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COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL REACTS TO MEDIA COVERAGE OF HIS VISIT TO ARMENIA
armradio.am
08.11.2007 11:47
Following his recent visit to Armenia, Council of Europe Secretary
General Terry Davis today made the following statement:
"There can be no genuine democracy without freedom of expression,
and there can be no genuine freedom of expression without journalists
who respect the professional and ethical standards of their profession.
The media coverage of my recent visit was very extensive, but
unfortunately some of it was not accurate. Of course, Armenian
journalists are entitled to disagree or criticize my views on issues
such as Nagorno Karabakh, but I object strongly to being misquoted
and misinterpreted.
Several newspapers have claimed that I compared the recent elections
in Nagorno Karabakh to a gay pride march. This is simply untrue
and complete nonsense. I was making the point that my position on
the territorial integrity of Council of Europe member states and
consequently the legal status of Nagorno Karabakh is well-known,
consistent and clear.
The fact that I do not react every time some elections take place in
Nagorno Karabakh, does not mean that I have changed my position on
their lack of validity and legitimacy. I drew a parallel with the
increasingly frequent restrictions of freedom of expression by gay
and lesbian communities in several European countries. The fact that
I do not always react when a mayor bans a gay pride march does not
mean that I have changed my clear, well-known and consistent position
that such restrictions violate the European Convention on Human Rights.
One newspaper has suggested that I was offended by the fact that I did
not meet President Kocharyan. That is also untrue. I was informed in
advance and fully understood the reason for which it was impossible
to organize such a meeting.
I am very satisfied with the results of my visit in Armenia and the
frank discussions I had with my interlocutors. We may not always
agree, but what is important is that we listen to each other and
respect each other's views."
armradio.am
08.11.2007 11:47
Following his recent visit to Armenia, Council of Europe Secretary
General Terry Davis today made the following statement:
"There can be no genuine democracy without freedom of expression,
and there can be no genuine freedom of expression without journalists
who respect the professional and ethical standards of their profession.
The media coverage of my recent visit was very extensive, but
unfortunately some of it was not accurate. Of course, Armenian
journalists are entitled to disagree or criticize my views on issues
such as Nagorno Karabakh, but I object strongly to being misquoted
and misinterpreted.
Several newspapers have claimed that I compared the recent elections
in Nagorno Karabakh to a gay pride march. This is simply untrue
and complete nonsense. I was making the point that my position on
the territorial integrity of Council of Europe member states and
consequently the legal status of Nagorno Karabakh is well-known,
consistent and clear.
The fact that I do not react every time some elections take place in
Nagorno Karabakh, does not mean that I have changed my position on
their lack of validity and legitimacy. I drew a parallel with the
increasingly frequent restrictions of freedom of expression by gay
and lesbian communities in several European countries. The fact that
I do not always react when a mayor bans a gay pride march does not
mean that I have changed my clear, well-known and consistent position
that such restrictions violate the European Convention on Human Rights.
One newspaper has suggested that I was offended by the fact that I did
not meet President Kocharyan. That is also untrue. I was informed in
advance and fully understood the reason for which it was impossible
to organize such a meeting.
I am very satisfied with the results of my visit in Armenia and the
frank discussions I had with my interlocutors. We may not always
agree, but what is important is that we listen to each other and
respect each other's views."