Residents Of Old Yerevan Quarter Take Final Stand Against Eviction

06 September 2005

Demonstrators were once again gathered on Biuzand Street in Yerevan to protest
against the demolition of the homes on this street. Families in this
neighborhood have been evicted from their homes, as part of the government’s
plans to redevelop the downtown area.

Present at the event were residents of the houses on Biuzand Street, students,
neighbors as well as other spectators. The residents whose houses were not yet
demolished explained they would not leave their homes. Their primary complaint
is that they are not accurately being compensated and are receiving a
considerably lesser payment for their homes. Furthermore, they are enraged
because not only do they believe they are owed more money but because they know
the value of this area will be considerably higher after the redevelopment.
Private investors are building more modern and contemporary houses to replace
the modest houses of this neighborhood and will be making a considerably greater
profit in the end. As a result, many of the Armenian citizens question whether
or not the government is truly seeking for the protection of the people.


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Parliament Ends Constitutional Debates Amid Opposition Boycott

01 September 2005

The Armenian parliament finished four-day debates on constitutional reform in
the absence of its opposition minority on Thursday, approving the final version
of draft amendments that will be put to a referendum in November.

The National Assembly voted by 98 to 0, with one abstention, to adopt President
Robert Kocharian’s constitutional draft in the second reading. Journalists
present at the session counted only 82 deputies, though.


http://new.csi.am/eng/?page=issue&id=15285

Envoy Vows U.S. Push For Clean Elections In Armenia

01 September 2005

The United States does not regard regime change as a necessary condition for
Armenia’s democratization and will work “very intensively” to ensure that the
next Armenian elections are free and fair, U.S. Ambassador John Evans said on
Thursday.

Evans reiterated U.S. support for President Robert Kocharian’s draft amendments
to the Armenian constitution that will be put to a referendum in November. He
also stood by his view that Armenia is “headed in the right direction.”


http://new.csi.am/eng/?page=issue&id=15284