United States Comments On Referendum Results
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia has posted a few bullet points in response to Sunday’s referendum to amend the constitution. One can only hope that a more detailed response is forthcoming this week.
We share the regret of the Council of Europe, whose observers called into serious question the voter turnout figures for the referendum reported by the Armenian government.
We also regret that the Government of Armenia chose not to invite observers from the OSCE´s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, who could have given greater credibility to the results of the voting.
However, with voter turnout for the referendum more likely around 20 percent and with the government showing it has no commitment to democracy and the rule of law, I am amazed that Europe and the U.S. think that the amended constitution will be treated with any more respect than the current one.
The United States recognizes the substance of the provisions considered by the referendum as potentially strengthening democratic institutions in Armenia.
Well, at least they used the word “potentially.”
It is clear that there is room for improvement in the voting process between now and the 2007-2008 parliamentary and presidential elections.
No kidding…
Cross posted on New Eurasia.
