IS ZHARANGUTIUN PREPARED TO COMPROMISE WITH GOVERNMENT?

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11 June, 2008

These days Armenia’s Parliament is discussing the draft bill on setting
up an ad hoc committee to investigate the March 1events. According
to the bill, the committee will feature two parliamentarians from
each faction and one non-partisan parliamentarian. The "Zharangutiun"
Party, the only opposition faction in the parliament, objects to the
proposed format of the committee. The party is going to present its
objections and proposals to the National Assembly today.

"The ad hoc committee aims to investigate a highly important issue
therefore it should enjoy public confidence," said "Zharangutiun"
MP Vardan Khachatrian today. In this connection, the party proposes
that the representative of the Popular Movement should have voting
rights rather than be an associate member.

Vardan Khachatrian says even though the Regulations of the National
Assembly do not allow inclusion of a non-parliamentarian in a
parliament committee, an exception should be made because revelation
of the March 1 events and disclosure of wrongdoers are highly important
for our society. The Zharangutiun MP says the country will not develop
unless the truth about the events is revealed, and the wrongdoers
are punished.

The party proposes another option of compromise. If the staff of the
committee does not change, the "Zharangutiun" proposes invitation
of experts to observe parity. "In other words, we suggest that the
group of experts have two equal parts-one invited by the government,
the other by the opposition. We are rather interested in revealing
the objective reality than making an impression on the society,"
Vardan Khachatrian says.

The party’s final decision on the committee will depend on the
acceptance of its proposals and objections. Vardan Khachatrian
says if they see that the committee aims to cover up the crime, the
"Zharangutiun" will make a political statement and leave the committee.