GORAN LENMARKER: THE IMPRESSION IS THAT SEIOUS DEBATE ON QUALITY OF ELECTIONS IS GOING ON IN ARMENIA AFTER ELECTIONS
Noyan Tapan
Feb 27, 2008
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The President of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the OSCE Goran Lenmarker has expressed concern about the
post-election situation in Armenia.
The impression is that a serious debate on the quality of the elections
is going on after the February 19 parliamentary elections in Armenia,
he said during an intreview with Radio Liberty.
"The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
and the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE were certainly unanimous
in their preliminary report published the next day after the
elections. There will be also a final report which will reflect the
situation in the post-election period and it undoutedly will create
some confusion," G. Lenmarker said.
In response to the question about whether the arrests of several
opposition figures had been discussed at the previous day’s meetings
with the Armenian authorities, G. Lenmarker replied: "According to
the explanation given by the government, arms were the cause of these
arrets. I cannot say what is true and what not, I was told that,
and it is difficult for a foreigner to assess".
"I hope we will witness a peaceful outcome and there will be no
violence," G. Lenmarker said, also addressing the meetings with
several opposition candidates for the presidency, which took place late
Tuesday. "Some opposition parties intend to apply to the Constitutional
Court for a final decision and they say that they will submit to the
decision of the Constitutional Court".
According to G. Lenmarker, the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE will
not make any special report on the presidential elections in Armenia:
in giving its opinions, it will take as the basis the OSCE/ODIHR
final report which will be ready by mid April.