WATER SUPPLY WILL BE OUR PRIORITY

Karabakh Open
Oct 8 2007

Interview with candidate of mayor of Stepanakert Vazgen Mikaelyan

Karabakh-Open: Mr. Mikaelyan, what made you decide to assume
responsibilities of mayor of the capital?

Well, in order to assume responsibilities I first need to win the
election. The important thing now is a fair and transparent election,
the preconditions of which we already have As to the reasons for
running in the election, I was pushed by the readiness to be useful
to our city. After all, like every citizen who shares joy and cares,
I have the right to contribute to the development of my neighborhood
and my community. And the most convenient and effective way is the
post of the mayor which allows fulfilling lots of ideas. I think the
people of Stepanakert will witness it in the nearest future.

Karabakh-Open: Have you worked out a plan of development of
Stepanakert, and what are the main strands going to be?

All those strands are described in my election program. First of all,
we will attend to the problem of water supply in the capital. We will
promote the construction of blocks of apartments, repair of roofs of
blocks of apartments, prevent illegal construction, improve street
lights and keep the city clean.

We will also be improving the suburbs, complete the public housing
program for the families of killed soldiers and disabled of the war,
repair houses damages by shelling during the war.

Karabakh-Open: Your election program necessitates speeding up the rate
of housing construction. How are you going to fulfill this provision
when the government has cut some of the most important powers of
municipalities? How are you going to insist on legislative change of
the powers of the City Hall?

The City Hall’s powers now are not sufficient for full work. I expect
a number of amendments to the law on local governments. I hope that
the legislature and the executive will acknowledge the necessity for
granting a special status to Stepanakert which will expand the powers
of the municipality.

Karabakh-Open: What will your first action be if you are elected?

Our primary problem will be water supply. There are preconditions
for solving this problem, and with a due approach we will be able to
provide daily water supply to the people of the capital.

Karabakh-Open: Your election program pledges a clampdown on bureaucracy
and corruption in the municipal government. How are you going to
fight against these?

There is a saying: in case of fire they put it out instead of looking
for the wrongdoer. In other words, we are facing a problem which
we must solve. Among definite efforts I can mention only my own
behavior. Besides, it is clear that the top government stated its
determination to battle corruption, and in this context I think we
will tackle this problem successfully.