Freedom of Information Center of Armenia.

The mayor of Talin city Mr. M. Mnatsakanyan has finally agreed to provide the information, requested two months ago. On February 6, 2006 the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia sent an information request to the mayor of Talin M. Mnatsakanyan, requesting to provide copies of all the decisions made by Talin elderly council during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2005.

In reply to the request the mayor recommended to apply to the regional Governor of Aragatsotn region. Mr. Mnatsakanyan wrote: “In reply to your inquiry dating February 6, 2006, we are informing that according to the 8th point of the 30th article of RA law “On local self-governance”, all the decisions made by the elderly council are sent to the regional Governor office. Thus, the requested information is available in Aragatsotn regional governor’s office”.

From the mayor’s reply it follows that in order to receive a copy of the decisions of the elderly council their city or village citizens have to pass a long way and get to Aragatsotn regional municipality. Considering this response unjustified and illegal, on March 28, 2006 FOIAC sent another information request to the mayor of Talin, mentioning that the decisions elderly council should be posted in all communities to be available for every citizen.

Finally, after two months, on April 4 the mayor of Talin informed that copies of decisions made by Talin elderly council during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2005 are available in the municipality of Talin city and that FOICA is welcome to receive their copies.