US AMBASSADOR TO OSCE REGRETS ON NOT MEETING WITH ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.10.2006 13:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ US Permanent Representative to the OSCE Julie
Finley considers invitation of OSCE observers crucial at parliamentary
elections in Armenia in 2007, she told journalists in Yerevan October
19. Finley noted that one of her interlocutors during an informal
meeting in Yerevan said that Armenian authorities nevertheless are
going to invite OSCE observers. "We urge the Armenian Government
to invite both long-term and short term missions. If you want OSCE
observers to follow the elections, you should put pressure upon your
Government, as we cannot monitor without an invitation," she added.

Answering a question how fair and transparent elections are possible
in Armenia, Finley said, "All my interlocutors in Armenia say that
the Armenian party intends to hold democratic elections in 2007 and
I do not have any ground for not believing them yet."

She regretted very much on Armenian President not receiving her and
she supposed that the President’s schedule was too busy. "To all
appearance, he did not meet with me, as he thought I do not possess
charm and I am not interesting as an interlocutor," she said.

"However, this was the only negative aspect of my visit. Maybe, he
could not meet with me, as he supposed that I will teach him what
and how to do," she said.

Meanwhile, US Permanent Representative to the OSCE did not ask for a
meeting with the Armenian President in advance. Besides, in compliance
with the protocol, an Ambassador of a foreign state or an organization
does not rank among officials, who are received by the President,
reports IA Regnum.