PRIME MINISTER TOURS SYUNIK AND VAYOTS DZOR PROVINCES

ARMENPRESS
Apr 30 2007

KAPAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS: Prime minister Serzh Sarkisian, who is
also chairman of the Republican Party’s Council, traveled yesterday
across the southern province of Syunik to meet with people and urge
them to vote for his party when they go to the polling stations on
May 12.

But before advertising the Republican Party’s platform the prime
minister listened carefully to local administration officials and
ordinary citizens in order to have a clear idea about their most
pressing problems. In urban areas these problems are lack of housing,
jobs and dilapidating infrastructures, in rural areas -ineffective
operation of drinking and irrigation water systems.

An exception, in terms of employment, is the small town of Agarak
whose virtually all male population is employed by the local copper
and molybdenum plant.

Sarkisian said new employment prospects will open when Armenia and
Iran start construction of a hydro power plant on the river Arax that
separates the two countries and the third Iran-Armenian electricity
swap line. He added that Armenia, Russia and Iran are considering
also construction of a very big oil refinery to be built in this area.

Sarkisian said the government’s policy will remain unchanged and
will continue to focus on such issues as construction of roads,
connecting urban and rural settlements to the natural gas network,
improve irrigation, health, culture and other sectors.

"I have come here to seek your trust and your support so that to have
the opportunity to solve the nation’s problems," Sarkisian said to the
crowd in Agarak. He also cited Garegin Nzhde, a prominent military
commander who fought for Armenia’s sovereignty at the beginning of
the last century who said that ‘every Armenian must be a soldier."

Sarkisian said Armenia is in a volatile region and because of that
every Armenian should also think about their country’s fate instead
of pursuing solely personal interests.

Speaking to a crowd in Meghri town, Sarkisian declined
earlier allegations that the authorities planned to swap it with
Nagorno-Karabakh. He said this question is closed for once and forever
because ‘Meghri will never be traded."

Sarkisian also visited the town of Kajaran, which is home to the
biggest Zangezour metallurgical plant, Kapan, Goris, Sisian and
Brnakot village.

Today Sarkisian and his entourage are traveling across Vayots Dzor
province.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress