"IF A COUNTRY IS A RULE OF LAW, THE WORLD MAY COME TO ARMENIA": RAFFI HOVANISIAN

Panorama.am
19:41 08/05/2007

"My attitude is negative. If our country understands its interest
and is a rule of law, the world may come to Armenia. This is our
home. Let them come and see," Raffi Hovanisian, leader of Jarangutiun
(Heritage) Party told Panorama.am speaking about Armenia’s refusal
to issue visas to eight Turk observers.

Eight Turk observers, traveling to Armenia to observe parliamentary
elections in Armenia, encountered problems with visa and could not
enter the country.

Christian Shtrohal, OSCE/ODIHR ambassador, also expressed his concern
with the incident. "Refusing observers is against principles of
transparency and objectivity, which are part of democratic elections,"
he said.

Yesterday Armenian foreign ministry explained the refusal saying,
"Refusing visas to Turk diplomats was because of absence of diplomatic
relations."

So, we may slightly edit what Raffi Hovanisian said.

"If our country is a rule of law, the world may come to Armenia
LEGALLY."