This morning at 11:00 AM Stepan Demirchyan, People’s Party Chairman and the leader of the proportional list for “Justice” Bloc voted in the election centre in Anton Chekhov’s school. Mr Demirchyan appraises highly the chances of the bloc and states that they will succeed in case of free and fair elections . He says it will be a naivety to think that the present Authorities are able to conduct free, fair elections. Though there are many...

Today the correspondent of “Ayb-Fe” Agency asked CEC Chairman Artak Sahradyan of what standards the parliamentary elections are to be, European or CIS. “The elections must be up to the standards of people’s demands” , he answered.

“Power is already seized”, “Republic” party leader Albert Bazeyan said today at National Press Club. The will of vast part of community to get a new president was ignored. Vote fraud committed with impunity brought to a sad realization that it is impossible to form power in today’s conditions. Answering the question what results the party expected from parliamentary elections, Bazeyan said it depends on the way the election will be held....

President Kocharyan convened a meeting today. The officials responsible for normal course of approaching parliamentary elections were present at the meeting. Robert Kocharyan said despite election campaigning runs in quite calm atmosphere, however, there are still some difficulties at the polling stations where candidates contesting through party lists. He warned law enforcement chiefs that as a rule...

Question. Turkish sources reported quoting Turkey’s Foreign Minister as saying Armenia is the only among neighbouring countries causing trouble for Turkey. However, the two countries could establish friendly relations if Armenia recognises territorial integrity of Turkey and abandons territorial claims against it. What is Armenian Foreign Ministry’s position on this issue? Answer. Armenia...

"Mass Media has displayed more unbiased stance during election campaigning in parliamentary elections than in presidential elections”, chair of Armenian Christian-Democratic Union Khosrov Harutyunyan said at the news conference held Thursday in the House of Journalists. He noted that his party list is better than other parties’ lists. Harutyunyan said the party takes the parliamentary election...

If numerous irregularities committed in the course of election campaign are taken into account, “Republican Party of Armenia”, ARF, “Ramkavar Party”, “Democratic and Liberal Union of Armenia”, “Land of Law”, “Powerful Homeland”, must be eliminated from the election struggle. Ruben Torosyan, Chairman of the Committee, Controlling Legality of Elections, told this today. Being guided by the 18/7 and 18/8 planks of Electoral Code,...

The social committee, controlling legality of elections, has published a book, titled “Presidential Elections 2003” . It in details tells about 2 rounds of the presidential elections. Press publications over elections and the irregularities fixed are placed in the book. The book was published in 150 copies on the initiative and means of MP Club. The readers thereof will be able to make a complete...

The social committee, controlling legality of elections, offers Robert Kocharyan to provide explanations over the official and public statement of the First Lady to the voters, saying citizens and organisations of Russian Federation, headed by the Russian president, supported 2003’ presidential elections in Armenia. Committee demands to take steps to drag out the Constitutional referendum, taking...

The third governmental building was today launched to exploitation in Yerevan. At the grand measure president Robert Kocharyan announced: “By constructing the third governmental building Republic Square got complete appearance proper to the town planning style of Yerevan” . According to him, Ministry of Education and Science, Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Health Ministry, Social Welfare...

“What is done, is done”, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway said at today’s press conference concerning election irregularities and vote fraud taking place at presidential elections. Despite this, the U.S. Ambassador expressed hope that approaching parliamentary elections can be held in accordance with international standards, which is to be favourable for Armenia’s reputation in the international community opinion. Mr. Ordway...

Lyudmila Harutyunyan, who is topping the union candidates’ list, says people are not guided by sentiments any more. They get familiar with candidates and parties’ programs instead. And what about “Dignity, Democracy, Homeland”, the union program is welcomed by intelligentsia, Harutyunyan said. The union all leadership, including Armen Darbinyan, was present at the press conference. He said...

As reported by our colleagues from Armenian town of Alaverdi, “Angle+3” local TV Company was stripped of air today by Armenian Communication Center. Presenting formal justification of this action, the officials said the company has provided no quality in its broadcasting and never transmitted state programs in clear breach of provision 10 of contract, confirmed by Armenian government’s decision 694 dated from November 20, 1999. Indeed, bad...

“The Constitutional reforms are just a chance to drag out power of Robert Kocharyan for extra 15 years. Under at least 22 planks the president is conferred on extra commissions, in particular, he has the right to declare a war, military and emergency state, thus delaying his powers for unknown term” . “The amendments prepared by Robert Kocharyan are like a bomb, put under the Armenian statehood and Armenia” , Armenian National Movement...

“Pre-election campaign for “Land of Law” Party is covered partly on TV” , party member Mher Shahgeldyan said at the press conference in Journalists’ House. According to him, the party has had numerous meetings in almost all the districts of Armenia but TV watchers are not aware of it. Politician Shahgeldyan stated that those meetings take place not only in connection with elections but also before the party was set up. That’s why the...

The representatives of “Justice” Party were welcomed by salt and bread in Jrashen village of Spitak region. Jrashen people say they couldn’t greet their co-villager Atom Mkhitaryan in other way, who is the second in the proportional list of “Justice” Party . The young political figures laid a wreath to the Monument for Earthquake victims. They also told those present in the village square why they had decided to become MPs. “Seeing...

3401 additional transparent ballot boxes arrived in Armenia over the weekend for use at the upcoming May 25 Parliamentary Elections and Constitutional Referendum. The boxes will be used together with 2000 transparent ballot boxes provided earlier by OSCE for the presidential elections. The decision to provide additional transparent ballot boxes was a result of extensive discussions with the Central...

“We are now in market relations. Those having money are the masters of the free press. I consider the free press as the most powerful instrument”, USD leader Paruyr Hayrikyan said at the meeting with journalists. According to him, election bribe has turned to be appropriateness and is treated as charity. Hayrikyan calls to accept bribe and adds:“If people vote for a given person, they send...

An incensed Yerevan resident told our correspondent today that chaos reins in polling station 17, where candidates for the National Assembly are Tigran Karapetyan, Hrach Ghukassyan and Armen Danelyan. Latter is backed by Republican Party and by the authorities. Reliable sources say unidentified persons rushed into Ghukassyan’s apartment in a bid to force him to withdraw from the race through intimidation. Meanwhile,...

Despite the heavy rain, a few thousands of people gathered at Matenadaran. They met the leaders of “Justice” Bloc. Stepan Demirchyan announced one must not undervalue the parliamentary elections. “It’s continuation of the presidential ones, and we must pass this one to get the final victory” , he added. Aram Sargssyan promised that the task of “Justice” Bloc in Parliament will be launching the process for impeachment of the president...

“It is difficult for voters to orient themselves when there are 21 parties. The number of those to take part in the elections won’t be much, 10-12. “We will face a complicated situation. Many of people will vote by chance. No party treats the Constitutional reforms seriously in their campaign. Everyone is busy with their own affairs, and try to convince people to vote for them. There are parties, which have all the chances to compete with...

“Most probably, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Azerbaijan didn’t properly go into the UNO’ Security Council formulae, regarding Nagorno Karabakh as it appeals to UNO calling it to make the Armenian part unreservedly meet them” , Ashot Ghulyan, Karabakhi Minister of Foreign Affairs told at the interview with “De Facto” Agency, commenting on the recent letter of his Azeri colleague Vilayat Guliev to UN Secretary General and Security Council...

Viktor Dallakyan, registered by the majority procedure in N 36 election district of Lori District, voices alarm that Authorities do various kinds of violence against him to eliminate him from electoral struggle. According to Dallakyan, the script is the same. What was happening at the presidential elections, recurs at the parliamentary ones. “The junta seized the power commits large-scaled violence...

“French University in Armenia decided to award you title of Distinguished Doctor for pursuing active policy across the world”, the head of the university administrative board Arthur Baghdasaryan said today and presented proper costume to Lord George Robertson. French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny said it was a great honour and pleasure to host NATO Secretary General. Lord George Robertson said he attached a great importance to Armenia’s...