YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. During the special session on September 26, the RA National Assembly discussed in second reading the draft law on property alienation for public and state needs. In all likelihood the draft will be re-voted on September 27. During the discussion, about ten deputies, mostly opposition MPs, were present. The most frequently expressed opinion is that this legislative initiative is unacceptable because an attempt is being made to legalize actions so far done illegally. According to the draft, property may be alienated for public and state needs only in the event the government recognizes the purpose of such alienation as an exceptional - superior public interest. Whereas, in the opinion of some deputies, the parliament as an elected body rather than the government - an appointed one should decide the issue of which interest is superior. Independent deputy Hovik Hovhannisian expressed an opinion that the draft contradicts not only the RA constitution but also a number of international agreements sigmed by Armenia. According to the draft, property may be alienated for public and state needs in favor of the state, a community or organization. In the deputy's opinion, it means that that the government (that alienates property) may become an instrument of the purchasing organization. Thus, the deputy concluded, the draft legalizes the actions of "oligarch families, clans". Secretary of Justice faction Grigor Harutyunian subscribed to this opinion. Arshak Sadoyan, member of Justice faction, considered as unacceptable the provision, according to which a public interest should prevail over the interests of the owner of property alienated. The United Labor Party faction also suggested reviewing this provision.

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