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PROSPEROUS ARMENIA LEADER MEETS US AMBASSADOR
tert.am
10.10.12
The leader of the Prosperous Armenia party (PAP), Gagik Tsarukyan,
received on Wednesday US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern.
The high-ranking diplomat is said to have highly valued the meeting
with the second majority party's leader. According to a press release
by Tsarukyan's spokesperson, the sides discussed Armenia's foreign
and domestic policy agendas, and economic issues.
Addressing the parliament decision to strip ex-Foreign Minister and
PAP lawmaker Vartan Oskanian of mandate, Heffern said he is strictly
concerned and closely following the developments. He characterized
the case a serious blow to justice and democracy values. The diplomat
also expressed concerns that the proceeding was filed in the run-up
to the presidential election in Armenia.
Oskanian, who is founder of the Civilitas Foundation, quit the
organization's board in May to join the Prosperous Armenia party
and run for parliament. On May 25, the National Security Council
launched a money laundering proceeding against Civilatas, accusing
the foundation of a failure to report a $1.5 million donation to the
tax authorities. Oskanian's lawyer later asked a Yerevan district the
court to halt the proceeding but his motion was rejected. Prosecutor
General Avghan Hovsepyan later asked the National Assembly to consider
stripping the ex minister of minister of mandate. His petition received
the parliament's approval last week, with the opposition MPs boycotting
the voting.
Heffern expressed hope that the Armenian authorities will fulflil
their functions and observe the principles of rule of law in achieving
a solution.
Tsarukyan said: "Upon my instruction, the case has been studied by the
best lawyers who have confirmed that the accusations against Oskanian
are baseless. At the party's political board meeting, I personally
asked the members of the [parliamentary] faction to make strict and
resolute statements and speeches," he said.
The PAP leader promised to ensure that the proceeding follows a due
process resulting in a fair decision.
tert.am
10.10.12
The leader of the Prosperous Armenia party (PAP), Gagik Tsarukyan,
received on Wednesday US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern.
The high-ranking diplomat is said to have highly valued the meeting
with the second majority party's leader. According to a press release
by Tsarukyan's spokesperson, the sides discussed Armenia's foreign
and domestic policy agendas, and economic issues.
Addressing the parliament decision to strip ex-Foreign Minister and
PAP lawmaker Vartan Oskanian of mandate, Heffern said he is strictly
concerned and closely following the developments. He characterized
the case a serious blow to justice and democracy values. The diplomat
also expressed concerns that the proceeding was filed in the run-up
to the presidential election in Armenia.
Oskanian, who is founder of the Civilitas Foundation, quit the
organization's board in May to join the Prosperous Armenia party
and run for parliament. On May 25, the National Security Council
launched a money laundering proceeding against Civilatas, accusing
the foundation of a failure to report a $1.5 million donation to the
tax authorities. Oskanian's lawyer later asked a Yerevan district the
court to halt the proceeding but his motion was rejected. Prosecutor
General Avghan Hovsepyan later asked the National Assembly to consider
stripping the ex minister of minister of mandate. His petition received
the parliament's approval last week, with the opposition MPs boycotting
the voting.
Heffern expressed hope that the Armenian authorities will fulflil
their functions and observe the principles of rule of law in achieving
a solution.
Tsarukyan said: "Upon my instruction, the case has been studied by the
best lawyers who have confirmed that the accusations against Oskanian
are baseless. At the party's political board meeting, I personally
asked the members of the [parliamentary] faction to make strict and
resolute statements and speeches," he said.
The PAP leader promised to ensure that the proceeding follows a due
process resulting in a fair decision.