September 18, 2009 - 19:04 AMT
If protocols not be changed, ARF to make every effort to prevent them from ratification
"During the "government hour " in the RA National Assembly, RA foreign minister Edward Nalbandian  answering my question about possible changes in the Armenian-Turkish protocols, hinted that it was not a matter of discussing the Protocols, but rather of informing the Armenian public,"  Vahan Hovhannisyan, head of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary faction, told today's briefing in the Armenian parliament.
 
According to Vahan Hovhannisyan, in accordance with the RA law on international treaties negotiation phase lasts until the document is signed. "This means that negotiations with the Turkish side has already allegedly finished, do not correspond to reality. There are many examples when the parties having previously signed the protocol or treaty, then made changes and again discussed these documents, " Mr. Hovannisyan said.  
 
The head of the ARF parliamentary faction stressed that according to the law it is possible to modify the Protocols and the President of Armenia at yesterday's conference did not rule this possibility. "We will continue our struggle in that direction," Mr. Hovannisyan said.  
 
Asked about whether the Faction participate in parliamentary discussions of protocols, and what will the faction's position if portocols are ratified, he said that their party will active participate in the parliamentary debate. "With regard to ratification, I should note that if the documents are not amended, then we will certainly vote against them and will do everything to ensure these protocols not to be ratified," Mr. Vahan Hovhannisyan assured.