THE ONLY WAY IS BOYCOTT

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16-07-2005

“The draft constitutional amendments sent to the Venice Commission
does not reflect the political and economic situation in Armenia”,
first secretary of the RA Communist Party Ruben Tovmasyan says.

The project did not undergo democratic discussions, even the deputies
themselves are not acquainted with the draft sent to the Commission.
According to Tovmasyan that “when speaking of independence they fall
into the direct dependence of the Venice Commission and other European
states, which have much to learn from Armenia.”

“First of all I do not admit that our Constitution should get the
OK from outside. There are national customs, historical past. Why
should foreigners instruct us? The Constitution should be assessed
by the people via discussions”, he considers

“The process of constitutional reform is doomed to failure”, expert
of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Stepan
Safaryan considers. Though he has not examined the draft that was sent
to the Venice Commission he is convinced that it will not solve the
problems, which arouse in the course of political processes. “Besides,
one should keep in mind that the project served to one purpose: to
adept the Constitution to own political aims and interests. In his
opinion, even the amendments of the Venice Commission cannot make
the constitution more democratic.

Stepan Demirchyan in his turn noted that the coalition lacks political
will “for the adoption of proposals made by the opposition.” “It
is incorrect to start constitution reform when the forces within
the coalition have already launched the race for President”, Stepan
safaryan said adding that the only way under such circumstances is
to boycott the referendum on constitutional reform.

“This is an imitation”, leader of New Times party Aram Karapetyan said
when commenting on the constitutional amendments. He considers that
not all the essential reforms have been implemented. Aram Karapetyan
says he respects the Venice Commission, however “we but not they will
live due to this constitution.” The New Times leader called upon the
opposition to boycott the constitutional reform as this process has
no sense.

Karine Asatryan