The
secretary of "Justice" faction described in this way the answer the
coalition gave to the proposals on participation of opposition in constitutional
discussions.The place of meeting mustn’t be changedThe representatives
of all groups and factions beside "Justice" appeared at Arthur Baghdasarian’s
room at the appointed time. The secretary of "Justice" faction Viktor
Dallakian said to the journalists beforehand: "We have proposed that the
coalition express its standpoints on principles of constitutional reform. We won’t
take part in those discussions, as we don’t have written reply. Our colleagues
had 10 days term and it would be better to produce that document 2 days ago."We
were informed from the deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia Tigran
Torossian why he took part in the NA chairman’s invited meeting. "It is noted
clear in our declaration RPA standpoint towards the relations and proposals with
the opposition, – Mr. Torossian mentioned. – And the meeting intended to produce
the declaration to our colleagues of opposition."The coalition smears
the tracksThe head of ARF faction said: " We are against of serving the
constitutional issue by any political force to another issue, for example the
changeover in political power. We will oppose any attempt of using the constitutional
process for political purposes." And the declaration of the coalition
is in diplomatic language: loyal to the spirit of parliamentary co-operation and
sorry for not giving positive answer from the opposition the proposal of the coalition
on working together by principle of consent in working up stage of the project
of Constitutional amendments. Post-meeting interpretationsThe "National
Unity" faction has declared if they receive a written reply that their proposals
are acceptable for the coalition "then it will be of importance to take part
in discussions. We don’t want to further the coalition project on making attempt
of imitation in working with the opposition." The deputy chairman of "National
Unity" Alexan Karapetian was indignant after this declaration of the coalition:
"There is a certain limit for dissimulation, falsification and immorality.
But that limit seems to be larger. "Justice" faction didn’t also hide
its disappointment that he didn’t expect such smeared declaration. "The coalition
yielded to Robert Kocharian’s pressure and did everything to make the expected
constitutional referendum, the referendum of authorities’ distrust,"- the
deputy of "Justice" faction Shavarsh Kocharian mentioned. We reminded
the NA deputy speaker Tigran Torossian the frequent announcements of European
structures calling on the Armenian opposition and authority to resume the dialogue
and provide reconciliation and the importance of moving constitutional amendments
after genuine consultation with political powers is underlined. Whether this declaration
of the coalition isn’t the disguised refusal of the dialogue?"I don’t
think this is a disguised refusal and I don’t even think this opposes to those
approaches the international organizations always produce, -Mr. Torossian said.We
noticed the opposition hadn’t proposed other solutions on constitutional reform
that the Venice Commission had proposed. And the Monitoring group on honouring
commitment of Armenia of the CoE Committee of Ministers mentions that the text
put to the referendum should be based on the text as amended by the Venice Commission
and not, as in March 2003, another text. "They never say what we say you
must adopt". They accept any complete solution",- Tigran Torossian said.
With regard to the dialogue Mr.Torossian said that the opposition wanted some
guarantee if they took part their votes would take into consideration but the
coalition refused to give them guarantees. He added: "The opposition must
take part in the discussions and submit proposals. I think all reasonable proposals
will be adopted."Anna Israelian
