PACE RESOLUTION ON ARMENIA IS STRICT AND MEANWHILE OBJECTIVE, BH FACTION SECRETARY CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan
April 21, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Aram Safarian, the Secretary of the RA
National Assembly Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) faction,
estimates the resolution on Armenia’s democratic institutions
adopted by PACE as strict and meanwhile objective. As he stated
at the April 21 press conference, the provisions included in the
resolution should be fulfilled without fail to avoid use of sanctions
to Armenia. In particular, according to A. Safarian, the authorities
should start a dialogue in two directions, with parliamentary and
extra-parliamentary opposition forces. The BH representative added
that the opposition should also fulfil the provision regarding it
stipulated by the resolution, according to which oppositionists should
accept the Constitutional Court’s positive decision on the results
of the February 19 elections.

A. Safarian said that he is for creation of an independent commission
with the participation of international specialists, which is to
examine the March 1 events. However, according to him, that commission
should not be from the National Assembly, "as experience shows that
the members of the commissions attached to the parliament only speak
and do nothing." A. Safarian affirmed that the judicial process and
the independent investigation on the March 1 events will give answers
to all questions the people is anxious about. Meanwhile he said that
society "will not permit, will not tolerate innocent people’s being
punished."

Touching upon formation of a new government, A. Safarian stated that BH
is for management based on knowledge. "The times of a spade, a pick
have passed, and today we should use new technologies," the deputy
said. In his words, work should be done for "society to approve the
new authorities."