Author: Hunanian Jack

ARKA News Agency
Sept 7 2004

Monitoring of contact line of NKR and Azeri af took place without
violations of cease fire regime

Armenian Public Health Alliance summarizes results of competition for
anti-tobacco topic among journalists

Michelle Tankrez appointed representative of “Hayastan” All-Armenian
fund in NKR

Anatoli Drykov: We express our gratitude to Armenian people that
mourns together with Russia

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MONITORING OF CONTACT LINE OF NKR AND AZERI AF TOOK PLACE WITHOUT
VIOLATIONS OF CEASE FIRE REGIME

STEPANAKERT, September 7. /ARKA/. Monitoring of contact line of NKR
and Azeri Armed Forces took place without violations of cease fire
regime, NKR MFA told ARKA. Monitoring from positions of NKR Defense
Army was conducted by field assistants of personal representative of
OSCE Acting Chairman Miroslav Vymetal (Czech Republic) and Urgen
Schmidt.
Monitoring took place in accordance to schedule.
Monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives of NKR Ministry
of Defense and NKR MFA. L.D. –0–

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ARMENIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ALLIANCE SUMMARIZES RESULTS OF COMPETITION FOR
ANTI-TOBACCO TOPIC AMONG JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. Today Armenian Public Health Alliance
summarized the results of competition for the best journalist
publication of anti-tobacco topic. As Astghik Gevorgyan, the Chairman
of Union of Journalists of Armenia told on press conference, Hripsime
Jebejyan of Armenian Aravat daily was awarded for the best
publication in journalist investigation for her article “Maximum
Pleasure”. Anahit Khaytyan (“Hayastani Hanrapetutyun” daily), Davit
Petrosyan (Second Armenian TV Channel), Larisa Stepanyan (Russian
language daily “Respublika Armenia” and Golos Armenii) also were
awarded for active elucidation of anti-tobacco topic. Also Heghine
Koshtoyan was awarded in nomination “For best debut work on
anti-tobacco topic” for her article “Smoking can be dangerous for
your health”(“New Yerevan Times”). T.M. -0–

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MICHELLE TANKREZ APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE OF “HAYASTAN” ALL-ARMENIAN
FUND IN NKR

The French benefactor Michelle Tankrez is appointed representative of
“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund in Nagorno Karabakh Republic. As the
Fund Public Relations Department told today ARKA, he has taken up
permanent residence in Artsakh with his family since 2000 and has
been actively involved in the organization of annual phon-a-thons in
France. He has sponsored and currently continues sponsoring many
projects in Artsakh. T.M. —0–

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ANATOLI DRYKOV: WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO ARMENIAN PEOPLE THAT
MOURNS TOGETHER WITH RUSSIA

YEREVAN, September 7. /ARKA/. We express our gratitude to the
Armenian people that mourns together with Russia, as the Russian
Ambassador to Armenia Anatoli Drykov said today in Yerevan. “The
tragedy in Beslan is our common pain and your sympathy has great e
significance for us”, the Ambassador told. He stressed that Armenia
is already assisting all those who suffered in Beslan and there the
first party of donor blood was sent. The Embassy is also applied with
questions how to transfer funds to Beslan and therefore relevant
accounts have been opened. Dryukov mentioned that as officials as
well as simple people apply to the Embassy and offer organizations of
rehabilitation of the kids who suffered in Beslan. “We are
registering all these addresses and in case of necessity we will
certainly use them”, the Ambassador told.
Touching upon safety measures and prevention of possible terrorist
attacks, Dryukov mentioned that in his appeal of September 4, the
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned three tasks among which is
strengthening of struggle against terror, in relation to which
relevant measures will be developed. The Ambassador also told that
the CIS states Heads are to hold their session in Astana on September
15-16 where these issues will be discussed undoubtedly. T.M. -0–

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ARKA News Agency
Sept 6 2004

Armenia to send 50 military men in Iraq

Armenia to send donor blood and medicines in North Osetia

Catholicos of All Armenians awarded “St. Sahak – St. Mesrob” order to
American writer of Armenian origin Peter Balakian

Armenian and Iranian Presidents to meet in Yerevan on Sept 8

Armenian PM sends his condolences to Head of Russian Government on
occasion of tragic events in Beslan

The days from September 6 to 7 are declared as mourning days in
Russia in the memory of the victims perished as a result of the
terrorist attack in Beslan

The fifth graduating class of the Financial Banking College
Foundation of Armenia gets diplomas

The USA is interested in the stability and safety of the South
Caucasus region

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ARMENIA TO SEND 50 MILITARY MEN IN IRAQ

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. Armenia will send 50 military men in
Iraq, who will join coalition forces under Polish command. According
to Reuters Agency, Armenian contingent will be sent in the frames of
agreement on cooperation in the sphere of security between two
countries, signed by RA President Robert Kocharian and the Head of
Poland Alexander Kwasnevski on Monday. According to RA Minister of
Defense, the Government decided to send soldiers in Iraq, and
“despite of the size of our country and the distance till Europe
Armenia feels itself a part of Europe”. L.D. –0–

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ARMENIA TO SEND DONOR BLOOD AND MEDICINES IN NORTH OSETIA

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. Armenia will send donor blood and
medicines in North Osetia, RA Deputy Minister of Healthcare Haik
Darbinian stated today. Besides, Yerevan hospitals are ready to
receive unlimited number of victims of terrorist act in Beslan.
In result of terrorist attack of school #1 in North Osetia about 335
people died, including 156 children. L.D. –0—

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CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS AWARDED “ST. SAHAK – ST. MESROB” ORDER TO
AMERICAN WRITER OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN PETER BALAKIAN

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. Catholicos of All Armenians His
Holiness Garegin II awarded “St. Sahak – St. Mesrob” order to
American writer of Armenian origin Peter Balakian. As St. Echmiadzin
Holy See Chancellery told ARKA, during the ceremony the Head of the
Armenian Church highly appreciated the achievements of the writer,
wishing him inspired pen and fruitful days. In his words, it is not
occasional that Peter Balakian devoted his two books “Black Dog of
Fate” and “The Burning Tigris” to the Armenian Genocide. “It seemed
that the call of ancestors reflected in his soul and was embodied in
these books”, Garegin II mentioned, adding that “currently the
blessing comes down under these archs due to your service and work
that contains respect and prayer in memory of innumerable victims”.
As it is mentioned in the press release the event was attended by
monks of Holy See of St. Echmiadzin, the Chairman of Union of Writers
of Armenia Levon Ananyan and Director of Armenian office of Armenian
General Benevolent Union Ashot Ghazaryan. T.M. –0–

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ARMENIAN AND IRANIAN PRESIDENTS TO MEET IN YEREVAN ON SEPT 8

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. On Sept 8 the Armenian and Iranian
Presidents Robert Kocharian and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami to have
vis-a-vis meeting in Yerevan. As the Armenian President Press Service
told ARKA, after the meeting the Armenian and Iranian sides to lead
enlarged format negotiations. Also the sides plans signing bilateral
documents and holding press conference.
As it is mentioned in the press release, during his visit to Armenia,
the Iranian President to hold speech in front of Armenian MPs. Also,
the Iranian President plans to meet the Catholicos of All Armenians
His Holiness Garegin II, lecturers and students of Yerevan State
University. Also, as it is mentioned in the press release, Mohammad
Khatami to lay wreath to the 1915 Armenian Genocide Museum as well as
to visit the Blue Mosque and to meet Iranian citizens working in
Armenia.
The President of Islamic Republic of Iran to visit Armenia on
September 8-9 by invitation of the Armenian President. T.M. –0–

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ARMENIAN PM SENDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO HEAD OF RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON
OCCASION OF TRAGIC EVENTS IN BESLAN

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. Armenian PM Andranik Margarian sent his
condolences to Head of the Russian Government Mikhail Fradkov on
occasion of tragic events in Russia. As the Armenian Government
Public and Press Relations Department told ARKA, the message contains
deep condolences related to death of large number of people during
monstrous terrorist seizure in town of Beslan, “Stunned by tragic
death of people, the considerable part of which are children, we are
sending the words of condolences and sincere sympathy and support to
all those who encountered this horrible tragedy”, the message of the
Armenian PM said. The press release also mentions that “in these hard
days for Russian people and mourning with you, we are asking you to
send our condolences and sympathy to families of victims and their
loved”. T.M. –0–

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THE DAYS FROM SEPTEMBER 6 TO 7 ARE DECLARED AS MOURNING DAYS IN
RUSSIA IN THE MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS PERISHED AS A RESULT OF THE
TERRORIST ATTACK IN BESLAN

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. According to the RF President V.
Putin’s decree, the days from Sep 6 to Sep7 are declared as mourning
days in Russia in the memory of the victims perished as a result of
the terrorist attack on September 1-3 in Beslan (North Osetia –
Alania). As ARKA was informed, a book for condolences is opened in
the Embassy of RF in Armenia from 11.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m. on
September 6-7.
335 people died, including 156 children as a result of the terrorist
attack of school N1 in Beslan North Osetian city. The terrorists
cruelly shot children-hostages, their parents and relatives, who came
to see the ceremonial grand school line on the occasion of the Day of
Knowledge. A.H.–0–

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THE FIFTH GRADUATING CLASS OF THE FINANCIAL BANKING COLLEGE
FOUNDATION OF ARMENIA GETS DIPLOMAS

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The fifth graduating class of the
Financial Banking College Foundation of Armenia was given diplomas.
As the director of the College Armen Saroyan stated on the ceremony
of awarding diplomas, 6 out of 39 graduates of the College already
have jobs, and three medallists expect a reply regarding their
employment in the banking sector of the country. He noted that during
the whole period of the operation of the College, 30 out of 200
graduates work in financial-banking sector of Armenia. Saroyan
emphasized that the students are specialized in two areas: “banking”
and “junior financier”, and within two years they gain knowledge and
skills necessary for working in the financial- banking sector of the
country. “The students do practice work in 17 Armenian banks
acquiring the necessary skills and the perspective of employment in
one of them”, he said. In her turn the member of CBA Board Karine
Minasyan noted that the graduates of the College would find their
places in the banking sector. “The future of the college will depend
on their work, and the way they demonstrate their skills”, she said.
In 1995 RA and German Governments signed an agreement on “technical
co-operation”, in the frames of which GTZ organization financed the
program on training cadres with an average economic education in
Armenia. The program aimed to train specialists for the banking
sector. In particular, in the frames of the Armenian-German
Intergovernmental program “the average special banking education in
Armenia”, the Financial Banking College was established in 1998 by
the RA Ministry of Science and Education, CBA and RA Union of Banks.
A.H.–0–

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THE USA IS INTERESTED IN THE STABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE SOUTH
CAUCASUS REGION

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The USA is interested in the stability
and safety of the South Caucasus region. According to the RA
President’s Press Service Department, this was stated by the newly
appointed US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia
John Evans, who handed his credentials to RA President Robert
Kocharyan. Congratulating the diplomat on the occasion of
appointment, Kocharyan expressed his satisfaction with the present
level of Armenian –American bilateral relations development. He also
expressed his gratitude to the American Government for their
constituent support in overcoming the problems of the transition
period aimed at strengthening democracy and economic reforms in the
country. In the course of the meeting the parties touched upon the
issues of bilateral economic development, and interrelations in the
frames of the program of the Fund “Millennium Challenge”. Regarding
the bilateral relations, Kocharyan attached special importance to the
Armenian community in the USA.
Having discussed the terrorist attack in North Osetia, the parties
noted that the issues of security acquired special importance in the
light of the present challenges. In the course of the meeting the
parties also discussed the issues of the Karabakh conflict
settlement, regional safety and further co-operation. A.H. –0–

FAO DIRECTOR VISITS ARMENIA

ArmenPress
Sept 3 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The visiting Director General of the
UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Jacques Diouf, met today
in Yerevan with senior officials of the Armenian agriculture ministry
to discuss ways of stepping up cooperation between the organization
and the government of Armenia. Minister David Lokian commended FAO
for implementing a string of development projects and releasing funds
to fight rodents and locusts that damaged last year’s crop.

FAO is also helping the government to get prepared for AgriForum
international conference, slated for October 28-30 in Yerevan and
Armprodexpo fair-2004.

Before 2003 FAO worked in Armenia as part of the UNDP, but decided
to set up its own office in Yerevan in 2003 November to step up
cooperation with its government.

Jacques Diouf said today that FAO is well aware of Armenia’s
agriculture problems and stands ready to help the government to resolve
them by providing it with relevant information and technical support.

Reuters
Aug 25 2004

Gardner Loses Quest for Another Gold

By Ori Lewis

ATHENS (Reuters) – U.S. heavyweight Rulon Gardner lost his Olympic
title Wednesday after being beaten in the semi-final stage of the
120kg Greco-Roman wrestling event by Georgiy Tsurtsumia of
Kazakhstan.

In a bout which went into overtime, the bigger and stronger-looking
Tsurtsumia held on for a 4-1 scoreline after the two men tied at 1-1
at the end of the mandatory six minutes.

Gardner, 33, narrowly escaped death when stranded in temperatures of
minus 25 degrees Celsius after his snowmobile broke down in a forest
in Wyoming in 2002.

He lost a toe to frost bite and last year also suffered a dislocated
shoulder in a motorcycle accident.

The articulate American had no regrets about his tactics in the bout.
He said: “I gave 100 percent, I have no bad feelings. I was trying to
score a point to win the match but he countered me and beat me. I
tried.”

Tsurtsumia stands at 1.95 meters and towered above Gardner, whose
physique is much stockier and who stands at 1.87 meters.

Gardner said that all his opponents had studied his technique closely
and knew exactly what was needed to beat him.

“These people (my opponents) have come here having learned each
set-piece. They saw what I can be worked on, where I’m weak,” he
explained.

Gardner beat the seemingly invincible Russian Alexander Karelin to
win the 130kg gold medal at the Sydney Games in 2000 but that
category has been dropped in Athens to make room for the women’s
wrestling events.

Gardner now meets Iranian Sajad Barzi for the bronze. Tsurtsumia’s
opponent for gold will be Russia’s Khasan Baroev.

In the other finals to be contested Wednesday, Russia’s Alexei
Michine will fight for gold in the 84kg division against Sweden’s
Armenian-born former world champion Ara Abrahamian.

In the 66kg class Farid Mansurov of Azerbaijan will meet Turkey’s
Seref Eroglu, while in the 55kg category Istvan Majoros of Hungary
will battle Gueidar Mamedaliev of Russia.

Elimination bouts in the three other Greco-Roman weight categories
(60kg, 74kg and 96kg) began Wednesday with medal bouts set for
Thursday. The freestyle competition begins on Friday in a
corresponding format to the Greco-Roman event.

LEADER OF “GREY WOLVES” ARMENIAN?

Azg/am
25 Aug 04

Finding Armenian Roots – a Way to Defame politicians

The ethnic origin and/or religious background of certain Turkish
officials are often a theme for discussion in Turkey. We don’t mean
the Donmes, the Muslim Jews, but rather Christian Armenians. What’s
the reason of this genesis digging that turn into accusation? Before
answering this question we want to remind you that the Turkish
president Ahmed Nacet Sezer was subjected to doubts concerning his
birth in Kotahia, a Christian district.

Some of suchlike suppositions appear in the press others remain only
rumors. The last victims exposed to bigoted doubts were former
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister Mesut Ylmazin
who was said to be Armenian, the present Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
is said to have Georgian origin. Even more, the charismatic leader of
the “Grey Wolves” political organization Alparslan Turkesh, born in
Cyprus in 1917, was blamed for having adopted anArmenian child.

The founder of today’s Turkey Kemal Ataturk was also blamed for
adopting an Armenian daughter Sabiha Giokchen who later became the
first women pilot inthe Turkish air force.

Discussions over the origin of Sabiha Giokchen made the supreme
headquarters of Turkey intervene declaring officially: “Her Armenian
origin is of no importance. Even if it’s true that shows that Ataturk
tolerated religious and ethnic minorities.”

In order to prove that Armenian roots are means of defaming certain
politicians we shall bring the example of Devlet Bahceli, president of
the Nationalistic Movement party. The Turkish Akos Daily spreads
information ongenealogy of Bahceli referring to another newspaper
Vakit.

According to the Akos Daily August 13 issue, a Turkish historian Jezmi
Yurtsevert studied Bahceli’s genealogy and published in the
newspaper. As a result of the research historian concluded that
Bahceli is a 100 percent Turk withno drop of Armenian or Christian
blood. In 2003 Yurtsevert studied the Ottoman archives and turned to
the municipality of Kozan (Armenian name for Kozan is Sis, the
birthplace of Bahceli) to find out facts about his birth certificate.

Jezmi Yurtsevert concludes with the following words: “Documents of the
Ottoman archive refute the false claims about Bahceli’s Armenian
origin. The results of the research show that he comes from Turkmen
fattahli tribe and that his forefathers in the Ottoman era were feuds
occupying the lands stretching from Urha to Marash. No doubt that it’s
a trick to put an end to the political carrier of Bahceli by using an
Armenian weapon.”

US WILL CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND STRENGTHENING OF
DEMOCRACY IN ARMENIA, AMBASSADOR JOHN EVANS DECLARES

YEREVAN, August 23 (Noyan Tapan). Vardan Oskanian, RA Foreign
Minister, is sure that John Evans, the newly-appointed US Ambassador
to Armenia, with his activity will strengthen the good traditions of
the relations established between Armenia and the US, which are
important for Armenia and the whole region. V.Oskanian declared this
at the August 23 meeting on the occasion of handing of the copy of the
Ambassador’s credentials. In his turn J.Evans assured that with joint
efforts the US will contribute to provision of stability and security
of the region, as well as strengthening of democracy. According to the
Information Department of RA Foreign Ministry, during the conversation
the sides exchanged opinions about the current process of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement, Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as a number
of other international issues.

Danish foreign minister assures Azeri leader of support in Karabakh conflict

Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
23 Aug 04

Azerbaijan has secured the support of yet another country in the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Visiting Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig
Moeller has said that his country unequivocally supports the position
of Azerbaijan in the conflict.

Receiving the Danish foreign minister today, President Ilham Aliyev
said Baku was expanding its relations with European entities and from
this standpoint it paid special attention to relations with Denmark,
an active member of expanding Europe. The head of state stressed the
role of European bodies in the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict in line with international legal norms.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said that a number of
companies representing his country in Azerbaijan would be even more
active in developing bilateral economic relations. Moeller also gave a
positive assessment to Azerbaijan’s participation in the anti-terror
coalition.

Peterborough Evening Telegraph, UK
Aug 18 2004

CRIME: Murder victim’s gravestone may be changed

THE name on the gravestone of a man brutally murdered in a field
could be changed if detectives can contact his parents.

Police have released a list of pseudonyms belonging to Hovhannes
Armirian (43), from Armenia – the name attributed to him by his
Belgian wife.

However, in the asylum-seeking community of East Anglia, Mr Armirian
was more commonly known as Sarko.

And after delving into his past, detectives have uncovered a long list
of aliases, most of which are variations of Sarkis Matewosjan.

That list has been passed to newspapers in eastern Europe, in the
hope of discovering both Mr Armirian’s true identity and his parents.

If detectives are successful, the inscription on the wooden cross in
Eastfield cemetery, Eastfield Road, Peterborough, which originally
read Male Unknown, could be changed for a third time.

The bid to find the Upton murder victim’s true identity is not a part
of the murder investigation.

A 26-year-old man, previously arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr
Armirian, whose smouldering body was found shot, stabbed and set
alight in a field, in Upton near Peterborough, remains in care,
mentally unfit to be questioned.

However, Detective Inspector Bert Deane, who has led the 20-month
investigation, said: “I feel it is necessary to find out the full
background of the victim.

“That is something we have always wanted to do, even after we found
his wife in Belgium. Whenever you have a murder victim you want to
make sure all his next of kin know what has happened to him.”

Geelong Advertiser (Regional Daily), Australia
August 13, 2004 Friday

Gold medal would lift weight off Olympic team’s mind

EVEN a gold medal at the Olympics can only be considered a minor
salvage job on the wreckage that is Australian weightlifting.

Sergo Chakhoyan will head to Greece as the world No.1 rated lifter in
the 85kg class. He is expected to vie with the host nation’s triple
gold medallist, Pyrros Dimas, for top honours in Athens.

Ultimately, though, anything Chakhoyan achieves will be undermined by
the drug scandals and selection debacle that has battered the sport
in the lead-up to the Games.

Weightlifting has long had more than its share of doping problems —
exemplified by the 11 positive tests at the 2003 world titles — but
Australia had remained relatively clean. Until 2004.

It started with two peripheral squad members, Seen Lee and Anthony
Martin, receiving two-year bans for steroid use. Much worse was to
come, though, as it was revealed Australia’s sole women’s
representative, Caroline Pileggi, refused to take a drug test while
training in Fiji.

Pileggi, too, was given a two-year ban, which she unsuccessfully
appealed, and was replaced in the team by Deborah Lovely.

Meanwhile, questions had been raised about Chakhoyan — who’d already
served a two-year ban for steroid use in 2001 — after the Australian
Olympic Committee could not locate the lifter for three-and-a-half
months while he was training in Armenia.

However, a test in Armenia three months before the Games was
negative.

And against the backdrop of the drugs controversy was a poor world
championship campaign and the debacle of the Oceania qualifiers,
where Australian weightlifting officials sent an understrength team
and then lost a qualifying spot to the tiny nation of Nauru.

Chakhoyan can’t turn things round for the sport but he can win gold.

Fifth at the Sydney Olympics, Chakhoyan won gold and bronze at last
year’s world titles in Vancouver.

ArmenPress
Aug 9 2004

200 COMMUNITIES ELECTED THEIR LEADERS, NO STEPANAKERT MAYOR YET

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: Despite of complaints by
international structures and Azerbaijan, 200 communities elected
their community heads in August 8 municipality elections in Nagorno
Karabakh. Stepanakert, however, presented a surprise with a need for
a second turn. Two candidates with the most votes, Pavel Najarian and
Eduard Aghabekian, will participate in the second turn. The first
candidate is supported by pro-government Democratic Artsakh Union and
the second is supported by opposition. Observers say the second
candidate has more chances of winning, though he was by 8 percent
behind his competitor in the first turn. The chairman of Central
Electoral Committee Sergei Davidian says that elections were more
organized as compared to the previous one.