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JULY 5 - DAY OF CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
This year the Constitution Day acquires a special importance in the light of reforms of the Main law. After accession to the Council of Europe our country undertook a number of obligations, the main of which was to bring the Constitution of 1995 in conformity with European standards. The cooperation of Armenia with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has been continuing for several years. The first attempt of renewal of the Armenian Constitution was taken on May 25, 2003. Three draft constitutional amendments were submitted for consideration of the parliament - "presidential" draft, the draft of the party "National-Democratic bloc" and of the National-Democratic party. By the decision of the parliament the draft constitutional amendments proposed by the president was submitted to the referendum, but then it did not receive necessary 1/3 of the votes out of the total number of electors. According to the acting Main law, not only the approval of 50% and 1 elector out of the number of voters is necessary for making amendments, but also one third out of the total number of the electors. It is obvious that today neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition have such an electoral resource. However, the authors of the draft constitutional amendments proposed by the coalition express confidence that the document will overcome this barrier. National Assembly of Armenia has already adopted in the first reading the draft constitutional amendments proposed by the ruling coalition. But the task group of the CE Venice Commission subjected the document to serious criticism. European experts, in particular, insisted on re-distribution of the commissions between the president and National Assembly when formation of the government in favor of the parliament. They also stressed the necessity of ensuring the independence of the judiciary, as well as the appointment of the mayor of Yerevan by election. The negotiations between representatives of the authorities of Armenia and European experts were finished successfully, and as Head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Vice Speaker of National Assembly Tigran Torosian said: "No disagreement has remained in the positions of the authorities of Armenia and the Venice Commission regarding the issue of holding constitutional reforms in our country". The last processes round the reformation of the Main law also had a wholesome influence on the internal political situation in the republic. For the first time during the last 1.5 years the representatives of the Armenian opposition declared about the possibility of partial return to the parliament for taking part in the discussion of the draft constitutional reforms in the second reading in August. According to Shavarsh Kocharian, the deputy of the parliament from the opposition bloc Justice, "the main proposals of the Armenian opposition on making amendments to the Constitution fully coincide with the position of the Venice Commission, and if they are really adopted by the parliamentary majority, then the opposition deputies will take part in the discussions of the draft documents at the National Assembly". The revision of the draft constitutional reforms adopted by the parliament in the first reading is completing on July 7. Till July 20 the document will be sent to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. In Aug of the current year the parliament is to consider the draft constitutional reforms in the second reading, and the nation-wide referendum will be held in November 2005. We hope that the tendency of main political forces' reaching a consent regarding the main internal political issue will reach its logic end. As a result of the referendum Armenia will at least get a renewed Constitution, which will fully meet both international standards and our national and State interests. VARDAVAR HOLIDAY CELEBRATED IN DILIJAN YEREVAN, JULY 5. ARMINFO. Yerkir Nairi travelling agency organized a number of events in Dilijan July 3 to mark the Vardavar holiday. The objective was to acquaint the foreign guests with Armenia's national holidays. The guests were simply amazed with the holiday and said that Armenia's culture proved to be far more wonderful than they could expect. The festivities were held according to the anciet Armenian tradition. The people made wooden crosses adorned with sweets and flowers and "kachburs" and "khdums" - wheat ears with multi-colour threats - the symbol of Vardavar. All the festivities were accompanied by folk song and dance with the active involvement of tourists. The events started at Aghartsin monastery, a complex of three churches of XII-XIII - Grigor the Enlightener, Mother of God and St. Stepanos - and proceeded to a one of the Dilijan health care centers. Vardavar is one of the holidays of the Amenian Apostolic Church dating back to the pagan times. People pour water on one another to "wash off" their sins. LARISA ALAVERDIAN: PRESSURE ON ME BY FORCE STRUCTURES - REACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES TO MY REPORT YEREVAN, JULY 5. ARMINFO. "The pressure exerted on me by the force structures of the country is the painful reaction of the authorities to the annual report on my activities", Ombudsman of the Republic of Armenia Larisa Alaverdian told ARMINFO commenting on the events connected with the Institute of ombudsman of Armenia. According to her, in any State the authorities must stimulate the activities of the ombudsman, which is aimed at defence of human rights. In Armenia the situation is rather paradoxical, instead of helping, after the promulgation of the report of the ombudsman the authorities began actively to press the aforementioned institute. ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES HIS PEOPLE ON DAY OF CONSTITUTION
The presidential press service reports him as saying that in the past decade the constitution has repeatedly proved its viability and has led he country of many rises. The constitution is the key guarantor of public accord, legality and stability in Armenia. At the same time there is a need of reforms and huge work has been done in this direction by political forces and experts. The constitutional reforms are crucial for Armenia's progress and international integration. "I congratulate you on the Day of Constitution and express hope that the constitution will be a good basis for our country's viability for a long time," says Kocharyan. HEADLINES OF JULE 5
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DECREES TO CALL SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY SESSION JULY
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The Day of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia is today. The draft Main law prepared by the ideologists of then ruling party in the country - Armenian National Movement was submitted to nation-wide referendum 10 years ago, on July 5, 1995. Despite the fact that the results of the plebiscite were called in question practically by all the opposition parties of Armenia, according to the official data of the Central Electoral Commission. Over 68% of electors voted for the draft Constitution proposed by the ANM. So the Main law the model of 1995 became the first Constitution of independent Armenia, by which the republic lives for ten years already. The document fixed the presidential-parliamentary form of government.
YEREVAN, JULY 5. ARMINFO. Armenia's President Robert Kocharyan has
congratulated his people on the Day of Constitution.
