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  • Which Side To Take?

    WHICH SIDE TO TAKE?
    Lilit Poghosyan

    Hayots Ashkhar Daily
    Published on June 20, 2008
    Armenia

    This Is The Problem

    The NA temporary committee investigating March 1 developments convened
    its regular session yesterday to clarify which extra-parliamentary
    forces will be invited to participate in the works of the newly formed
    instance with the right to a consultative vote.

    As the Head of the Committee Samvel Nikoyan informed us during the
    press conference, three extra-parliamentary forces were chosen:
    United Labor Party, "National Unity" and "Nor Jamanakner". In case
    the before mentioned parties accept the proposal, they must send one
    representative each to have their role in the investigation of March
    1 tragedy.

    By the prescribed manner the committee has sent three letters to
    the before mentioned 3 parties, waiting for their response. Why
    did they give preference to the parties that have overcome the 3%
    barrier? Because according to the speaker: "in other case the election
    would have been a bit willful.

    The committee has sent an "invitation" for cooperation to the
    presidential candidates, but, not the self-nominated ones but those
    who have been nominated by the initiative of certain parties. The
    conversation is about the leader of the People's Party Tigran
    Karapetyan, leader of the National Democratic Party Vazgen Manukyan and
    leader of "National Unanimity" Aram Harutyunyan, who can participate
    in the works of the committee, personally or by their representatives.

    The procedure of Ter-Petrosyan's "invitation" is enshrined in the
    decision with a special point.

    "To solve the issue of the participation of the civil society" the
    committee has addressed a letter to the President of the Republic,
    asking him to nominate a candidate from the staff of the Public Council
    to participate in the committee with the status of an "invited".

    Secretary of RPA faction didn't exclude that Victor Dallakyan will
    be this candidate; even though he has publicly announced that he is
    not going to participate in the works of the committee investigating
    March 1 tragedy.

    As regards 'Heritage" party, in fact, they boycott the works
    of the committee, and propose to involve Myasnik Malkhasyan and
    Sasus Mikaelyan in the "case". The latter, by the way, are under
    detention. Anyhow, in his response S. Nikoyan urges Raffi Hovhannisyan
    to send representatives from his own fraction. He hopes that his
    colleagues from "Heritage" party will review their stance, which
    mildly speaking contradicts NA decision.

    In addition the committee has addressed a letter to the Council of
    Europe Venice Committee and the representative of the European Union
    in Armenia to send international experts. The day before Speaker of
    the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan made similar proposal to the
    Council of Europe and OSCE. In case of necessity the committee is
    ready to invite other international experts.

    "Will the committee manage to implement this huge work in time?"

    "We must try. It depends on how soon the extra-parliamentary forces
    will respond to our proposals, to be included in the staff of the
    committee and start our works as soon as possible. It is a very
    important factor.

    We will try to finish our work by the end of October. If we finish
    earlier, we will come out with a report. If the committee considers
    that we need more time we will appeal to the National Assembly asking
    them to prolong the term of our competencies," the speaker underscored.

    In case of necessity the committee will invite and ask questions to
    the former high-ranking officials, former responsible representatives
    of the National Security and Internal Affairs, even Robert Kocharyan,
    though NA decision doesn't envisage similar "obligation".

    And what is Samvel Nikoyan's attitude towards some people's intentions
    to set up "public committee?

    "They can set up 1, 10, 100 committees, as many as they want. It is
    their problem. This committee is a concrete committee set up by the
    decision of the National Assembly, with certain competences. And
    it is the obligation of the state bodies to respond to our letters
    and to submit all the necessary documents. We can invite all the
    high-ranking officials and listen to their clarifications. Does any
    other committee have these competencies," the head of the committee
    said in response to our question.

    After all "we face a concrete problem that must be solved. There are
    two approaches - not to participate in the works of the committee
    and simply criticize, or to work. We have chosen the second one."

    Moreover "there can be some political forces or people who will not
    want to see a complete conclusion regarding March 1-2 tragedy. They
    will propose to close this page of our history and move forward. But
    it is not the problem of the committee. Our task is to work. Even
    if they try to create and atmosphere of distrust, to criticize the
    works that we haven't even started, anyway we will do our work." RPA
    Secretary believes.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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