YOUNG POLITICIANS DEBATE ON CORRUPTION

Panorama.am
14:56 06/06/06

Young members of two parties forming the ruling coalition, Armenian
Revolutionary Federation and Armenian Republican Party, as well as
young political figures of former coalition member Orinats Yerkir
debated on corruption today at Hayeli Club.

ARF member Ishkhan SAGHATELYAN is proud that Armenia has joined
GRECO. He also mentioned that legislative field is developed and
there are some theoretical achievements. Karen AVAGYAN, ARP, also
thinks that some steps have been taken. He is proud that compared to
neighboring countries “Armenia is in much favorable conditions.”

The leader of youth Samvel FARMANYAN, OY, considered corruption as
the biggest challenge to our national security. He stated that no
practical fight is launched in Armenia against corruption.

Armen VARDANYAN, the leader of Young Politicians’ Club, non-profit
organization, was also present at the debate. He wanted to know names
of people who have ever been punished for corruption. According to him,
all supervision bodies established to fight corruption have become even
more corrupt, referring to anticorruption committee headed by prime
minister. ARP member K. Avagyan did not like the idea and suggested
the organization to join the committee and make its own efforts.

ARF representative I. Saghatelyan recalled their efforts of fighting
corruption at the higher educational institutes. He said they prepared
a joint statement but soon some institutes withdrew from the effort,
including Medical University, Agricultural Academy and Institute of
Physical Training.

The young politicians largely debated on who is to be blamed that the
effort failed. After all they came to the conclusion to make a study
at higher educational establishments to unveil cases of corruption. I
Saghatelyan assured that the education minister, also from ARF,
will support the efforts.