Armenian News
Ter-Petrosian To Run For Yerevan Mayor
By Astghik Bedevian and Anush Martirosian
Armenia's main opposition alliance has decided to contest the
forthcoming municipal elections in Yerevan and nominate its top
leader, former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, as its candidate for
the post of city mayor.
The decision, which should shape political developments in the
country in the coming months, was announced on Sunday after Ter-
Petrosian's meeting with leaders of 18 opposition groups aligned in
his Armenian National Congress (HAK).
In a written statement, the HAK's Central Office said they agreed
that the May 31 elections of the first municipal council in 15 years
will mark a `pivotal phase' in the opposition campaign for leadership
change in Armenia. The statement pointed to Yerevan's `substantial
weight in the country's political and economic life.'
`With this move, we are sending a very clear political message to the
entire society: we regard the elections of Yerevan mayor ... as a very
serious opportunity to change the existing dictatorial system and, if
you like, as a second round of the [2008] presidential elections,'
the HAK office coordinator, Levon Zurabian, told RFE/RL.
Ter-Petrosian was the main opposition candidate in the presidential
election controversially won by Serzh Sarkisian. Ter-Petrosian and
his supporters continue to regard the ex-president as the rightful
winner of the vote that was followed by the worst street clashes in
Armenia's history.
Yerevan mayors have until now been appointed by the president of the
republic. One of the amendments to the Armenian constitution enacted
in late 2005 transfers that prerogative to the municipal council to
be elected on May 31. Under a recently adopted law, the party or
alliance winning more than 40 percent of the vote in the elections
would gain the majority of the 65 council seats and be able to single-
handedly name the Armenian capital's next mayor.
President Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has
already announced its intention to win the upcoming polls that will
contested only under the system of proportional representation. Its
list of candidates will be topped by current Yerevan Mayor Gagik
Beglarian.
`Gagik Beglarian can not fail to become mayor because he is the
candidate of the Republican Party,' Galust Sahakian, the leader of
the HHK faction in the Armenian parliament, told RFE/RL on Monday.
`The Republican Party is optimistic about the results of the May 31
elections and considers its chances quite good, regardless of whether
it will be facing Levon Ter-Petrosian or [U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State] Matthew Bryza,' said another senior HHK lawmaker,
Armen Ashotian.
Ashotian admitted that Ter-Petrosian's decision to run for mayor took
him by surprise. `Levon Ter-Petrosian's decision to enter the fray is
interesting,' he said. `It heralds an attempt to politicize those
elections, which will presumably mean political debates and dialogues.'
Sahakian, for his part, speculated that Ter-Petrosian is not
interested in the top post in the capital and only wants to exploit
the municipal elections for furthering his political agenda. `If he
was interested, one could presume that his next step would be to run
for village mayor,' Sahakian said tartly.
The HAK's Zurabian claimed that opposition victory in the vote is
`inevitable.' He also acknowledged that the Ter-Petrosian-led
opposition would use control over the Yerevan municipality for
`restoring constitutional order in Armenia.' `Ter-Petrosian would
serve as mayor as long as it takes to achieve that goal,' he said.
Addressing thousands of supporters who rallied in Yerevan on March 1,
Ter-Petrosian made clear that he will not seek to stage an anti-
government `revolution' and has opted instead for a `prolonged
struggle' against the Sarkisian administration. `Any regime change
must take place through solely constitutional means,' he said.
`Namely, by means of legal elections, which is the only guarantee of
establishing a democratic state.'
The HAK leadership also said that it will open negotiations with
another major opposition force, the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party of
Raffi Hovannisian, on the possibility of forming an electoral
alliance. Zharangutyun leaders have repeatedly advocated the idea in
public.
The governing council of Hovannisian's party, which had endorsed Ter-
Petrosian's presidential candidacy, was scheduled to meet and discuss
the issue late on Monday.
By Astghik Bedevian and Anush Martirosian
Armenia's main opposition alliance has decided to contest the
forthcoming municipal elections in Yerevan and nominate its top
leader, former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, as its candidate for
the post of city mayor.
The decision, which should shape political developments in the
country in the coming months, was announced on Sunday after Ter-
Petrosian's meeting with leaders of 18 opposition groups aligned in
his Armenian National Congress (HAK).
In a written statement, the HAK's Central Office said they agreed
that the May 31 elections of the first municipal council in 15 years
will mark a `pivotal phase' in the opposition campaign for leadership
change in Armenia. The statement pointed to Yerevan's `substantial
weight in the country's political and economic life.'
`With this move, we are sending a very clear political message to the
entire society: we regard the elections of Yerevan mayor ... as a very
serious opportunity to change the existing dictatorial system and, if
you like, as a second round of the [2008] presidential elections,'
the HAK office coordinator, Levon Zurabian, told RFE/RL.
Ter-Petrosian was the main opposition candidate in the presidential
election controversially won by Serzh Sarkisian. Ter-Petrosian and
his supporters continue to regard the ex-president as the rightful
winner of the vote that was followed by the worst street clashes in
Armenia's history.
Yerevan mayors have until now been appointed by the president of the
republic. One of the amendments to the Armenian constitution enacted
in late 2005 transfers that prerogative to the municipal council to
be elected on May 31. Under a recently adopted law, the party or
alliance winning more than 40 percent of the vote in the elections
would gain the majority of the 65 council seats and be able to single-
handedly name the Armenian capital's next mayor.
President Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has
already announced its intention to win the upcoming polls that will
contested only under the system of proportional representation. Its
list of candidates will be topped by current Yerevan Mayor Gagik
Beglarian.
`Gagik Beglarian can not fail to become mayor because he is the
candidate of the Republican Party,' Galust Sahakian, the leader of
the HHK faction in the Armenian parliament, told RFE/RL on Monday.
`The Republican Party is optimistic about the results of the May 31
elections and considers its chances quite good, regardless of whether
it will be facing Levon Ter-Petrosian or [U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State] Matthew Bryza,' said another senior HHK lawmaker,
Armen Ashotian.
Ashotian admitted that Ter-Petrosian's decision to run for mayor took
him by surprise. `Levon Ter-Petrosian's decision to enter the fray is
interesting,' he said. `It heralds an attempt to politicize those
elections, which will presumably mean political debates and dialogues.'
Sahakian, for his part, speculated that Ter-Petrosian is not
interested in the top post in the capital and only wants to exploit
the municipal elections for furthering his political agenda. `If he
was interested, one could presume that his next step would be to run
for village mayor,' Sahakian said tartly.
The HAK's Zurabian claimed that opposition victory in the vote is
`inevitable.' He also acknowledged that the Ter-Petrosian-led
opposition would use control over the Yerevan municipality for
`restoring constitutional order in Armenia.' `Ter-Petrosian would
serve as mayor as long as it takes to achieve that goal,' he said.
Addressing thousands of supporters who rallied in Yerevan on March 1,
Ter-Petrosian made clear that he will not seek to stage an anti-
government `revolution' and has opted instead for a `prolonged
struggle' against the Sarkisian administration. `Any regime change
must take place through solely constitutional means,' he said.
`Namely, by means of legal elections, which is the only guarantee of
establishing a democratic state.'
The HAK leadership also said that it will open negotiations with
another major opposition force, the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party of
Raffi Hovannisian, on the possibility of forming an electoral
alliance. Zharangutyun leaders have repeatedly advocated the idea in
public.
The governing council of Hovannisian's party, which had endorsed Ter-
Petrosian's presidential candidacy, was scheduled to meet and discuss
the issue late on Monday.
Armenia finishes preparatory work for supplying power to Turkey
YEREVAN, MARCH 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian side has finished
preparatory work for supplying electric power to Turkey, and the power
supply will start after the Turkish side completes a similar work, NT
correspondent was informed by spokeswoman for the RA Ministry of Energy
and Natural Resources Lusine Harutyunian.
To recap, during the visit of the Turkish president to Yerevan in
September 2008, Unit company (Turkey) signed an agreement with the RA
ministry of energy and natural resources and High-Voltage Electric
Networks of Armenia CJSC. Under the agreement, Armenia will supply
power to Turkey. It envisages an annual export of 1.5 billion kwh
through the city of Kars in the initial period. Along with the growth
of capacities, it will be possible to increase exports to 3.5 billion
kwh.
The RA minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisian said in
December 2008 that the agreements on power supply from Armenia to
Turkey will take effect in the spring 2009. According to the Turkish
company that has signed the respective agreement, it is doing
preparatory work by the schedule, and no problem will arise. The
minister stated that the delivery of power will start on time, noting
that the Turkish side has no reason for suspicion.
YEREVAN, MARCH 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian side has finished
preparatory work for supplying electric power to Turkey, and the power
supply will start after the Turkish side completes a similar work, NT
correspondent was informed by spokeswoman for the RA Ministry of Energy
and Natural Resources Lusine Harutyunian.
To recap, during the visit of the Turkish president to Yerevan in
September 2008, Unit company (Turkey) signed an agreement with the RA
ministry of energy and natural resources and High-Voltage Electric
Networks of Armenia CJSC. Under the agreement, Armenia will supply
power to Turkey. It envisages an annual export of 1.5 billion kwh
through the city of Kars in the initial period. Along with the growth
of capacities, it will be possible to increase exports to 3.5 billion
kwh.
The RA minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisian said in
December 2008 that the agreements on power supply from Armenia to
Turkey will take effect in the spring 2009. According to the Turkish
company that has signed the respective agreement, it is doing
preparatory work by the schedule, and no problem will arise. The
minister stated that the delivery of power will start on time, noting
that the Turkish side has no reason for suspicion.
Premier Minister of Armenia: Turkey is not invited to participate in
the construction of new NPP in Armenia
ArmInfo. Turkey is not invited to participate in the construction of
new nuclear power plant (NPP) in Armenia, Prime Minister of Armenia
Tigran Sargsyan told media Friday.
He called it misunderstanding and wrong interpretation of his
invitation to participate in the project addressed to Russia and
European and other states. 'The point is that certain part of the
shares of the future NPP may be set to free sale and Turkish, Greek and
other companies may display interest in them', the premier said. He
stressed that this idea is still under discussion. He added that
isolated private companies in Turkey display interest in the project.
In general, the Armenian power engineering has serious resources, which
makes it possible to export electric power. As a result, the companies
of the neighbor states display an interest in it.
EurasiaNet, NY
March 11 2009
OMBUDSMAN SLAMS ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
3/11/09
Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunian has called for changes in
Armenia's system of government, which he described as "oligarchic,"
"repressive," and a holdover from the Soviet Union.
Presenting a scathing report on Armenia's human rights record,
Harutyunian said at a March 10 news conference that his office
received up to 5,800 complaints in 2008, but that officials had acted
on only 429 of them, the PanArmenian Network and Regnum news services
reported.
Harutyunian said that public trust in the courts has eroded during the
last three years. "It is essential to strictly separate business and
authorities," Harutyunian was quoted by Regnum as saying. Calling on
both the governing Republican Party of Armenia and the opposition "to
establish an atmosphere of tolerance," he advocated the abolition of
what he termed a "repressive system of governance" that rests on the
General Prosecutor's Office and the Special Investigation Service.
March 11 2009
OMBUDSMAN SLAMS ARMENIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
3/11/09
Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunian has called for changes in
Armenia's system of government, which he described as "oligarchic,"
"repressive," and a holdover from the Soviet Union.
Presenting a scathing report on Armenia's human rights record,
Harutyunian said at a March 10 news conference that his office
received up to 5,800 complaints in 2008, but that officials had acted
on only 429 of them, the PanArmenian Network and Regnum news services
reported.
Harutyunian said that public trust in the courts has eroded during the
last three years. "It is essential to strictly separate business and
authorities," Harutyunian was quoted by Regnum as saying. Calling on
both the governing Republican Party of Armenia and the opposition "to
establish an atmosphere of tolerance," he advocated the abolition of
what he termed a "repressive system of governance" that rests on the
General Prosecutor's Office and the Special Investigation Service.
Armenia to post 10% rise in tourists flow by end-2009
YEREVAN, March 11. /ARKA/. Armenia is expected to post a 10% rise in
tourists flow by end-2009, Mekhak Apresyan, head of the Tourism
Department, RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, said today at
the National Press Club.
According to the official, 588,000 people visited Armenia last year `
9.4% year-on-year rise.
`Tourists plan their getaway on the basis of leisure time and their
budget, as people all over the world have to cut their expenses due to
the financial crisis,' he said, adding the more attractive Armenia's
tourism policy would be, the more tourists would visit the country.
Around 60% of tourists visiting Armenia are Armenian businessmen.
`Even in those hard times, Diaspora Armenians came to their Motherland
and we hope their visits to Armenia will not reduce. However, trips
organized by tour operators will decrease this year,' Apresyan said.
Tour operators and travel agents plan around 20% of trips and holiday
packages in Armenia, the official added.
An average tourist pays about $1,400 (without the air ticket price) for
a holiday package offered by a tour operator, whereas an individual
trip costs some $800 (without the air ticket price).
According to Apresyan, Armenia will keep following its shrewd tourism
marketing policy, with the government and private sector discussing the
existing challenges i
n the sector. `The government-private sector
cooperation is particularly important for us to achieve our goals,' the
official stated.
On the initiative of the RA Government, the RA National Assembly is
discussing amendments to the Law on State Duties. The amendments
provide for a 21-day entry visa at 3,000 drams (compared to the current
120-day visa at 15,000 drams).
`This considerable reduces the price of a holiday package and makes
Armenia more attractive for tourists,' Apresyan concluded. ($1 ` 369.73
drams). `0--
Armenia's Ambassador to UK meets ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
armradio.am
11.03.2009 18:01
The Armenian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vahe Gabrielyan met with
the former UK Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher to hand in
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan's letter of commendation.
During the meeting Ambassador Gabrielyan conveyed the gratitude of the
Armenian Government and people for the invaluable assistance rendered
after the devastating earthquake of 1988.
Mts. Thatcher noted it's a great honor for her to get the letter of
commendation of the Armenian Government and recalled her visit to
Armenia in June 1990. She was interested in today's economic and
political situation in Armenia and the challenges the country faces.
At the end of the meeting Ambassador Gabrielyan invited Margaret
Thatcher to visit Armenia again.
PanARMENIAN.Net
Yerevan Park inauguration was held in Paris
12.03.2009 21:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Mar.12 RA FM Edward Nalbandian, Mayor of Paris
Bertrand Delanoë and the world famous chansonnier Charles
Aznavour participated in the opening of Yerevan Park in Paris. The
inauguration was attended by Civil Service Minister Andre Santini,
French senators and MPs, politicians, public figures and diplomats.
`Opening of Yerevan Park in the center of Paris is another testimony
of friendship between Armenia and France and a unique gift to Yerevan,
the twin city of Paris,' Delanoë stated.
`The Park testifies about warm relations between the two countries,'
RA Foreign Minister emphasized.
The idea to open the Yerevan Park had been suggested by Edvard
Nalbandian while he was RA Ambassador to France.
Yerevan Park inauguration was held in Paris
12.03.2009 21:38 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On Mar.12 RA FM Edward Nalbandian, Mayor of Paris
Bertrand Delanoë and the world famous chansonnier Charles
Aznavour participated in the opening of Yerevan Park in Paris. The
inauguration was attended by Civil Service Minister Andre Santini,
French senators and MPs, politicians, public figures and diplomats.
`Opening of Yerevan Park in the center of Paris is another testimony
of friendship between Armenia and France and a unique gift to Yerevan,
the twin city of Paris,' Delanoë stated.
`The Park testifies about warm relations between the two countries,'
RA Foreign Minister emphasized.
The idea to open the Yerevan Park had been suggested by Edvard
Nalbandian while he was RA Ambassador to France.
Panorama.am
21:18 13/03/2009
MIGRANT REPORTER FROM BBC ABOUT DIFFERENCES IN JOURNALISM
What to do? Where to live? How to make living? Reporter Mark Grigoryan
has been asking himself these questions before leaving Armenia to
settling down in London, England.
`It is used to say West, money, tasty new things, etc. But, in fact,
for a reporter from Armenia it is extremely difficult to find living
in the West. Of course, you can start earning money writing some
stories for a paper of Armenian Community, but they pay little to keep
your family,' said Mark Grigoryan in his exclusive interview given to
Panorama.am.
- What do you mean saying `it was difficult'?
- When you leave your home, especially when you have changed it not
willingly, it is extremely difficult. Our journalism, the one in
Armenia has nothing to do with the one we have here.
- How? What do You mean?
-Just, professionally. You have been passing trainings here, and you
could see that there is a huge difference in approaches, models,
writing style. When I came in London I had a working visa and I did
not ask for political residence. I was working in the Institute of War
and Peace as a Caucasus reporter and journalists' trainer. A few
months later, when BBC found out that I was in London they have
involved me into their pool.
-How long are You working for BBC?
-It's already 5 years. I have seen many people who did not manage to
correspond the local methods and they have done away. They have not
been fired, they have felt it themselves.
-What are the basic professional differences in journalism of West and
ours?
- It is the newsworthiness, which is the basics of journalism. What do
we find is news? Press conference is not news here. In Armenia the
situation is quite different. Our reporters in Armenia go to press
conferences and they write that someone has told something, they add
that the speaker has also mentioned something and the news is
ready. But, in the West press conference is never news.
In this regard I had some difficulties in working in BBC. I knew that
method of covering news, but I had to learn from anew. Here the
working speed and the rhythm are rapid and stormy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment