VENICE COMMISSION CAN DELIBERATELY “SHUT EYES” TO DEVELOPMENTS

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16-07-2005

Though the National Assembly discussed three drafts constitutional
amendments, only was adopted. At that the opinion of the authors of
the other two drafts was not taken into account.

Arshak Sadoyan succeeded to present his views to the Venice
Commission. The latter suggested he submitted his draft in the form
of proposals during the period between the first and second reading.
With his colleagues Arshak Sadoyan worked out and submitted the
proposals consisting of 64 points to the National Assembly.

However he says that the coalition lied not only to him but to the
Venice Commission as well, since only 1-2 minor items out of 64 were
adopted. «They pretend making serious changes but as a matter of fact
nothing happens», he says.

The deputy considers inadmissible the order of the appointment
of the Prime Minister which is fixed in the adopted draft and
according to which the Premier is appointed by the President after
the consultations with the NA. «After the amendments are adopted,
we will have 41 majority mandates in the parliament. The President
cannot speak with each of them separately and then consult with all
the factions and parties represented in the NA», Arshak Sadoyan says.

He is convinced that the Venice Commission is certain to express
deepest regret over the draft constitutional amendments. But it has
to deal with sovereign Armenia and the amendments are to be adopted
by the people of the republic. Thus the Venice Commission can shut
their eyes to all this to avoid extra tension.

In any case Arshak Sadoyan is convinced that the society must be called
to vote down the present draft. In his words, it will give hope for
radical and serious changes. «One should not resort to imitation when
adopting the Constitution», he resumed.

Lena Badeyan

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