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TEAM OF INCUMBENT PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA CONFIDENT IN VICTORY IN RUN-OFF ELECTION
The team is in the fighting spirit, we shall win, there can be no
other opinion, he said. At the same time Vahe Gabrielyan said the
struggle will be continued exclusively by civilized methods and
called the political opponents to observe their frameworks. "We
invite every political opponent and its representatives to express
their opinions concerning the urgent problems of the county and the
possible solutions to them through debates with our candidate,"
proposed Gabrielyan.
RIGGING DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA APPEARED TO BE MORE
THAN IT WAS IN REALITY: PRESS SECRETARY OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
FEBRUARY 26. Rigging and violations of the Electoral Code during the Presidential election in Armenia were less than it could appear to be, Press Secretary of Armenian President Vahe Gabrielyan said in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.
He said although there can be an impression that the were great many
violations, however, in reality, in the majority of cases the
accusations proved to be groundless. "Attempts of compromising the
election process were made from the very beginning, and we faced
statements on falsifications, collection of passports and attempts of
electors' bribing from the very beginning of the pre-election
propaganda," he said. At the same time, Gabrielyan said that
alongside with rigging in favor of Robert Kocharyan, mass information
on violations in favor of other candidates were received as well.
"Those thinking that such facts defame only the authorities are
mistaken, this casts shadow on all the election participants,"
Gabrielyan said. He superposed that in case of recalculation of the
votes, Robert Kocharyan can prove to be the winner in the election.
"However, we will not make such a step, as it can lead to different
political speculations. Never mind, Kocharyan will win once more," he
said.
CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENCY PROVIDED WITH UNEQUAL TERMS FOR
PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN: PRESS SECRETARY OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
FEBRUARY 26. In the course of pre-election campaign in the first round of the Presidential election in Armenia, some 8 hours were used in favor of the incumbent president's candidature, while over 30 hours were used against him. Press Secretary of the incumbent Armenian President Vahe Gabrielyan said in his interview to the Armenian Public Television. He said in the course of the pre-election propaganda, Robert Kocharyan's team used "White PR" as a propaganda, presenting the incumbent president's work, future programs and the positive qualities. While, other candidates for Presidency used the "Black PR" trying to blacken the figure of the incumbent president, openly blackwashing even Robert Kocharyan's person and his family. I think that such a way of gaining political dividends is inadmissible, he said. As a result, Gabrielyan said, only 1 or 2 of 11 candidates did not use anti-propaganda addressed to the incumbent president.
Vahe Gabrielyan pointed out that the candidates who withdrew their
candidatures in the middle of the pre-election race "acted
dishonestly to the electors."
AZERI PRESIDENT EXPECTS MORE SPECIFIC MEASURES FROM OSCE MINSK GROUP
CO-CHAIRS ON SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
According to the Baku "Echo" newspaper, in th course of his meeting
with the US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Rudolf Perina in
Washington, Aliyev said that "Azerbaijan cannot be reconciled with
the occupation of a 20% of the Azeri territory by Armenia." In his
turn Perina said that the Minsk Group intends to intensify its
activity. He said. the Minsk Group co-chairs will arrive in
Azerbaijan in the nearest future to discuss the further steps in the
settlement process.
Speaking at a conference "Energy Corridor East-West: Reality," Aliyev
said that "the failure of the Minsk Group's activity testifies to the
aggressive policy of Armenia."
PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV ADDRESSES MESSAGE TO AZERI PEOPLE ON OCCASION
OF "11TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALOU GENOCIDE"
FEBRUARY 26. ARMINFO-TURAN. President of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliyev addressed a message to the Azeri people today on the occasion
of "the 11th anniversary of the Khojalou genocide." "The Khojalou
tragedy has become the continuation and the most bloody page in the
policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide of Azeris, regularly carried
out by the Armenian national and chauvinistic circles for already 200
years. Today the Azeri government is working on international
recognition of the terrible crimes of Armenians against Azeris in
Karabakh as acts of genocide, as well as of the territorial integrity
of the country," Aliyev said. "Justice and International Right is on
our side. And the time works in our favour. The independent Azeri
republic has become the most important factor of the world policy,"
the message says. Aliyev also expressed confidence that the
"strengthening of the state independence of Azerbaijan, security of
inviolability of borders and the territorial integrity of the country
will become the greatest memorial for the victims of the Khojalou
tragedy."
WORK OF OBSERVER MISSION OF CIS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DURING
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA TO BE DISCUSSED IN MINSK
FEBRUARY 26. A session of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS signatories attached to the constitutional and other bodies of the Commonwealth will be held in Minsk today. The session participants will discuss the process of the work of the observer mission of the CIS Executive Committee during the Presidential election in Armenia. They will also touch upon the draft agendas of regular session of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Council of the Heads of the Government of the Commonwealth. Besides, the session participants will discuss the expediency of giving a status of the Permanent Body of the Commonwealth to the CIS Council of Permanent Representatives.
The session participants will consider the fulfillment process of the
Resolution of the Council of the CIS leaders dated Oct 7, 2002, on
the measures on increasing the efficiency of the CIS bodies and
optimizing their structured, as well as on the change over to new
structures and a permanent schedule of the CIS Executive Committee
beginning from Jan 1, 2003.
USING PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES AND IN INTERESTS
OF PARTICULAR GROUPS ENDANGERS ARMENIA'S INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 26. Using the dissatisfaction of the Armenian public for personal purposes and in the interests of particular groups endangers both Armenia's international rating and the security, says the statement of the Liberal-Democratic Union party received by ARMINFO today. The statement says that due to the constant struggle of the Armenian people, some progress has been observed in the domestic and foreign political life, but if this struggle is suspended, the above progress may fail in reaching its logical completion. During last years, the international community perceived the "actions" of dissatisfaction held by the Armenian people as a struggle against the settlement scheme of the Karabakh conflict forced by foreign countries which did not meet the interests of the Armenian people. Such "actions" of dissatisfaction gave a tangible result, today's settlement scheme is acceptable both for Armenia and Karabakh and is rejected by Azerbaijan. That is why, destabilization of the situation in Armenia can considerably weaken the country's position, the statement says. The authors of the statement are of the opinion that public polarization and intolerance, anti-constitutional calls cannot be explained by anything, as they are against the democratic principles Armenia aspires for having become a CE-member. In the context of Armenia-Diaspora relations, destabilization of the situation in Armenia can arouse distrust, prevent the expected immigration and become the direct reason of a new wave of emigration, the statement says.
It also mentions that the only way for Armenia to counteract the
above threats is adherence to the principles of democracy and
legality. Every citizens should be aware of his personal
responsibility in the issue of counteracting the destabilization in
the country. There are all the preconditions to insist that the
Armenian people and the state are able to hold a run-off in the
atmosphere of civilized competition, tolerance and legality. Only
free, fair and transparent election can become a guarantee of
domestic political stability in the country, says the statement of
the LDU party.
POSITION OF ARMENIAN OPPOSITION IN INEXPEDIENCY OF PARTICIPATION IN
RUN-OFF WILL BE CLEAR ON MARCH 2-3
He said the opposition categorically disagrees with the results of
the first round of the Presiential election published by the Armenian
Central Electoral Commission yesterday, and intends to achieve
re-calculation of the votes at specific polling stations. Karapetyan
said no satisfactory reply has been received on the numerous
applications on rigging addressed to the CEC. "In such conditions, in
spite of the incumbent president's readiness for run-off election,
the opposition is engaged in the problems of 100 arrestees, the
electors of the opposition candidates, and in the re-examination of
the results of the voting in the first round," Aram Karapetyan said.
He added only receiving answers to thee questions, one could agree
with the fact that the first round really took place. Karapetyan is
sure that there were no presidential election in Armenia at all, it
was some king of imitation of the election process initiated by 2,000
people from the Presidential team.
ROBERT KOCHARYAN: PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN ARMENIA HELD IN NORMAL
ATMOSPHERE AND WITH MAXIMUM INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS IN PROCESS
FEBRUARY 26. The pre-election campaign in Armenia was held in the normal atmosphere and with the unprecedented maximum involvement of the citizens in the process, said Armenian President Robert Kocharyan at a press-conference today.
He said the pre-election campaign in the first round of the
Presidential election can be divided into three stages. The first is
the pre-election campaign it-self, the second is the day of the
election and the third are the current developments. He said the
candidates for Presidency were given a great possibility of
presenting his programs through mass media. The pre-election campaign
was held rather actively, which is one of the achievements of
democracy. The peculiarity of this campaign is that the incumbent
president tried to maximally hold a civilized pre-election campaign,
present the work carried out and the plans for future years, he said.
Robert Kocharyan added that the goal of the opposition candidates was
a united propaganda against the incumbent president exceeding all the
possible frameworks, trying to make a public opinion on riggings,
hereby creating the necessary ground for their further acts.
ROBERT KOCHARYAN: THOSE WHO LOST THEIR POSTS AND CAPITAL TRY TO HAVE
THEIR REVENGE AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE
FEBRUARY 26. Those who lost their posts and part of their capital try to have a revenge in Armenia at the expense of the people, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said at a press-conference today.
Speaking on the arrests after the actions of the opposition, the
president said those who were brought administratively responsible,
had previous convictions. Among the detainees are only the violators
of the public order. None of the peaceful demonstrators have been
detained. "In the course of the first round of the Presidential
election in 1998, I collected 545,000 votes, while during the recent
election this figure totaled 700,000," Robert Kocharyan said. He
added that in case of a similar activity of the population and the
similarity of the years 1998 and 2003, the candidates occupying the
third place will not give their votes to any candidate in the second
round. Robert Kocharyan is sure that he will win this election like
the previous one.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESS BEWILDERMENT ON OCCASION OF PRELIMINARY
CONDITIONS, LAID DOWN BY STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN, FOR HOLDING TV DEBATES
FEBRUARY 26. The candidate for presidency, the incumbent President Robert Kocharian expressed bewilderment on the occasion of the preliminary conditions, laid down by his opponent Stepan Demirchian for holding TV debates.
According to the president, the TV debates should be held within the
framework of those issue, which are in the powers of the head of the
state. As regards Stepan Demirchian's participant in the second round
of the election, Robert Kocharian said: "I'm not going to persuade
anybody to take part in the second round of the election, which will
take place irrespective of the fact whether Stepan Demirchian takes
part in the election or not". According to Robert Kocharian, Armenian
Constitution envisions a way out of the situation.
ROBERT KOCHARYAN: NO VIOLATIONS WILL BE COMMITTED AT SECOND ROUND OF
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
FEBRUARY 26. No violations will be committed during the second round of the Presidential Election, the candidate for the Presidency, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan stated at a press conference today. According to Kocharyan, the opposition has made a racket because of the falsifications committed during the first round of the Presidential Election on the basis of the check-up of the only at 70 electoral districts from 1865. The opposition has no complains about the other polling stations. From the above-mentioned 70 electoral districts only 15 had been checked up with a difference of votes totaling some 100. "I am fully confident that if we had checked up the other 55 electoral districts we had the same picture," Kocharyan said.
If 50% votes have been falsified in favor of Kocharyan in Yerevan,
which is not possible, the question would be some 30 thous votes not
able to influence the election results, Kocharyan stressed being
perplexed about the opposition's activities which are aimed at
deceiving the public and driving them to illegal actions. Kocharyan
considers unacceptable the fact that such irresponsible people are
laying the claim to the presidential post. There are some people
among the leaders of the opposition who have been training their
"tongues" for many years. Robert Kocharyan advised them from now on
to train their brains
ROBERT KOCHARYAN: PECULIARITY OF PRE-ELECTORAL PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
IN ARMENIA IS THAT MANY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IMITATED
PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTION TO BE AIRED BY TV COMPANIES
According to Kocharyan, as a result of an active anti-propaganda of the opposition after the first round of the Presidential Election, the public stability proved to be fragile. Kocharyan is sure that after the election the government will have to spend several months on the enhancement of the public stability, and he is fully confident that they will be abe to deal with that problem." Robert Kocharyan stressed that all the observers had assessed the Feb 19 Presidential Election as organized. He said that certainly some violations took place both in favor of the incumbent president and the opposition candidates. According to Kocharyan, these violations had not exceeded the norms acceptable for the transition countries. Kocharyan said that "the opposition's hysteric manifestations are being realized under the slogan "Let's Join Together And Protect Our Votes." As a result, Kocharyan said that the candidate for the Presidency who received 28% votes was declared the country's president at the meetings. He said that the appeals to change the government through unconstitutional methods were repeatedly heard during these meetings. It is quite natural that the government's response to these activities had to be adequate. The president is the guarantor of the country's security and that is why it was his responsibility to take appropriate measures for the stabilization of the situation.
"I have no right to complain about the numerous falsifications of the
opposition as the government also at fault because of allowing them,"
Kocharyan stated. He stressed that the authorities did not want to
use any administrative resources in order "to show the opposition
their real place." This testifies to the fact that the authorities
are tolerant and have chosen the democratic way of the country's
development which is neglected by the opposition.
ARMENIA AUTHORITIES USE DOUBLE STANDARDS: ARAM KARAPETIAN
According to him, a testimony to this is the fact that over 100 supporters of the opposition candidates have been detained during the last few days, whereas those who wounded Head of his presidential staff Haik Babukhanian have not been punished. Besides, the authorities are discrediting him. Karapetian called libel the statement made by the Head of the "Children's right protection" public organization Alexander Gevoyev that "Aram Karapetian's election campaign was sponsored by a certain Azerbaijani, Geydar Jemal, who is actively sponsoring the Chechen gunmen and is in a close contact with the leaders of Chechen terrorists." Gevoyev claimed that Karapetian had allegedly repeatedly met with Jemal in the moscow restaurant "Shesh-Besh." Karapetian reported that he lodged a claim with the court, charging Gevoyev with libel.
Showing the journalists his identity card of a member of the Security
Council of the Russian State Duma, Karapetian stated that it is
dangerous to blackmail him, as he has the information on what some of
the Armenian political figures wore doing in Moscow before the
presidential election in Armenia, with whom they were negotiating and
whom and what promised. Karapetian stressed that he has at his
disposal serious facts related to "French banks and accounts", as
well as video records of Armenian officials who scattered the money
of the Armenian Pensions Fund in Moscow casinos
ARMENIA'S AUTHORITIES ILLEGAL: OPPOSITION
FEBRUARY 26. Armenia's incumbent authorities are illegal, Chairman of the "Republic" party Albert Bazeyan stated at a rally organized by the opposition and attended by 7-9 thousand people. According to him, the opposition's demand for the release of all the detainees and re-calculation of ballot-papers in some polling stations have not been satisfied. In this situation, he said, a dialogue with the authorities is out of the question. According to Bazeyan, the authorities are incompetent in law, but are speaking about rule of law. "We are not breaking the law, it is our constitutional right to express out opinion at rallies," he said. "Nobody will save Robert Kocharian, he has lost," Bazeyan said.
In his turn, Co-Chairman of the "Socialist Armenia" Union Vardan
Khachatrian stated that the opposition did not negotiate with the
ex-ruling party, Armenian National Movement (ANM). Moreover, the
President "mixed the address" stating that the opposition is in
collusion with the ex-ruling party. "The ANM has remained in power,"
Khachatrian said.
The opposition is expected to issue a statement during today's rally.
PETER SCHIEDER CALLS FOR FREE AND FAIR SECOND ROUND OF ARMENIAN
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
FEBRUARY 26. PACE President Peter Schieder today called on the Armenian authorities and the opposition to calm the political climate in the country in the run-up to the second round of the presidential election. "It is the duty of the authorities to do their best to overcome tensions without resorting to disproportionate means to maintain public order", Peter Schieder said, calling for the immediate release of opposition campaigners arrested. The President also called for the opposition to respect the constitutional and legal order of the country. "We are seriously concerned about the shortcomings and irregularities reported by the international election observation mission after the first round. If Armenia wants to wants to live up to its democratic obligations as a member country of the Council of Europe, such irregularities should not be reproduced during the second round", he stressed. Peter Schieder also appealed for greater transparency in the counting process and for the rapid publication of voting results. "The Parliamentary Assembly stands ready to observe the second round on march 5 alongside observers from the OSCE", he said.
We expect a free and fair outcome of the presidential election, one
which allows for the results to be accepted by all those concerned,
thus helping to consolidate democratic stability in the country",
Peter Schieder concluded.
ACADEMIC COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY APPEALS TO PUBLIC
FEBRUARY 26. The Academic Council of the engineering University of Armenia has appealed to the public not to yield to provocations before the presidential run-off election.
In its statement the University Council urges people to prevent the
formation of an atmosphere of intolerance and restrain from steps
posing a danger to Armenia's statehood. State interests must be place
above personal ones now as never before, which is impossible without
a strict observation of law, common will and unity, says the
statement.
ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CALL FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN
PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION
FEBRUARY 26. Armenia's human rights organization condemn the statements terrorizing the public and urge the country's citizens to take an active part in the presidential run-off election, which is one of the most important guarantees against violations. In their joint statement the Helsinki Committee of Armenia, Union of Development of Civil Society, Center for Freedom of Speech and the "Cooperation for Democracy" Union state that the authorities-controlled mass media, particularly the television, did not create equal conditions for all the presidential candidates. On the contrary, they conducted canvassing for one of the candidates, specifically, for Robert Kocharian. According to the statement, the authorities used administrative resources, and the election process was accompanied with threats, violence and pressure on voters. On the election day numerous violations were recorded by local and foreign observers, and they were committee by the order or with the connivance of the authorities. As regards the process of calculation of votes, it challenges the final results of the election. Also, the statement says, the detention of participants in the recent rallies was a violation of the Constitution, and the biassed coverage of the events and the threatening tone are increasing tension.
In this connection, the authors of the statement urge the country's
authorities to release the demonstrators. The human rights
organizations intend to demand an investigation of the violations
from the Prosecutor's Office and announce its results before the
run-off, as it can prevent new violations. The human rights activists
also intend to demand that Armenia's Police present a list of
measures to prevent violations during the run-off election and
calculation of votes.
SERVICEMEN OF NKR DEFENSE ARMY PREVENTED PENETRATION OF AZERI
RECONNAISSANCE DETACHMENT
FEBRUARY 26. On 25-26 February the servicemen of the NKR Defense Army prevented the penetration of a reconnaissance detachment of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces to the territory of the NKR.
The Press Secretary of the Armenian Defense Minister, colonel Seyran
Shakhsuvaryan told ARMINFO that because of the exchange of fire two
servicemen of the NKR Defense Army were injured. On the part of the
opponent one soldier was killed and one injured.
AUTHORITIES MUST SATISFY OPPOSITION'S DEMANDS
Among the opposition's demands is the release of Artak Sahradian from
the post of the chairman of the Central Electoral Commission. The
opposition also demands the dismissal of Minister of Defense Serge
Sargssian, Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukian,
Minister of Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamian, and Head of
Armenia's Police Haik Harutiunian. The rally participants also
demanded am immediate release of the opposition representatives
detained by Armenia's law-enforcers.
NKR DEFENSE OFFICE COMMENTS ON INCIDENT ON DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN NKR
AND AZERI ARMED FORCES
FEBRUARY 26. At 4:20 a.m., February 26, a 5-member reconnaissance party tried to penetrate into the rear of the NKR defense army in the southern section of the dividing line between the NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces. The NKR Foreign Office issued a statement according to which the NKR soldiers on duty took necessary measures to render the Azeri reconnaissance party harmless. The enemy had to retreat, using sub-machine guns and hand grenades. As a result two NKR soldiers were wounded and taken to hospital. Their life is out of danger. In its turn, the press service of the NKR ministry of Defense indicates the fact that Azerbaijan's attempts to commit acts of sabotage in the rear of the NKR armed forces have recently become frequent, and the sniper warfare has become intensified. Specifically, on January 8 and February 13, in the Aghdam and Martakert sections, two Azerbaijani scouts were detained while trying to cross the dividing line. On February 21, NKR soldiers prevented an act of sabotage in the Martakert section. The press service of the NKR Ministry of Defense regards the actions of the Azerbaijani side as a gross violation of the cease-fire regime, which can destabilize the situation in the Karabakh conflict zone. The press service warns that all such attempts will be resolutely curbed. |
FEBRUARY 26. The team of the incumbent president of
Armenia, the candidate for Presidency Robert Kocharyan is confident
in the victory in the run-off, Press Secretary of Armenian President
Vahe Gabrielyan said in his interview to the Armenian Public
Television.
FEBRUARY 26. Azeri President Heydar Aliyev leveled
harsh criticism at the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group for
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and said that he expects more
specific measures from the co-chairs by the end of the year.
FEBRUARY 26, The position of the Armenian
opposition concerning the expediency of participation in the run-off
will be clear on 2-3 March, the former candidate for Presidency, Head
of the Russian Center for Strategic Initiative "Prospect" Aram
Karapetyan told journalists today.
FEBRUARY 26. The peculiarity of the first
round of the pre-electoral campaign in Armenia is that many
candidates for the Presidency had imitated the participation in the
elections in order to be aired by TV companies, the candidate
for the Presidency, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan
stated at a press conference today.
FEBRUARY 26. Armenia's authorities are using double
standards in relations to the opposition candidates in all aspects of
the presidential election process, the former presidential candidate,
Head of the "Perspective" Center of strategic initiatives Aram
Karapetian told reporters today.
FEBRUARY 26. If Armenia's authorities satisfy the
opposition's demands, it will agree to take part in the presidential
run-off election. Otherwise, the ruin-off is out of the question, the
member of the Board of the "Republic" party, Armenia's ex-premier
Aram Sargssian stated at a rally today.
