REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARMENIA TRIES TO STRENGTHEN ITS POSITIONS IN
POLITICAL FIELD
MARCH 21. It is quite natural that Armenian Defense
Minister Serzh Sargsyan is included by the ticket system in the list
of the Parliamentary candidates from the Republican party, Armenian
Vice-Speaker, Deputy Head of the Republican party Tigran Torosyan
stated at a press conference held at the National Press Club today.
According to Torosyan, the party has always pronounced for the public
participation of the representatives of the executive power in the
"big politics." As Armenian Defense Minister plays a major role in
Armenia's political life, his inclusion in the list of Parliamentary
candidates is quite natural, Vice-Speaker said. He also stressed
that Sargsyan's political views mainly coincide with the ideology of
the Republican party.
At the same time, Tigran Torosyan stated that neither Serzh Sargsyan,
nor any other minister included in the party's list of Parliamentary
candidates lays claim to the deputy seats. He also said that there is
a proposal to include provisions in the package of constitutional
reforms allowing Armenian deputies to simultaneously hold a
ministerial position. However, Tigran Torosyan expressed reservations
concerning the expedience of the provisions. He said that during the
forthcoming parliamentary elections the Republican party will make
all efforts not only to preserve, but also to strengthen its
positions in the country's political field.
CE VENICE COMMISSION APPROVES ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT'S BILL ON MASS
MEDIA
MARCH 21. The CE Venice Commission has approved the
bill on mass media drafted by the Armenian Parliament.
According to Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran
Torossyan, the bill is to be considered in the first reading at one
of the parliament's next meetings. Armenia promised to adopt it when
joining the CE. Torossyan said that despite certain objections by
some Armenian mass media, the issue will be settled by joint efforts
of MPs and journalists by the second reading of the bill in the
fall.
ROBERT KOCHARIAN BOTH LOST ELECTIONS AND SUSTAINED MORAL LOSS: RAFAEL
GHAZARIAN
MARCH 21. Robert Kocharian not only lost the
presidential election, but also sustained a moral loss, the member of
the public organization "Defense of Liberated Territories" Rafael
Ghazarian told a press conference.
According to him, the opposition must use all the legal means to
restore justice, for the next elections to be free and fair.
Ghazarian pointed out that Robert kocharian had a chance of being
re-elected as a result of fair elections, but his initial aim to
election rigging and treacherous attitude to the Karabakh settlement
deprived him of considerable number of votes. In his turn, the
organization member Armen Aghayan stated that Robert Kocharian's
illegitimacy creates prerequisites for the international community's
elaborating an anti-Armenian scheme of settling the Karabakh
conflict.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF COMPUTING TECHNIQUES AND INFORMATICS
PLANS TO EXPORT COMPUTER EQUIPMENT TO CIS AND IRAN
MARCH 21. In the next few months the Scientific
Research Institute of Computing Techniques and Informatics (formerly
Algorithm) is going to organize production and export of computer
equipment to the CIS and Iran.
According to the chairman of the institute's board Gagik Karapetyan,
using its international certificate and ties with the CIP company,
the institute is going to export ITs to a number of Russia's regions,
Kazakhstan and Iran. "Despite the specificity of the Iranian IT
consumers, we are ready to meet their needs," Karapetyan said.
The transportation of the computers will cost $3-5 per one computer.
It should be noted that the Armenian Government sold Algorithm a few
days ago for 50 mln AMD ($85,000). 55% was given to the institute's
staff and the remaining 45% was divided equally between NCS inc.
(Canada), CIP (Armenia-Canada) and Ogma Instrument (US).-
INVESTIGATION OF TIGRAN NAGHDALIAN'S MURDER ON RIGHT TRACK: RUBEN
RSHTUNI
MARCH 21. The investigation of the assassination of
the well-known Armenian journalist, Chairman of the Board of
the Armenian Public Television Tigran Naghdalian is on the right
track, Ruben Rshtuni, the lawyer of Tigran Naghdalian's legal
successor, told a press conference.
He reported that information on the investigation at his disposal
allows him to draw a conclusion that the investigation is on the
right track. He pointed out that a most experienced specialist heads
the investigative group, which must be taken into account. However,
he pointed out that he will make a final conclusion on the case after
he has examined all the materials of the case.
Rshtuni stressed that the only goal of the victim's family is finding
the real and orderer and perpetrator of tigran Naghdalian's murder.
"Tigran Naghdalian's family is interested in a complete disclosure of
the crime. I am sure that the investigative bodies will verify all
the variants," Rshtuni said. Without speaking of possible motives of
the crime, he expressed his personal opinion of the scheme of
"beheading" Armenia's Public Television. "If the investigative body
has checked all the other versions, the investigation will not last
long. As to the possibility of new arrests, I have no information,"
Rshtuni said.
RUSSIA'S STATE DUMA ADOPTS FINAL STATEMENT ON IRAQ
MARCH 21. Russia's State Duma has adopted (by 354
votes) the final version of the Statement "In Connection with the
Beginning of Military Actions of the United States and Great Britain
against Iraq."
The Russian MPs condemn the war and ask Russia's President to
initiate the calling of a special session of the UN General Assembly
for discussing the problem. They ask the UN Security Council to
consider introducing UN troops to Iraq to reconcile the conflicting
parties. The Russian MPs also propose that Pres.Putin and the Russian
Government should increase this year's defence expenses by at least
3.5% of the GDP. They also proposed providing humanitarian aid to the
Iraqi civilians.
ROUBEN RSHTUNI: TIGRAN NAGHDALYAN IS NOT KEY WITNESS IN CASE OF OCT
27 TERRORIST ACT AT ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT
MARCH 21. Despite the spread information, the
well-known TV journalist, Chairman of the Public Television and Radio
of Armenia, Tigran Naghdalyan who was killed in December, 2002, is
not the key witness in the case of the October 27 terrorist act at
the Armenian Parliament, said Rouben Rshtuni, the lawyer who defends
the interests of Tigran Naghdalyan's successor. It should be noted
that Rshtuni defended the interests of one of the detainees of the
case.
"That time over hundred armed Armenian MPs were hiding behind the
chairs at the Armenian Parliament who are the real witnesses. Quite
the contrary, Tigran Naghdalyan is not a witness of the events," the
defense lawyer stated. As regards the video tape of the terrorist
act, Rshtuni said that "everybody has seen it on various TV
channels." Thus, he ruled out the version of a possible arrangement
of the cassette.
WAR IN IRAQ MAY ABET EXTREMISM IN WORLD: VLADIMIR PUTIN
MARCH 21. The Iraqi crisis has gone beyond the
limits of a local conflict and is a potential source of instability
for the other regions of the world, including the CIS, russian
President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with the heads of
delegations participating in the 6th meeting of the Committee of the
Secretaries of Security Councils of the CIS member-states.
According to the RIA "Novosty", President Putin pointed out that the
military action against Iraq is a decision pregnant with hardly
predictable consequences, including intensification of extremist
activities. Under the circumstances, the task of regional
organizations is reducing the danger to the minimum. "It is important
to defend the international community's unity in battling
international terrorism," Putin said, stressing that the signatories
to Collective Security Treaty consider the struggle against
international terrorism a priority.
CST SECURITY SECRETARIES HAVE COMMON POSITION ON PROBLEM OF IRAQ
MARCH 21. All the participants of the 6th meeting of
the Committee of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the
Collective Security Treaty proved to have a unanimous position on the
problem of Iraq.
RIA Novosti reports Russia's Security Secretary Vladimir Rushaylo as
saying that when considering the problem he and his colleagues were
guided by the statement of Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
AZERBAIJAN READY TO FUEL AIRCRAFT OF ANTI-IRAQI COALITION
MARCH 21. Azerbaijan is ready to open its airspace and
airports for the aircraft of the anti-Iraqi coalition. Specifically,
in question is re-fueling the US and British airplanes in Azerbaijan,
Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev said.
According to him, the USA addressed this request to official Baku.
Intense negotiations are currently under way. Abiyev stressed that
Azerbaijan will not be immediately involved in the military
operations in iraq. "We continue our cooperation with the United
States, but no US airplane has yet crossed our airspace,"Abiyev told
journalists.
ARMENIA'S FM DOES NOT DISCUSS SUSPENSION OF IRAQ'S DIPLOMATIC
PRESENCE IN ARMENIA
MARCH 21. Asked by ARMINFO what is Armenia's
response to the latest statement made by the State Department
Spokesman Richard Boucher calling the countries in which the Iraqis
have a diplomatic presence to suspend Iraq's diplomatic presence in
the country, MFA Spokesperson Dziunik Aghajanian said that at this
point, no such question is under discussion.
"Armenia determines the nature of diplomatic relations with other
countries, their establishment and suspension on its own on the basis
of its needs and interests," she noted.-
FRANCE REFUSES TO EXPEL IRAQI DIPLOMATS
MARCH 21. France has refused the US's request to
expel Iraqi diplomats.
According to the spokesperson of the French Foreign Ministry Francois
Rivassau, the US proposed that France close down the Iraqi Embassy in
Paris. "This proposal infringes on France's sovereignty."
KURDS INTEND TO BRING ACTION AGAINST TURKEY, ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
MARCH 21. The Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP)
organization is going to apply to the European Court for Human Rights
against Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, KHRP Coordinator Rochel
Harris said.
According to PRESS-CENTER.RU, KHRP is attached to the London Kurdish
Cultural Center engaged in the organization of numerous Kurdish
demonstrations against Turkey and Iraq. For the previous few months
the center has been actively participating in the propagandistic
campaign against laying the gas-exporting main Baku-Tbilisi-Jeykhan.
According to the KHRP, "Kurds currently have a lot of problems, the
biggest of them is the impossibility for them to develop their
culture in their native lands and cruel repressions they are being
subjected to."
Shortly before the statement of London's KHRP, in the American town
of Shelton Head of the U.S. National Security Sub-Commission
Christopher Sheis met with a group of local Kurds at their own
initiative. The Kurds told Sheis that they have dreamed of the
establishment of the Kurdish state by the end of this year. In favour
of their desire they said that at present about 20-25 millions of
Kurds are residing in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Azerbaijan and
Armenia. One of the initiators of the meeting, Esmat Ali said that
they insist on the establishment of the Kurdish state just by the end
of this year as they have enough people for that. The Kurds living in
the USA dream of the establishment of their own state and count on
using for that not only the northern territories of Iraq, but also of
a number of neighbouring states including Azerbaijan.
THERE IS A REAL THREAT OF MILITARY CONFLICT BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQI
KURDS
MARCH 21. There is a real threat of a military
conflict between Turkey and Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The British company Sky TV reports with reference to the leadership
of the Kurds living in Northern Iraq, up to 20,000 Turkish soldiers
may invade this mostly-Kurdish part of Iraq in the next 24 hours.
The information about Turkey's plans was received by the Kurds from
their sources in Ankara. The Sky TV says that if the invasion takes
place, this may result in a new war within the war between US and
Iraq.
Meanwhile, CNN reports that Turkish troops have already entered the
territory of Northern Iraq.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS GIVE DOUBLE ASSESSMENT OF RE-COUNT OF VOTES OF
ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
MARCH 21. Today, the member of the OSCE Observation
Mission Maria Fariello Laoks (Italy) gave a double assessment of the
re-count of votes of the results of the first round of the Armenian
presidential election at seven polling stations in Yerevan.
Talking to an ARMINFO correspondent she positively assessed the fact
that in case of a petition by a claimant the Constitutional Court
obliges the Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) to open and
recount the ballot papers at a number of polling stations. At the
same time, Maria Fariello Laoks cited the words of Head of the OSCE
Observation Mission Peter Eicher who said just after the completion
of the Armenian presidential election that in case of ballot-stuffing
there is no sense in re-counting ballot papers.
COORDINATOR OF UN OFFICE IN ARMENIA TO LEAVE FOR IRAQ NEXT WEEK
MARCH 21. Joel Boutroue, Coordinator of UN Office
in Armenia, Permanent Representative of the UNDP, will leave for Iraq
next week. Joel Boutroue told ARMINFO.
According to him, his departure for Iraq is connected with the UN
efforts towards sooner cease fire and turn the conflict into
negotiations. According to Boutroue, a new representative of the UN
mission to Armenia.
ARMENIAN CEC FINISHED RE-CALCULATION OF BALLOT PAPERS OF 7 POLLING
STATIONS
MARCH 21. The Central Electoral Commission of
Armenia completed re-calculation of the votes at 7 polling stations
of Yerevan.
It should be noted that the re-calculation of the votes is carried
out in accordance with the resolution of the Constitutional Court of
Armenia dated March 19, 2003. According to the given resolution, the
CEC is to re-calculate the votes at the polling stations NN 0294,
0310, 1269, 1257, 1775, 1770, 0089, 0132, 0124, 0390 and 0115 on
March 21 and 22 in the presence of the Mass Media, the OSCE observer
mission, as well as with participation of Artashes Geghamyan, the
initiator of this action. It is noteworthy that immediately after the
re-calculation started, Geghamyan's representatives MP Aleksan
Karapetyan and lawyers Yeghishe and Ruben Hovhannissyan demanded a
status of active participants of the re-calculation, not being
satisfied with the status of observers. After the CEC rejected their
demand, they called the re-calculation process a farce and left the
CEC. AMong the remaining observers of the process were journalists,
OSCE observers Richard Chambers and Maria Fariello, as well as the
members of the Staff of the Constitutional Court Lilya Hakobyan,
Armen Zalinyan and Grigor Muradyan.
The re-calculation of the votes at the polling station N 0310 of the
Yerevan community of Erebuni showed that 1,595 electors participated
in the voting on Feb 19, 8 of them voted against all the
candidates, 2 in favor of Ruben Avagyan, 314 in favour of Artashes
Geghamyan, 391 in favour of Stepan Demirchyan, 32 of Aram
Karapetyan, 1 for Aram Haroutiunyan, 15 for Vazgen Manoukyan, no one
voted for Garnik Margaryan, 2 for Aram Sargssyan and 782 for Robert
Kocharyan. 49 ballot papers were recognized invalid, and 695 ones
remained unused.
The re-calculation at the polling station N 0115 of the 6th electoral
district of Yerevan's Arabkir community brought the following
results: 1,529 electors participated in the voting, 24 of them
having voted against all the candidates. Ruben Avagyan polled 5
vote, Artashes Geghamyan - 71, Stepan Demirchyan - 65, Aram
Karapetyan - 26, Aram Haroutiunyan - 0, Vazgen Manoukyan 14, Garnik
Margaryan - 0, Aram Sargssyan - 1 and Robert Kocharyan 1,300. 20 of
the ballot papers were recognized invalid, and 364 ones remained
unused.
On March 22 the CEC will re-calculate the results of the voting at
the polling stations NN 1269, 1257, 1775 of the 54th and 42nd
electoral districts of the towns of Abovian and Vanadzor. Full
results of re-calculation of the votes of all the 11 polling stations
will be submitted for consideration of the Constitutional Court of
Armenia on march 24.
AIR CAN BRING RADIO-ACTIVE WASTE FROM CONFLICT ZONE IN IRAQ TO
ARMENIA
MARCH 21. The radio-active waste that can result
from explosions of chemical enterprises in Iraq can be brought to
Armenia by air, Director of the Agency of Hydrometeorology and
Environmental Monitoring Genady Kojoyan said.
According to him, from the first days of the military actions in Iraq
Armenian meteorologists asked research institutes of the CIS
countries to obtain data on the density and direction of the gas
waste from the conflict zone. Kojoyan also presented the climate
changes in Armenia during the next 100 years. Meteorologists forecast
a rise in the average yearly temperature and reduction in
precipitation.
SHANT TV COMPANY TO BE FINED FOR VIOLATIONS DURING PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
MARCH 21. The National Commission on TV & Radio
decided today to impose a 200,000 AMD fine on the Shant TV company.
According to the chairman of the commission Grikor Amalyan, the
company committed several violations of the Electoral Code during the
electoral campaign for the Armenian presidency.
Particularly, the TV ads of the presidential candidate Aram
Karapetyan were broadcast without subtitles. The company argues that
this was a merely technical fault.
Meanwhile, the international observers reported that Shant was the
most unbiased TV company during the electoral campaign.
The commission also decided to transfer a number of peripheral
regional frequencies to Public Television of Armenia and to give
Armenia's Transport and Communication Ministry the TV and radio
frequencies relaying, through inter-state agreements, programs of
foreign TV channels.
OPPOSITION'S UNIFICATION INTO PRE-ELECTORAL BLOC IS PUBLIC ORDER
MARCH 21. The opposition's unification into
pre-electoral bloc is a public order and is aimed at restoring
justice and democracy in the country, the leader of the People's
Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan said at today's rally of the
opposition in Yerevan.
The member of the board of the Republic party Aram Sargsyan said that
democracy and Armenia's future depend on the work of the
Constitutional Court, who is currently considering the PPA's appeal
against the results of the past presidential election. He said that
the authorities are planning to falsify the parliamentary elections
too as the lists of some pro-government parties consist almost
entirely of representatives of the executive branch and heads of
local-self-governments.
Kocharyan has been scared and now wants, like the heads of some
neighboring countries, to arrange "something" and to accuse of "it"
Aram Sargsyan. "I am not plotting anything illegal against Robert
Kocharyan and if 'something' happens 'it' will be organized by
Kocharyan himself."
Later the ralliers went to Armenia's Police Department to complain
about "illegal" arrests of their comrades as well as to demand
"stoppage of violence in the country." This time too the number of
the ralliers was about 30,000.
CIP COMPANY INVESTS 10 MLN AMD IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF
COMPUTING TECHNIQUES AND INFORMATICS
