– The perception of resolution 1643, adopted by PACE, is very controversial in Armenia. Ruling party says it was a success for the authorities and the main oppositional force – Armenian National Congress – blames the Co-Reporters for “concluding a deal with the authorities”. What is your assessment of the resolution?
– As you know, the Parliamentary Assembly welcomed the decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia to establish a working group. It should be established before the 22nd of February and everybody will be watching for that, and then we should be watching to see how it would work. Of course we will not be participating in its work, but any amendments will be considered by the Parliamentary Assembly. We will be watching very closely. And if people think that the Council of Europe will not be watching the developments in Armenia very closely, then I must say that they are making a mistake.
And these amendments in the opinion of the Parliamentary Assembly should be made active, so the people, who were arrested nearly a year ago in connection with these events, would benefit. The Assembly also recognizes that a number of people have been released, but the authorities in Armenia should be looking for ways to releasing more people, especially those, who are held under more controversial clauses of the Criminal Code. The Monitoring Committee will look at this issue before April, so, we shall have to wait and see.
– Let’s clarify the main issue – do you believe that people, who are now facing trial in Armenia for organizing the March 1-2, 2008 events in Yerevan, are political prisoners?
– I cannot comment on that. There is some suggestion by the Assembly, there is some ground for suspicion that there are people kept in prison for political reasons. My own view is that although I am very concerned about people having been held in prison for such a long time without even having a trial, I am more concerned about the people, who were killed. Ten people were killed in the streets of Yerevan. I have not been yet told that anybody has been prosecuted for these murders. And the people were just ordinary civilians.
– What is the main challenge that Armenian political forces, both the government and the opposition, face today?
– I think that the most important thing for Armenia is to settle this outstanding discord, which arises from what happened in March last year. This happened eleven months ago and it’s time to take it to conclusion.
– Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents had a meeting in Zurich. How can the Council of Europe support the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process?
– We are not going to replace the Minsk Group, we are very careful as to this issue, I have said that on many occasions. But I have the right to express my concern about the time being taken to get any progress in the negotiations. It looks that we can see some progress, but it still keep very slow. The quicker the decisions, the better. Perhaps with the new U.S. Administration they’ll get quicker.
– Some 10 years ago there was a strong belief that the process of European integration will secure a stronger motive for compromise for Armenia and Azerbaijan. Why this didn’t work?
– Concerning the process of European integration, when both these countries joined the Council of Europe, we were told that membership in the Council of Europe by both countries would facilitate discussions and negotiations and bring the two countries closer. I do not myself detect any improvements in the atmosphere and I am disappointed by that. I would like the people of Azerbaijan and the people of Armenia to make greater efforts. I put the emphasis on the people, not the authorities. I welcome any opportunity, which is given to anybody from Armenia to visit Azerbaijan, and any opportunity for people of Azerbaijan to visit Armenia. I think greater contact can lead to greater discussion. Greater discussion to greater understanding. And this is the first step to the settlement.
– What’s your opinion about the militaristic statements frequently voiced by Azerbaijani officials?
– I want to see a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. There is no military solution. I think it is best to avoid anything that sounds like a threat
– Mr. Davis, some Armenian political forces and media often accuse you of being biased and “pro-Azerbaijani”. Those people think that sometimes you want to punish Armenia because Britain has more interests in Azerbaijan. What can you tell those people?
– This is rude and slander… and this is rubbish. I do not operate as the British Secretary of the Council of Europe, I am the European Secretary General of the Council of Europe.