"CoE is not against being cheated"
"Whatever these authorities do, they will do under inner and outer pressure," says David Shahnazaryan, senior representative of the Armenian National Congress (HAK).
He says the rumours about the alleged amnesty activated after our authorities cheated the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). As a result the Armenian issue was put on the agenda of the PACE summer session.
"I think the Armenian authorities will again try to drive a hard bargain and do the minimum for the Europeans to assess their steps as progress. Some criminals having no connection with our Movement may be freed. I don't think the authorities will release the political prisoners. It is upon our society to free them."
David Shahnazaryan reminded that during the PACE winter session the Armenian authorities promised Europeans to amend the Criminal Code and to free the political prisoners.
"It was another lie by the authorities. Europe called for an amnesty in response. I think the authorities still have a week or two to maneuver and to cheat Europe. The Council of Europe doesn't mind being cheated."
David Shahnazaryan noted that Armenian people no longer trust the CoE. People became convinced that both the CoE and the European values are quite different notions.
"The Council of Europe and other European structures pursue their political interests. "Obviously they are interested in unprecedented concessions Serzh Sargsyan is going to make in view of the Karabakh conflict settlement and normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
But the solutions to Armenian-Turkish relations and Karabakh issue cannot be found in Armenia. One of the keys is in Ankara and the other in Baku. Serzh Sargsyan is ready to everything. But Baku is setting new demands. On the other hand, Serzh Sargsyan is ready to boundless concessions because of the lack of inner legitimacy in the country," said Mr. Shahnazaryan.
