RENE VAN DER LINDEN IS AGAINST SELF-DETERMINATION
Lragir.am
30 May 06
The president of the PACE Rene van der Linden made a scandalous
statement. He announced that he did not agree the results of the
referendum in Montenegro. He stated his opinion in an interview with
the Echo of Moscow Radio May 30.
Speaking about the response of the leaderships of other unrecognized
states of the post-Soviet space, relying on the example of Montenegro,
Rene van der Linden advised them not to seek for separation. He said
he would advise to abstain from separation because it would lead to a
reintegration of Europe.
Rene van der Linden said he was worried by the outcome of the
Montenegro vote because only a little more than the half of the
population voted for independence. For Kosovo, a major problem of
Europe, he said the return of refugees and guarantees for their
security are more important than the question of independence of
Kosovo. This statement itself is not deciding, considering that the
PACE is not an executive body; moreover, it cannot influence on the
decisions of other peoples.
The opinion of the president of the PACE directly expresses the moods
and approaches to the settlement of conflicts in Europe. And it means
that the right for self-determination is not important for Europe, for
them the right of people to return is important. It is, certainly,
something that needs to be discussed, and certainly, Rene van der
Linden has the right to express his opinion. And although this opinion
has the right to exist and is expressed by a quite pertinent European
official, it is nevertheless advisable that these officials honor the
right of nations for both return and self-determination.
Lragir.am
30 May 06
The president of the PACE Rene van der Linden made a scandalous
statement. He announced that he did not agree the results of the
referendum in Montenegro. He stated his opinion in an interview with
the Echo of Moscow Radio May 30.
Speaking about the response of the leaderships of other unrecognized
states of the post-Soviet space, relying on the example of Montenegro,
Rene van der Linden advised them not to seek for separation. He said
he would advise to abstain from separation because it would lead to a
reintegration of Europe.
Rene van der Linden said he was worried by the outcome of the
Montenegro vote because only a little more than the half of the
population voted for independence. For Kosovo, a major problem of
Europe, he said the return of refugees and guarantees for their
security are more important than the question of independence of
Kosovo. This statement itself is not deciding, considering that the
PACE is not an executive body; moreover, it cannot influence on the
decisions of other peoples.
The opinion of the president of the PACE directly expresses the moods
and approaches to the settlement of conflicts in Europe. And it means
that the right for self-determination is not important for Europe, for
them the right of people to return is important. It is, certainly,
something that needs to be discussed, and certainly, Rene van der
Linden has the right to express his opinion. And although this opinion
has the right to exist and is expressed by a quite pertinent European
official, it is nevertheless advisable that these officials honor the
right of nations for both return and self-determination.