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PACE RESOLUTION HAS WEAK AND STRONG POINTS

Politics

Members of the Popular Movement do not hold a unanimous stance towards PACE Resolution 1609, especially in light of the protection of democratic values. For instance, Levon Zurabian highlights that the implementation of Res. 1609 has been put into the consideration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This gave rise to new demands, among them A1+’s return to the air and urgent release of political prisoners.

Among weak points Zurabian points out the terms set for the implementation of the PACE resolution. “The Parliamentary Assembly could have posed tough terms for the release of Armenia's political prisoners.”

Asked to comment on the statement of the NA ad hoc committee regarding their readiness to work with Ter-Petrossian's representative, HHSh Gevorik, Zurabian said, “The statement speaks of the Committee's exiguity.” Then he added: “The Committee members have made biased statements on the March 1 events, they have assumed the role of a judge. Obviously, they do not strike a neutral pose and instill confidence amongst people. Moreover, they cannot investigate the occurrences of March 1-2 as none of them had been on the scene.”

“While the PACE doubted the impartiality of the committee, a non-partisan parliamentarian /Levon Khacahtrian/ withdrew his participation thus leaving the right to vote with the Coalition. The National Assembly didn’t even call a special sitting to fill the vacancy. Currently, the committee features people who fully endorse the Government's version of the occurrences,” said Zurabian.

The ad hoc committee had invited Levon Ter-Petrossian's representative. Asked why Robert Kocharian has no representative in the committee and whether it suggests that the committee presents the interests of Robert Kocharian, Levon Zurabian said, “You have just answered the question.”

Note, on June 28 the Center of the Popular Movement will hold a rally in Gyumri, which has been authorized by the Town Hall. The rally will be attended by the key oppositionists.