FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW TO ARMENIAN PUBLIC TV
Armenpress
Oct 10 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: Asked by Armenian Public TV to share
his opinion and impressions about the constitutional referendum in
Armenia, France’s ambassador to Armenia, Henry Cuny said: ” I have
repeatedly said that it is not French citizens who will have to cast
their ballots, though in their hearts they always vote for Armenia. But
whatsoever, because of close ties with Armenia France is always
interested in key issues that take place here. In a message sent to
president Robert Kocharian on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence
Day president Jacques Chirac has wished success to Armenians in
implementation of political and economic reforms necessary for the
country’s stability and progress.
I am not in a position to express my views on a package of proposed
constitutional reforms. The final word belongs to the citizens of
Armenia only. I would like to only say that the proposed amendments
signify an irreversible progress, introduce a balance among power
branches to the benefit of strengthening of the parliament, human
rights protector institution and offer a range of guarantees for
providing independence to the Justice Council and a greater extend
of freedom to local governments, including also election of Yerevan
mayor…. All these changes have been praised by experts of the Council
of Europe Venice Commission, who were instrumental in providing
consultations and recommendations to improve the draft text. These
changes are a key step towards broader democracy.
Both the pro-government and opposition forces in Armenia have expressed
their commitment to democracy, and the first democratic step is to go
to the polls and cast a ballot. One cannot simultaneously criticize
and refrain from discussions, to speak in favor of democracy and
remain inactive. In terms of democracy this means to go and vote. To
say that voting would change nothing is tantamount to having no trust
in democracy whose prime goal is to take the society ahead through
evolutionary processes but not a revolution.
The international community is showing a great interest in the
constitutional amendments. Experts from the Council of Europe and
Venice Commission had given a lot of their time to help develop and
elaborate it.
That is why it would be difficult for the international community
to grasp why Armenian citizens were reluctant to give 30 minutes of
their time to going to the polls and make their vote, though everyone
is free to master his or her vote, nevertheless every citizen has the
obligation to make their vote, naturally in conditions of transparency
and justice.
That was the core of a spring press conference held by EU ambassadors
in Yerevan, representatives of the OSCE and Council of Europe. I have
nothing more to add and I think what has been said so far with regard
to the constitutional referendum is more important now as before.”