System of government in Armenia should be changed, head of "Heritage"
faction believes

YEREV AN, JANUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Regardless of whether or not the
Armenian delegation will be deprived of voting rights in the PACE, the
system of government should be changed in Armenia in the political,
economic and social sense. The head of "Heritage" opposition faction of
the National Assembly Armen Martirosian expressed this opinion at the
De Facto Club on January 16. In his words, the authorities should put
their narrow personal interests aside and try "to take steps which will
bring about a real change for the better rather than will result in
similar situations".

In his opinion, the only positive step, which has so far been recorded
in the implementation of the PACE resolutions 1609 and 1620 on
activities of democratic institutions in Armenia, is the creation of
the fact-finding group on inquiry into March 1-2 events. As regards
implementation of the other requirements, such as the release of those
imprisoned for obviously political motivation, improvement of the
electoral process and ensuring press freedom, according to A.
Martirosian, there has been regression here.

A. Martirosian assured those present that no oppositionist "rejoices"
at the prospect of application of sanctions against Armenia by the
PACE. He said that it is obvious that the deprivation of the Armenian
delegation of voting rights will lead to the political isolation of our
country, while no country can overcome external challenges under such
conditions, all the more Armenia "with such resources and territory"
which will not be able to efficiently ensure its security, especially
taking into account the unsolved Nagorno Karabakh problem. Besides, it
is obvious that the weakening of Armenia’s position in PACE will result
in weakening of its positions in other international structures as well.