AMB. EVANS BEING ASSURED THAT ROBERT KOCHARIAN IS UNLIKELY TO BE ELECTED FOR THIRD TIME
AZG Armenian Daily #158
06/09/2005
John Evans, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, who was present at
the presentation of “Organization of Security and Cooperation
in Europe. Last Stage” book didn’t comment on the issue of the
constitutional reforms. He only advised the journalists to look
through the interview he gave to radio Liberty the day before.
Mr. Ambassador said that the United States do not consider the shift
of administration as a necessary precondition for democratization of
Armenia and they will spare no efforts to secure independent and just
presidential and parliamentary elections in Armenia in the future. He
reassured that the U.S. will assist the package of constitutional
rights. Mr. Evans said that there is an opportunity to carry out the
relevant amendments in Armenia, at present.
The U.S. Embassy to Armenia called the package of constitutional
amendments as “a extremely important procedure” in the “A Time for
Responsibility” publication. “The U. S. supports the forces that
actively participate in the current process of constitutional reforms
in Armenia,” Mr. Evans said. He added that his country calls for
all the parties to conduct a constructive and responsible dialogue
around that issue. “The rules for a political game are defined by
the constitution in each country and each political party should be
responsible for definition of those rights,” the article says.
“We don’t try to dictate the Armenian electors how to vote. The
only thing we want to say is that it’s a very important issue and
deserves the attention of the electors and responsible discussions
at RA National Assembly,” Mr. Evans emphasized in his interview to
“Liberty.” Mr. Evans doesn’t share the concern of the Armenian
opposition that think the constitutional rights will help Robert
Kocharian to pretend for presidents’ position for the third time.
“Several very competent people assured me that it is no realistic
prospect,” the Ambassador said.
In response to the issue what will happen in case of violations in
the referendum in November, Mr. Evans said that the cases of violation
in this very corner of the world may cause this or that very serious
complications, particularly, the clashes in the streets. “We witnessed
such cases in some of the countries. Such lessons should be clear not
only to Armenia but also to all the countries of this region. The
people are expecting fair and independent elections, the U.S. also
wants to see that, too,” Mr. Evans said.