PRYAKHIN: ARMENIA HAS OPPORTUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC REFORMS WITHOUT VIOLENCE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE hopes for the efforts of Armenian authorities on constitutional reforms to succeed and Armenian people to say «yes» to constitutional changes in the course of the referendum scheduled in autumn. «OSCE hails the fact that the Armenia party has accepted most of expert proposals of the Venice commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR/OSCE),» – stated chief of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin. «This does not mean we are satisfied with all changes. Not all proposals were taken into account,» the diplomat noted, meaning specifically proposal over more transparent and democratic activities of media regulating bodies. Today the republic president appoints members of those structures. As of the participation or non-participation of the opposition in the debate over the constitutional changes, V. Pryakhin stated, «Opposition is disconnected in Armenia. On the one hand Justice Bloc notes it would be nice to take part in the debate over the constitutional reforms, on the other hand Republic Party making part of the Bloc is against it.» In Pryakhin’s words, the passing of constitutional reforms will mean that Armenia «has registered progress in democracy.» «If the opposition urges its supporters to vote against or boycott the referendum, the changes will not be passed and we will have the Constitution of 1995, which does not reflect the needs of the society today. Thus, I call all parties to sensibly evaluate the situation,» he noted. As of the opportunity of revolution and change of authorities in Armenia, Mr. Pryakhin stated he is for «evolutionary development» and is «against violence.» In his words, revolution «provides for violence.» V. Pryakhin said he was sure that today Armenia has opportunities of democratic reforms without violence. «Most Armenians are not sure that the forces that will take power can improve the situation,» V. Pryakhin noted. He added, «Thus, in Armenia there is no revolution situation in the classical sense of the word,» reported RFE/RL.