ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
By Ruzanna Khachatrian

Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
June 26 2007

Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian pushed through the Armenian parliament
on Tuesday his coalition government’s five-year plan of actions
that promises good governance, continued economic growth and a sharp
reduction in poverty.

In what amounted to a vote of confidence in the recently formed
cabinet, the National Assembly voted by 94 to 7, with 7 abstentions,
for the program just days after it was approved and unveiled by
ministers.

The detailed program commits the government to ensuring an annual
economic growth rate of at least eight percent and cutting the
proportion of Armenians living below the official poverty line from
the current 30 percent to 12 percent by 2012. It describes national
security, sustainable development, good governance and increased public
spending on social programs and education as the chief government
priorities. The document also envisages the elimination of a huge
development gap between Yerevan and the rest of the country.

"The document is quite ambitious and will require maximum concentration
from all employees of state bodies," Sarkisian told the overwhelmingly
loyal lawmakers.

The goals laid out by him are supposed to be achieved through
what officials call "second-generation reforms." One of their main
objectives is the strengthening of business competition and a fight
against widespread corruption. Sarkisian has long been accused
by his critics of sponsoring corrupt government officials and
government-connected businessmen that enjoy de facto monopolies
on lucrative forms of economic activity. Many of the so-called
"oligarchs" are affiliated with his Republican Party (HHK) and hold
parliament seats.

Sarkisian had apparently them in mind when he said, "Tax evasion and
corruption must been seen as a dishonorable phenomenon condemned by
the public. We must not tolerate a lenient approach within our ranks
and we must start from ourselves. We must not take into account family
ties and must not regard as friends those individuals who will avoid
paying taxes."

Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian, who voted against the bill
along with six other deputies affiliated with his Zharangutyun party,
questioned the credibility of these far-reaching promises during the
ensued debates. "Do you accept the disparity between the proposed
program and our reality?" he asked Sarkisian. "What mechanisms is
the government proposing in order to implement the program goals?"

Sarkisian insisted that there are such mechanisms. He also condemned
Hovannisian’s remark that the government displayed an "unserious
approach" to the opposition and Armenians in general by circulating
the full text of the program just one day before the parliament debate.

"I think you must apologize for such accusations because throughout
my life I have treated our people and society with respect and will
not allow anyone to stir up turbulence," the HHK leader said.

"I apologize for the impression of personal offense, but we will
never apologize for actions at aimed at protecting the rights and
freedom of our citizens," replied Hovannisian.

Orinats Yerkir, the other opposition party represented in the current
assembly, was more positive about the government program. "We see
positive points in it," its leader, former parliament speaker Artur
Baghdasarian, said. "It would be very nice if they are put into
practice,"

Unlike their colleagues from Zharangutyun, the Orinats Yerkir
legislators abstained during the vote. "We don’t want to start out
with a negative vote," explained Baghdasarian.