Politics

2008-02-28 20:15:00 Case on armed attack on Serzh Sargsyan's campaign office sent to Criminal Court of Yerevan

ArmInfo. The case on the armed attack on one of Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's campaign offices has been submitted for the consideration of the Criminal Court of Yerevan.

The press-service of the Armenian Prosecutor-General's Office told ArmInfo that the investigation department of Police of Malatia community of Yerevan completed the investigation on the criminal case
on the armed attack on Serzh Sargsyan's campaign office in the village of Haghtanak located on Yerevan's administrative territory.

It was found out as a result of pretrial investigation that on Jan 30, 2008, at 9:00 pm local time, being in a drunken state, Seyran Haroyan, a resident of Haghtanak, entered the campaign office with a sporting gun and fired at the TV set and the wall and demanded calling the head of the campaign office. He spent about 30 minutes at the office. Haroyan violated the public order, swore, and disturbed the structure's work. His rowdy actions were suppressed by the residents of the village.

On the basis of received evidence, a charge has been filed against Haroyan under Article 258 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The case has been submitted to the Criminal Court of Yerevan for trial on the
merits.


2008-02-28 19:21:00 Serzh Sargsyan: We will be tolerant until our tolerance is abused

ArmInfo. Today Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with Special Representative of the EU for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

The press service of the Government of Armenia that a group of EU officials as well as French Ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessow were present at the meeting.

Semneby congratulated Sargsyan on his victory in the past presidential election and said that fair election was one of the key aspects of democracy. The past election has shown that there is pluralism in Armenia. The EU attentively followed the election and will as attentively follow the post-electoral process. Semneby said that in the past week he had met with many representatives of the government and the opposition. He conveyed them the urge of the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana to abstain from steps that may lead to violence, to act within the confines of the law and to direct political energy towards constructive dialogue. Semneby welcomed Sargsyan's call for tolerance and cooperation.

Serzh Sargsyan confirmed his willingness to cooperate with all those who are ready to contribute to the prosperity of people and the state, and pointed out that there have already been positive responses. He assured Peter Semneby that the authorities do their best not to let the post-electoral processes harm the Armenian citizens and the authority of the state, and all measures will be taken for this purpose. "We'll be extremely tolerant until they try to abuse this tolerance, causing negative consequences",
the prime minister said.

At Semneby's request, Sargsyan briefly familiarized him with his approaches to the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh peace process. He said that his approaches were published for several times
during the whole campaign period.


2008-02-28 19:17:00 ARFD Bureau member offers influential political forces of Armenia to start negotiations

ArmInfo. Vahan Hovhannisyan, a member of the ARF Dashnaksutyun Party's Board, the ex-speaker of the Armenian parliament and a former presidential candidate, came out with a statement today.

Vahan Hovhannisyan's statement sent to ArmInfo stresses that the post-electoral atmosphere in the country remains tense, and this makes him address representatives of all political forces. The current dead-locked situation may be beneficial for everybody, "except us". Confrontation and intolerance are not a way out. On the contrary, protraction of the current situation deepens the distrust, dissociates citizens, as a result, the country is getting weak, the statement says.

Vahan Hovhannisyan welcomes all the sincere appeals to tolerance and cooperation. He also notes that any collisions should be ruled out. Undesirable consequences may be prevented only by means of negotiations. "Therefore I offer such an agenda of negotiations which can dampen the tension, lead to an agreement and mark the beginning of a new profound democratic process", the statement says.

Hovhannisyan is convinced that there are three urgent issues. The first issue is to form an electoral system which will rule out any possible fraud. The second one is to create true pluralism and freedom of speech in the country. The first step towards it may become formation of a national commission on TV and radio with participation of political forces. Finally, the third issue is to create conditions for full-fledged activity of the opposition. One of the necessary steps here is to introduce relevant amendments
to the Regulations of the National Assembly of Armenia. "As regards all these directions, ARFD and I have specific proposals and we are ready to present them during negotiations", Hovhannisyan said. "As a citizen and representative of a national party, I suggest focusing on these problems and start negotiations with participation of all influential political forces, giving up maximalism and opposition,
which leads to nowhere", the statements notes.


2008-02-28 18:01:00 One of the founders of Republican Party of Armenia urges veterans of RPA to join the movement led by Levon Ter-Petrossyan

ArmInfo. One of the founders of the Republican Party of Armenia Hayk Gevorgyan has urged the veterans of RPA to join the movement led by the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan.

His address was read out during today's rally of supporters of Ter-Petrossyan.

In his address Gevorgyan says that RPA has become a plaything in the hands of people who have nothing to do with its real values. So, the veterans of the party must join the opposition.


2008-02-28 17:59:00 Radio Liberty: Residents of Koti village demand that fellow villagers be released

ArmInfo. A protest action was held in the town of Noyemberyan, Thursday. The residents of the village of Koti demand that their fellow villagers Seryozha Siradeghyan and Yura Mamyan be released, Radio Liberty reports.

As Sona Siradeghyan, the sister of Seryozha Siradeghyan and wife of Yura Mamyan, told Radio Liberty, the law-enforcers made her husband sign a protocol on detection of arms in their house's basement,
threatening that otherwise "they will catch the son". According to Sona Siradeghyan, her brother's house is only 200 meters away from the fighting hole (the contact line with Azerbaijan - editor).

The participants in the protest action applied to the local force structures to release their fellow villagers. Tigran Ter-Yesayan, the lawyer of Siradeghyan and Mamyan, says that the state of detained
Siradeghyan's health is poor, he was rendered medical aid on Feb 27. Siradeghyan and Mamyan are suspected of illegal keeping of weapon. To recall, a shotgun without cartridges was found at Siradeghyan's house, and cartridges - at Mamyan's house. Meanwhile, the Armenian National Security Service told Radio Liberty that 73-year old Siradeghyan and 60-year old Mamyan are suspected of a take-over attempt.

To recall, the source states that Seryozha Siradeghyan is the elder brother of Vano Siradeghyan, the former interior minister of Armenia. However, the Armenian National Security Service reports that
"V.Siradeghyan's blood bother is not among the detainees".


2008-02-28 17:58:00 Head of information and public relations department of Armenian Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan is obviously panic-stricken as Kosovo issue may become a precedent

ArmInfo. "Azerbaijan is obviously panic-stricken as the Kosovo issue may become a precedent. They try to express Azerbaijan's unilateral and favorable position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement through the third parties", Tigran Balayan, the head of the information and public relations
department at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, said replying to ArmInfo correspondent's question.

According to him, Armenia confirms its position on peculiarity of each conflict. Armenia also confirms that each movement for self-determination should be given a chance to develop and achieve its natural and logical end. The more Azerbaijan insists that Kosovo can't be a precedent, the more the public will think that, in fact, there are parallels between Kosovo and other conflicts.


2008-02-28 17:56:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters intend to start protest actions in regions of Armenia

ArmInfo. The supporters of Armenian ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan are going to start protest actions in regions of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, a member of Ter-Petrosyan's campaign headquarters, the editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily, said at a rally at Liberty Square in Yerevan, Thursday.

According to him, a protest action against the presidential election returns was held in the town of Noyemberyan, Tavush region on Feb 28. Similar activities will be held in the rest of Armenian regions.
"Our task is to paralyze Serzh Sargsyan's power and we are going to do this methodically", Pashinyan said.

He also published the statement of 60 employees of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, including a number of candidates and doctors of science. They appeal to the Armenian TV channels to cover the post-electoral processes objectively, and not to transmit completely distorted information the way the Public Television of Armenia does.


2008-02-28 17:55:00 President of Ukraine congratulates Prime Minister of Armenia on his victory in part presidential election

ArmInfo. President of Ukraine Viktor Yuschenko has congratulated Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on his victory in the past presidential election.

The press service of the Government of Armenia quotes Yuschenko to say in his address that Sargsyan has made a big personal contribution to the development of Armenian-Ukrainian friendship and cooperation and to express conviction that Armenian-Ukrainian relations will further develop in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.


2008-02-28 17:50:00 Candidate for president Artur Bagdasaryan met the head of Delegation of ODHIR OSCE Gert Arens and special representative of European Union to South Caucasus Peter Semneby

ArmInfo. The leader of the Orinats Yerkir party, candidate for president Artur Bagdasaryan met today the head of Delegation of ODHIR OSCE Gert Arens

As ArmInfo was informed, over the second half of the day Artur Bagdasaryan met special representative of European Union to South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

Over the meetings they touched on wide specter of issues connected with the results of presidential election in Armenia and post-election processes and said of the necessity of political resolving of the present situation in the country.


2008-02-28 16:20:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan confident Russia to take right decision on domestic political situation in Armenia

ArmInfo. "I do not doubt at all that Russia will take the right decision on the current domestic political situation in Armenia", Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia, said at a rally at Liberty Square, Thursday.

According to him, today the Russian Federation is a serious state which takes decisions in the context of international situations. "As a result of research held by Russian centers and services, the leadership of Russia now faces a distinct choice - whether to support the democratic movement in Armenia or protect the current regime and thereby deserve the antipathy of the whole Armenian nation", Levon Ter-Petrosyan said.

He assured his supporters that if Russia takes the right decision, it will acquire a reliable strategic partner in the person of Armenia.


2008-02-28 16:19:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters start another procession in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Another thousands-strong procession of the first president Levon Ter- Petrosyan's supporters started in Yerevan at 4:50pm local time.

They demonstrators intend to make the following route along Koryun, Nalbandyan and Tumanyan streets and back to Liberty Square. They passed near the OSCE Yerevan Office in Teryan Street. Demonstrators fulfill the call of their leaders to applaud the police officers and make no illegal actions. Editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper Nikol Pashinyan, PPA Board Secretary Grigor Haroutunyan, a member of PPA Board Ruzan Khachatryan and a member of Republic Party Political Council Suren Abrahamyan lead the
procession.


2008-02-28 16:07:00 Armenian Foreign Ministry: Rally in front of Armenian Embassy in Moscow was not large

ArmInfo. The rally in front of the Armenian Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday was not large.

Head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Press Service Office for Mass Media Tigran Balayan told ArmInfo, about 25 supporters of the presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan rallied in front of the Embassy for some 4 hours and wanted to hand over an application to the Embassy officials. However, only 8 of them agreed to sign the application.


2008-02-28 15:58:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan: If Europe makes no decision on domestic political situation in Armenia, it will betray itself not us

ArmInfo. 'If Europe makes no decision on domestic political situation in Armenia, it will betray itself not us', the presidential candidate, the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan said at regular large-scale rally in Liberty Square in Yerevan, Thursday.

He said the international community has faced a dilemma: either to support the movement of the Armenian people for freedom or to protect the criminal regime. L. Ter-Petrosyan condemned international observers for formal approach to the assessment of the presidential election. International observers are making simple mathematics instead of assessing the whole process of the last four months starting from October 23 2007 when my supporters were subjected to violence. Moreover, international observers and organizations
ought to reckon with the facts of violence starting from the moment of counting up to present', Ter-Petrosyan said.

He also stressed that if today the international community fails to support Armenian people's striving for democracy, it will shortly receive a regime resembling Saddam Housein's ruling. As a result, the OSCE will have to establish democracy in Armenia by means of tanks, he noted. In particular, the presidential candidate touched upon the OSCE's role and pointed out that this organization should be concerned not with the attitude of leadership of a number of CIS countries, including Armenia, but with the discontent
of people living in the CIS. People will be discontent if the OSCE fails to unambiguously support the movement for establishment of democracy in Armenia, Ter-Petrosyan added.

To note, according to ArmInfo correspondent's estimation, at the moment about 50 thsd people take part in the rally at Liberty Square.


2008-02-28 15:20:00 Authorities of Armenia passively respond to Sumgait pogroms of Armenians: Chairman of Armenian Chamber of Lawyers

ArmInfo. Authorities of Armenia passively respond to Sumgait pogroms of Armenians, Chairman of Armenian Chamber of Lawyers Ruben Sahakyan says.

'Given the nature of the pogroms, it was a real genocide, local ethnic purge. The authorities of Azerbaijan organized mass killings then, and, probably, at the instigation of the Moscow leadership represented by First Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. The latter proved very cynical when asked of timely interference to prevent the massacre. 'I was late for just 3 hours', he said then', the lawyer says. 'We need documents on the pogroms at least to transfer them to the next generations', R. Sahakyan stressed. For this
purpose, the lawyer asked Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk
Demoyan to take measures to collect the criminal cases on Sumgait events kept at various judicial instances of the former Soviet Union.

'These materials must be collected and made public. I think the authorities will find several thousand dollars for this purpose', R. Sahakyan said.

To recall, 32 Armenians were killed and hundreds were injured during pogroms in Sumgait, Azerbaijani SSR., February 26-29 1988, by official data. Over ten thousand of Armenians had to leave their homes and the country in few days.


2008-02-28 14:35:00 National Security Service of Armenia and 'Yerkrapah' Union of volunteers 'sort out their relations'

ArmInfo. The press-secretary of the Central campaign headquarters of RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan Arman Musinyan confirmed to ArmInfo the information on revelation of two employees of RA National Security Service, equipped with bugs, by members of "Yerkrapah" Union of volunteers. He said that yesterday, late at night, a group of YUV members noticed two men at Liberty Square who tried to install the bugs in different places, including in the cafe near the Square. 'On demand of YUV members, the
suspicious persons showed their certificates of NSS employees', Musinyan said. He added that the founded bugs were thrown into ash-bins by oppositionists.

According to NSS statement, received by ArmInfo today, participants in the illegal rally at Liberty Square caught two employees of the National Security Service yesterday late at night, having represented them as "provocateurs", afterwards they were set free. According to the statement, RA NSS reports that due to the efforts of the National Security Service of Armenia, some participants in the illegal rally were withdrawn a great number of arms and ammunition, toxic and explosive substances, in view of which
the Investigation Service of NSS instituted criminal proceedings with respect to 6 persons per Article 300 of RA CC. This indicates that RA NSS operates only in favour of the people, assuring security of the rally participants. "Jointly with RA Police, the National Security
Service will keep on fulfilling its duties, moreover, it warns some "hot heads" that any attempt to hinder fulfillment of their official duties will lead to "prosecution to the fullest extent of the law"", the statement reads.


2008-02-28 12:20:00 Armenian Police disproved information about search of editor-in-chief of the opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily

ArmInfo. Press-service of the Armenian Police disproved information of some mass media about search of editor-in-chief of the opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily Nikol Pashinyan. To recall, Pashinyan is candidate for president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporter and since 20 February has been actively holding the rally at Liberty Square.


2008-02-28 12:18:00 Vice president of World Bank congratulates Serzh Sargsyan on victory at presidential election in Armenia

ArmInfo. Vice President of the World Bank on Europe and Central Asia Shigeo Katsu sent congratulation to Serzh Sargsyan in view of his victory at the presidential election in Armenia. As RA governmental press-service reports, the WB's vice president expressed confidence that RA authorities will keep on making efforts for the country's development. Employees of the Worlds Bank's office
in Armenia are ready to assist in this, the felicitation reads.


2008-02-28 12:18:00 Vladimir and Sati Spivakovs congratulated Serzh Sarkisyan for gaining a victory at the presidential election in Armenia

ArmInfo. The prominent violin player and conductor Vladimir Spivakov and his wife Sati congratulated Serzh Sarkisyan for gaining a victory at the presidential election in Armenia. As press-service of the Armenian government reports, the Spivakovs congratulation says in particular: and gain final settlement of all their problems, which have been successfully resolved under your direct leadership>.


2008-02-28 12:17:00 Resignation of Parliamentary Vice Speaker Vahan Hovhanissyan comes into effect

ArmInfo. Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Tigran Torosyan informed parliamentarians Thursday that the resignation of NA Vice Chairman Vahan Hovhannisyan came into effect. T.Torosyan explained that V. Hovhannissyan sent in his resignation on February 25 2008. The RA Law On National Assembly Regulations says that an application is recognized effective if it is not recalled
within three days. T. Torosyan thanked V. Hovhannissyan for the work carried out and expressed confidence in further combined work in the parliament. To recall, the resignation of V. Hovhannisyan was connected with his defeat in the presidential election from ARFD party. Earlier, ARFD had already declared of possible break of cooperation with the ruling political coalition represented by the Republican Party of Armenia and Prosperous Armenia Party. It is noteworthy that under the cooperation agreement with the
coalition, ARFD received the positions of the vice speaker and the head of a parliamentary commission, as well as some ministerial portfolios.


2008-02-28 12:13:00 Presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan congratulate Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on election to post of president

ArmInfo. Presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan congratulated Prime Minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on election to the post of president of Armenia. Governmental press-service told ArmInfo that in his congratulation message Kazakhi President Nursultan Nazarbayev expresses confidence that Armenia and Kazakhstan will further strengthen the friendly and partner ties and extend the mutually advantageous cooperation. , N. Nazarbayev says. The congratulation message of Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov
says: .


2008-02-28 12:12:00 RA parliamentarian from 'Heritage' party Zaruhi Postanjyan insists on application of violence against her in the Police department

ArmInfo RA parliamentarian from party Zaruhi Postanjyan insists on application of violence against her in the Police department. Z. Postanjyan told ArmInfo that a group of young people of 20-30 people without a uniform, being not the Police employees, after Head of the Department Artur Mehrabyan appeared in the building and, apparently, by his order, withdrawn her
from the territory of the administrative building. She said that after receiving a signal on detention of young participants in the rallies and processions of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters, a group
of the presidential contender's representatives numbering 10 people, including her and secretary of the "Heritage" parliamentary faction Stepan Safaryan, visited the Police department of the
Central prefecture of Yerevan. Two Police employees, watching over this, did not interfere.

The situation was taken under control by the afore-indicated persons in a civil uniform, who did not first answer the question where the detained persons were. Later, an information was delivered that the detained persons are in the building. "After we were forcedly withdrawn from the building, we were not let in back when we tried to make a statement about the committed crime. The guys were kept in the building for about 4 hours and were imposed an administrative penalty, Postanjyan said. She said that a written
application to the Prosecutor General's Office and the ombudsman's office about the crime against the parliamentarians is currently under preparation.


2008-02-28 12:11:00 Two earlier detained bodyguards of RA MP Khachatur Sukiasyan arrested

ArmInfo. Two earlier detained bodyguards of RA parliamentarian Khachatur Sukiasyan have been arrested. As RA Police reports, Arsen Asatryan and Marat Baghdasaryan, detained among other bodyguards of K. Sukiasyan on February 24, have been arrested. Nothing is reported about what they are incriminated of. To recall, RA MP, a businessman K. Sukiasyan is supporter of RA presidential contender, first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.


2008-02-28 12:10:00 New Times oppositional party leader arrested

ArmInfo. The New Times oppositional party leader Aram Karapetyan has been arrested. As A. Karapetyan's attorney Harutyun Baghdasaryan told ArmInfo, the court satisfied the petition of the National Security Service the day before, and assigned a two-month arrest with respect to A.
Karapetyan as a measure of restraint. H. Baghdasaryan said that he intends to appeal the decision.

To recall, A. Karapetyan is accused of laying false information (Article 333 of RA CC) against the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and PM Serzh Sargsyan. "Aram Karapetyan does not admit his guilt and insists that he posed questions only", the attorney said.


2008-02-28 12:08:00 RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan meet EU Special Representative to South Caucasus Peter Semneby

ArmInfo. RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan met EU Special Representative to South Caucasus Peter Semneby. As L. Ter-Petrosyan's Central campaign headquarters told ArmInfo,
during the meeting, L. Ter-Petrosyan familiarized Peter Semneby with the current post-election processes in the country and gave them an assessment, having emphasized once more that the movement he heads will act within the frames of the Constitution and the laws. L. Ter- Petrosyan also emphasized his firm intention to fight against the "robber's system reigning in the country" to a finish.


2008-02-28 12:07:00 RA presidential contender, People's party leader protested results of presidential election in RA Constitutional Court

ArmInfo. The People's party leader, Head of the "ALM" Holding, RA presidential contender Tigran Karapetyan protested the results of February 19 presidential election in RA Constitutional Court, RA CC spokesman Hovhannes Papikyan told ArmInfo. According to the legislation, the decision on T. Karapetyan's suit should be made within 10 days. To recall, according to the final data of RA Central Election Commission, upon the voting results, Tigran Karapetyan gathered 9 792 votes or 0,6% of the total number of votes.


2008-02-27 19:49:00 Karen Karapetyan: I think we'll continue cooperating with ARF Dashnaksutyun within frames of coalition agreement

ArmInfo. "I come out for continuation of ARF Dashnaksutyun's cooperation with the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and the Prosperous Armenia Party (PA)", Chairman of the RPA faction Karen Karapetyan said to ArmInfo correspondent.

"I think that within the framework of the coalition agreement we'll continue cooperation with ARFD. We have been cooperating with ARFD for many years, certainly, there were also contradictions, and this is normal", the MP said. "WE have already receive responses on cooperation, however, it is too early to specify the political forces", Karapetyan noted. He pointed out that the state's interests demand that the political forces supported by people during the parliamentary and presidential elections should take
part in governing. Karapetyan stressed that the agreement with PA will undergo no changes. As regards the vice-speaker's post after the resignation of member of the ARFD Bureau Vahan Hovhannisyan,
Karapetyan said: "I don't think that an RPA representative will hold this position, this issue is being considered".


2008-02-27 19:47:00 Serzh Sargsyan: We must fight with juridical incompetence of some state officials and deputies

ArmInfo. We must fight with the juridical incompetence of some state officials and deputies, Prime Minister of Armenia, the leader of Republican Party Serzh Sargsyan said in the parliament today when asked by the opposition deputy Armen Martirossyan how he understood the principle "everybody is equal before the law."

He said that it made no difference who owned illegal arms - a politician, a deputy or a member of Yerkrapah Volunteers Union. "We must exclude the presence of illegal arms in Armenia," Sargsyan
said. He said that he did not know the details of the reported attack on a number of deputies on the day of the presidential election.

Martirossyan said that he and his colleagues Vardan Khachatryan and Zaruhi Postanjyan were attacked. Sargsyan promised that he would ask the police to speed up their investigation of that case.

When Martirossyan asked why some political figures were arrested exactly after the presidential election, Sargsyan said that he did not consider Gagik Jangiryan as political figure but if Martirossyan
did he, as a young political figure, was free to take encouragement from that example.


2008-02-27 19:45:00 Serzh Sargsyan: We have already received opposition's response on cooperation

ArmInfo. "We are ready to discuss the proposals of the political forces who are willing to cooperate with us, including possible formation of a coalition government", Armenian Prime Minister, Leader of the Republican party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in parliament, replying to the question of Anahit Bakhshyan, an Armenian MP from the oppositional Heritage faction.

According to him, the opposition has already given a response on cooperation and the work in this direction has started since today. "If we receive a response from you, too, we'll accept it with pleasure", Sargsyan said.


2008-02-27 19:43:00 Deputy Chairman of Republic party Smbat Ayvazyan arrested on charges of use of violence against power representative

ArmInfo. Deputy Chairman of the Republic party Smbat Ayvazyan detained by RA Police on February 24 has been arrested on charges of use of violence against power representative under Article 316, Part 1 of the Armenian Criminal Code, RA Police told ArmInfo.


2008-02-27 19:41:00 Armenian Police states its resoluteness to protect constitutional order and public security in Armenia within the authority stipulated by law

ArmInfo. The Police of Armenia came out with a statement, Wednesday.

According to RA Police's statement sent to ArmInfo, despite numerous warnings, presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his supporters have been holding unsanctioned rallies, processions and sit-down strikes for 7 days. RA Police appeals to the demonstrators to stop the unlawful actions, not to violate the public order and disturb the citizens' peace, and not to break the natural activity of Yerevan. "The Police is full of resoluteness and intends to protect the constitutional order and public security
in the country within the authority stipulated by the law", the statement says.


2008-02-27 19:40:00 Russia to provide Armenia with humanitarian assistance worth $6mln

ArmInfo. On the instruction of the President and the Government of Russia, in 2007-2008 the
emergency and foreign ministries of Russia are carrying out a program to provide humanitarian assistance to the population of the South Caucasian countries.

The Embassy of Russia in Armenia reports that in order to provide Armenia with humanitarian assistance Russia has transferred $6mln into the fund of the WFP. In 2007 Armenia was provided with high-quality Russian flour and sunflower oil . On Feb 26 2008 Armenia received 2,363 tons of vitaminized wheat flour of high quality worth a total of $2mln. In Apr 2008 Armenia will get 330 tons of seed oil. The aid will be distributed among poor families living in rural areas.

Since 2003 Russia has been WFP donor and has contributed to its fund a total of $44mln.


2008-02-27 19:36:00 Procession of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters being held without incidents

ArmInfo. At the moment the several thousand strong procession of presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters is being held in the center of Yerevan without any incidents.

The demonstrators are returning to Liberty Square along Mashtots Avenue. The rally at Liberty Square continues. The demonstrators follow Editor-in-Chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily Nikol Pashinyan's appeal and salute policemen with cheers, who have stated the illegitimacy of the action by megaphone for several times. At the same time, some demonstrators jeered the building of the Russian Embassy in Armenia.


2008-02-27 18:35:00 Levon Ter-Petrosyan thinks what is happening in Armenia is a bourgeois-democratic revolution

ArmInfo. Candidate for president Levon Ter-Petrosyan made a speech at Liberty Square of Yerevan today and called what is happening in Armenia a bourgeois-democratic revolution 'in its classical sense'.

He also added that the oppositionists that rose to fight actually came forward not to protect interests of oligarchs some of which unfortunately have not yet understood that if Serzh Sarkisyan becomes
the president of Armenia, they will lose all their property. 'Over the last 10 years Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sarkisyan took more than 15.000 of their relatives and friends from Nagornyy Karabakh to Armenia. If Serzh Sarkisyan becomes the president, the process will continue. And as the whole property was divided in Armenia long ago, they will be forced to take it from the acting oligarchs so that to give it to the new teammates of the regime, arriving in Armenia', - Ter-Petrosyan said.

'I am sure we shall be able to fulfill our joint programmes. your position makes me be sure', - he said.


2008-02-27 18:32:00 'Golden Eagle' decoration holder, Karabakh war hero calls members of Erkrapah Union of Volunteers to be reserved

ArmInfo. "Golden Eagle" decoration holder, Karabakh war hero Arshavir Garamyan came forward with a statement to the members of Erkrapah Union of Volunteers to be reserved.

'Today destiny again prepared a test for us. The post-election processes and the present domestic political situation in Armenia gives ground for serious anxiety as it threatens to split our unity', - Garamyan's statement says. He called members of Yerkrapah Union of Voluntees to be more reserved and balanced.


2008-02-27 18:21:00 Presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters start several thousand strong procession in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters started a several thousand strong procession in Yerevan at 5:15 pm, Wednesday. The procession is headed by Chairman of Board of the Armenian Pan National Movement Ararat Zurabyan, Editor-in-Chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily Nikol Pashinyan, and Secretary of Board of the People's Party of Armenia Grigor Harutyunyan.

About 15-20 thsd people under 50 years old take part in the procession. At the moment the demonstrators shut off the traffic in Tumanyan Street. They intend to go along Abovyan Street, Republic Square, Grigor Lusavorich Street, and return to Liberty Square through Mashtots Avenue. The oppositionists are going to stop in front of the Prosecutor-General's Office for a while to express their solidarity with all representatives of opposition and demand their immediate release. As Nikol Pashinyan said before the
procession, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is trying to persuade his entourage that there will be no several thousand strong rally of oppositionists tomorrow. "The goal of the processions is to demonstrate the resoluteness to fight up to end and that Robert Kocharyan's admonition will not be fulfilled", Pashinyan said.

To note, during the past few processions Levon Ter-Petrosyan also stayed at Liberty Square, where the rally continues.


2008-02-27 18:17:00 Lawyer of the opposition New Times party leader Harutyun Bagdasaryan says Aram Karapetyan does not recognize himself guilty

ArmInfo. 'The leader of the opposition New Times party does not recognize himself guilty', - Aram Karapetyan's lawyer Harutyun Bagdasaryan told ArmInfo correspondent. To recall, Aram Karapetyan was arrested on 24 February and is in isolation ward of Armenian National Security Service.

He also added that his defendant entered a case according to 333-rd clause of Armenian Criminal Code - "false denouncement" about Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan, in which he "blames them for the state betrayal and terrorist act>. Aram Karapetyan insists that he did not blame the president and prime minister but just "asked".


2008-02-27 14:58:00 Authorities to be forced to fulfill our demands in several days, leader of the opposition Republic party Aram Sarkisyan thinks

ArmInfo. 'By their participation in yesterday's half a million strong rally Armenian citizens ensured our inevitable victory. Armenian authorities will be forced to fulfill all our demands in several days',- the leader of the opposition Republic party Aram Sarkisyan said at the regular many thousand strong rally of the candidate for president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters at Liberty Square.

He also added that yesterday the Armenian authorities were given an opportunity to leave in a legal way fulfilling the will of the people.

He applied to those big businessmen which supported the incumbent authorities of Armenia saying that they made a "black" mission at the election day. He called them not to meddle in the foreigners' game and not to go against the will of the people.

Candidate for president Levon Ter-Petrosyan said at the rally "either Serzh Sarkisyan will leave Armenia or the whole people which rose to protect their rights".

To note, about 50.000 people gathered at Liberty Square by 15:00. A group of students of Yerevan State Medical University dressed in whites joined the participants in the rally.


2008-02-27 14:50:00 'Legal initiative: Election 2008' appeals to citizens to report about cases of arrests, search and violence

ArmInfo. The "Legal initiative: Election 2008" initiative appeals to Armenian citizens to report about the cases of arrests, search, threats, as well as violence by the hot line number 080- 080-804.

The press-service of the initiative told ArmInfo that the citizens will be provided with free legal assistance if necessary.


2008-02-27 14:47:00 Results of public opinion poll of Populus Company: 39% of respondents estimate past presidential election as 'good' and 'excellent'

ArmInfo. The post-election public opinion poll of the Populus Company has shown that 39% of respondents, citizens of Armenia, estimate the past presidential election as 'good' (23%) and 'excellent' (16%). As Head of the British Company Andrew Cooper said, except for the electorate of the first president Levon Ter- Petrosyan, half of the respondents think that the presidential election were free and fair, 20% consider them 'satisfactory', 14% estimate them as 'unsatisfactory' and 15% think that "unfairness was
displayed" during the election. A. Cooper also said that the respondents estimated the election results by a five-score system.

Populus conducted a post-election poll by order of the Public TV of Armenia. The poll was carried out from February 21 to 24 among 1500 respondents in line with the Populus methodology, while members of the Armenian sociological association worked with residents at the local level. Andrew Cooper said that the data of the post-election poll will be placed on the Company's official site.


2008-02-27 14:41:00 Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia: There are almost no issues in political aspect for Yerevan and Tbilisi not to get on well

ArmInfo. The level of the present relations between Georgia and Armenia is rather high, Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze told ArmInfo.

He said that there are almost no issues in a political aspect for Yerevan and Tbilisi not to get on well. At the same time, the ambassador emphasized necessity of activating the contacts in culture: "I have recently talked to the Georgian Minister of Culture on necessity of speeding-up signing of a protocol on cooperation in culture, education and sports for 2008-2010. I think that the protocol will be shortly signed". The ambassador said that Armenia and Georgia have unfulfilled opportunities in the economic
aspect. "However, it proceeds from the fact that the economies of our countries are insufficiently developed, unfortunately, and double each other in much instances, that is, they manufacture similar
products. Moreover, it is necessary to consider that both markets are small, especially the Armenian market, and this creates some difficulties. However, if we join our efforts, the markets of our countries may become much greater, at least, for the third countries", the ambassador said.


2008-02-27 13:13:00 Gagik and Vardan Jangiryan presented accusation

ArmInfo. Armenian ex-deputy prosecutor general Gagik Jangiryan and his brother Vardan Jangiryan have been presented accusation. To recall, the Jangiryans brothers were detained on 23 February.

As press-service of the Armenian Police informs, Gagik Jangiryan was presented accusation according to part 1 of 235 clause (illegal keeping of weapon) and part 1 of 316 clause (violence towards the power representative) of Armenian Criminal Code. Vardan Jangiryan was presented accusation according to part 2 of 316 clause.


2008-02-27 13:09:00 Armenian National Security Service not proved information about detaining of ex-internal affairs minister Vano Siradegyan's brother

ArmInfo. Press-centre of Armenian National Security Service has not yet proved or disproved the information about detaining of ex-internal affairs minister Vano Siradegyan's brother Serezha Siradegyan and advised to apply in the second half of the day.

But according to trustworthy source from the law-enforcement agencies, S.Siradegyan was really detained by employees of NSS. He was detained yesterday evening in his native village Koti. A sporting gun without pistols was found over search.


2008-02-27 13:01:00 Chairman of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Goran Lenmarker concerned over post- election situation in Armenia

ArmInfo. Chairman of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Goran Lenmarker is concerned over the post-election situation in Armenia.

As the Radio "Liberty" reports, G. Lenmarker thinks that a serious discussion developed after February 19 presidential election in Armenia concerning the quality of the election held. Head of OSCE PA said that OSCE democratic institutions, the ombudsman office and the Parliamentary Assembly promulgated a preliminary joint report, which reflects their opinion on the past election. He also said that this report will be followed by the final report to reflect the situation developed in a post-election period. G.
Lenmarker added that it will also reflect the situation of confusion in the country. Asked whether the fact of detention of some oppositional representatives was discussed during the meeting with RA authorities, Goran Lenmarker replied that according to the explanations, given by the authorities, availability of arms with representatives of the opposition has become the reason of their detention. He said that he cannot judge what is right and what is wrong and added that
he was told just so much and it is difficult for the foreigner to give an objective assessment. G. Lenmarker expressed hope that they will be witnesses of peaceful solution of the problem and no violence will be applied.


2008-02-27 12:40:00 Turkey's Prime Ministry inspectors to investigate Dink murder

Arminfo. Turkish prime minister charged to appoint special inspectors to carry out an investigation into the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Turkish journalist of Armenian origin Hrant Dink was gunned down outside his Istanbul office on January 19, 2007 by an ultra-nationalist teenager. In addition to the young man, 18 other suspects are facing trial for having plotted to have Dink murdered. As Turkish Zaman newspaper says, a delegation from the Prime Ministry arrived yesterday in the northern city of Trabzon, where Dink's murder was born. However, serious allegations of police negligence ahead of the murder as well as of a cover-up
during the investigation have been brought against officials by individuals involved as co-plaintiffs in the case. Allegations include that the police were in the know about the plot but did not take the necessary precautions to save Dink's life. One of the 19 suspects is a former police informant who gathered intelligence for the Trabzon police. Prime Ministry Chief Inspector Mehmet Akin and inspectors Aysegul Genc and Tugce Tumer have already started working on the case.


2008-02-27 12:38:00 RA ombudsman urged country's political forces to dialogue

ArmInfo. Ra ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan urged the country's political forces to dialogue, tolerance and cooperation.

At today's press-conference in "Urbat" club, he paid attention to polarization of the Armenian society. In view of this, A. Harutyunyan told of necessity of creation of such conditions in the country, under which supporters of one or another political force would not feel lost, and the rights and freedoms of all the society members would be protected and guarantee equally. "I think that polarization of the society and absence of mutual understanding are our primary enemies. I think that it is the time
for the parties to learn listening to each other. Only together we can go out of the present situation", the ombudsman said. He urged the parties to show a political will and give positively assess Serzh
Sargsyan's speech on February 26 at the Republic Square. "He has shown his readiness for dialogue and tolerance. He offered his hand and I think this hand should not be left in the air. I urge both the political figures and representatives of Mass Media to be guided by these values. Meanwhile, I have an impression that our society started to forget about such terms as love, wisdom and mutual trust", he said.


2008-02-27 11:32:00 Another two criminal cases on fraud over the presidential election directed to court

ArmInfo. Another two criminal cases on fraud over the presidential election have been directed to the court.

As press-service of Prosecutor General's Office reports, special investigation group finished investigation of the case on rigging the results of the presidential election at the election precinct 9/31. The investigation proved that chairman of the election commission Eduard Agajanyan included false data in the protocol on voting results, which were confirmed by signatures of the members of the commission. On 26 February the case was directed to the court of Kentron and Nork-Marash districts of Yerevan.

At the same day a criminal case on the fact of beating up of candidate for president Serzh Sarkisyan's campaign agent Suren Avetisyan was directed to the Northern criminal court. Avetisyan was beaten up by A.Urutyan at election precinct 36/34 of the town of Maralik.


2008-02-27 11:29:00 'Orinats Yerkir' party representatives meet OSCE CIO

ArmInfo. Representatives of RA presidential contender Artur Baghdasaryan, deputy Chairman of the "Orinats Yerkir" party Mher Shahgeldyan and member of "OY" faction Artashes Avoyan met OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva.

As Artur Baghdasaryan's campaign headquarters told ArmInfo, the issues related to February 19 residential election and the post-election processes in Armenia were discussed during the meeting. M. Shahgeldyan and A. Avoyan told of necessity of achieving a political consent in the present situation of political disagreement and confrontation in the country. Ilkka Kanerva quickened interest in the details of A. Baghdasaryan's programme on foreign and internal political issues.


2008-02-27 11:24:00 RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan meets OSCE CIO

ArmInfo. RA presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan met OSCE Chair-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva and members of the delegation he heads. As the L. Ter-Petrosyan's Central campaign headquarters told ArmInfo, the issues related to the post-election processes and the internal political situation in Armenia were discussed during the meeting.


2008-02-26 22:09:00 Robert Kocharyan: Oppositionists have had active contacts with armed groups

ArmInfo. Some oppositionists have had active contacts with armed groups of Yerkrapah Volunteers Union and tried to involve them in the current political process, President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan said in an interview to Public TV Company of Armenia.

Some other groups of veterans of Karabakh war have also been implicated in the processes. And the state cannot help reacting to this, Kocharyan said.




2008-02-26 22:04:00 President of Armenia: The state cannot stand violations of law endlessly

ArmInfo. The state cannot stand violations of law endlessly, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in his interview with the Public Television of Armenia.

Touching upon the current domestic political situation and rallies of Levon Ter-Petrossyan, the first president of Armenia and a presidential candidate, Kocharyan said that several months ago Ter-Petrossyan announced his strategy to disestablish the state structures. According to the president, an attempt was made to do large-scale work in this direction, people were divided into groups, held meetings with various officials from various bodies trying to involve them in the politics. The matter also concerns
law-enforcers. "They succeeded only in few cases. I was informed of all these steps, we kept the whole process under control and people themselves told about the dangerous methods applied by Ter-Petrossyan and the APNM. These attempts failed. The specified unique cases received immediate
response. Law-enforcers and military servicemen have no right to be engaged in politics. Diplomats should display restraint", Kocharyan recalled. He added that Ter-Petrossyan's steps are directed against
statehood. "We have been building government structures for years and now one person is trying to destroy all we have built. This is inadmissible and the guilty must be punished," Kocharyan said. He
pointed out that two weeks before the election Ter-Petrossyan said that he had already been elected president. By saying that he put himself into the stalemate he can't go out now. The only thing left
for him is to gather his supporters, to say that the ballot was rigged and to keep them in the Liberty Square by different tricks. By doing that he shows disrespect for those people: it looks like when a
person is drowning and is trying to pull his friends down. "It seems to me that that person was an evil for the country but today he is even bigger evil for his supporters. Instead of helping them out of
this situation, he is pulling them deeper into it," Kocharyan said.


2008-02-26 21:51:00 Robert Kocharyan: At the moment we face the problem of lack of culture to worthily acknowledge political defeat

ArmInfo. "At the moment, we face the problem of lack of culture to worthily acknowledge a political defeat", Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in his interview with Public Television of Armenia, commenting upon the domestic political situation in the country.

He said that Armenia hasn't received such high assessment of election by international structures as it did after the presidential election 2008. To make sure of it, it is enough to compare the international
observers' reports on the previous and present elections and also to compare them with the reports on elections in other CIS countries. Progress is obvious, this was the best election in the history of Armenia, Kocharyan stressed.

He also said that no country in the world can say that it conducts perfect elections - with no violations at all. The question is how many and what types of violations we are talking about and if those violations were centralized - controlled by a single center - or not.

The recount has given quite interesting results: most of the violations were related to misconception of the ticks people put in front of the names of candidates. The recount in 135 districts has proved that the vote count was mostly correct. If the opposition doubt it they may appeal to the Constitutional Court. To note, in 86 of 135 districts the recount was based on complaints by presidential candidates Levon Ter-Petrossyan and Artur Bagdassaryan.

So, the conclusion is that the complaints and doubts were groundless and here we deal with lack of political culture, Kocharyan said.








Economy

2008-02-28 12:28:00 Net profit of Pernod Ricard over I half year, 2007-2008 financial year grew by 18% to 588 mln Euro

ArmInfo-RBC. Net profit of Pernod Ricard S.A. French Company, the second biggest producer of alcohol drinks in the world, which owns the Yerevan Brandy Company, grew by 18% to 588
mln Euro over the 1st half year, 2007-2008 financial year, completed on December 31, 2007, as compared with 500 mln Euro received a year earlier, the Company's press-release reads. The operational profit of Pernod Ricard over the reporting period grew by 12% to 970 mln Euro against 865 mln Euro in July-December, 2006. The Company-presented indicators turned out to be higher than the
analysts' forecasts, who expected that the net profit over the 1st half year, 2007- 2008 financial year will not exceed 585 mln Euro. To recall, in January, 2008, Pernod Ricard reported that the
Company's sales over the 1st half year, 2007-2008 financial year grew by 6% to 3,71 bln Euro as compared with 3,51 bln Euro received over the similar period , 2007. Moreover, the Company's sales in 2Q, 2007-2008 financial year made up 2,16 bln Euro, that exceeds the similar indicator over 2Q, 2006-2007 financial year by 5%, fixed at the level of 2,05 bln Euro, against the background of increase of
demand for the Company's production, including on the developing markets. Pernod Ricard is the biggest producer of alcohol drinks in Europeand second one in the world. The Company also takes the
leading positions in France, Russia, Japan, China, India and Argentine. The number of the Company's employees in 70 countries of the world reaches 17 thsd 680 people.


2008-02-27 14:57:00 Mineral water producers fined for illegal use of 'Jermuk' trademark

ArmInfo. The Armenian Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition has imposed a penalty on mineral water producers who illegally use the trademark "Jermuk".

The Commission told ArmInfo that it received a complaint from the company "Mayr Gortsaran Jermuk" and held monitoring. It was found out that the companies "Ara Geghetsik and Aram", "Gevorgyan Magistros", "Rozal and Manuk" mark their bottles with "Mayr Gortsran Jermuk 1951" to increase their sales. This is a fact of unfair competition and misleads consumers. 0.5 mln AMD penalty has been imposed on each of the above-mentioned companies.


2008-02-26 20:43:00 STAR opened second hypermarket in Yerevan

ArmInfo. The largest net of hypermarkets in Armenia, STAR, opened the second hypermarket in the 7th Nork block in Yerevan today. The trade area of the new supermarket, located in Avetisyan Street 48/1, makes up about 1.5 thsd sq m. The supermarket's product range covers both foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs. The total number of product names reaches 20,000. Moreover, not only the products of the leading world and local companies but also semi-finished products and hot dishes, including the most interesting viands
of the Armenian national and the international kitchen may be found in the supermarket. Moreover, the supermarket also stands out by its 'intellectuality': the cash
registers, scales and other equipment operates mainly by Wi-Fi technology intended for quick and accurate information receipt directly from marking of goods in any point of the store. Availability of a great number of cash registers and efficient work of the staff guarantee absence of queues. The payment, like in all the other STAR supermarkets, is carried out both in cash and in cashless form. The supermarket works 24 hours a day, without weekends and breaks. At present, the net of retail sales of the STAR
totals 9 supermarkets in Yerevan, the total area of which makes up about 7.5 thsd sq m.








Finance and banks

2008-02-27 11:40:00 Exchange rate of dram against US dollar and EUR

ArmInfo Today, the maximum buying rates at commercial banks of Yerevan were 306 drams for 1 dollar, 456 drams for 1 EUR and 12,35 drams for 1 Russian ruble. The minimum selling rates stood at 308 drams for 1 dollar, 458 drams for 1 EUR and 12,6 drams for 1 Russian ruble.


2008-02-26 15:20:00 Armenian Central Bank allowed VTB Bank (Armenia) to participate in Leader International System of Money Transfers

ArmInfo. Central Bank of Armenia allowed VTB Bank (Armenia) to participate in the Leader International System of Money Transfers, CB press-service told ArmInfo.

VTB Bank (Armenia) makes money transfers through the international systems Western Union, Inter Express, Anelik-Express ASB, Bistraya Pochta, S.W.I.F.T. System of World Interbank Financial
Telecommunication. VTB Bank told ArmInfo that in 2007 the total turnover of money transfers through international money transfer systems, except SWIFT, totaled 30.8 bln drams. The share of Western Union is the largest -14.2 bln drams. Anelik Express ASB is on the second position - 9.4 bln drams. Inter Express is on the third position by 5.3 bln drams. Bistraya Pochta is on the 4th position by 1.9 bln drams. Transfers to Armenia totaled 29.5 bln drams.

Data of the Leader International System of Money Transfers say it has over 6,000 points. In 2007 China, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria joined the
system. As against 2006, the turnover of the system rose by 93% in 2007.

Ranking of Armenian commercial banks prepared by the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo) says the total capital of VTB Armenia was $68 million (2nd position) as of January 1 2008. Assets totaled $230.1 mln (4th position), total provision of crediting - $135.8 mln (4th position), including $16.3 mln mortgage lending (3rd position).


Social

2008-02-27 11:35:00 'Electric Networks of Armenia' CJSC warns about planned power cutoffs on February 28

ArmInfo. In view of the planned-repair work and for the avoidance of further accidents, some streets of Yerevan will be de energized on February 28 from 11:00 AM till 5:00 PM, the "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC reports. According to the source data, Gr. Artsruni Street 90 and 92, Komitas 36a, 38/1 and 38/26, Alikhanyan Street, dwelling houses in Baghramyan street 5, 7, 9, private houses of the 1st blind alley, dwelling houses in Rubinyan Street 21/1,21/3,23,23/1, as well as private houses in Rizhsky and
G. Kochar Streets will be de-energized from 11:00 AM till 5:00 PM.