MosJan Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 Tsarukian Ally Disputes Local Election Defeat By Astghik Bedevian A political ally of businessman Gagik Tsarukian has asked an Armenian court to annul the official results of a weekend mayoral election in the southern town of Armavir that was controversially won by a candidate of the governing Republican Party (HHK). Arayik Aghababian, a regional leader of Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), was narrowly defeated by Armavir’s incumbent Mayor Ruben Khlghatian in a first-ever election face-off between Armenia’s two largest establishment parties. His defeat came as a serious setback for the BHK and its top leader, who has spent heavily on Aghababian’s election campaign. It could also have implications for the party’s performance in the May 12 parliamentary elections. Aghababian refused to concede defeat, alleging widespread vote irregularities. However, he failed to lodge any formal complaints to the local election commission and took legal action instead. “I wasn’t sure the commission would meet my demands,” he explained on Friday. Aghababian refused to detail the alleged irregularities which he claims robbed him of victory in the town 30 kilometers southwest of Yerevan. “We will publicize everything during court hearings,” he told RFE/RL. “I don’t want to reveal secrets to you right now.” According to the official results, Khlghatian garnered almost 53 percent of the vote, against Aghababian’s 43 percent. The mayor, who is affiliated with the HHK, insists that he won fair and square. The HHK and the BHK are seen as the top frontrunners in the unfolding Armenian parliamentary race. The latter is looking to capitalize on its wealthy leader’s vast financial resources, while the Republicans, led by Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, are expected to make the most of their control of most local governments. The BHK is increasingly viewed by commentators as the new power base of President Robert Kocharian. (Photolur photo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 BHK & HHK elections are long ways from today but looks like BHK & HHK will be the top contender for 08 presidential elections Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 “Azg” disagrees with the widely held belief that Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian is set to be appointed prime minister. The paper says Sarkisian would only “depreciate himself” by occupying the post before the parliamentary elections. “At the end of the day, anyone close to the day-to-day work of the government can be a provisional prime minister,” it says. “After Serzh Sarkisian becomes prime minister and chairman of the Republican Party, the HHK will finally lose its ideological base and become the property of the defense minister and his entourage,” says “Hayk.” “Under Andranik Markarian, the HHK was somehow able to present itself as a carrier of the nationalist ideology and a party concerned with Armenia’s national interests. But it is already evident that it will not differ from another government force, Prosperous Armenia. It is not hard to suggest that there will be serious shake-ups within the HHK that will leave the few Markarian supporter in full isolation or will force them to pledge allegiance to Serzh Sarkisian.” According to “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun,” Markarian’s death did not change the “game scenario in the Armenian political arena.” “In fact, the game scenario is simple and clear to many people. That is, in 2008 Serzh Sarkisian shall become president of Armenia, Robert Kocharian [shall become] prime minister, and they shall continue to jointly govern the country,” writes the paper. “But clearly the two do not trust each other. That is why Robert Kocharian created Prosperous Armenia and is seeking to have a very serious presence in parliament so that Serzh Sarkisian does not fool him after becoming president and, what is more, becomes president solely thanks to him. For his part, Serzh Sarkisian fears that if he does not win the parliamentary elections, Kocharian will not appoint him even as prime minister.” “Hayots Ashkhar” believes that Armenians are divided over the importance of the upcoming elections. The paper says some of them think their votes will make a difference and trust one or another party, while others are cynical about statements made by all politicians even if they will eventually go to the polls. “Aravot” reports that the controversial Environment Minister Vartan Ayvazian is trying to make the most of what the paper sees as his final weeks in office. Citing an Armenian association of investigative journalists, the paper says Ayvazian is looking for buyers of quarries and mines allegedly owned by him. “The minister is personally involved in negotiations [with potential buyers.] Among the buyers is an Indian company, and the price tag put forward by the minister for one of the mines is several million dollars.” (Atom Markarian) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 as long as BHK vs HHK game does not turn into bloodshed, literally, i believe there could be positive things coming out of this rivalry... both sides are financially capable and well connected in the 'top' and will not take any intimidation or unfair practices against them... hopefully, that will open up the arena for more fair and transparent elections... that, in turn, will cause the people, the electors, to actually have a say in the elections... and, that, in turn, will hopefully make those who will be in power to cut into their profits and illegal activities to do good for the people... or... it could be just another wishful thinking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 PAP HEADQUARTERS CAUSED MORAL DAMAGES * article's photo more images Today, at about 5:30 a.m. ‘Prosperous Armenia' headquarters was blasted in Narekatsi 39, Avan Community, Yerevan. RA president managed to condemn to the incident and ordered to find the accomplices of the case. To note, two hours before the very accident, PAP main headquarters was blown up at 3:20 a.m. in Kanaqer-Zeytun community as a result the glasses in all the doors and window-panes broke. RA Chief Prosecutor’s office is engaged in both cases due to clause 85, 2nd part of RA Criminal Code: the latter is about “ deliberate property blasting” and clause 235, 1st part “illegal gun acquisition and the use of it ”respectively. Sonya Truzyan, press secretary of RA Chief Prosecutor informed “A1+” that there were no injured and victims. Kanaker-Zeytun community investigation department is responsible for the case. The type and the usage of the bomb are still not clear. The residents in Avan community spent the whole morning outdoors as they were terrified by the accident. Some of the residents thought the new gas pipes to have exploded; others had recollected the events in Balahovit happened several years ago. Hamazasp Karapetyan, the owner of the adjacent shop, was very much frustrated about the accident. According to him, he experienced moral damages more than that of material. To mention, the bomb caused him losses of more than 25000 USD. Mr. Karapetyan assures that he has got no enemies; his family has a high respect and trust among the citizens. He finds the blasting to be a great shame for the PAP as the “politics and political campaign should be fair and pure.” He himself is a member to the above mentioned party. There are no suspects for the case for now. Only PAP main office possesses any other further information. * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 PROPEROUS ARMENIA’ HEADQUARTERS BLEW UP * article's photo more images Today early at dawn one of the Headquarters of “Prosperous Armenia” party was blown up. The latter was in the address of Narekatsi 39, bld. 16. The chairman told “A1+”that there was a bomb in front of the door. Not only are the headquarters destroyed through but also the shop nearby. According to the shop owner, his shop suffered losses of 25000 USD. In fact, the same lot fell on another headquarters in Kanaqer-Zeytun community. The party avoids giving any comments on the accident. As to press secretary Baghdasar Mheryan, the party will make an announcement soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 REGULAR SHOOTINGS IN YEREVAN * article's photo more images Today, Yerevan faced its regular shootings. This time the victim was Aram Vardanyan, authority known as “Vstrechi Aper”. At the sight of an explosive shell, his friend and he tried to defend themselves with gun shootings. As a result, a person got wounded and a child was injured. Due to our information, Aram Vardanyan is safe and sound. A law suit was brought into action. There are three hypotheses about the case: according to the first one Aram Vardanyan was in tense relations with Mher Sedrakyan, mayor of Erebuni community. The latter tried to talk in favor of “Prosperous Armenia” in the yard of “Republican”. The other version speaks about quite the opposite; accordingly “Vstrechi Aper” has quitted the party of 'Prosperous Armenia' and joined 'Republican' Party. Whereas the third one is nothing but a criminal case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 GUNFIGHT ERUPTS IN YEREVAN * article's photo A gunfight broke out in Yerevan in broad daylight on Thursday, in what police believe was an attempt on the life of a reputed crime figure. Witnesses said unknown gunmen opened fired and threw a hand grenade at businessman Aram Vartanian, better known as Vstrechi Aper, as he stood outside a café in the city’s southern Erebuni district with several friends. They were said to have shot back at the attackers and escaped unscathed. Law-enforcement officers at the scene said the shooting left a teenage boy injured by shattered glass. The Armenian police immediately began a nationwide manhunt for the gunmen, with uniformed and plainclothes officers armed with assault rifles randomly stopping cars leaving and entering the city. No arrests were announced as of late evening. The chief of Yerevan’s police department, Nerses Nazarian, told RFE/RL that he believes the attack was aimed at killing Vartanian, who was questioned by investigators immediately after the incident. Nazarian could not say whether the shooting might have been connected with the ongoing campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections. Some Erebuni residents said Vartanian, who allegedly has underworld connections, has a tense relationship with Mher Sedrakian, the district’s controversial mayor who himself had survived an assassination bid in July 2003. A senior member of the governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Sedrakian was reportedly involved in last month’s violent dispute between local leaders of the HHK and another establishment party, Prosperous Armenia. The Erebuni gunfight came just two weeks after gunmen wounded the mayor of the country’s second largest city of Gyumri, also affiliated with the HHK, and killed three of his bodyguards in a drive-by shooting 30 kilometers west of the Armenian capital. Nobody has been arrested in connection with that attack. (Photolur photo) * By Karine Kalantarian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Tsarukian Again Absent As Party Campaigns In Southern Armenia By Emil Danielyan The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), one of the presumed favorites to win the May 12 parliamentary elections, campaigned in the southern Ararat region on Thursday in the mysterious absence of its leader, businessman Gagik Tsarukian. Senior BHK members gave conflicting explanations for Tsarukian’s failure to attend this and other the pre-election events organized by the party over the past week. “He is absent because he is ill and lying in bed,” Vartan Bostanjian, a member of the party’s ruling council, told RFE/RL as he toured the area along with several other BHK election candidates. “It’s not serious. He just caught a cold. I also have a cold. Didn’t you notice that?” “We had events yesterday as well and he wasn’t able to attend them,” said Bostanjian. “I’m sure he will recuperate in the coming days.” The remarks contradicted what Gohar Yenokian, another senior BHK figure, told more than 200 hundred supporters in the town of Ararat moments before. “He is so confident that Ararat will elect him that he decided to campaign in other places,” she said, explaining Tsarukian’s conspicuous absence from the event. For his part, the party’s spokesman, Baghdasar Mherian, claimed that the influential tycoon is too busy to attend all BHK meetings with voters. “He has a very tight schedule and can not attend all meetings,” Mherian told RFE/RL, denying Yenokian’s claim that Tsarukian is campaigning elsewhere in Armenia. Tsarukian kicked off the BHK campaign with a series of rallies held Yerevan and nearby towns on April 10-11. He left for Moscow for talks with Russian government officials and lawmakers on April 12 just hours after mysterious explosions outside two BHK offices in Yerevan. He visited those offices on his return from Moscow two days later and has not been seen in public since then. The blasts were strongly condemned by President Robert Kocharian and virtually all major Armenian parties. Kocharian, who is believed to sponsor the party, ordered law-enforcement authorities to quickly identify and prosecute the attackers. Nobody has been arrested so far. The BHK campaign in Ararat and other regional towns failed to generate the kind of enthusiasm among voters that characterized Tsarukian’s public appearances last week. Its meetings there were held indoors and were mainly attended by party members. In his speeches, Bostanjian touted the BHK as “the most accepted party” in the country and denied any connection between Tsarukian’s controversial “benevolent actions” and the upcoming elections. “Mr. Tsarukian has strictly instructed us not to give people material incentives to vote for us,” he said. Bostanjian, who is a senior professor of economics at Yerevan State University, also urged local residents not to sell their votes to other parties. Speaking to RFE/RL separately, he said the BHK’s main difference from those parties is that “we are not thieves or mobsters.” The jibe appeared to be primarily directed at the governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). Ernest Soghomonian, another top BHK candidate whose son Victor is Kocharian’s press secretary, apparently had the HHK in mind when he told supporters in the town of Vedi, “Once a political force becomes too big and powerful it gets in trouble.” “The BHK has awakened other parties,” added Soghomonian. “They are now far more attentive to the people. We have created an environment of political competition.” Many of the people who attended the meeting in Ararat work at the town’s big cement plant owned by Tsarukian. Some praised the tycoon for breathing a new life into the Soviet-era enterprise which struggled to remain afloat before being controversially privatized by his Multi Group five years ago. “He gives us work, and we can support our families,” said Gevorg Balian, who works there as a senior engineer. “He cares not only about the plant but local people. How can you not respect him?” The plant’s director general, Levon Hambartsumian, joined the BHK visitors in urging local people to vote for the party. “No normal person can fail to join the party after reading its program,” he declared. “Armenia will flourish thanks to Gagik Tsarukian and his party.” Not everyone in the audience was convinced, though. A young woman who claimed to have been forced to quit the company last year said she will vote for the party only if Hambartsumian and other top executives promise to “listen to your workers once in a while and talk to them in an understandable language.” “People believe in our party,” insisted Mkhitar Manukian, who heads the BHK chapter in the nearby village of Norakert. He claimed that at least 50 percent of the villagers will vote for Tsarukian’s party. But there was little anecdotal evidence of massive popular support for the party which claims to be by the largest in Armenia. “I’m still undecided,” said one man in Vedi. “I don’t know who Tsarukian is,” grumbled another, older local resident. “So many politicians have come here and given false promises. Everything is false.” (RFE/RL photo: Vedi residents listen to BHK campaigners.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Men ‘Surrender’ To Police After Yerevan Gunfight By Ruzanna Stepanian Police said on Friday that they have identified three of the participants of a Thursday gunfight in Yerevan but shed little light on the incident which has heightened fears of election-related violence in Armenia. Aram Vartanian, a reputed crime figure, reportedly came under fire as he stood outside a café in the city’s southern Erebuni district early in the afternoon. Witnesses said they heard automatic gunfire and an explosion. No casualties were reported. A spokesman for Armenia’s Police Service, Armen Malkhasian, told RFE/RL that three young men who claim to have been involved in the shootout turned themselves in after “explanatory work” conducted by police investigators. He said one of them, identified as Arsen G., surrendered an assault rifle. Malkhasian would not say whether the men claim to have shot at Vartanian or defended him. Nor could he explain why they were not detained or formally charged by the police. The gunfight was followed by rumors that Vartanian, better known as Vstrechi Aper, supports the pro-presidential Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) and has a tense relationship with Erebuni Mayor Mher Sedrakian, who leads the local chapter of the governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). Sedrakian was reportedly involved in last month’s violent dispute between local activists of the two top contenders of the May 12 parliamentary elections. However, a BHK spokesman denied Vartanian has close ties with the party. “To my knowledge, none of the individuals involved in the incident has any connection with the Prosperous Armenia Party,” Baghdasar Mherian told RFE/RL. In a separate development, Armenian prosecutors confirmed on Friday reports that they found on April 9 a burned car which they said was used in an unspecified “particularly severe crime” committed recently. The Office of the Prosecutor-General released the sketch of a certain Artur who it said bought the car in late February, asking those who can recognize him to immediately contact law-enforcement authorities. Newspaper reports last week said the prosecutors believe the black Audi-100 carried the gunmen that wounded Gyumri Mayor Vartan Ghukasian and killed three of his bodyguards on April 2. The brazen shooting was likewise linked by some media to the ongoing election campaign. http://www.armenialiberty.org/images/photo/Audi1.jpg (Photo by the Prosecutor-General's Office: The car which Armenian prosecutors say was deliberately destroyed by fire.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 CRIMINALS GAVE THEMSELVES UP [08:17 pm] 20 April, 2007 image On April 20 police forces of Erebuni district received an anonymous call that a “TT” pistol was left on Tigran Mets Avenue. An investigative group immediately arrived on the site. Due to drastic measures of the Erebuni Police Department and RA Police Investigative Board, Arsen G. (b. in 1970), Garik H. (b. in 1970) and Babken Gh. (b. in 1981) presented themselves before the police. To remind, yesterday the above-mentioned people fired shots in Erebuni district and attempted upon Aram Vardanyan. RA Police Criminal Investigation Board is in charge of the investigation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted April 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 TSARUKIAN PROMISES ‘PROSPEROUS ARMENIA WITHOUT OPPOSITION’ * article's photo Businessman Gagik Tsarukian pledged to turn Armenia into a prosperous country free of opposition parties as he resumed his participation in the intensifying election campaign over the weekend. Thousands of people attended campaign rallies held by his Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) in Yerevan’s Davitashen and Arabkir districts, underscoring its status as one of the main contenders of the May 12 parliamentary elections. Many waved flags and held up BHK banners to the accompaniment of the party’s campaign songs, one of them performed by a hip hop band. Addressing supporters in Davitashen on Saturday, Tsarukian claimed that its victory in the polls would lead to a quick improvement in their living conditions. “In no time, our country will become prosperous, there will be smile on everybody’s face, everyone will do their job,” he said. “And there won’t be an opposition because if a man can support his family, then everyone will go about their business. Rest assured that we will deliver.” The tycoon close to President Robert Kocharian again declined to specify how his party would strive for economic betterment once in government. He repeated instead that he is not seeking a government position or greater wealth. “Gagik Tsarukian opened a party not to get a post or make money by using a post,” the BHK leader said of himself. “Gagik Tsarukian has everything. But Gagik Tsarukian does not care about of himself. He also cares about his people.” “I set up the party not to lose popular respect but to double and triple it,” he added. The Davitashen rally, followed by a pop concert, marked Tsarukian’s first public appearance in more than a week. Senior BHK members gave contradictory reasons for his conspicuous absence from campaign events organized by the party last week. Some of them said he is ill. Tsarukian confirmed this as he briefly spoke with RFE/RL in Davitashen. “Don’t I have the right to be ill?” he said after his speech. “I’ve already recovered and will now conduct our campaign.” As he walked off a makeshift podium there, the former arm-wrestler was again mobbed by dozens of people keen to hand him letters or shake his hands. His beefy bodyguards had trouble holding them back. Tsarukian’s image of a generous benefactor is integral to his increasingly obvious populist appeal. He is believed to have spent millions on dollars on handing out humanitarian aid and providing free medical treatment to scores of impoverished Armenians last fall as part of the BHK’s preparations for the elections. Critics, among them some pro-Kocharian politicians, have denounced that as a wholesale buying of votes. Some also accuse Tsarukian of large-scale tax evasion, pointing to a huge disparity between modest taxes paid by his businesses and his massive wealth. But the criticism has not prevented the BHK from attracting a large following. “This party will really build a prosperous country,” said Norik Nazarian, a middle aged Davitashen resident. “We see what he’s done.” “We watch TV and see his benevolence,” said Lid Hunanian, a local pensioner. “That is why we joined his party.” “He is helping the people a lot without being in government” reasoned her husband Sergey, also a BHK member. “If he comes to power, he’ll probably do even more.” Natella, a young woman who also attended the Davitashen rally, likewise praised Tsarukian for his “good deeds.” But she said she has not yet decided who to vote for on May 12. The crowd was boosted by employees of a Tsarukian-owned cement plant in the southern town of Ararat who were bused to the rally. “We trust Tsarukian and believe that the work of his team will be good for the country,” said Vrezh Abrahamian, a production manager at the Ararat Tsement company. In his words, more than 90 percent of some 1,300 people employed by the company are affiliated with the BHK. “He gave us jobs, and we appreciate his work, his benevolent activities in the town,” said Alvard Umrikian, another Ararat Tsement worker. Despite being one of Armenia’s biggest industrial enterprises operating at full capacity, Ararat Tsement is only 107th on the list of the country’s leading corporate taxpayers published by the State Tax Service in January. According to the STS, it paid only 412 million drams ($1.14 million) in various taxes in 2006. (Photolur photo) * By Emil Danielyan and Astghik Bedevian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 MORE DETAILS ON VANADZOR ASSASSINATION [03:24 pm] 30 April, 2007 On April 26, at about 9:45 p.m., Hrant Hakobyan (b. in 1964), a resident of Vanadzor city, was taken to N1 hospital with injuries. The investigative group immediately arrived at the hospital, and the doctors informed them that Hrant Hakobyan was unable to speak. Hakobyan died during the operation on April 27. A law suit started (Penal Code, Article 104) against Samvel Diloyan, a resident of Vanadzor. The Prosecutor’s Office of Lori Marz is in charge of the investigation. The forensic examination revealed that Hakobyan had got 15 stabs in the back and in the leg. The preliminary examination revealed that the conflict between Hakobyan and Diloyan started over an everyday issue. Both of them are Vahram Baghdasaryan’s Headquarters co-workers who is a candidate for the parliamentary elections. Afterwards, the conflict turned into a real fight in the area of “Tej Ler”, near the former Vanadzor fur factory. According to A1+ data, Hakobyan was formerly prosecuted and had been registered in Lori Marz Psycho-Nerologic Clinic starting from 1982. His accomplice A. Hovhannisyan has been suffering from schizophrenia since 1998. The police are in search for S. Diloyan and other participants of the stripping. Investigation is ongoing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 PRE-ELECTION BRIBERY CONTINUES [03:25 pm] 30 April, 2007 image Yesterday evening residents of Nor Nork had an unexpected guest. The United Labour Party (ULP) Representative again visited to inquire whether the community members were going to accept briberies proposed by their party and to vote for them. “Yesterday the representative of the United Labour Party looked in to find out whether we hadn't changed our minds and left after making some inquiries,” Bella Nazaryan, a resident of Nor Nork, says. After knocking at all doors and making notes, the ULP Representative promised to come back and bring the promised sum on May 5, i.e. 5000 AMD per vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 MURDER * A1+ learnt that on May 9 at about 23: 15 Stephan Vardanyan was murdered in the result of sub-machine gunfire in Vagharshyan street in Yerevan. Stephan Vardanyan was a well-known person in Arabkir Community. According to our information Stephan Vardanyan supported Republican Party, particularly Levon Sargsyan, the candidate for NA deputy nominated by majority list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph parikian Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Armenia: RPA, Prosperous Armenia party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun leading in 1274 polling stations 13.05.2007 09:05 GMT+04:00 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_rus.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_arm.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the data received from 1274 polling stations (812930 votes), the Republican Party of Armenia is leading in the parliamentary election. CEC representative announced the RPA garnered support of 288431 voters. ARF Dashnaktsutyun – 115410 votes Prosperous Armenia party – 129683 votes Orinats Yerkir party – 53599 votes Dashink party – 20849 votes United Labor Party – 36993 votes People's Party – 21522 votes National Unity – 30087 votes Heritage party – 31678 votes People's Party of Armenia – 13576 votes National Democratic Party – 4609 votes Communist Party of Armenia – 5238 votes Republic party – 12968 votes Impeachment bloc – 8614 votes Youth Party – 1306 votes Marxist Party of Armenia – 1791 vote National Consent party - 3087 vote New Times party – 21 146 votes DPA – 4609 votes United Liberal National Party – 1359 votes Hnchakyan Social Democratic Party – 523 votes Christian Democratic Renaissance Party – 1857 votes. Democratic Way party – 639 votes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22255 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph parikian Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/photos/22241.jpg Turkish politician called to suspend issuing visas for Armenian citizens 12.05.2007 21:17 GMT+04:00 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_rus.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_arm.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish Republic Popular Party member, parliamentarian Shukru Elekdag has condemned Armenia for denying visas to Turkish representatives of the OSCE, who were expected to observe parliamentary elections in the country. MP said Turkey should suspend granting visa to Armenian citizens as a reply. “On one hand Armenia demands to open borders with Turkey, but on the other hand it denies visas to Turkish representatives. Armenia thinks Turkey is afraid of European Union, as well as the U.S. But Ankara is to react to this by all means. Armenian citizens shouldn’t receive visas for a month. It should be Turkey’s message that it is always ready to reply properly. We have to take appropriate measures if we respect ourselves. Armenia doesn’t want Turkey to observe the current situation in the country,” he said. “The OSCE should refuse to observe the elections as Turkish parliamentarians fail to get visas”, he claimed, APA reports. Armenia has rejected to issue visas for 8 Turkish observers. Vladimir Karapetian, Spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry said that visas cannot be issued due to absence of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. The OSCE/ODIHR voiced discontent with Armenia’s refusal to host Turkish observers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22241 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Armenian Republicans Given Landslide Election Win By Emil Danielyan Preliminary official results of Saturday’s parliamentary elections gave a landslide victory to the governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and showed only one opposition party winning seats in parliament. With more than 86 percent of ballots cast counted and tabulated by Sunday morning, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said the HHK won almost 34 percent of the vote. The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) of businessman Gagik Tsarukian came in a distant second with 14.8 percent, followed by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation which had 13.1 percent. All three parties are loyal to President Robert Kocharian. The percentage figures apply to the system of proportional representation under which 90 of the 131 seats in the National Assembly were contested. The HHK planned to grab at least half of the remaining 41 seats distributed in single-member constituencies on the first-past-the-post basis, suggesting that it will have by far the largest caucus in the newly elected assembly. Only one opposition party, Orinats Yerkir, immediately cleared the 5 percent vote threshold for entering the legislature under the proportional system. The preliminary CEC data showed it garnering only 6.8 percent of the vote, much less than it did in the last elections and well below the party’s expectations. Another major opposition group, the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party of Raffi Hovannisian, was very close to clearing the barrier, getting 4.95 percent of the counted votes, according to the CEC. The party looked set to make much stronger showing shortly after the start of the vote count on Saturday night. Early results from polling stations across Yerevan put it in second place behind the Republicans. Hovannisian and other Zharangutyun leaders did not immediately react to the nationwide vote tally. The biggest losers of the polls appear to be two other opposition parties led by Kocharian’s main challengers in the last presidential election, Artashes Geghamian and Stepan Demirchian. Their National Unity and People’s parties got only 3.6 percent and 1.7 percent of the vote respectively. The People’s Party (HZhK) denounced the elections as fraudulent hours before the release of the tabulated CEC figures. “The HZhK does not accept their official results,” a party spokeswoman told an overnight news conference. She urged Demirchian supports to gather in Yerevan’s Liberty Square for an anti-government demonstration on Sunday evening. Also planning to rally supporters there were Armenia’s three most radical opposition groups. The CEC results showed the Hanrapetutyun and Nor Zhamanakner parties and the Impeachment bloc polling a combined 5.9 percent of the vote. In a joint overnight statement, they accused the main pro-Kocharian parties of resorting to widespread vote buying, ballot stuffing and other forms of electoral fraud. “It is already evident that all this had a significant impact on the final election results,” the statement said. The accusations are certain to be dismissed by the HHK and its leader, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. (Photolur photo: Serzh Sarkisian pictured after casting ballots in a central Yerevan polling station on Saturday.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph parikian Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 For the first time ever OSCE called election in Armenia democratic 13.05.2007 15:04 GMT+04:00 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_rus.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_arm.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Parliamentarian elections in Armenia were democratic, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, head of OSCE PA observation mission Tone Tingsgaard stated to journalists in Yerevan. She said compared with previous elections, in principle the May 12 parliamentarian elections were held in accordance with international democratic standards. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22264 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph parikian Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/photos/22265.jpg Photo by AFPParliamentary elections of Armenia: CEC finished count of votes 13.05.2007 15:43 GMT+04:00 http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_rus.gif http://www.panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_arm.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Central Electoral Commission of Armenia finished the count of votes from 1932 polling stations (1 351 669 votes). According to the results Republican Party of Armenia, “Prosperous Armenia” Party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun keep the lead at the parliamentary elections. CEC Chairman Garegin Azaryan presented the general picture of the election, which is the following: Republican Party of Armenia – 453 032 “Prosperous Armenia” Party – 204 443 ARF Dashnaktsutyun – 177 192 “Orinats Yerkir” Party – 95 296 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=22265 United Labor Party – 59 307 “Dashink” Party – 33 093 “National Unity” Party – 49 863 “Heritage” Party – 80 890 “Republic” Party – 22 609 People’s Party – 37 034 “New Times” Party – 47 018 People’s Party of Armenia – 23 629 “Impeachment” block – 17 808 Communist Party – 8 835 National Democratic Party – 8 591 “Democratic Way” Party – 8 468 “National Consent” Party – 4 251 Democratic Party of Armenia – 3 780 “Christian-Democratic Revival” Party – 3 591 Marxist Party of Armenia – 2 896 United Liberal National Party – 2 748 Youth Party – 3 302 “Hnchakyan” Social-Democratic Party – 1 033. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph parikian Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Decision 2007 Results: One out of three voters chose Serzh By John Hughes and Suren Musayelyan ArmeniaNow reporters Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s Republican Party of Armenia, as expected, swept yesterday’s vote for parliament, taking 457,032 of 1,389,521 votes (32.89 percent). At about 3 p.m. today the Central Election Commission announced preliminary numbers on all 1,923 precincts, showing that 59.9 percent of eligible voters went to the polls. Second in the tally, and also as expected, was tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia Party, which won 204,443 votes. If there were any surprises, they may be found in the division of votes among the two leading pro-government parties. http://www.armenianow.com/images/uploadedimages/ai2187v1.jpgOn Saturday Tsaurkyan told a Times newspaper of London reporter that, like all parties, PAP hoped for “50 percent plus 1”. He added that, realistically, he hoped for about 20 percent, adding that “God will decide”. Somewhat lower than the celestial surface, the people of Armenia gave PAP only 14.71 percent of its vote to the party that claims 400,000 members (as opposed to RPA’s 60,000), and is seen as closest to the influence of President Robert Kocharyan. In the coming days it will be clear how many seats go to each party. After elimination of the contestants who did not take at least five percent of the votes, seats will be divided up among the winners, according to percentage of votes (figured on the net total, once the under-five percent has been eliminated). The top four parties represent pro-government leadership – with the arguable exception of Orinats Yerkirs (finishing fourth with 6.85 percent – behind Dashnakutyun, with 12.75 percent), which has only recently been considered oppositional after OY leader Artur Baghdsasaryan’s falling out last year with President Robert Kocharyan. Raffi K. Hovannisian’s Heritage Party finished fifth in the voting (with 5.82 percent) following a campaign that could be seen as a recovery of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs’ political statue, after his influence weakened in the 2003 presidential election when he sided with ultimately impotent coalition partners. Yesterday’s election was Heritage Party’s first contest, after it formed in 2002. In 2003’s parliament, oppositionists united in a bloc that earned enough votes for third-place in the Election Day voting results. During the last four years the oppositional Justice Bloc held 14 seats and (with Artashes Geghamyan’s National Unity party) gave the opposition 22 representatives (against 76 clearly pro-government and 32 “unaligned” that were mostly considered pro-government). Outweighed, the bloc went on to perpetuate a strategy of boycott that failed in every attempt to quash lawmaking by enticing the other side into a complacency that might have led to lack of voting quorum on key issues. Exercising the politics of belligerence, the opposition did little that affected public policy and perhaps even less in strengthening its own powers of persuasion. With its failed strategy, and perhaps simply weary from so many lost matches on uneven playing fields, the 2007 opposition splintered. The only coalition – Impeachment – rallied around a radical call for rebellion against Sargsyan, Kocharyan and Tsarukyan. The bloc, comprised of one civic initiative group and two small parties, netted 1.28 percent of Saturday’s vote. Would today’s new landscape – in which pro-government factions claimed yet more territory – look any different, had the opposition managed a coalition? The numbers from yesterday – unhappy calculations for the displaced -- may be informative . . . For example: The total percentage won by the successful opposition parties (including Orinats Yerkir under that label) is slightly less than the amount of public support for the least successful pro-government party. The country’s three most radical opposition forces – ex-PM Aram Sargsyan-led Hanrapetutyun, Aram Karapetyan’s New Times party and the Impeachment bloc – all of whom are pushing for an immediate regime change in Armenia – would have polled a combined vote enough to clear the 5 percent hurdle had they united before nominations (they announced their cooperation after they could unite for a political bloc). The inclusion of Stepan Demirchyan’s People’s Party of Armenia (and possibly Artashes Geghamyan’s National Unity Party) in that political alliance would have even more increased their total vote and most surely the leaders of these opposition groupings would easily be returned to parliament today. But now according to today's results, none of them will, after failing to clear the election threshold. Now, anyone hoping for regime change must fancy notions of a coalition among unlikely partners. RPA now enjoys so much control, anything to the contrary would require a partnership of all four other represented parties. As pro-government has secured its dominance for the next five years, one question becomes whether deals might be made in favor of RPA as a leg-up on the Prime Minister’s ascension into the ultimate post when Kocharyan’s term ends next February. This parliament will legislate according to constitutional amendments put in place in November 2005 that give the body broader authority. A parliament, then, in step with the president (i.e., Sargsyan, 2008) makes authority more manageable by both the man and the institution. In that sense, today’s numbers add up to a preview of how Serzh Sargsyan appears to be positioning himself to consolidate authority and further increase his power. PAP’s share of the power base – determined by this vote -- may prove to be unsubstantial to the expansive needs of its leader and to his chief, Kocharyan, who encouraged Tsarukyan to establish PAP as a means of attracting oppositional voters whose own parties had proved ineffectual. The character of the new parliament may be shaped, not by opposition vs. pro-government, but by a fight for bigger slices between those who already own the whole pie. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArti...64e9a1ae54db5f1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 http://www.armenianow.com/images/uploadedimages/ai219501.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zartonk Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Someone translate oligarchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 (edited) Someone translate oligarchy ՍԱԿԱՒԱՏԻՐՈՅԹ ՍԱԿԱՒԱՊԵՏԱՆՔ Minority rule. Edited May 13, 2007 by Arpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 FINAL VOTING DATA FOR TODAY Central Electoral Committee final report for today says 1.389.521 voters went to polls on May 12, 2007 in 1923 precincts making up 59.99 percent of total number of voters in Armenia. The following is the voting information for the political parties running for elections. National Democratic Party 8 591 National Concord Party 4 251 National Unity Party 49 863 Prosperous Armenia Party 204 443 Alliance 33 093 Heritage 80 890 People’s Party 37 034 People’s Way Party 8 468 Impeachment Alliance 17 808 Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnakcutiun 177 192 Armenian Democratic Party 3 780 Armenian Youth Party 2 302 Armenian People’s Party 23 629 Armenian Communist Party 8 835 Armenian Republican Party 457 032 Armenian Marxist Party 2 896 Republic 22 609 United Working Party 59 307 United National Liberal Party 2 748 New Times 47 018 Social Democratic Hnchak Party 1033 Christian-Democratic Revival Party 3 591 Orinats Yerkir 95 256 Five parties have crossed the 5 percent threshold: Armenian Republican Party, Prosperous Armenian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Orinats Yerkir and Heritage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.