The issue over budget allocation for force structures was discussed at the closed session of Parliament. Defence Minister Serj Sargsyan is not pleased with the volume of the sum for the Army. “There is no Defence Minister in the world to be pleased with the budget for Army” , he states. Though the Minister is not displeased with the Army budget, but treats it with understanding since the Government considered 2003 budget the one for...

Today the Union for 16 parties in opposition discussed the issue on the common candidate for Armenian presidency. But not the way the public wanted. It was just made more accurate: How much are the 16 parties loyal to the initial principles regarding election of the common candidate ? . Those present re-confirmed their readiness to unite round the common candidate. The budget issue was the next...

Armenian National Movement tested its strength in the elections of local government institutions and Levon Ter-Petrosyan won’t propose his candidature for the coming presidential elections, basing upon the results of that test . “He is a very clever man and he won’t take the step until he is sure to gain100 % of votes” , Communication and Transport Minister Andranik Manukyan says. Manukyan also said he used to be the most successful...

“Republic” party congress is to be held in December. Territorial branches of the party should convene their conferences before to solve a number of issues. One of the “Republic” leaders Aram Sargssyan says this is youth-dominated party. In his words, the party’s young members are high-minded and very active. “Unlike other parties, ours has not so many members – only 5,000 – however, we have a lot of supporters instead”, he says....

On November 8 the National Commission on Television and Radio refused to accept the bid of "Noyan Tapan" TV company to participate in the broadcast licensing competition announced by the National Commission on October 15, 2002. By doing this, the National Commission on Television and Radio violated the procedure for holding licensing competitions, established by itself. We demand to annul...

“Budget always undergoes risk in the pre-election period. Resources are always used up during elections. But conception changed within 2 years” , Finance Minister Vartan Khachatryan says. According to him, the political team works in a different way at present. The economic team doesn’t meddle in the political processes, he assures. He has come to the conclusion after the elections for...

Today 2003 year’ budget discussion began in Parliament. Before Finance Minister Vartan Khachatryan would dwell on budget, PM Andranik Margaryan introduced it briefly. He said budget sums increased in both cost and income parts . He also stated pensions increased by 50 2.jpg. The budget is based on the strategy of poverty reduction program. The salary for the “most needy” stratum of our...

Today, Armenian Democratic Party held its 5th congress. The party chair Aram Sargsssyan analysed the situation in the country in his 30-minute speech. In his words, nowadays, bellicose mediocrity dominates in the republic: many brains have left their motherland to find work. Mass migration surged at a frightening rate, he said. Sargssyan expressed his concern about social injustice quoting UN experts...

Armenian Communist Party Second Secretary Sanatruk Sahakyan said today at the Azdak Club press conference the party intended to bear responsibility for the nation’s future. In his opinion, the republic authorities have nothing to do in office any more. They are deliberately leading the country to the brink of crisis, laying the ground for bribing people, as social insecurity is a favourable environment...

300 million drams are envisaged to expend for organising 2003 presidential elections , Artak Sahradyan, CEC Chair, says. He states for comparison Government spent 180 million drams during the elections of institutions for local government in October.

Today Central Electoral Committee couldn’t decide what the ballot-box for presidential elections in 2003 will be like. Under the draft, introduced by Zaven Pluzyan, the representative of National Unity in the Committee, the ballot-boxes are to be the same and made of limpid material. Artak Sahradyan, Chair of CEC announces to be for the limpid boxes but there are financial problems. Voting...

Today Central Electoral Committee set the time for presidential elections in 2003. Elections will take place on February 19 . The term for proposing candidates is from November 21 to December 6. The deadline for introducing documents for registration is December 31. Term for candidates’ registration – January 1 – 20, 2003. The period of time for pre-election campaign is from January, 21 to February, 17.

“Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s participation in coming presidential elections will be a present for Robert Kocharyan” , politician Suren Zolyan announces. In that case, the electorate which is going to vote against Robert Kocharyan, will change its stance, Zolyan says. ” Petrosyan’s participation in the presidential elections is more playing into hands of his supporters. Petrosyan is not able to abandon participation in elections in the...

For the first time in 80 years pro-Islamic forces has unexpectedly come to power in Turkey. Though the newly elected government made a statement that it would remain stack to the European values, actually, it’s that it would strengthen its ties with East countries. These forces said before their victory that they intended to revise the Turkey relations with Iran, Russia and Armenia. Hovhanness...

Today, a briefing was held in National Assembly. MPs spoke on upcoming presidential elections. In “National Unity” leader Artashes Geghamyan’s opinion, Ex-president Levon Ter-Pertossyan is unlikely to run for the presidency, as he is a realist. If he’ll do this, contrary to anticipations, it would mean he has an arrangement with Robert Kocharyan. MP Shavarsh Kocharyan said the opposition 16-party alliance’s joint candidate would have...

The non-formal group of Opposition MPs of Parliament, headed by Shavarsh Kocharyan, discussed the issue on making changes in the Election Law Code and wants to submit it to Parliament. “Orinats Yerkir” agrees to the idea. ”Dashnaktsutyan” doesn’t yet announce its standpoint. But it may be that “Dashnaktsutyun” agrees to Kocharyan’s proposal after some changes and editing. Only Republican Party of Armenia, having won in elections...

Who does Caroline Cox want to see as the third president of Armenia? Baroness announced she doesn’t consider it proper to meddle in home affairs of any other country and it would be impudent of her to mention a name . Both Cox and members of House of Lords stated importance of the fact Armen Sargsyan, former PM of Armenia as well as former Ambassador of Armenia to Great Britain connects them with...

Today Parliament finished discussion of bill on ”Youth”. In the bill MP Arshak Sadoyan stressed importance of contribution to young families. Under the above bill, after birth of the third child in any family the State transfers 500 $ to them. The bill co-author Vartan Bostanjyan has a reason for introducing the principle into the bill - he is aware of in 1991 90. 000 children were born in Armenia. In 2001 – about 30. 000 only . Mher...

Caroline Cox and the delegation members didn’t express a positive standpoint to policy, implemented by Turkey. Robert Worring announced if Turkey wants to become a member of European Union, it is first to withdraw the troops from Cyprus and ask Armenia’s pardon for the Genocide in 1915 .

Within 3 days Armenian Government managed to introduce Caroline Cox Armenian reality and “give honour” to her the manner that she congratulated Armenian people on economic development. “I couldn’t recognise Yerevan. It differs from the one in1992” . Baroness Cox is surprised at fortitude of Karabagh people. British delegation visited Artsakh and met Karabagh leaders. After having met them they concluded “Karabaghi Government are...

Civil Service Law is already in need to be amended. The head of the service Manvel Badeyan urged MPs to vote in favour of some amendments. One of the proposed amendments worded this way: ”Under the republic law on diplomatic service those diplomats being on business trip can hold civil positions”. Legislators also discussed the amendments to the laws related to tax, custom and diplomatic services.

Armenian National Assembly preliminarily passed a bill on amendments to the 2001-2003 privatisation program after several failed attempts. The opposition leaders say the government is trying to pass the bill in a bid to seize control over a number of hospitals such as Nork mental or Bazikyan cancer hospitals. Today, Fiscal and Budget Commission presented its negative conclusion on some items of the...

Right-wing opposition activists gathered today not to discuss any political program, but to mark 49th birthday of prominent politician and “Democratic Motherland” party founder Edward Egoryan and commemorate him. Prematurely died public activist was the initiator of more than 100 legislation proposals. “In fact, he is one of the Constitution authors”, the party leader Petros Makeyan said. All participants of the meeting came to conclusion...

The delegation, headed by Russian PM Mikhail Kasianov, visited Armenia. Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan met his colleague in “Zvartnots” Airport. The visit aims to sign the agreement of “property for debt” formulae. Before Kasianov’s visit, Russia’s Putin announced Kasianov’s visit must put an end to the process of transferring Armenian enterprises to Russia for debt . It is planned that Hrazdan’s Thermoelectric Power Station,...