Artak Sahradian also noted that political forces should be responsible for the organization of the elections, as the electoral commissions were political formations.

Azeri president Heydar Aliyev was operated on groin hernia in a medical center of Cleveland US city.

Former PACE chairman Lord Russell-Johnston reported that in the course of today's meeting with Armenian president Robert Kocharian the issue of arrests of opposition representatives was discussed.

Thus, the final term for drawing the results of the second round of the presidential elections planned March 5 will expire at 8:00 p.m. March 11.

"We have already provided for the release of 400 out of them, but we know for certain that some of the 250 convicts who stayed in Azerbaijan are still being persecuted for their political beliefs," - Walter Schwimmer noted.

The Criminal and Military Court of Appeal continues revision of resolutions of courts of first instance on arrests of people, who have appealed to have their punishments reviewed. As a result the verdict on 15-day arrests for each of the 75 is replaced by fines.

In his words, via cooperation with the OSCE and the EU the CE actively participates in the preparation of the elections and controlling of the electoral processes in the countries of the South Caucasus.

To consider the details of the complaint of presidential contender Artashes Geghamian to the Constitutional Court of Armenia and avoid "initial mistrust" regarding the trial the court head Gagik Harutyunian has invited Council of Europe and Human Rights Venetian Commission experts, who will arrive in Yerevan March 8.

In his words, it may result in fluctuation of oil prices, which can seriously tell on the country economy.

He noted that "the clannish system should be destroyed first of all."