Armenia’s speaker urges opposition to end parliamentary boycott

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
13 Sep 04

[Correspondent over video of parliament] Before the beginning of
the autumn session of the Armenian National Assembly, the speaker
of the National Assembly confirmed his readiness to resolve the
issue of chronic absence. He said that it is necessary to give a
legal definition of what is understood by a boycott and how long it
can continue.

[Artur Bagdasaryan, captioned] What is a boycott? Parliamentary
elections will be held in Armenia in 2007. Can one political force
say that I am having a four-year boycott just after the elections? But
it will not stop them getting a salary, not stop them taking part in
the work of the National Assembly when they wish. All this has to be
resolved seriously.

[Correspondent] The session, which started on Monday [13 September],
contains most important draft laws for the country and Artur
Bagdasaryan suggested that they be adopted with the opposition’s
participation. He also noted that they must not hurry to strip deputies
of their mandates, as all this should be discussed and decided jointly
by the political forces in the coalition and opposition deputies.

Speaking about the scandal around the Armenian officers’ visit to Baku,
Artur Bagdasaryan said that Armenia has to continue its unchangeable
regional policy despite Baku’s morbid announcements.

[Artur Bagdasaryan] Armenia has to continue regional cooperation
within the framework of NATO and other international organizations,
because issues concerning the region’s peace and security urge us to
have a constructive position.

Nune Aleksanyan, “Aylur”.