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TER-PETROSIAN IS TO BLAME FOR CURRENT SITUATION, SAY GERMAN AMBASSADOR
asbarez
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
German Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-The current socio-political and economic
complication in Armenia are the legacy left by former president
Levon Ter-Petrosian, said Hans-Jochen Schmidt, the German Ambassador
to Armenia during a conference Tuesday organized by the Civilitas
Foundation.
Speaking at a conference entitled, "Assessing Independence in
Armenia and the Region," the German envoy said that Ter-Petrosian
must personally accept responsibility for what happened during his
term from 1994 to 1997.
"I often hear how the first president criticizes elections and the
current authorities during opposition rallies. I asked one of his
advisors what he thinks about elections from 1994 to 1997 and he
responded by saying that I have wrong information," said Schmidt.
The German envoy, however, said opposition criticism is justified,
because there is an oligarchic state in Armenia, "But he has to
remember that the foundation for such phenomena was established during
his administration."
While saying that it was a positive step for the Ter-Petrosian's
Armenian National Congress to be granted the right to hold rallies
at Liberty Square, but added that "I think that from a political
standpoint asking to hold rallies solely in Liberty Square is naive.
If people want to assemble, they can do so anywhere and in any square."
On the foreign policy front, the German envoy said the "outside world"
cannot force any decision on Armenia.
"The EU also takes steps in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
as well as the normalization of relations with Turkey, but they can't
force anything," he said.
Schmidt said the most important step in Armenia-Turkey relations is
the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries,
after which discussions on other issues can begin.
"What's important is that the parties understand that by establishing
diplomatic relations, no one is doing anyone a favor; it is a normal
process," he said.
Schmidt also commented on last week's military parade dedicated to
the independence anniversary, saying he was impressed by the display.
"I liked the fact that the parade showed that Armenians have certain
capabilities, and if others are interested in war, the Armenian state
will provide an adequate response," explained the Ambassador.
He called it a stabilizing factor for the region, saying that the
capabilities displayed at the parade signal that Armenia is able to
develop the expertise needed to stabilize any situation.
asbarez
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
German Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)-The current socio-political and economic
complication in Armenia are the legacy left by former president
Levon Ter-Petrosian, said Hans-Jochen Schmidt, the German Ambassador
to Armenia during a conference Tuesday organized by the Civilitas
Foundation.
Speaking at a conference entitled, "Assessing Independence in
Armenia and the Region," the German envoy said that Ter-Petrosian
must personally accept responsibility for what happened during his
term from 1994 to 1997.
"I often hear how the first president criticizes elections and the
current authorities during opposition rallies. I asked one of his
advisors what he thinks about elections from 1994 to 1997 and he
responded by saying that I have wrong information," said Schmidt.
The German envoy, however, said opposition criticism is justified,
because there is an oligarchic state in Armenia, "But he has to
remember that the foundation for such phenomena was established during
his administration."
While saying that it was a positive step for the Ter-Petrosian's
Armenian National Congress to be granted the right to hold rallies
at Liberty Square, but added that "I think that from a political
standpoint asking to hold rallies solely in Liberty Square is naive.
If people want to assemble, they can do so anywhere and in any square."
On the foreign policy front, the German envoy said the "outside world"
cannot force any decision on Armenia.
"The EU also takes steps in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
as well as the normalization of relations with Turkey, but they can't
force anything," he said.
Schmidt said the most important step in Armenia-Turkey relations is
the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries,
after which discussions on other issues can begin.
"What's important is that the parties understand that by establishing
diplomatic relations, no one is doing anyone a favor; it is a normal
process," he said.
Schmidt also commented on last week's military parade dedicated to
the independence anniversary, saying he was impressed by the display.
"I liked the fact that the parade showed that Armenians have certain
capabilities, and if others are interested in war, the Armenian state
will provide an adequate response," explained the Ambassador.
He called it a stabilizing factor for the region, saying that the
capabilities displayed at the parade signal that Armenia is able to
develop the expertise needed to stabilize any situation.