PACE CO-RAPPORTEURS CONDUCT MEETINGS IN NA

ARMENPRESS
June 16, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS: Co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring
Commission John Prescott and George Columbien conducted today a number
of meetings in the National Assembly.

National Assembly press service told Armenpress that during the meeting
with the NA Speaker Tigran Torosian, at which special representative of
the Council of Europe Secretary General was present, the co-rapporteurs
noted that their visit is aimed at studying the pace of implementation
of the 1609 resolution before regular session of PACE.

Mr. Columbien said that the Assembly is very much concerned with the
conduction of independent, transparent, and reliable investigation
of March 1-2 developments. In this respect J. Prescott suggested
the participation of independent judges in the works of the
commission. According to him, the participation of the human rights’
protector may have a serious role in the work of the commission.

The parliament speaker presented to the co-rapporteurs the works
carried out in the NA after the adoption of the 1609 resolution. He
noted that with the close cooperation with the Venice Commission the
draft law on "Meetings, Rallies, Marches and Demonstrations" has been
approved and has already been presented to the President of Armenia
for the ratification.

The speaker also spoke about the works carried out towards the change
of the system of formation of the National TV and Radio Commission,
improvement of electoral process. He also said that by the changes
in the law on the "NA Regulation" the rights of the opposition in
the parliament have been extended.

T. Torosian said that all the packages have been sent to the experts
of the Council of Europe Venice Commission.

He also informed that at the urgent session the parliament approved
the creation of the temporary commission which will study March 1-2
events and its causes. Torosian expressed hope that the conclusion
of the commission will give answers to all the questions.

With the request of the co-rapporteurs Tigran Torosian also referred
to the issues on the arrested people, saying that they are no
political prisoners in Armenia. He said that the cases of all are
being investigated. Referring to the arrest of the parliamentarians,
Torosian said that the parliament agreed to their arrest for creating
opportunities for the thorough investigation of the cases. He said
that he has applied to the chief prosecutor to find out what work has
been carried out during the passed three months, he said that after he
receives the information he will let the co-rapporteurs know about it.

With the request of the PACE co-rapparteur George Columbien the NA
speaker referred to the refusal of the municipality of the conduction
of the meeting of the opposition on June 20. He said that in response
the municipality suggested that it be conducted in other place.

During the meeting the sides also discussed other issues of mutual
interest.

The PACE co-rapporteurs also met with the head of the NA delegation
to PACE David Harutyunian, members of "Heritage" faction Stepan
Safarian, Larisa Alaverdian, Anahit Bakhshian, Armen Martirosian,
Zaruhi Postanjian and Vardan Khachatrian.