WILL SITUATION WORSEN?

A1+
[08:06 pm] 02 February, 2009

"New conflicts can be provoked in Armenia on March 1, 2009. We should
avert aggravation of antagonisms on all levels. The mystery of March
1 needs to be unveiled," Heritage Party member Raffi Hovannisian said
to A1+. He is convinced that the situation can be bettered by April.

Asked why he didn’t participate in the PACE winter session,
Mr. Hovannisian said: "My withdrawal was important, moreover, necessary
for Armenia." Then he added: "We shall never participate in a bargain
jeopardizing the country’s dignity and raising an offensive question,
"Shall we be punished or not? I am against all sanctions. At the same
time, I disagree to the path of democracy Armenia has taken. I feel
an urgent need of reforms," Raffi Hovannisian said with regard to the
activity of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe.

Armenia’s leadership and opposition should no longer waste time;
they should foster a dialogue based on a mutual consent.

Generally, Raffi Hovannisian welcomes PACE’s appeal to amend Articles
225 and 300 of Armenia’s Criminal Code. "Anyway, the articles do
not cover all political prisoners. Therefore we should overcome the
tragedy of March 1 with joint efforts, mourn over its consequences
and surmount this separatism."

"The other day Serzh Sargsyan was speaking of separatism,
permissiveness and mistrustfulness. Today I call on the third and first
Presidents and all political forces to start a real dialogue. They
should do their utmost to prevent the elaboration and adoption of a
new resolution during the April session."

Despite PACE resolutions and sanctions, Armenia must meet democratic
standards. For its part, the Council of Europe should bind its values
and principles to all its member states. Yes, there are political
prisoners in Armenia. There are political prisoners in Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and Turkey. Therefore I say the CoE should pose equal
standards to all countries.

With regard to the Co-rapporteurs’ report, Mr. Hovannisian said:
"Let’s recall the case of the PACE Co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan. They
abused their position and supported anti-Armenian resolutions. This is
not excluded in the case of the Co-rapporteurs on Armenia. Therefore
I think PACE shouldn’t deploy its co-rapporteurs in the same country
for a long time. Mr. Hovannisian is likely to participate in the
spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly.