PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATION INTERVENES IN THE WORK OF FACT-FINDING GROUP

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[06:05 pm] 20 November, 2008

Joint statement of Armenian National Congress and "Heritage" party
on activities of the Expert Fact-Finding Group

The Fact-finding group initiated its activities on November 14 and
approved some decisions by a unanimous vote. One of them was the
decision to elect Vahe Stepanyan head of the Fact-finding group
and the other was to choose the office of the Ombudsman as the work
place. The Ombudsman gave his consent to provide necessary conditions
for the group’s productive work. Both decisions were welcoming because
they are called for securing more neutrality of the group’s work and
independence from political influence.

Despite the abovementioned, the president’s administration has
intervened in the work of the fact-finding group and has imposed
the building of the National Assembly as a work place without any
authorization.

Taking into account the fact that the president’s administration has
illegally intervened in the activities of the Fact-finding group
and the fact that the administration is obligating the group to
work where there are no principles of preventing the revelation of
witnesses, as well as keeping experts and witnesses away from any
type of influence, it becomes clear that this is going to create
difficulties when it comes to protecting the group from any pressure
and thus, the effectiveness of the revelation of the facts regarding
the crimes of March 1.

What the authorities are doing goes to show once again that they are
concerned about the fact-finding group’s objective and independent
investigation of the events of March 1. The Armenian National Congress
and "Heritage" party demand the refusal of the authorities to pressure
the fact-finding group and attempts to control their work. We reaffirm
that if the pressures and attempts to create obstacles continue,
we will be forced to call back our representatives.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress