‘Armenia may be expelled from CE’

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 6 2005

Baku, May 5, AssA-Irada

Armenia may be expelled from the Council of Europe (CE), says Shavash
Kocharian, member of the Armenian “Justice” faction and the Armenian
delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE).

Kocharian accused official Yerevan of not fulfilling its commitments
to the CE, Armenian news agencies reported.

He said the individuals, who falsified the 2003 presidential
elections and used force during the elections and rallies, remain
unpunished. The proposed changes to the law on free assembly have not
been introduced. The authorities must also fulfill the commitment on
amending the Constitution, he said.

Kocharian continued that all this will lead to CE sanctions on Armenia.

“Robert Kocharian’s government has three alternatives: to maintain
the current situation, resign due to public outrage, or hold fair
elections.”

The Armenian representative added maintaining the current situation
is unacceptable in view of Armenia’s admission to the European Union.*