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN BECAME SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PERSONAL FRIEND
JANUARY 29. The president of Iraq Saddam Hussein
presented the Armenian parliamentarian Ghoukas Ulikhanian with a
watch as a sign of friendship between two peoples. The chairman of
the interparliament group of friendship Armenia-Iraq, the deputy of
Armenia's National Assembly Ghoukas Ulikhanian today informed the
journalists.
The presidential gift means that hence the Armenian parliamentarian
became the personal friend of the head of Iraq. The vice president of
Iraq Takha Yasin Ramadan presented Ulikhanian with a Swiss watch,
assembled from weapon-splinters. Saddam Hussein himself is portrayed
on the face of the watch.
AZERI DELEGATION TRIES TO DECEIVE CE
JANUARY 29. The Azeri delegation tried to deceive
the Council of Europe, Head of the Armenian delegation to PACE,
Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission Hovhannes
Hovhanessian told reporters.
According to him, during PACE's winter session the Azeri delegation
stated that the Mili Majlis of Azerbaijan ratified the Basic
Convention on Human Rights. But the PACe leadership decided to
verify that statement, and found out that Azerbaijan had not
ratified that document. "The impression made by the Azeri
delegation's trick was most negative," Hovhannessian said.
As regards the process of ratification of the aforementioned
Convention by the Armenian National Assembly, he stated that the
discussion of the document will begin during the spring session.
C.E. MINISTERS COUNCIL EXPECTED TO MAKE FINAL DECISION ON TURKEY'S
LIFTING OF ITS BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA AT ONE OF ITS COMING MEETINGS
JANUARY 29. The CE Ministers Council is expected to
make a final decision on the issue of Turkey's lifting of its
blockade of Armenia at one of its coming meetings, the head of the
Armenian delegation to PACE, Hovhannes Hovhannissyan, told
journalists.
According to him, that issue was seriously discuss at the council's
recent meeting. However, no final decision was made. Hovhannissyan
said the Armenian delegation will go on raising that issue until it
is settled fairly. Hovhannissyan said as a result of the discussions
many countries have begun to share Armenia's stance on the problem.
He said according to a number of European international
organizations, Armenia sustains an annual damage worth $500 mln as a
result of Turkey's blockade.
STD DIAGNOSTIC ROOM TO OPEN AT ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN BORDER
JANUARY 29. A room of anonymous diagnostics of
sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) will be opened at the
Armenian-Georgian border (Bagratashen-Sadakhlo) this March. The room
will be opened on the initiative of the Belgian "Medecines Sans
Frontieres" organization for anonymous diagnostics and treatment of
sexually-transmitted diseases and of AIDS, Head of the organization's
office in Armenia Tido von Shon-Angerer told ARMINFO.
According to him, a one of the largest trade centers in the
Transcaucasus, the Sadakhlo market, is also a hotbed of STD. All
those wishing can undergo a medical examination, irrespective of
their nation and citizenship, with their anonymity to be guaranteed.
Shon-Angerer also pointed out that unfortunately in Armenia people
suffering from such diseases avoid seeing doctors. Thus, official
statistical data are wide of the reality.
Two doctors, a gynecologist and a venereologist, as well as 2-3
medical consultants and a laboratory, will work in the room. The
program is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of
Armenia.
A PART OF AGED INHABITANTS OF ARMENIA APPEARED IN PSYCHIATRIC
HOSPITALS BECAUSE OF HARD SOCIAL-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF LIFE
JANUARY 29. A part of aged dwellers of Armenia appeared in psychiatric hospitals of the republic because of hard social-economic conditions of life. The head of the Belgian representative office in Armenia of the organization "Medicines Sans Frontiers" Tido fon Shon-Angerer informed an ARMINFO correspondent. According to him, just this circumstance served as a reason for the beginning of the implementation of the program of ambulatory psychological assistance the old people in Gegharkunik region of Armenia in 2002. The program will be fulfilled through three directions. The first one supposes the creation of therapeutic and information centers in the towns of the region. The second is the opening of an information center in Sevan, where those who want may get an information not only about psychic problems and ways of their solution, but also about the services of specialists in issues of observing their social rights. Thirdly, a team of specialists - psychologists, psychotherapists and social employees, will be formed in Sevan jointly with the Ministry of healthy-are of Armenia for the work with population. According to Tido fon Shon-Angerer, the necessity of such a program is conditioned with that healthy lodgers occupy the places, intended for sick people. HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II CLARIFIES STATEMENT ON CREATION OF A DUPLICATE ADMINISTRATIVE DIOCESAN STRUCTURE IN CANADA
1,208 FLATS PROVIDED WITH GAS IN ARMAVIR REGION LAST YEAR
|
JANUARY 29. In order to clarify the position of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, provided herein is the English
translation of the response by His Holiness Karekin II, to the
"Hayots Ashkhar" Armenian daily newspaper.
His Holiness Karekin II said, "Aram I is free to make decisions for
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. Naturally, however,
there are questions and issues, particularly in those territories
that are under the jurisdiction of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
and the Catholicosate of All Armenians, where only after the division
of 1956 has the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia had a
presence.
"I believe, in like circumstances, it is a must that more discreet
and cautious approaches be manifested, so that the peace of our
national life is not deteriorated."
In light of what has recently occurred, the Catholicos further stated
that he plans to "redouble our efforts and negotiations between the
Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Catholicosate of the Great
House of Cilicia, so that we can lead to a solution those issues
related to this incident of a duplicate new Canadian diocese".
As it relates to the unexpected timing of the announcement, His
Holiness Karekin II continues, "We had previously discussed this
issue with Aram I, and from the first moment we expressed our
fatherly concerns with such an action. I must add that we had
anticipated the Supreme Spiritual Council would convene in early
January, and that body would have the opportunity to also present its
position, and would offer its thoughts and reservations to Catholicos
Aram I, prior to the decision and announcement regarding the
establishment of a duplicate Canadian Diocese."
"We believe that as it relates to the Canadian issue, we must be able
to come to an overall understanding and similar occurrences in the
life of our nation must be eliminated entirely."
