PACE OFFICIALS ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
ArmenPress
June 10 2004
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS: Gurgen Arsenian, the head of the United
Labor Party parliamentary faction told Armenpress that the overwhelming
majority of Council of Europe demands which Armenia has to respect lie
within the responsibility of the executive bodies. Commenting on two
senior officials from the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE) commission monitoring the fulfillment of Armenia’s membership
commitments, Jerzy Jaskiernia and David Chupina, who are arriving
tomorrow in Yerevan to get first-hand information on the ground,
Arsenian said that with respect to PACE April resolution that came
after the crackdown on the opposition, a range of steps were taken,
particularly, many people arrested for participation in unsanctioned
anti-government rallies, were released.
Galust Sahakian, the head of the Republican Party faction argued that
on the whole Armenia is fulfilling these demands, particulalry, those
calling for amendment of criminal and administrative offences codes,
electoral code and constitutional reforms.
Levon Mkrtchian from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) noted
that the ongoing processes should not be linked to PACE resolution,
as almost all political forces underscored the need of dialogue and
acting within the frames set by the laws in order to diffuse the
stand-off between the authorities and the opposition.” This is not a
process imposed on us from outside, but rather an indication of the
level of our political maturity,” he said.
Council of Europe officials will confer with the chairman of the
Constitutional Court, parliament chairman, his deputy, leaders of
pro-government and opposition factions. They are also scheduled to
meet with president Kocharian, prime minister Margarian, foreign and
defense ministers, the chief of police and chief prosecutor.