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  • Either policy or benevolence

    Aravot, Armenia
    Oct 27 2006

    EITHER POLICY OR BENEVOLENCE

    The RA laws insist in this alternative, as the benevolence
    mustn't pursue political purposes.

    Whether the `Prosperous Armenia', RPA and Democratic Party infringe
    the RA legislation when one of them dispenses potatoes in RA regions,
    another supplies with laboratory equipment and the other dispenses TV
    sets. In answer to our question whether the parties have right to
    carry out benevolent activities, chief of NA state-juridical
    commission Rafik Petrosian said: «According to the law about parties
    the parties aren't considered benevolent organizations. These are
    political organizations. According to the law about benevolence, the
    benevolent organizations mustn't connect their benevolent activities
    with political issues». Factually, Mr. Petrosian stated that the
    activities of «Prosperous Armenia», RPA and Democratic Party were
    illegal. But as Rafik Petrosian himself is a RPA member he tried to
    justify such activities. «It is asked today whether PA steps can be
    observed as electoral bribes. I think they can't, as the
    pre-electoral campaign hasn't launched yet. If that part has carried
    out such activities why it shouldn't it continue when it is useful
    for the population.'

    Anyway the benevolent activities of the parties aren't the
    infringement of the law only in pre-electoral period. If PA, RPA and
    Democratic Party want to carry out charitable activities they must
    correspond their activities with the law «About Benevolence», and
    according to the 11th article of that law benevolent organizations
    are formed by public unions, foundations and other ways determined by
    law. Party isn't one of those ways. According to the same article the
    «name of benevolent organization must include the «benevolent» word».

    And the law «About Parties» forbids the participation of benevolent
    organizations in political activities. According to the 25th article
    of that law, the parties aren't allowed to get contribution by
    benevolent organizations and the 18 th forbids making pre-electoral
    propaganda to benevolent organization.

    In short, there is a certain difference between political and
    benevolent activities.

    Aram Sargsian, the parliamentarian of `Justice' faction, DPA leader,
    in answer to our question whether he agrees that those activities
    aren't electoral bribes as they aren't realized in pre-electoral
    period, said: `No, I don't agree, I even declared in the NA that CEC
    must be led by the articles of the law about parties, according to
    which the parties have no right to carry out economic activities. Now
    let's imagine that a party by its membership fees provide not only
    its everyday activities but has even accumulated a certain amount of
    money.

    We should mention first of all what party members of this poor
    country have become so prosperous. And if there are personal
    resources, they have no connection with the party. Benevolence made
    by the parties opposes to the laws «About parties» and «About
    Benevolence».

    Anna Israelian
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