NEW BILL ON REFERENDUM CONTRADICTS CONSTITUTION, ARMEN MARTIROSIAN AFFIRMS
Noyan Tapan
Dec 3, 2008
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. In the recent period the RA National
Assembly Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction has voted against almost
all bills.
Reporting this at the December 3 press conference, faction member
Armen Martirosian said that Zharangutiun is also against adoption of
a new law on referendum, as it contradicts a number of provisions of
the Constitution.
Besides, according to him, the members of their faction consider that
urgent discussion of the new law and putting it to vote quickly is
connected with the Nagorno Karabakh problem: thus the authorities
try to get free of further responsibility.
According to A. Martirosian, Zharangutiun also voted against the
draft 2009 state budget, as it contains a number of incomplete
formulations regarding tax and customs administration. "The most
part of the budget will be made up on the basis of common citizens’
and not big businessmen’s pocket. In general, according to the 2009
state budget, the rich will become richer and the poor will become
poorer," the deputy said.
Touching upon country’s home political situation, A. Martirosian
said that the issues of releasing political prisoners and disclosure
of the March 1 events remain unsolved. He added that Zharangutiun is
concerned with the infringements upon bishop Achapalian by Gyumri town
authorities. A. Martirosian reminded that the church is the greatest
spiritual value of the Armenians. The church preserves the national
identity and it should be kept away from home political events.