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RUSSIAN LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER "GOLOS ARMENII" SUPPORTING ARMENIAN CURRENT AUTHORITIES DISAPPEARS FROM KIOSKS IN YEREVAN

FEBRUARY 25. The independent Russian language newspaper "Golos Armenii" has started disappearing from kiosks in Yerevan. It should be noted that the newspaper supports the course of the candidate for Presidency, the incumbent president Robert Kocharyan.

According to the today's issue of the newspaper, with reference to its readers, stall-keepers say that they do not set the newspaper for sale because of political reasons. However, the editorship has not found out yet whether it is the stall-keepers' initiative or they act in conformity with someone's instruction. However, the newspaper says that if remembering the statements addressed to journalists in the course of the opposition's actions, unfortunately, this event cannot be called accidental.

JAPAN CHANGES ITS POSITION IN KARABAKH PROBLEM

FEBRUARY 25. Japan supported Azerbaijan's position in the issue of the KArabakh conflict up to 1999, however, later Tokyo's position has changed. First Deputy Foreign Minister of japan Tezouro Yano made this statement at a press-conference yesterday in Baku.

He explained the change by the aggravated political situation in the world regarding this conflict.

As regards the negotiations in Baku, the deputy minister pointed out Japan's interests in the purchase of oil and other natural resources from Azerbaijan, as well as in Azerbaijan's participation in the World Exhibition to be held in Tokyo in 2005. The guest said that Japan intends to allocate $300 mln for construction of the second unit of the Northern city power distribution network, as well as grants for implementation of a number of other projects in Azerbaijan and another $2 mln for agricultural projects

IT IS TIME TO SETTLE THE KARABAKH CONFLICT: AZERI PRESIDENT

FEBRUARY 25. Yesterday Azeri President Heydar Aliyev received US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Rudolf Perina.

The American diplomat informed President Aliyev of his meeting with his Russian and French counterparts. During the meeting Aliyev pointed out that it is impossible to leave the Karabakh conflict in the current state, and it is time to settle it at last.

REP. PALLONE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST PROPOSED MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR AID PACKAGE FOR TURKEY

FEBRUARY 25. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) spoke out today against an impending U.S. multi- billion dollar assistance package to Turkey designed to secure Turkish support for the U.S. war effort against Iraq, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

In a February 24th letter to Secretary of State Collin Powell, Rep. Pallone questioned Turkey's role as an ally in the U.S. led action against Iraq, noting that the Turkish Government "claims that the Turkish people overwhelmingly oppose a war against Iraq, and that the government must show significant financial incentives in order to justify supporting the United States. In other words, Turkey must be bought off."

Rep. Pallone went on to state that he "obviously [has] a fundamental problem with the rationale for this Turkish assistance package." Among the Congressman's concerns specifically noted in the letter were Turkey's aggression against its own people and neighboring states: "Turkey has been widely condemned by human rights organizations for their brutal repression of the Kurdish minorities in Turkey, limiting their right to assembly, language and culture.

The Ottoman Turks pushed their Armenian minority citizens to the brink of extinction through a genocidal campaign, leaving over 1.5 million dead or displaced. Presently, Turkish armed forces continue their 29-year illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus, making 200,000 Greek Cypriots refugees in their own country after falling victim to a policy of ethnic cleansing and being forcibly evicted from their homes."

"Armenian Americans appreciate Congressman Pallone's leadership in raising the controversial issue of the Turkey aid package with the Secretary of State," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We join with him in calling upon the Administration to carefully consider the implications for the United States - on moral, foreign policy, and budgetary levels - of allowing ourselves to be pressured into spending billions of tax dollars to purchase the support of the Turkish government."

MEMBERSHIP OF THE CAUCUS HAS CLIMBED TO ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN

FEBRUARY 25. Florida Republican Tom Feeney announced today that he has agreed to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.) With his addition, the nineteen. Congressman Feeney serves on the influential Judiciary Committee, the House counterpart to the Senate Judiciary panel that was given jurisdiction over last year's Senate Genocide Resolution, S.Res.307. The legislation marked the 15th anniversary of the U.S. adoption of the United Nations Genocide Convention.

"The growing community of the Orlando area joins with Armenian Americans throughout Florida in thanking Congressman Feeney for joining the Armenian Caucus," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working with the Congressman and his excellent staff on a broad range of issues of concern to his Armenian American constituents in the coming months and years."

Representative Feeney was elected to his first term in Congress in November of last year. Prior to serving in Congress, he served in the Florida House of Representatives, including a term as Speaker.-

STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN'S VICTORY IN RUN-OFF CHANCE FOR PREVIOUS REGIME: RCP

FEBRUARY 25. The presidential run-off election in Armenia will allow the country to present itself with a legitimate leader, which is of paramount importance to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says a statement of the Regenerated Communist Party (RCP) of Armenia read out at a press conference today.

According to the statement, the events that followed the first round of the presidential election testify that the only organized political force supporting Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian in his struggle for the presidency is the ex-ruling party Armenian National Movement (AMN). The authors of the statement point out that Stepan Demirchian received 28% of votes and passed to the run-off due to the AMN. The RCP believes that casting votes for Stepan Demirchian means renouncing the wish to live an independent life. As soon as Stepan Demirchian comes to power, the ANM will make every effort to return to power, says the statement.

REPRESENTATIVES OF STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN'S ELECTION TEAM REFUTE STATEMENT CONCERNING THEIR INTENTION TO SHOOT INCUMBENT PRESIDENT AND HIS ENTOURAGE

FEBRUARY 25. Representatives of the election team of the candidate for presidency, the leader of the People's party Stepan Demirchian disproved the statement of another candidate for presidency, the leader of the party "National unity" Artashes Geghamian, who had said that coming to power Stepan Demirchian and his entourage will shoot the incumbent presidents and representatives of his close entourage.

Resources in the election team of Stepan Demirchian informed ARMINFO that the opposition candidate and the political forces, which support his candidature, don't have such an intention, as Stepan Demirchian is ready to become a president of Armenia only on legal bases and he considers unnecessary to resort to any punitive measures after coming to power.

PPA LEADER DEMANDS RE-CALCULATION OF BALLOT-PAPERS

FEBRUARY 25. The presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian will take part in the presidential run-off election provided that the PPA's demand for re-calculation of ballot-papers is satisfied, Grigor Harutiunian, Head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff told a press conference.

According to him, the PPA demands that the election riggers be exposed and punished. Calling the members of the Central Electoral Commission criminals, Harutiunian stated that if the CEC fails to satisfy the PPA's demand, the party will apply to judicial bodies. According to him, the PPA revised 70% of the ballot-papers, which testify that 45% of votes were illegally added as if cast in favor of Robert Kocharian. Harutiunian claimed that the falsifications were so clumsy that they struck the eye. According to him, the number of votes cast in favor of Robert Kocharian differed from the number of ballot-papers registered in the protocols. Harutiunian also claimed that the authorities are actively preparing for falsifying the results of the run-off election, detaining outstanding opposition representatives who prevented violations during the first round of the presidential election. The authorities' representatives are actively bribing Stepan Demirchian's proxies for them to "turn a blind eye" to future violations, Harutiunian said. According to him, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sport Ishkhan Zakarian has mobilized 200 athletes that must to prevent Stepan Demirchian's public meetings.

During the press conference, the journalists were informed that the PPA representative Gegham Stepannian, who was beaten up by Head of the administration of the village of Gagarino Surik Hambartsumian on February 19, is near to death.

PPA LEADER READY FOR TV DEBATE WITH ROBERT KOCHARIAN

FEBRUARY 25. The presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian is ready for a TV debate with Armenia's President Robert Kocharian, Head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff Grigor Harutiunian told a press conference.

At the same time he pointed out that the TV debate can take place only after the PPA members recently detained by Armenia's law-enforcement agencies are released. Harutiunian also stated that Stepan Demirchian will take part in the TV debate only if the topics are chosen by him. According to Harutiunian, Demirchian has no reason for avoiding a TV debate, whereas Robert Kocharian has, because he will have to answer the question as to why the trial of the October 27 case is not continued and the election riggers are not punished.

IN SECOND ROUND GEGHAMYAN'S ELECTORATE WILL VOTE FOR PRES.KOCHARYAN: URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER

FEBRUARY 25. In the second round of the presidential election the electorate of ex candidate Artashes Geghamyan will vote for incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, Armenia's Urban Development Minister David Lokyan said in an interview to Armenia's Public Television

It's hard to make predictions, but the current division of Armenian society testifies that the Armenians have become more analytical. True, some of them go to the polling stations with inner malice, because of some earlier conflicts with state officials. Others have personal reasons. But the greater part of the population vote for programs and charismatic leaders able to implement them.

That's why the second round will become a straggle of programs. People will cool down, and Geghamyan's electorate, who voted mostly for his program, will orient itself towards another program and will most probably take Kocharyan's side.

Lokyan said that intensive political process cannot but influence economic factors and the implementation of international projects. For example, the housing prices in Yerevan have dropped by 10%. That's why the current political agiotage must be overcome as soon as possible for stability to triumph and for international organizations to continue their projects in the country. "Internal political stability is an essential attribute and an absolute truth," Lokyan concluded.

ANM CONSIDERS ALL DETAINED DEMONSTRATORS POLITICAL PRISONERS

FEBRUARY 25. The ex-ruling party of Armenia, Armenian National movement (ANM) considers all the persons detained during the opposition's recent rallies in Yerevan political prisoners, the member of the ANM Board David Shahnazarian told a press conference.

According to him, mass repressions is the incumbent regime's only means of retaining power. He claimed that the defense of the detainees' rights and freedoms is not only Armenian public's business, but also of the entire international community. "Under the circumstances, talks about Armenia's international prestige are senseless," Shahnazarian said. According to him, one more testimony to this is also the statement of the Board of the Ministry of Defense on the Ministry's readiness for a military interference in case of public disobedience.

PREMIER CALLS FOR HOLDING RUN-OFF WITHIN CONSTITUTION

FEBRUARY 25. Armenia's Prime Minister Andranik Margarian has urged the country's public to display reason, stressing the importance of holding the presidential run-off election in conformity with Armenia's Constitution and without incidents that can destabilize the domestic political situation.

In his address, the Premier said that during the first round of the presidential election some of the candidates used "filthy" political techniques, as well as resorted to speculations on the Republican Party of Armenia and its leader, which deceived the public. In his statement provided to ARMINFO, the Armenian Premier points out that the RPA has necessary means and grounds to support the incumbent President Robert Kocharian in the run-off election and go through with the jointly begun cause. "Unfortunately, some political forces did not put up with the results of the first round of the presidential election, preferring to attain their goals using populist methods, speculating on the votes of their electorate, trying to exert pressure on the country's authorities and on the Central Electoral Commission," the statement says. Andranik Margarian assured the country's public that all the attempts to destabilize the situation in Armenia are doomed to failure, and the Government is determined to prevent such developments.

ARMENIA ON THRESHOLD OF WAR: ANM REPRESENTATIVE

FEBRUARY 25. The policy of the incumbent Armenian government in the Karabakh conflict settlement has in fact created a risk of Armenia's being declared an aggressor-state, member of the Board of the ex ruling Armenian party, Armenian National Movement David Shahnazaryan said at a press-conference today.

As a result Armenia has become isolated in the region and has begun appearing on the "black" lists of terror-fostering countries. In fact Armenia is on the verge of war. Shahnazaryan quoted the US ambassador to Baku as saying that it is up to Azerbaijan to decide when to start the military actions. To avoid war "we desperately need legislative power," Shahnazaryan said.

He noted that Azerbaijan is interested in Kocharyan's reelection as Armenian President. He qualified as a political trick the anti-Kocharyan demonstrations and statements in Azerbaijan and Moscow. This is aimed at convincing the Armenian public that Azerbaijan does not want Kocharyan.

Shahnazaryan said that the recent statement by Kocharyan that Armenians and Azeris are ethnically incompatible has seriously damaged Armenia's international image. He noted that the Armenian and Azeri peoples have no ethnic problems.

PRESIDENTIAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION PROPOSES INSTITUTION OF THE JURY IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 25. For Armenia's judicial system to be more efficient, the Presidential Human Rights Commission proposes the institution of the jury in the country.

At Commission's sitting today, the lawyer Haik Alumian reported that under the Commission's decision of October 31, 2002, a task group was formed which, besides the Commission members, included representatives of the Union of Lawyers of Armenia and of the International Union of Lawyers. The group was supposed to elaborate proposals for reforms of Armenia's judicial system. The institution of the jury will considerably reduce the number of judicial errors, which sentence an innocent person to imprisonment by reason of "the hail-fellow-well-met relations between the country's public prosecutors and judges," Alumian said. In its report the task group also points out the necessity for expanding the sphere of free legal assistance both in criminal, and in civil cases. The proposals will be submitted to the President.

At its sitting the Commission approves the resolution on the status of the Commission's public representatives to Armenia's regions. The Commission sent to the Ministry of Education and Science its draft resolution on the institution of the post of ombudsmen in Armenia's comprehensive schools for the purpose of passing a final resolution on this issue, considering the Ministry's opinion.

UNIFICATION OF 16 OPPOSITION FORCES OF ARMENIA DISCUSSES STRATEGY OF FURTHER ACTIVITIES AT SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 25. Today's session of the representatives of the unification of the 16 opposition forces discussed the issues of the opposition's further strategy on the eve of the second round of the March 5 Presidential Election.

Second Secretary of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of Armenia (CPA) Sanatruk Sahakyan told ARMINFO that the session participants also discussed the situation created after the first round of the presidential election in Armenia. According to Sahakyan, the opposition representatives have sharply condemned the falsifications and violations of the country's legislation. Sahakyan stressed that at present the authorities are actively preparing for the falsifications at the second round of the Presidential Election as well. Thus, he said that the supporters of Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan currently bribe the country's population, they also exert pressure on the heads of the regional administrations making them ensure Kocharyan's victory during the second round. Sanatruk Sahakyan also said that the opposition is taking all measures to prevent the authorities' attempts to falsify the results of the second round of the Presidential Election.

According to Sahakyan, the session participants also discussed the issue of organizing a protest-meeting on February 26. He said that before the meting on February 26, another session of the representatives of the unification of the 16 opposition forces will be held to make some statements about the mass falsifications and violations of the electoral legislation during the first round of the Presidential Election, as well as to determine whether a procession will be organized after the meeting or not.

PRESIDENTIAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CONCERNED OVER OPPOSITION'S ANTICONSTITUTIONAL APPEALS

FEBRUARY 25. The Presidential Human Rights Commission has expressed its concern over the appeals made at the opposition-organized rallies.

At its sitting today, the Commission adopted a statement wherein it points out that at the rallies some individuals and political forces call for violence, which can destabilize the situation and endangers the constitutional order in Armenia, which is the foundation for human rights protection. "We are sure that the political forces and the people are able to defend the democratic achievements and the observation of human rights," the statement says.

The Commission expressed confidence that all the political forces and their supporters will display tolerance and restrain from steps "straining" the situation. "We should not forget that the president being elected will become president of the entire Armenian people. It is only by means of free and fair elections that the people's will can be transformed into the foundations of the power," the Commission's statement says.

HEAD OF CIS OBSERVATION MISSION RUDELY INTERFERED IN ARMENIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS: ANM MEMBER

FEBRUARY 25. CIS Executive secretary, head of the CIS observation mission Yuri Yarov has rudely interfered in Armenia's internal affairs, member of the Board of Armenian National Movement David Shahnazaryan said at a press-conference today.

He said that Kocharyan is a week and easily manipulated president. This explains the position of Yarov and the other CIS observers, who hushed up the mass falsifications of the election and criticized the opposition candidates. "This was a brazen interference on Yarov's part, which must be blamed most severely."

DAVIT SHAHNAZARYAN: DEBATES MUST BE ORGANIZED BETWEEN ROBERT KOCHARYAN AND STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN BEFORE PEOPLE AT A MEETING

FEBRUARY 25. According to one of the leaders of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) which was formerly ruling in Armenia, Davit Shahnazaryan, the Presidential candidates, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan and Leader of the National Party of Armenia (NPA) Stepan Demirchyan must debate before the people at a meeting.

According to him, this version is more acceptable than the participation of the candidates in the TV debates. Shahnazaryan did not satisfy the request of the correspondents to specify the advantages of his suggestion. He just smiled meaningfully. At the same time, Davit Shahnazaryan demanded that the Armenian Public Television should air the ANM party so as the representatives of the party could answer the accusations directed to the ANM by the authorities.

ARMENIA's CEC SUMS UP PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS

FEBRUARY 25. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia (CEC) has summed up the results of the February 19 presidential election in the country.

According to the results, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharian, who was running for the second term, received 700,808 votes or 49.4%. Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian received 399,757 votes or 28.2%. Chairman of the "National Unity" party Artashes Geghamian received 250,145 votes or 17.7% As regards the other presidential candidates, the distribution of votes is as follows: Head of the "Perspective" center of strategic initiatives, political scientist Aram Karapetian received 41,795 votes (3%); Chairman of the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukian 12.904 votes (0.9%); Chairman of the "United Armenians" party Ruben Avagian 5,788 votes (0.4%); Chairman of the Democratic Party Aram Sargssian 3,034 votes (0.2%); Chairman of the "National Accord" party Aram Harutiunian 1,272 votes (0.1%); Chairman of the "Socialist Armenia" Union Garnik Margarian 854 votes (0.06%).

According to the final results, a total of 1,462,383 voters participated in the voting. A total of 36,160 ballot-papers were regarded as invalid, and 9,866 voters voted down all the candidates.

CEC Vice-Chairman Hamlet Abrahamian reported that on February 19-25 the CEc received 106 complaints of violations during the election. sixteen complaints were sent to the Prosecutor's Office of Armenia, and criminal proceedings have been initiated in three cases. Stepan Demirchian's election staff lodged 72 complaints, Vazgen Manukian's two, Aram Karapetian's three, and Aram Sargssian's election staff lodged one complaint. The other complaints were lodged by Armenia's citizens. Two complaints concerned unlawful actions on the part of law-enforcers, and the top officials of Armenia's Police have been informed of this.

At the same time, the representative of Stepan Demirchian's election staff, Parliament member Vardan Mkrtichian stated that the PPA is considering the complaints concerning violations, and that "the first round has not finished for the party yet." He reported that Stepan Demirchian will take part in a TV debate over the legitimacy of the country's authorities and violations during the presidential election. Demirchian will start his election campaign on Armenia's Public Television on February 26. Mkrtichian reported that Stepan Demirchian intends to visit Armenia's regions again.

USA URGES ARMENIAN POLITICAL FORCES TO RETAIN PUBLIC ORDER

FEBRUARY 25. The United States of America urges the Armenian political forces to retain public order and to hold the second round of the Presidential Election scheduled for 5 March, 2003, fairly and most transparently which also implies a quick and precise reporting at all levels of ballot-count, a representative of the U.S. State Department told an "ITAR-TASS" correspondent today.

On behalf of the Washington Administration he congratulated the Armenian population on the high participation level in the first round of the Presidential Election. According to him, Washington shares the opinion of the PACE and OSCE observers concerning the first round of the election, which, in general, was assessed as peaceful and organized. At the same time, according to the assessment of the experts from Europe and the USA, the ballot-count procedure was organized with defects and the electoral process did not meet the international norms in some key aspects.

TODAY'S MEETING OF ARMENIA'S CEC ENDS UP IN BRAWL

FEBRUARY 25. Today's meeting of Armenia's Central Electoral Commission ended up in a brawl.

Several times during the meeting representative of the electoral staff of presidential candidate Artashes Geghamyan Aghasi Arshakyan invited the CEC's attention to the facts of numerous violations observed by Geghamyan's staff during the Feb 19 presidential election. However, the secretary of the CEC Anna Alexanyan said that all of the facts had already been checked and were not true. To this Arshakyan said that the CEC has sold its Fatherland and "now I am forced to go to the squares to continue my political fight." Then Arshakyan quarrelled with CEC member Vilen Sukiassyan and the CEC chairman was forced to ask him to leave the chamber.

Later on Sukiassyan told ARMINFO that from the very beginning he did not agree with the decision of his leader, first secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia Vladimir Darbinyan to support Geghamyan during the election. He said that in Soviet times Geghamyan was a Communist, but later he tore up his party ticket. "He is an impostor who thinks only about his pocket." Sukiassyan said that if the decision was made by the party's congress he would accede to it, but it was made personally by Darbinyan. Asked whom he will support during the runoff, Sukiassyan said that formerly - CPA leader Sergey Badalyan, who died Nov 1999, and now - Robert Kocharyan.

UNION OF VETERANS OF LIBERATION WAR CONCERNED OVER CONTENT OF SLOGANS VOICED AT OPPOSITION'S RALLIES

FEBRUARY 25. The Union of Veterans of the Liberation war is worried about the content of the slogans voiced at the recent rallies of the Armenian opposition.

In a statement today the union urged Armenia's population to be reserved and not to get implicated into internal political games. The current presidential election has become a move forward from the previous ones. Those making anti-government appeals during the rallies must have conscience and admit that this election was though modest but an advance towards democracy. Realizing that they have lost the election they resort to provocations to keep the country in tension. Instructed by other forces they try to involve part of the people into political clashes, which is pregnant with serious consequences. The whole responsibility for these consequences is on presidential candidate Stepan Demirtchyan and his supporters.

In this situation the union is going to strongly oppose those people. As for their urges to overthrow the government "this is a crime." "One must not allow anybody to speak with the people in rude language," says the union noting that it is possible that the opposition is being backed up by the special services of foreign countries as well as representatives of the ex government, comprising Demirtchyan's entourage.