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CPA MEMBER LEAVES HIS PARTY MARCH 17. Member of Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia, chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Health Care, Social Security and Environment Protection Gagik Tadevossyan has announced his leaving the party as "the CPA's current activities do not correspond with the ideals of the Communism."
Meanwhile, a parliamentary source says that, in fact, Tadevossyan got
offended after finding himself in the tail of the CPA's electoral
list.
Now, he is as high as 11th on the electoral list of the National
Unity party.
UNITED OPPOSITION INTENDS TO HOLD RALLY OF PROTEST AGAINST POLICY OF
PRESENT AUTHORITIES
MARCH 17. Tuesday the united opposition is going to hold a rally to protest against the policy of the present authorities. In its today's statement, the opposition says that Pres.Kocharyan has usurped the presidential post and continues his unrestrained policy of total terror. He even has encroached on the family of Vazgen Sargsyan, Armenian premier killed by terrorists in Oct 1999.
The opposition insists on the innocence of Armen Sargysan, arrested
by the police on framed-up charges. In fact, the government is trying
to conceal the crime committed in the Armenian parliament Oct 27
1999.
The opposition urges the Armenian people to display will for the sake
of salvation of its Fatherland.
ARMENIAN CEC REGISTERED 24 INITIATIVE GROUPS ON ADVANCEMENT OF
CANDIDATES FOR TICKET SEATS IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT ON MAY 25, 2003
MARCH 17. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia have registered 24 initiative groups on advancement of candidates for the ticket seats in the Armenian Parliament in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the country. As it was announced at yesterday's session of the CEC, the initiative groups intend to support 6 election blocs and 19 political parties. Among the blocs running for the Parliament are the "Free and Fair Armenia," with participation of the Marxists party, the United Communist party and the party "Honor and Homeland." Besides, the representatives of the blocs "Union of Manufacturers and Women," "Dignity, Democracy and Fatherland" involving the National-Democratic party and the party "Merited Future," the Liberal bloc consisting of the parties "Union Self-Determination," "Intellectual Armenia" and "Azat Hayk Mission," the "Justice" bloc including in it opposition forces that supported Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan in the presidential election, as well as the bloc "Raffi Hovhannissyan" including in it the parties "Heritage" and "National State."
Among the initiative groups supporting 19 parties, were registered
the Republican party, the Armenian National Movement party, the
"Powerful Homeland," the "National Accord" party, the party
"Justice," ARF Dashnaksutiun party, the Liberal Democratic Union
party, the "Orinats Yerkir" party, the "Fist of Armenian Aryans," the
party "Christian-Democratic Union," the Communist parties, the "Work,
Law and Unity" party, the "Bagrevand" party, Ramkavar-Azatakan party,
the People's Party, the "National Unity" party, the Regenerated
Communist party and the United Labour Party.-
ARMENIA NOT INCLUDED IN PRESS FREEDOM REPORT OF REPORTERS WITHOUT
BORDERS
MARCH 17. Armenia has not been included in press freedom report 2001 of the Reporters Without Borders. The organization had not reliable information about the country. Likewise, it did not cover Georgia and the Baltic states. Meanwhile, among the CIS countries, Tajikistan has the 86th index, followed by Kyrgyzstan 98, Azerbaijan 101, Ukraine 112, Kazakhstan 116, Uzbekistan 120 Russia 121, Belarus 124 and Turkmenistan 136. Finland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands top the list, the US having only the 17th index, because of numerous arrests of journalists, mostly, for refusing to reveal sources of information. The RWB's survey consisted of 50 questions covering a wide range of violations from monopoly in the press to murders of journalists.
53 countries impose censorship on the internet. Countries like Saudi
Arabia, Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Libia, Turkmenistan,
Sudan, Syria impose serious restrictions of their internet users
under the pretext of protecting themselves from destructive idea and
guaranteeing their national unity.
TASK GROUP FORMED FOR STUDYING VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN
ARMENIA INDICATED IN RESOLUTIONS OF FOREIGN OBSERVERS
MARCH 17. In conformity with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan's decree, a task group was formed for studying violations indicated in the resolutions of foreign observers concerning the presidential election in the country.
The Presidential press-service informed ARMINFO that
the foreign observers' resolutions on the presidential runoff
election were the main subject for discussion at today's working
session held by Robert Kocharyan. The task group includes in it
representatives of the Justice Ministry and the Presidential Staff.
The group is instructed to make a resolution within ten days.-
MOTHER OF ARRESTED ARMEN SARGSYAN AND MOTHER OF LEADER OF NATIONAL
PARTY HELD ACT OF PROTEST IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE
Greta Sargsyan told journalists that his son was not involved in the murder of Tigran Nagdalyan and she is fully confident that his arrest is based on his political convictions. In particular, the authorities are trying to break the opposition on the eve of the parliamentary elections, the detainee's mother said. "When the authorities are interested in the disclosure of a crime, they can do it as soon as possible, while some political murders, in particular, the murders of the Armenian premier and speaker committed on 27 October, 1999, are being dragged out for several years," Greta Sargsyan stated.
It should be noted that Armen Sargsyan, the brother of Vazgen
Sargsyan killed as a result of the October 27 terrorist act and
the brother of the ex-premier Aram Sargsyan, the leader of the
"Hanrapetoutyun" opposition party, is arrested being charged with
his involvement in the murder of Tigran Naghdalyan, the chairman
of the Board of Armenia's Public Television.-
LDU NOT TO JOIN ANY POLITICAL BLOC ON THRESHOLD OF PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS
MARCH 17. The Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia (LDU) will not join any political bloc on the threshold of the parliamentary elections, LDU Chairman Seyran Avagian told a press conference. According to him, the party has sufficient potential to win the parliamentary elections. Now, he said, the LDU is not inferior, if not superior, to the other political parties as far as unity, experience and organization are concerned. "We set ourselves a task not only to overcome the 5% barrier, but to receive many more votes," he stressed, adding that the party list consisting of 70 of the LDU's candidates for Parliament has been submitted to the Central Electoral Commission. According to him, most of the persons included in the list are small and middle-sized businessmen. The first five candidates in the list are: LDU Chairman Seyran Avagian, the Parliament member Harutiun Pambukian, the businessman Spartak Melikian, Doctor of Technical Sciences Armen Khachatrian, as well as the businessman Eduard Sargssian. The party will also nominate candidates by the single-mandate election system. The number and names of the candidates will be published within the next few days, Avagian said, pointing out that he will not take part in the single-mandate elections.
Avagian said that, before entering the election campaign, any
political party must answer the following three questions: what must
be done, how it must be done and who will do it. Responding to the
questions himself, Avagian pointed out that the middle class must be
formed through the development of small and middle-sized business. He
expressed confidence that all the 70 of the LDU's candidates are
ready to accomplish the tasks set by the party. "The party has
fulfilled its commitments, and it is up to the voters to choose now,"
the LDU leader said.-
"DEMOCRATIC HOMELAND" PARTY TO BOYCOTT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
MARCH 17. The "Democratic Homeland" party does not accept the results of the recent presidential election in Armenia and will boycott the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 25.
In its statement the party says that, considering the numerous
violations committed during the first round of the presidential
election on February 19 and during the run-off on March 5, the party
intends to boycott the parliamentary elections in May, as the
country's incumbent authorities, which came to power and by means of
violatons of the Constitution, are unable to guarantee democratic
elections.
GREEK PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES ROBERT KOCHARYAN ON HIS RE-ELECTION
AS ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT
MARCH 17. Greek President Konsantinos Stefanopulos
congratulated Armenia's President Robert Kocharyan on his re-election
to the office of president, the Armenian Presidential press service
told ARMINFO.
It should be noted that Greece is currently the presiding state at
the European Union.
ARF DASHNAKTSUTIUN HAS ALL CHANCES TO FIX HIGH SHOWINGS AT
FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
MARCH 17. The ARF Dashnaktsutiun has all the chances to fix high showings during the May 25 parliamentary elections in Armenia. The deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia, the member of the Supreme body of the ARFD Armen Roustamian stated during the press conference. According to him, for that the ARFD possesses necessary experience and corresponding program. "We'll aspire for that to poll the most number of votes", Roustamian stated. He informed that about 30 candidates for deputies from the ARFD will take part in the elections on majority system. The party has not decided yet, whom it will support at the poll stations, where candidatures from the ARFD are no represented. The deputy said that he considers possible to support the candidatures from the Republican party.
Touching upon the question that the party list is mixed and
representatives of the Pan-Armenian working party and non-party men
are included in the list, Armen Roustamian said that there is nothing
strange here. "We have always followed the principle, according to
which not only the names of the members of the party will be in the
list, but also of its supporters, who share program opinions of the
ARFD. Nevertheless, de-jure the ARFD runs for the parliament alone",
the deputy stressed. At the same time, he informed that the
pre-election slogan and the program of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun is
still is at the discussion stage
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR SENT NO LETTER OF SUPPORT TO STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN
MARCH 17. The office of the Governor of California, USA, has refuted the reliability of the letter published on March 12 and allegedly expressing support of Califo0rnia governor Grey Davis to the opposition-nominated presidential candidate Stepan Demirchian.
According to the press service of the Armenian Foreign Office, a
letter addressed to Armenia's Consul General in Los Angeles Valery
Mkrtumian by Foreign Relations Executive, California governor office,
Michael Florz emphasizes the fact of a forged letter. Moreover, the
letter says, the USA's support of political figures participating in
elections outside the USa runs contrary to the USA's policy.
ARMEN SARGSSYAN'S ACCUSING OF ACCOMPLICESHIP IN TIGRAN NAGHDALYAN'S
MURDER FRAMED-UP BY AUTHORITIES: OPPOSITION
MARCH 17. Armen Sargssyan's accusation of being an accomplice in the murder of Chairman of the Board of the Armenian Public Television and Radio Tigran Naghdalyan is framed-up by the auhtorities, Chairman of the "Anrapetutiun" party, the former Yerevan Mayor Albert Bazeyan said at a press-conference today. It should be noted that Armen Sargssyan is a brother of the party's Leader Aram Sargssyan. He said several representatives of pro-government forces and mass media tried to lay the guilt in Naghdalyan's murder on the opposition from the very beginning, ruling out all the other possible motives beforehand. Bazeyan said at first the authorities' target was the "National Unity" party, then the "Socialist Armenia" party, later, the authorities, targeted to the "Anrapetutiun," in particular, to the family of the party's leader. As a result, Aram Sargssyan's brother Armen Sargssyan was arrested and accused of the accompliceship in Tigran Naghadlyan's murder. At the same time, Bazeyan said the authorities have no proofs of Sargssyan's accompliceship in this crime. He said as a proof, the authorities present the fact that one of the criminals is a second cousin of Armen Sargssyan. Bazeyan said the opposition has information that one of the members of the gang John Haroutiunyan is a relative of Chairman of the Board of the Public Television and Radio Aleksan Haroutiunyan. "So, whether it means that Aleksan Haroutiunyan is a accomplice in Tigran Naghadlyan's murder?" Bazeyan said.
He pointed out that the postponement of the trial in the case of the
terrorist act in the Armenian Parliament in October , 1999 is
directly connected with Naghdalyan's murder. Bazeyan said the
defendant in the case Nairi Hunanyan was in close contacts with
Tigran Naghdalyan. The journalists' murder could have aroused
dissatisfaction of Hunanyan, who could make statements condemning the
authorities in the heat of passion, he said. It is from the fear of
this that the trial in the case of the terrorist act was
postponed.-
ARF PARTY CALLS FOR PUTTING END TO POLITICAL SPECULATONS ON TIGRAN
NAGHDALIAN'S ASSASSINATION
MARCH 17. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) restrains from any political speculations on the assassination of the well-known TV journalist, Chairman of the Board of the Armenian Public Television Tigran Naghdalian last December, the Parliament member, member of the ARF Executive Council of Armenia Armen Rustamian told a press conference. According to him, the case is a legal one, and the country's law-enforcers must be allowed to conduct a proper investigation. "It is necessary that this matter should not be speculated on, any people be named, anyone be put in an awkward situation. We hope that the crime will soon be exposed and cease to be a subject of political speculations," Rustamian said, reminding the journalists that at its time the ARF made a statement recognizing a political character of Tigran Naghdalian's murder. BROTHER OF FORMER PREMIER OF ARMENIAN ARRESTED MARCH 17. Armenian Police have arrested businessman Armen Sargsyan, brother of the leader of the Hanrapetoutyun (Republic) party, ex premier of Armenia Aram Sargsyan. He is accused of being privy to the Deb 28 murder of Tigran Naghdalyan, the chairman of the Board of Armenia's Public Television. According to the testimony of "Aper" (Brother), some Hovhannes Haroutyunyan, wanted and later detained by the police on suspicion of complicity in the case, Sargsyan was among those ordering the murder. The investgation continues. To remind, Armen and Aram Sargsyans are brothers of Vazgen Sargsyan, premier of Armenia killed by terrorists Oct 27 1999. HEADLINES OF 17 MARCH
9TH SESSION OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT STARTS ITS WORK AFTER PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
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MARCH 17. Greta Sargsyan, the mother of Armen
Sargsyan who was arrested on March 15 and Rima Demirchyan, the mother
of Stepan Demirchyan, the leader of the National Party, held an act
of protest in front of the Armenian Presidential Residence today.
She also said that the act of protest will continue till the evening
and will be held every day. In her turn, Rima Demirchyan accused the
country's authorities of provocative activities and the investigation
related to Tigran Naghdalyan's murder is used for political goals for
discrediting the opposition's political forces.
