POLITICAL CIRCLES EXPECT NO FURTHER ARMENIA DEBATE AT PACE
Sargis Harutyunyan

Armenialiberty.org
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Aug 26 2009

Representatives of Armenia’s government and opposition expect no
further discussions on the country’s political situation caused by
last year’s disputed presidential election and its deadly aftermath at
the upcoming sessions of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(PACE).

Arman Grigorian, a representative of the main opposition Armenian
National Congress (HAK) to the PACE, ruled out any major developments
in relation to Armenia in Strasbourg this fall.

"It is unlikely that the issue of Armenia will be discussed [at
the PACE] during the autumn plenary session," Grigorian told RFE/RL
on Wednesday.

At the same time, Grigorian called it premature to consider the
issue of Armenia closed at the PACE. He, in particular, reminded
that authorities in Yerevan have not yet fully complied with the
Strasbourg-based body’s latest resolution that among other things
also urged them not to imprison political figures that decide to turn
themselves in to law-enforcements in response to the declared amnesty.

"The issue will be closed when all demands stated in the resolution
are complied with," Grigorian stressed. "I don’t think the Council
of Europe will tolerate [the Armenian government’s] failure to comply
forever."

The HAK’s representative reminding that the PACE Monitoring Commission
will hear a report on Armenia in September.

"There is nothing that can prevent the Council of Europe from putting
Armenia back under a special monitoring regime," he added.

Artsruni Aghajanian, a representative of the parliamentary faction
of the pro-government Orinats Yerkir party and a member of Armenia’s
delegation to the PACE, agrees that no major developments on Armenia
are expected at the autumn session in Strasbourg.

"The positive steps initiated by the authorities will be completed
by the end of the year. The Monitoring Commission is likely to make
a final analysis next spring and report on it to the Assembly next
spring. But no discussions on Armenia will be held at plenary meetings
anymore," Aghajanian said. "It does not mean, however, that the issue
is closed. Major questions have been addressed. A few secondary one
remain, and we are also keen on seeing them addressed as well."