Tweet
ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
02/03/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
1) Coalition Invites Opposition to Collaborate in Developing Proposed
Constitutional Reforms
2) ARF Parliamentary Faction to Embark on Legislative Reforms
3) US State Department Praises Armenia for Leading Role in Political and
Economic Reform in Eurasia
4) Georgia Prime Minister Found Dead; President Assumes Functions
1) Coalition Invites Opposition to Collaborate in Developing Proposed
Constitutional Reforms
YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Immediately after meeting with the leaders of all parliament
factions except Artarutiun (Justice), the three parties of the government
coalition released the following joint statement, in response to proposed
constitutional amendments by opposition Justice and National Unity factions.
"Adhering to the spirit of the parliamentary cooperation;
Regretting that the opposition did not accept the coalition's proposal to
collaborate in drafting constitutional reforms;
Considering the importance of the opposition's constructive role and
participation in parliament's activities;
Considering the necessity for greater consensus in developing and adopting
constitutional reforms, as well as reaffirming the coalition's willingness for
wider cooperation in this process;
Welcoming the willingness of the Justice and the National Unity factions to
participate in drafting constitutional reforms;
Valuing the process of cooperation in formulating draft reforms;
Finding that the proposals made by the both factions are worthy of
consideration;
Underscoring that public and political discussions as well as the work of the
relevant committee are vital in formulating positions on the proposals put
forth by the Justice and National Unity factions, as well as other proposals;
We call on the authors of the proposals to participate in the process of
developing final proposed reforms to the sections of the Constitution that
deal
with the government, judiciary, local governments, as well as other
sections of
the Constitution."
Republican Party of Armenia
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Orinats Yerkir Party
2) ARF Parliamentary Faction to Embark on Legislative Reforms
YEREVAN (Armenpress)The parliamentary faction of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) announced at a press conference on Wednesday that it will
attempt to introduce several legislative reforms this year. Speaking at the
press conference was faction secretary Hrair Garabedian, who noted that, in
addition to dealing with pressing social issues and matters of national
security, the legislation will address the problem of rampant corruption among
government officials.
Specifically, the ARF will present a proposal, Garabedian remarked, dealing
with lobbying guidelines that seek to prevent officials from usurping their
positions for financial or personal gain. In response to growing public
concern, the faction will also try to restructure current laws dealing with
Armenia's national security.
Domestically, Garabedian said the ARF has set its sights on promoting
population expansion by providing financial incentives to families that rear
multiple children. The further development of small and medium sized
businesses, which have in recent times undergone substantial growth, will also
be on the faction's agenda, he said.
Faction member Levon Mkrtchian, who was also present at Wednesday's
conference, said that his party will closely scrutinize Armenia's electoral
code and offer proposals in line with the recommendations made by the Council
of Europe's Venice Commission. Mkrtchian also emphasized that opposition
groups
must participate in the constitutional reform process, and admonished those
circles that have used the ongoing endeavor to their political advantage.
3) US State Department Praises Armenia for Leading Role in Political and
Economic Reform in Eurasia
YEREVAN (Armenpress)--A US State Department fact sheet on US Assistance to
Armenia in Fiscal Year 2004 termed the country as one of the leading
performers
in Eurasia in economic and political reform, a weighty factor that has made
Armenia eligible, together with the neighboring Georgia, for receiving grants
from the Millennium Challenge Account.
"While economic growth has been strong, it has yet to provide significant
benefit to the vast majority of the population. As such, US assistance focuses
on the growing small and medium-scale enterprise sector. Our democracy,
economic, and law enforcement programs will help to strengthen the democratic
structures and foundations in Armenia, as well as support regional stability
and security," said the fact sheet.
The US government assistance in 2004 for Armenia was $89.7. Some $13 million
were allocated for Democracy Programs, $50.2 million for Social Security and
Economic Reform, $15.4 million for Law Enforcement, $6.3 million as
Humanitarian Assistance, and $4.8 million for Cross Sectoral Initiatives.
4) Georgia Prime Minister Found Dead; President Assumes Functions
TBILISI (Reuters/RFE/RL)--The prime minister of ex-Soviet Georgia was found
dead on Thursday in a bizarre gas poisoning that robs the inexperienced
president, Mikhail Saakashvili, of a steadying hand to help run his turbulent
country.
Saakashvili said he was taking over the functions of Zurab Zhvania, one of
the
few heavyweights in his reformist leadership who will be hard to replace. It
was not clear if this was a temporary move or not.
Zhvania's bodyguards found the 41-year-old slumped in an armchair near a gas
heater at a friend's apartment, said Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.
"This
is a tragic accident ... It was a gas poisoning," he said.
Zhvania was the senior figure in a trio of leaders who spearheaded a "Rose
Revolution" of street protests that toppled veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze
in November 2003 and then installed the West-leaning Saakashvili in power.
The president's decision to name himself as a caretaker prime minister
underscored the scarcity of suitable candidates to succeed Zhvania in the
country of 5 million people.
"As president I am taking over leadership of executive power. I am ordering
the government to return to work," he told a crowd outside Tbilisi's Holy
Trinity cathedral where Zhvania's funeral is to be held.
"[Zhvania's death] is a huge blow for our country and personally for me as a
president and as a person," a red-eyed Saakashvili earlier told ministers
at an
emergency meeting, many of them dressed in black, his own voice breaking with
emotion.
"I have lost my closest friend, my most loyal adviser, my biggest ally."
"Zurab Zhvania made a great contribution to the state-building and
strengthening of democracy in brotherly Georgia," Armenia's President Robert
Kocharian said in a letter to his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili.
"Also invaluable was his role in the deepening of the centuries-old friendship
between our peoples."
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, meanwhile, canceled a planned visit to
Tbilisi where he was due to attend a major international conference on the
South Caucasus. He was scheduled to meet with the Georgian premier late on
Thursday. Oskanian was on his way to the Georgian capital when he heard
news of
Zhvania's bizarre death.
"Words are not enough to express the depth of the loss," he said in a
statement. "Our effective cooperation with Zhvania has a long history.
"Being a
broad-minded politician, Zhvania distinguished himself with in-depth knowledge
of regional developments and prospects."
In response to an inquiry about his ethnic origin, Zhvania, declared in the
Georgian parliament a year ago "Yes, my mother is Armenian and I'm proud of
that."
NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY
Zhvania's body was found at 4:30 a.m. (0130 GMT) when his guards, worried
that
he was not answering his mobile phone, broke down the door of the friend's
apartment, said Merabishvili. The friend, a middle-ranking official, also
died.
There was no evidence of foul play, forensic experts said. Tests showed
Zhvania's blood contained fatal levels of a substance called
carboxihaemoglobin, said Justice Ministry official Levan Samkharauli.
"That means that the cause of death was carbon monoxide gas," he said. A post
mortem report is expected on Friday.
Zhvania was widely seen as a moderating influence on Saakashvili, a
37-year-old US-trained lawyer who is prone to emotional outbursts and
provoking
confrontation.
On occasions when Saakashvili's relations with Moscow or separatist regimes
broke down, Zhvania was able to act as a go-between. He was also an able
back-room organizer in a cabinet with little experience of the machinery of
government.
"(Zhvania) was a very important figure in the leadership who was helping the
government to work as a team," a close aide, who did not want to be named,
told
Reuters.
Under Georgian law, the president has seven days to announce a full-time
replacement for Zhvania. The candidate must then be approved by parliament,
which is dominated by Saakashvili supporters.
Zhvania is survived by a wife and three children.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.
TOP STORIES
02/03/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ.COM
1) Coalition Invites Opposition to Collaborate in Developing Proposed
Constitutional Reforms
2) ARF Parliamentary Faction to Embark on Legislative Reforms
3) US State Department Praises Armenia for Leading Role in Political and
Economic Reform in Eurasia
4) Georgia Prime Minister Found Dead; President Assumes Functions
1) Coalition Invites Opposition to Collaborate in Developing Proposed
Constitutional Reforms
YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Immediately after meeting with the leaders of all parliament
factions except Artarutiun (Justice), the three parties of the government
coalition released the following joint statement, in response to proposed
constitutional amendments by opposition Justice and National Unity factions.
"Adhering to the spirit of the parliamentary cooperation;
Regretting that the opposition did not accept the coalition's proposal to
collaborate in drafting constitutional reforms;
Considering the importance of the opposition's constructive role and
participation in parliament's activities;
Considering the necessity for greater consensus in developing and adopting
constitutional reforms, as well as reaffirming the coalition's willingness for
wider cooperation in this process;
Welcoming the willingness of the Justice and the National Unity factions to
participate in drafting constitutional reforms;
Valuing the process of cooperation in formulating draft reforms;
Finding that the proposals made by the both factions are worthy of
consideration;
Underscoring that public and political discussions as well as the work of the
relevant committee are vital in formulating positions on the proposals put
forth by the Justice and National Unity factions, as well as other proposals;
We call on the authors of the proposals to participate in the process of
developing final proposed reforms to the sections of the Constitution that
deal
with the government, judiciary, local governments, as well as other
sections of
the Constitution."
Republican Party of Armenia
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Orinats Yerkir Party
2) ARF Parliamentary Faction to Embark on Legislative Reforms
YEREVAN (Armenpress)The parliamentary faction of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) announced at a press conference on Wednesday that it will
attempt to introduce several legislative reforms this year. Speaking at the
press conference was faction secretary Hrair Garabedian, who noted that, in
addition to dealing with pressing social issues and matters of national
security, the legislation will address the problem of rampant corruption among
government officials.
Specifically, the ARF will present a proposal, Garabedian remarked, dealing
with lobbying guidelines that seek to prevent officials from usurping their
positions for financial or personal gain. In response to growing public
concern, the faction will also try to restructure current laws dealing with
Armenia's national security.
Domestically, Garabedian said the ARF has set its sights on promoting
population expansion by providing financial incentives to families that rear
multiple children. The further development of small and medium sized
businesses, which have in recent times undergone substantial growth, will also
be on the faction's agenda, he said.
Faction member Levon Mkrtchian, who was also present at Wednesday's
conference, said that his party will closely scrutinize Armenia's electoral
code and offer proposals in line with the recommendations made by the Council
of Europe's Venice Commission. Mkrtchian also emphasized that opposition
groups
must participate in the constitutional reform process, and admonished those
circles that have used the ongoing endeavor to their political advantage.
3) US State Department Praises Armenia for Leading Role in Political and
Economic Reform in Eurasia
YEREVAN (Armenpress)--A US State Department fact sheet on US Assistance to
Armenia in Fiscal Year 2004 termed the country as one of the leading
performers
in Eurasia in economic and political reform, a weighty factor that has made
Armenia eligible, together with the neighboring Georgia, for receiving grants
from the Millennium Challenge Account.
"While economic growth has been strong, it has yet to provide significant
benefit to the vast majority of the population. As such, US assistance focuses
on the growing small and medium-scale enterprise sector. Our democracy,
economic, and law enforcement programs will help to strengthen the democratic
structures and foundations in Armenia, as well as support regional stability
and security," said the fact sheet.
The US government assistance in 2004 for Armenia was $89.7. Some $13 million
were allocated for Democracy Programs, $50.2 million for Social Security and
Economic Reform, $15.4 million for Law Enforcement, $6.3 million as
Humanitarian Assistance, and $4.8 million for Cross Sectoral Initiatives.
4) Georgia Prime Minister Found Dead; President Assumes Functions
TBILISI (Reuters/RFE/RL)--The prime minister of ex-Soviet Georgia was found
dead on Thursday in a bizarre gas poisoning that robs the inexperienced
president, Mikhail Saakashvili, of a steadying hand to help run his turbulent
country.
Saakashvili said he was taking over the functions of Zurab Zhvania, one of
the
few heavyweights in his reformist leadership who will be hard to replace. It
was not clear if this was a temporary move or not.
Zhvania's bodyguards found the 41-year-old slumped in an armchair near a gas
heater at a friend's apartment, said Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.
"This
is a tragic accident ... It was a gas poisoning," he said.
Zhvania was the senior figure in a trio of leaders who spearheaded a "Rose
Revolution" of street protests that toppled veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze
in November 2003 and then installed the West-leaning Saakashvili in power.
The president's decision to name himself as a caretaker prime minister
underscored the scarcity of suitable candidates to succeed Zhvania in the
country of 5 million people.
"As president I am taking over leadership of executive power. I am ordering
the government to return to work," he told a crowd outside Tbilisi's Holy
Trinity cathedral where Zhvania's funeral is to be held.
"[Zhvania's death] is a huge blow for our country and personally for me as a
president and as a person," a red-eyed Saakashvili earlier told ministers
at an
emergency meeting, many of them dressed in black, his own voice breaking with
emotion.
"I have lost my closest friend, my most loyal adviser, my biggest ally."
"Zurab Zhvania made a great contribution to the state-building and
strengthening of democracy in brotherly Georgia," Armenia's President Robert
Kocharian said in a letter to his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili.
"Also invaluable was his role in the deepening of the centuries-old friendship
between our peoples."
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, meanwhile, canceled a planned visit to
Tbilisi where he was due to attend a major international conference on the
South Caucasus. He was scheduled to meet with the Georgian premier late on
Thursday. Oskanian was on his way to the Georgian capital when he heard
news of
Zhvania's bizarre death.
"Words are not enough to express the depth of the loss," he said in a
statement. "Our effective cooperation with Zhvania has a long history.
"Being a
broad-minded politician, Zhvania distinguished himself with in-depth knowledge
of regional developments and prospects."
In response to an inquiry about his ethnic origin, Zhvania, declared in the
Georgian parliament a year ago "Yes, my mother is Armenian and I'm proud of
that."
NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY
Zhvania's body was found at 4:30 a.m. (0130 GMT) when his guards, worried
that
he was not answering his mobile phone, broke down the door of the friend's
apartment, said Merabishvili. The friend, a middle-ranking official, also
died.
There was no evidence of foul play, forensic experts said. Tests showed
Zhvania's blood contained fatal levels of a substance called
carboxihaemoglobin, said Justice Ministry official Levan Samkharauli.
"That means that the cause of death was carbon monoxide gas," he said. A post
mortem report is expected on Friday.
Zhvania was widely seen as a moderating influence on Saakashvili, a
37-year-old US-trained lawyer who is prone to emotional outbursts and
provoking
confrontation.
On occasions when Saakashvili's relations with Moscow or separatist regimes
broke down, Zhvania was able to act as a go-between. He was also an able
back-room organizer in a cabinet with little experience of the machinery of
government.
"(Zhvania) was a very important figure in the leadership who was helping the
government to work as a team," a close aide, who did not want to be named,
told
Reuters.
Under Georgian law, the president has seven days to announce a full-time
replacement for Zhvania. The candidate must then be approved by parliament,
which is dominated by Saakashvili supporters.
Zhvania is survived by a wife and three children.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.