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ARMENIA MISSED ITS CHANCE TO CONDUCT FREE AND FAIR ELECTION: US AMBASSADOR TO BAKU MARCH 14. ARMINFO-TURAN. Armenia has missed its chance to conduct free and fair election, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ross Wilson said at his Thursday meeting with the professors and students of Baku Slavonic University.
Wilson said that this circumstance will damage Armenia's general
development.
ARMENIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT STARTS HEARINGS OF COMPLIANT OF
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN
MARCH 14. Armenia's Constitutional Court started today to hear the appeal of presidential candidate, leader of the National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan against the results of the Feb 19 presidential election. Geghamyan, who polled 17.7% of votes during the first round of the election, claims that the ballot was rigged and consequently cannot reflect the actual will of the people. At today's hearing Geghamyan's attorney Eghishe Hovhanissyan said that the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia exceeded its powers when appointing run-off election having only preliminary results at hand. It confirmed this decision Feb 25 without considering the numerous complaints received after the first round. Besides, as many as 49 articles of the Electoral Code were violated during the election: the principle of secret voting and the right of people to freely express their will were abused, the rights of proxies were infringed, the candidates themselves were in unequal conditions, canvassing for one candidate continued even on the day of the election. This all had an immediate effect on the poll. Hence, Geghamyan demands declaring invalid the results of the election and holding repeated election. Noteworthy, the CEC's attorney Gevork Nersissyan learnt that he was appointed to protect the CEC's interests last evening and had no time to get well prepared for the hearing. However, he will yet have time for preparation as the hearing was postponed till Mar 18 because the CEC had not provided the CC with necessary documents.
It should be noted that CC Chairman Gagik Harotuyunyan has invited
experts of CE Venice Commission to take part in the hearings, but
they have not come because the commission is having a meeting Mar
13-14. Nevertheless, present at the hearing were two OSCE
observers.
ESTONIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES ROBERT KOCHARYAN ON HIS REELECTION
FOR SECOND TERM
MARCH 14. Estonian President Arnold Ruutel has
congratulated his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan on his
reelection for second term.
Ruutel wished Kocharyan success in governing his people and state and
also happiness and health.
AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS NO RADICAL CHANGES IN ROBERT KOCHARIAN'S POSITION
ON KARABAKH CONFLICT
MARCH 14. ARMINFO-TURAN. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev said official Yerevan's idea that the Karabakh conflict settlement must start from cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is absolutely groundless. "Armenia's desire is inconsistent," said Guliyev in his interview to TURAN Agency. He noted that Armenia has occupied Azerbaijani lands and is keeping them under control. In such conditions economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and aggressor Armenia is impossible. "Nobody and never can force Azerbaijan to establish cooperation with Armenia in any form. We have repeatedly told that both to Armenia and world community," said Foreign Minister. Azerbaijan can agree to establish economic cooperation and diplomatic relationships with Yerevan only after liberation of occupied territories, Armenia's refusal of groundless territorial claims and recognition of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Asked how results of the recent presidential elections in Armenia will affect the conflict settlement, Guliyev answered that the Karabakh conflict is used in Armenia as a launching pad for boosting into power. Kocharian is elected President for the second term. Owing to his radical position on the Karabakh conflict he has achieved Levon Ter- Petrosian's resignation. Kocharian understands that if he refuses of this radical position, he could say goodbye to his presidential office. "Taking into account all the above-mentioned, I don't think that Kocharian's position will be significantly changed," said Guliyev. As to new proposals on the conflict settlement prepared by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen, Guliyev said that one could say whether they are new and acceptable for Azerbaijan only after close familiarization. Guliyev said the co-chairs would present their proposals during the forthcoming visit to the region.
Questioned how Baku assesses U.S. position on the Karabakh conflict,
Vilayat Guliyev said that Azerbaijan highly appreciates Washington's
statement about recognition of the republic's territorial integrity
and views Nagorno Karabakh as a separate formation. Guliyev
regretfully stated that this position has not always been
consistently confirmed by officials. Guliyev cited for instance
statement of Rudolph Perina, U.S. co -chair of MG, in his interview
to radio "Moscow Echo," in which he said that Abkhazian and
Predniestr conflicts must be resolved on the basis of principle of
territorial integrity, while situation is different with the Karabakh
conflict.
ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBERSHIP GROWS TO 121
MARCH 14. Congressmen Charles Bass (R-NH) and Ernie Fletcher (R-KY) have officially joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total to 121 members. According to the Armenian Assembly of America, both Congressmen Fletcher and Bass said they were pleased to be part of the Caucus, which Fletcher described as "one of the largest of its kind in the House and an important arena for increasing understanding of Armenian-American issues."
The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues has focused on
strengthening the U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships,
searching for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
ending the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh and reaffirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.-
RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO CANADA'S MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND
IMMIGRATION WITH NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO CANADA
MARCH 14. . Sarkis Assadourian, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration met with the new Turkish Ambassador to Canada Ambassador Aydemir Erman at his Parliament Hill Office. Assadourian welcomed Ambassador Erman to Canada and engaged the new Ambassador in a discussion on a number of issues including recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the situation regarding Holy Cross Armenian School in Turkey and the political situation in the Middle East.
Assadourian later met with Armenian Ambassador Ara Papian to discuss
the post presidential election political situation in Armenia as well
as increased economic interaction between Canada and Armenia and the
ongoing organization for the 3rd leg of the Canada-Armenia
Parliamentary Friendship Group Parliamentary Exchange scheduled for
the 1st week of July.-
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE REJECTS DEMAND OF REPRESENTATIVE OF PEOPLE'S
PARTY OF ARMENIA TO PUT END TO INACTIVITY OF CEC RA
MARCH 14. Court of first instance of Yerevan communities Center and Nork-Marash stopped the civil case, started by the demand of the representative of the People's party of Armenia to put an end to the inactivity of the Central electoral commission in the course of the Feb 19 first round of the presidential election and repeated recount of ballot papers in a number of poll stations. It should be noted that on Feb 27 the lawyer Ashot Sargsian, proxy of the candidate for presidency, the leader of People's party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian, appealed to the court of first instance of Yerevan communities Center and Nork-Marash with a requirement to put an end to the inactivity of the CEC and to check up the results of voting on the first round of the presidential election in several dozens of poll stations, where the results of voting were called into question. According to today's decision of the judge Pargev Ohanian, consideration of the complaint is at the competence of the Constitutional Court of the republic, as the claimant disputes the results of the election. According to the document, complaint was made on Feb 27, i.e. two days after summing up the final results of the first round, and thereby disputes its results.
But Ashot Sargsian thinks that the consideration of the complaint is
just at the competence of the court of first instance, as not the
results of voting, but the inactivity of the CEC and territorial
electoral commissions is the subject of argument. He reminded that
the complaint concerned the fact the before full examination of the
complaints concerning violations in several dozens of poll stations,
the EC made a decision on summing up final results of the first round
of election. As regards possible appeal of the court's decision, the
lawyer said that "the result will the same as today". "Of course, we
didn't hope for positive decision of the court. As projected and
planned violations take place, they must be insured. Corresponding
attitude of the CEC and decision of the court are the guarantee of
it", Ashot Sargsian said, adding that "he will appeal to the
Constitutional Court as well, but this time for appealing the results
of two rounds of the presidential election".
ARMENIANS CONTINUE TO ORIENT THEMSELVES TO RUSSIA
MARCH 14. Almost 54% of participants of the interactive survey on the site of the independent news agency ARMINFO - www.arminfo.am, think that Russia must be the main orientation of Armenia in the foreign policy. Then follows European Union - 35.6% and the USA ranks the third - 10.3%. Over 30% of questioned made a choice in favor of Russia, as they think that just Russia is able to safeguard regional security. Moscow's potential in assisting the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is one of the highest as well. Over 18% of questioned gave preference to the role of the USA in this issue, more than 12% - for European Union, at the time when over 22% prefer Russia.
At the same time, noteworthy, in the issue of achieving economic
progress and development of trade in Armenia those questioned give
preference to the European Union. Over 28% of them think so, and then
follow the USA - 24.3% and Russia - 23.6%. They also prefer the
European Union in the issue of joining moral values and way of
living, the USA ranks the second, and Russia is in the third place.
In the issue of joining the business culture 23.1% of those
questioned think that in the issue of raising the business culture
Armenia needs to orientate itself to the traditions of the USA, 19.8%
- to European Union and only 11.7% think that the traditions of the
Russian business culture are more preferable.
RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA CANNOT BE RECOGNIZED
LEGITIME
MARCH 14. In the course of the presidential election in Armenia gross violations of the Electoral Code were revealed which influenced the final results of the election, as a result, they cannot be recognized legitime, says a preliminary statement of the Public Commission for Control over the Legitimacy of Elections attached to the "Deputy Club- Supreme Council" public organization. Presenting the statement, head of the above public organization Ruben Torossyan said that from the presidential election of 2003 considerably yield to those of 1998, as to the number of violations revealed in the course of it (1.5 times). He said the number of violations revealed during the runoff election exceeded those of the first round's both by quantity and quality. According to the Public Commission's estimations, 95% of the violations were made by the incumbent president or in his favour. Torossyan presented the violations that were not registered in the course of the previous election, such as deprivation of the right of an observer mission of the "Deputy Club- Supreme Council" public organization, mass arrests of rally participants, announcement of the runoff election without summing up the final results of the first round, as well as appointment of the defence minister head of the pre-election staff of President Kocharyan, propaganda in favour of Robert Kocharyan carried out by TV companies, which in terms of money exceeded the funds of his pre-election fund. The organization' observers consider a violation the propaganda in favour of Robert Kocharyan carried out by the Russian citizens and by the "ORT" TV company as well.
The preliminary statement also makes proposals to the commission,
according to which, the Armenian CEC must consider the issue of
disparities concerning the registration of Robert Kocharyan and Aram
Karapetyan. Besides, the CEC ought to apply to the court demanding
depriving Robert Kocharyan of registration in connection with the
violation of the Article 79, the points 7 and 8 of the Article 18 of
the Electoral Code. According to the proposals made, the executive
power of the country should take all the possible measures to bring
the riggers responsible.-
RPA TO INDEPENDENTLY PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
MARCH 14. In the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 25 the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) will not form a political bloc with other political forces, the member of the RPA Board Galust Sahakian told a press conference. According to him, it is inadvisable that the party form a part of any political bloc, as experience shows that Armenia's political blocs are not long living. He pointed out that the RPA's party list is ready. Sahakian pointed out that the party will also nominate candidates in the single mandate elections. He expressed confidence that in the Parliament of the third convocation the RPA will receive many seats. It should also be noted that the two other pro-governmental political forces - the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the "Country of Law" party - also intend to independently participate in the parliamentary elections.
Two centrist pro-governmental forces - the National-Democratic Party
(NDP) led by Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Gagik Aslanian and the
"Merited future" party led by the sociologist Lyudmila Harutiunian -
intend to form a bloc in the parliamentary elections. Talking to
ARMINFo, Gagik Harutiunian said that the bloc's list will be
specified within the next two days. He reported that the bloc will
apply to the Central Electoral Commission for registration of its
action group on March 16.
ARMENIAN CEC APPROVES ORDER OF VOTING AT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AT
ARMENIAN DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS AND CONSULATES ABROAD
MARCH 14. The Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) approved the order of voting at the Armenian diplomatic representations and consulates abroad during the forthcoming parliamentary elections. CEC has made this decision today, according to which, the winners receiving equal number of votes among the candidates running for Parliament through single mandate system will be determined through drawing lots. Drawing lots will be held at the electoral district of the aforementioned parliamentary candidates. CEC also approved the sample of ballot papers for voting through both single mandate and ticket systems.
CEC also determined the order of the activities of the
supervisory-revisory service at CEC of Armenia, as well as the sample
of the Declaration on use of pre-electoral means by candidates
running for Parliament and political parties. CEC entrusted both the
state and local self-government bodies of the republic to provide
necessary premises to the candidates running for Parliament through
single mandate system, as well as to political parties participating
in the agitation
OPPOSITION WILL GET MAJORITY OF DEPUTY MANDATES IN PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS: STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN
MARCH 14. The opposition will get a majority of deputy mandates in the parliamentary elections, as the political forces are uniting, putting aside their interests, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian stated at the opposition-held rally today. According to him, an appeal against the results of the presidential election will be submitted to the Constitutional Court in 2-3 days. Demirchian put down the delay to numerous violations and to the fact that lawyers have not yet prepared all the necessary documents. Besides, the PPA leader pointed out that the authorities hope is that citizens will get tired of rallies and public will not be so active. "However, we can see that the people are not losing their will for restoring justice in the country," he said.
The rally was attended by some 30,000 people. The next rally is to be
held after the appeal is submitted to the Constitutional Court, in
March 21. Aram karapetian, who has not attended today's rally, is
also expected to take part in the March 21 rally.
FORMER RULING PARTY ARMENIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT INTENDS TO RUN FOR
PARLIAMENT INDEPENDENTLY
MARCH 14. The former ruling party in Armenia, the Armenian National Movement (ANM) intends to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the country independently. Talking to the RFE/RL today, the ANM member Andranik Hovakimyan said the first lines of the party list to be submitted to the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia for participation in the elections will occupy leading figures of the ANM, the former head of the Yerevan community of Center Ararat Zourabyan, the former foreign minister of Armenia Aleksandr Arzoumanyan, the former head of the National Security Department of Armenia David Shahnazaryan. At the same time, Hovakimyan said that the name of the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan will not be included in the party list. Touching upon the issue who of the party-members will run for single mandate seats in the Armenian Parliament, Hovakimyan said, in particular, in the Center community the candidature of the former prefect of the community, the present Head of the ANM Board Ararat Zourabyan will be advanced.
He said many of the party's members are of the opinion that in
conditions of the current power, one should not participate in the
forthcoming elections. And it is not ruled out the party's position
will change by May 25, and the party will boykot the elections.-
PRESS SECRETARY OF ARMENIAN FOREIGN OFFICE CALLS FALSIFICATIONS
LETTERS OF CALIFORNIAN SENATORS PUBLISHED IN FAVOUR OF DEMIRCHYAN'S
CANDIDACY
MARCH 14. Press Secretary of the Armenian Foreign Office Dzyunik Aghajanyan called falsification the letters of California's Governor Grey Davis and several other Californian senators recently published by some Armenian mass media in favour of the Armenian presidential candidate, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan.
Speaking to journalists she said that the Armenian Foreign Office
applied to the Consul General of Armenia in Los-Angeles Valeri
Mkrtumyan asking to specify the fact of the existence of these
letters. The initial response received from Los-Angeles testifies
that such letters do not exist. However, on March 12, the copies of
the aforementioned letters were published in the press. They were
sent to the offices of the senators and then an answer followed
calling these letters falsifications. "This information seemed
strange from the very beginning, as the U.S. top officials are not
used to congratulate the members of the election held in any country,
Aghajanyan said and added that these senators are going to lodge the
claim with the court. One thing is apparent - such falsifications
affect Armenia's international rating negatively.
RAPA TO INDEPENDENTLY PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
MARCH 14. The Ramkavar Azatakan Party of Armenia (RAPA) intends to independently participate in the parliamentary elections in Armenia, RAPA Chairman Ruben Mirzakhanian told ARMINFO. an application will be submitted to the CEC on March 15. Mirzakhanian also called the first three names in the RAPA party list. This list includes the RAPA leader himself, Gagik Abrahamian, who is brother of the Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamian, as well as RAPA member Lavrenty Barseghian. RESIDENT OF AZATAVAN WANTED BY POLICE ON SUSPICION OF BEING PRIVY TO MURDER OF TV JOURNALIST TIGRAN NAGHDALYAN MARCH 14. The resident of the village of Azatavan, Ararat region, Grikor Petrossyan ("Mzdoyi Grikor"), born 1960, is wanted by the police on suspicion of complicity in the murder of the well-known Armenian TV journalist, chairman of the Board of Armenia's Public Television Tigran Naghdalyan.
Residents of Armenia are asked to report any information they know
about the above person against guarantee of confidentiality.-
POLICE OF RUSSIAN RESORT OF ANAPA DETAINS GANG KILLING AMONG OTHER
PEOPLE ONE ARMENIAN
MARCH 14. The police of the Russian Black Sea resort of Anapa are currently investigating a crime which promises to become one of the biggest cases of the last years. According to the Armenian newspaper of Southern Russia Yerkramas, three residents of the nearby village of Supsekh were detained recently on suspicion of having killed and robbed people, mostly, nonresident businessmen, for no less than four years.
The investigation began in Feb when the police were reported of a man
missing in Supsekh. One month later the police found him killed. It
was some Avetissyan, an Armenian, murdered like 6 (that's at least
what police know by now) other people by the above gang.
GRIGOR PETROSIAN GIVES HIMSELF UP
MARCH 14. Resident of the village of Azatavan of Armenia's Ararat region Grigor Petrosian gave himself up to law-enforcement bodies. Noteworthy, he was wanted in the case on the assassination of the Chairman of the Board of the Public TV radio company Tigran Naghdalian. Grigor Petrosian is accused in participating in premeditated murder at aggravating circumstances (point 1 and 3 article 17-99 of the Criminal Code of RA). HEADLINES OF 14 MARCH
USA TO MAKE EFFORTS FOR ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN TO BE HELD
UNDER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
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