PRYAKHIN: ARMENIA HAS OPPORTUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC REFORMS WITHOUT VIOLENCE

PanArmenian News Network
Aug 6 2005

06.08.2005 03:14

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE hopes for the efforts of Armenian
authorities on constitutional reforms to succeed and Armenian
people to say “yes” to constitutional changes in the course of
the referendum scheduled in autumn. “OSCE hails the fact that the
Armenia party has accepted most of expert proposals of the Venice
commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (ODIHR/OSCE),” – stated chief of the OSCE Office in Yerevan,
Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin. “This does not mean we are satisfied
with all changes. Not all proposals were taken into account,” the
diplomat noted, meaning specifically proposal over more transparent
and democratic activities of media regulating bodies. Today the
republic president appoints members of those structures. As of the
participation or non-participation of the opposition in the debate
over the constitutional changes, V. Pryakhin stated, “Opposition is
disconnected in Armenia. On the one hand Justice Bloc notes it would
be nice to take part in the debate over the constitutional reforms,
on the other hand Republic Party making part of the Bloc is against
it.” In Pryakhin’s words, the passing of constitutional reforms
will mean that Armenia “has registered progress in democracy.” “If
the opposition urges its supporters to vote against or boycott
the referendum, the changes will not be passed and we will have
the Constitution of 1995, which does not reflect the needs of
the society today. Thus, I call all parties to sensibly evaluate
the situation,” he noted. As of the opportunity of revolution and
change of authorities in Armenia, Mr. Pryakhin stated he is for
“evolutionary development” and is “against violence.” In his words,
revolution “provides for violence.” V. Pryakhin said he was sure that
today Armenia has opportunities of democratic reforms without violence.
“Most Armenians are not sure that the forces that will take power can
improve the situation,” V. Pryakhin noted. He added, “Thus, in Armenia
there is no revolution situation in the classical sense of the word,”
reported RFE/RL.