WHOSE OPINION IS IMPORTANT, LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS’?

KarabakhOpen
16-05-2007 14:23:47

In many countries the law prohibits presence of foreign observers in
the elections. Some countries stop inviting international observers at
some stage of democratic development. After the presidential election
in France no opinions of observers were heard. Besides, nobody seemed
to question the legitimacy of the election. The protests were against
the results.

In fact, in countries where no wrongdoing is believed to be, the
international observers have nothing to do. It means, the political
evaluations are unnecessary. Observers are found where the conduct of
the election is doubted, falsification is possible, non-governmental
and political organizations are unable to provide the legitimacy of
the voting. But even in this case the international observers give
a political evaluation rather than an evaluation of legitimacy. And
their evaluation is perceived in the political light.

Obviously, too much importance is imparted to the opinion of
the international observers in Armenia. In addition, their
evaluation is believed to be the most objective and the most
political. Interestingly, the evaluations of voters and local observers
are not taken into account, whereas the statements of the observers
from the other side of the cordon become almost as forceful as a law.

The Armenian media reported that the EU stated "with pleasure"
that the parliamentary elections in Armenia largely complied
with international standards and were largely in accordance with
international commitments. The EU endorsed promotion of partnership
with Armenia, which will promote the New Neighbors Policy and the
Action Plan (here is a political evaluation).

Tom Casey, State Department’s Deputy Spokesman, stated that this
election is an improvement over past elections, though considering
what observers said, it did not fully meet international standards.

"Basically, we do congratulate the Armenian people on their
parliamentary elections and share with the international observers
who were present the view that the election infrastructure has been
greatly improved and that this is a step in the right direction
towards meeting international standards."

The news agency Mediamax reported that Tom Casey said in a briefing in
Washington that they "do hope, however, that the Government of Armenia
will aggressively investigate allegations that are there of electoral
wrongdoing and prosecute people in accordance with Armenian law."

In the meantime, a few Armenian NGOs made a statement on "bitter
disappointment with the election campaign and the voting."

Avetik Ishkhanyan, the chair of Helsinki Committee Armenia, said the "
principle of change of government through elections works theoretically
in Armenia."

According to him, "the European observers observed only the nice
coating of what the government offered to them."

The statement was signed by the Open Society Fund Armenia, the Asparez
Club of journalists, Yerevan Press Club, Transparency International
Armenia, the Team Center for Surveys, Internews and others.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress