VAHAN HOVHANNESIAN MEETS WITH RESIDENTS OF SHIRAK REGION
Yerkir
23.01.2008 15:49
Yerevan (Yerkir) – Presidential candidate Vahan Hovhannesian, a
member of the ARF Bureu and deputy speaker of the National Assembly,
met on January 23 with the residents of the villages of Sarnaghbiur
and Pemzashen in Shirak Region.
In Sarnaghbiur, speaking about the tax policies, Hovhannesian said
that people often get fake information about taxes. Small businesses
pay taxes more promptly than the big ones. He also spoke about vote
buying, saying that if elected president, there will be no people
who would buy votes for him by intimidating people and then demand
privileges for doing so.
"Money is invested to set up saunas, restaurants, casinos and to
build elite buildings because businessmen are afraid to invest
in other sectors to avoid pressuring tax and customs policies,"
Hovhannesian said.
He also spoke of poverty reduction, saying that along with increased
family aids, prices grow also, resulting in no changes. Furthermore,
when people get welfare benefits, they continue to consider themselves
poor and that’s why they are ready to sell their votes. He said the
welfare benefit system should be changed.
In the end, Hovhannesian answered the questions raised by the residents
of those villages.
The next meeting was in Artik where deputy Science and Education
Minister Bagrat Yesayan explained people the reasons why the ARF has
chosen Vahan Hovhannesian to run for president. Artashes Shahbazian,
the secretary of the ARF faction in parliament, in turn, said that the
decision to have its own candidate was stemming from the ARF belief
that "not only a group of people but everybody should live well."
Hovhannesian said that if elected, his first task will be to make
sure that elections in Armenia are conducted in a free and fair
manner. He also spoke about monopolies, tax issues. He also said that
it is important to have tolerance in the country. Hovhannesian also
said that the regions of the country should be developed as well,
not only the capital, Yerevan.
Speaking of migration issues, he said that "we should find ways to
bring people back into Armenia."
When in Akhurian, a Karabakh war veteran asked Hovhannesian a question
regarding Karabakh. "Armenia’s policy on the Karabakh issue is a little
too soft while Azerbaijan is not ready for concessions. Azerbaijan
too should go for concessions," Hovhannesian answered.