ARMEN MARTIROSIAN: RUMORS ON A DEAL BETWEEN ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES AND EUROPEAN STRUCTURES HAVE SOME GROUNDS

Noyan Tapan

Jan 29, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Commenting upon radical opposition’s
opinion that for not being deprived of the vote the Armenian
authorities in secret negotiations with the European structures have
agreed to make concessions in the issue of Karabakh, Armen Martirosian,
the head of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) parliamentary faction, stated
at the January 29 press conference that those apprehensions have
some grounds. According to deputy’s observation, it is also exact
that Armenia that has weakened in the international sphere will be
unprotected before any challenge, including in the respect of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem.

A. Martirosian also said that Zharangutiun party leader Raffi
Hovannisian will not take part in PACE’s work until Council of Europe
corresponds to the values adopted by it. He said that so far the
Armenian authorities have not properly fulfilled the provisions of
Council of Europe previous resolutions, therefore R. Hovannisian as
a member of the Armenian delegation in the Assembly cannot present
any implemented step to Council of Europe.

In response to the question of how Zharangutiun members treat the
issue of sending representatives of Armenian National Congress to
Council of Europe, A. Martirosian said that he does not see anything
blameworthy in it. "ANC is a political force, which has something to
say to Council of Europe and has a demand. There is nothing bad that
the Congress reported the Assembly about the situation in Armenia,"
he said.