ARMENPRESS

U.S. EMBASSY CONCERNED BY INACCURATE PORTRAYALS OF
ARMENIA NATIONAL STUDY

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: The U.S. Embassy
in Armenia said today in a press release that it has
watched with interest the recent press coverage
generated by the "Armenian National Study" funded by
the U.S. Agency for International Development.
`While the Embassy is encouraged that the study has
focused the attention of Armenian society and
political parties on the important electoral processes
underway in the country, we are nevertheless concerned
by the inaccurate portrayals of the study being
reported in some national media,’ the news release
said..
It said as part of the U.S. Government’s democracy
assistance program in Armenia, the "Armenia National
Study" is an opinion poll designed to be a neutral,
objective mechanism to assist political parties in
Armenia to better understand and respond to the major
political, economic and social concerns of Armenian
citizens. It is not meant to influence or predict the
way in which Armenians will vote during elections.
`In democratic societies, opinion polls provide
citizens with a forum in which to express their views
about major issues, both anonymously and objectively,
to elected officials and political parties that
represent their concerns. The opinion poll is also an
effective aid for elected officials and political
parties to develop programs and platforms that address
societal concerns and national issues.’
`Commissioned by the International Republic
Institute in 2006, the "Armenia National Study" is
being carried out in Armenia by the Vilnius-based
Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization with the
assistance of the Armenian Sociological Association.
It is common practice to work with local organizations
in carrying out such public opinion polls.
A total of seven quarterly opinion polls have been
carried out since May, 2006. The most recent poll was
taken in early December, 2007. An eighth and final
poll is scheduled for mid-January, 2008. Baltic
Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization is also planning to
conduct an exit poll during the presidential election
on February 19, 2008.
To ensure anonymity and objectivity of the opinion
poll, the Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization
uses a random sampling methodology that is the
mainstay of reputable Western polling organizations.
IRI has shared the poll results, including specific
information on respective political parties, with
party representatives.
The results of all seven polls conducted since May
2006, including more general information on the major
political, economic, and social issues, are free for
public examination on the IRI website ().
Neither the United States government, the
International Republican Institute nor Baltic Surveys
Ltd. / Gallup Organization endorses any particular
party or candidate. Non-party specific results are
made public; candidate and party results are shared
with the appropriate political parties.’