Armenia.Capital: Yerevan Leader: Robert Kocharian Population: 3,800,000 Ethnic Groups. Armenian (93%), Russian (2%), other, including Kurdish (5%) BACKGROUND Armenia is a landlocked landlocked adj. referring to a parcel of real property which has no access or egress (entry or exit) to a public street and cannot be reached except by crossing another's property. , mostly Christian country, ruled at various times by Macedonians, Romans, Persians, Mongols, Turks, and others. It was independent briefly between 1918 and 1990; then the region came under Communist control and was designated a Soviet republic in 1922; western Armenia ''This article or section is being rewritten at
In October 19.99, Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian, and Parliamentary Speaker Karen Demirchian were assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. . The crisis set off a power struggle between President Kocharian and the slain prime minister's allies. Investigators alleged that some of the President's "inner circle" may have been involved in the murders, but no evidence was found to establish a link. Mr. Kocharian gradually started to increase his power in the spring of 2000. The country's parliamentary elections in May 1999 were an improvement over previous votes because of a new electoral code. Also, some recommendations of the international community were put in place, including more balanced media coverage before and during the vote, and the return to the political arena of previously banned parties. But, international observers said that despite these positive changes, there still were significant inaccuracies in voter lists, and unauthorized people in polling stations. The impartiality im·par·tial adj. Not partial or biased; unprejudiced. See Synonyms at fair1. im  par·ti·al of election officials
wasn't up to the standard we expect in Canada either.
Armenia is further ahead than most of its neighbours This article is about an Australian soap opera. For other articles with similar names, see Neighbours (disambiguation). Neighbours is a long-running Australian soap opera, which began its run in March 1985. on human rights and democracy issues. However, the justice system is subject to political pressure and according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Freedom House, "is characterized by widespread violations of due process and corruption ... witnesses do not have the right to legal counsel while being questioned in police custody, and detainees may not file a complaint in court before trial regarding abuses suffered during criminal investigations. Police frequently make arbitrary arrests without warrants, beat detainees during arrest and interrogations, and use torture to extract confessions." CURRENT ISSUES Free and fair elections may be a way off for Armenia; the presidential vote in March 2002 was marred by government attacks of opposition supporters. About 150 campaign workers for Stepan Demirchian were arrested just prior to the vote. Officials charged the opposition activists, many of whom were arrested in their homes, under Article 180 of the country's Code of Administrative Violations. The article outlines punishment for those who organize unauthorized public rallies and demonstrations. There have been several very large rallies against President Kocharian's attempt to rig the election. At least 89 individuals were sentenced to up to 15 days in jail for committing "hooligan acts" during the rallies. Human Rights Watch says the arrests were an attempt to silence the opposition. Reporting from Yerevan to EurasiaNet, Emil Danielyan wrote, "The arrests have heightened tension in Armenia, prompting some political commentators to express concern about the possibility of violent confrontations. The pro-Demirchian rally on February 26 [2003] in Yerevan threatened to turn violent when riot police riot police n → policía antidisturbios riot police n → forces fpl de police intervenant en cas d'émeute; hundreds of riot police → , beefed up by barbed wire barbed wire, wire composed of two zinc-coated steel strands twisted together and having barbs spaced regularly along them. The need for barbed wire arose in the 19th cent. and water cannons water cannon n. A truck-mounted apparatus that fires water at high pressure, used especially to disperse crowds or control rioters. water cannon Noun , stopped the protesters from approaching Kocharian's official residence. "Though the stand-off ended peacefully, it rekindled memories of the violent aftermath of the September 1996 Armenian presidential election, when supporters of the then opposition leader, Vazgen Manukian, rioted in protest against vote rigging rigging, the wires, ropes, and chains employed to support and operate the masts, yards, booms, and sails of a vessel. Standing rigging is semipermanent, consisting mainly of mast supports, the fore-and-aft stays, and the stays running from the masthead to each side . The then incumbent, Levon Ter-Petrosian, responded by sending tanks into Yerevan's streets and arresting dozens of opposition activists. Some of Ter-Petrosian's close associates acknowledged afterwards af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. afterwards or afterward Adverb later [Old English æfterweard] Adv. 1. that the vote was falsified." EXPATRIOTS Writing for EurasiaNet in late 2002 Haroutiun Khachatrian points out that Armenia is experiencing a population decline. The 2001 census showed that 20% of all Armenians had left the country during the previous decade. But, this is not necessarily bad. Armenia's economy is in a slump and those living outside the country send home some $250 million U.S. a year, an amount equivalent to nearly half the annual state budget. "The government cannot guarantee," wrote Mr. Khachatrian from Yerevan, "if these people returned to Armenia, they could contribute enough to the economy to replace the transfers they now send to the country. Even if many wealthy expatriates bring alt their capital back to Armenia, it is not clear that the government or industry could create enough jobs to sustain a large number of returnees. Instead, the government may face problems if mass, forced repatriation Repatriation The process of converting a foreign currency into the currency of one's own country. Notes: If you are American, converting British Pounds back to U.S. dollars is an example of repatriation. of Armenians starts. The first such case happened late in November, when over 100 Armenians were expelled from Turkmenistan." Websites ArmeniaDiaspora http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/home/index.html President of Armenia President of Armenia is the title of the head of state of Armenia since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Leaders of Armenia since 1918 Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1920) Chairman of the National CouncilFACT FILE Professional opportunities are limited for women in Armenia, and trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of prostitution prostitution, act of granting sexual access for payment. Although most commonly conducted by females for males, it may be performed by females or males for either females or males. is believed to be a serious problem. |
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