§±§§Ñ§Ó§&# xE0; §£§í§Ò§à&# xA7;§Ñ, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
March 3 2007
America to Strictly Control Election Process in Armenia
03.03.2007
US Ambassador to Armenia informed that falsification of elections may
undermine social and political fundaments in Armenia.
Holding of upcoming parliamentary elections in transparent and just
conditions is not only political obligation of Armenia, it is also
international legal obligation enshrined in ¡°European convention on
Human Rights¡±. US Charg¨¦ d’Affaires to Armenia Anthony Godfrey,
made such statement.
Diplomat, while making speech in the course of international workshop
on ¡°Falsification of elections, international standards and court
problems¡±, stressed that upcoming elections to be held in Armenia in
May, will be very important for the image of this state at
international area and its future political development. Godfrey
informed participants of workshops, attended by experts from America,
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, that leadership of Armenia promised
international organizations to make efforts to hold democratic
elections and Armenia should keep the promise. He stressed that
Washington is especially interested in holding transparent elections,
and from this point of view he supports cooperation with Armenian
government.
Diplomat said that American side intends to organize number of events
in Yerevan and USA, workshops and conferences before election
process. He brought to the notice of participants of the event that
in near future first group of Armenian representatives – central
election commission members and legal authorities – will be sent to
Washington for training. Moreover, accordingly to foreign diplomat
Washington intends to strictly control elections.
It should be pointed out that intention of USA to control process of
parliamentary elections in Armenia became known last year, from words
of US officials visiting Yerevan. Washington doesn¡¯t deny that
parliamentary elections in Armenia are evaluated as primary stage of
presidential elections to be held in spring 2008. At the same time
referring to US officials we may conclude that with the purpose of
replacing Armenian government by the one which will be more loyal
towards West, this time Washington will be active.
In October last year, US permanent representative to OSCE,
Ambassador, Julie Finley, attracted general attention to her
statement containing call to make pressure on government of the
country in order to provide transparency of elections. It is
interesting that that time J. Finley didn¡¯t answer questions of
journalists concerning possibility of holding free and just elections
in Armenia. Moreover, American diplomat stressed that she is not
quite content with her visit to Armenia.
Thus, despite wish of American side, President, Robert Kocharyan,
didn¡¯t receive American diplomat. Officials from Yerevan informed
that it is connected with Kocharyan¡¯s heavy work schedule. However,
US diplomat didn¡¯t even hide her indignation.
Today on the eve of elections in Armenia assumptions of number of
Armenian and American observers concerning possibility of change of
government have became more actual. It is known that Kocharyan will
have to leave presidency in March 2008, as term of his office will be
terminated by that time. Thus, west circles especially USA are
interested in election of Serge Sarkisyan, who doesn¡¯t represent
ruling party, who would take interests in integration in
Euro-Atlantic area. All the mentioned is determined by position of
west concerning the fact that present government of Armenia is
inclined to Russia most of all, and all its actions, allegedly
directed to establish favorable relations with west countries, are of
formal nature.
Accordingly to observers, discontent of USA by present government of
Armenia can also be explained by Armenian¡¯s estrangement from
constructive policy in solving Nagorni Garabagh problem. At the same
time opposition observers of Armenia inform that for this reason USA
often criticize government of the said country.
We should remind that some times ago OSCE American co-chair, M.
Bryza, informed about backwardness of Azerbaijan and Armenia
regarding democratic development. He informed that President, George
Bush, supports undertaking of Azerbaijani leadership in the field of
democracy and economic development. However, it is not easy to assure
that America will really make pressure on Armenia in connection with
Nagorni Garabagh problem.
Thus, now we can say that to protect its interests in Armenia, USA
won¡¯t be satisfied with democratic calls only, they will make real
steps.
By the way, recently US diplomatic representative to Armenia declared
that falsification of upcoming elections in Armenia may seriously
undermine ¡°social and political fundaments¡± of the state.