THE AZERBAIJANI CONCERN
Support A1+!Samad Seidov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE behaves as if he is most concerned about the work of democratic institutions in Armenia. Still yesterday the Azerbaijani side expressed concern about the Armenian Presidential Elections demanding strict consideration of the issue.
The Azerbaijani concern is quite reasonable for Armenian delegate Armen Roustamian: “The Azeri people never lose a chance to attack Armenia and this session is a fine opportunity for them to enfeeble Armenia’s position in the CoE. In fact, they appear ridiculous. The Azeri nation is far from teaching democracy to others”.
Roustamian believes Azerbaijan will do its best to toughen the terms of the draft resolution and throw mud on Armenia on April 17. “Why should the Azeri people have suddenly attacked Armenia on March 3-4 if they were so much concerned about the latter’s home state?” he concludes.
By the way, Roustamian is Armenia’s delegate in the CoE since 2001. We asked him if he could recall another PACE session when an Armenian issue was discussed for 2 days. “I cannot remember such occurrence. But there have been many other important Armenian issues discussed at CoE sittings”, he answered laughing.
Concerning the state of democratic institutions in Armenia, Roustamian declares, “The terms are quite acceptable. We all know we have further problems that require immediate solution.”
By the way, noticing the journalists’ look on him, Mr. Seidov stopped Armenian delegates Davit Harutyunian and Raffi Hovhannissian in the corridor and shook hands with them
Karine Asatrian
Strasbourg
