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Why Armenia took neutral stance on Syria resolution? - opinions
tert.am
19:29 - 04.08.12
Armenia's decision to abstain from voting in favor or against the
Syria resolution was completely justified, say Armenian politicians
and analysts.
A former spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Karapetyan
(who now represents the opposition Armenian National Congress)
believes that the country could not but take such stance on the Syrian
issue.
`I don't think Armenia's position could have been different in the
present-day circumstances of the country (Syria) and our compatriots,
who are now in a very vulnerable situation. Taking sides of any of the
parties. Armenia could have greatly hazarded our compatriots. That's
to say, there was no other option,' he told Tert.am.
The resolution passed on Friday with a vote of 133 in favor, 12
against and 31 abstentions expressed the United Nations criticism of
the Syrian authorities, urging for a change of the political regime
and a transition to a democratic and pluralistic government.
Addressing the topic, President of the European Integration NGO Karen
Bekaryan stressed the importance of considering several key factors,
including the `signals' from the Armenians of Syria.
`[It is necessary to consider], among other things, that no
hostilities have been so far observed against the Armenians or the
Armenian districts in the course of the military operations,' he told
our correspondent.
Another factor, he said, was the feeling of uncertainty that pushed
Armenia to abstain from voting.
`Admittedly, we have no idea about the forces we deal with in the
opponents' army,' he said, referring to the Western media reports
pointing out to the prevalence of Al Qaeda flags in the opposite
side's army. `So we come up with a very delicate question relating to
our community in Syria. It is understood, on the one hand, that there
are difficulties and problems related to democracy and the domestic
situation, but the expectations from the opposite wing are unclear on
the other hand.'
Bekaryan said no country, including Armenia, can be definitely for or
against given the lack of information.
`It is completely a different matter that those voting for pursue
their political interests and ambitions. But for us, this is
predominantly an objective issue, considering that we deal with a
friend nation and state that has a very big Armenian community
inside,' he added.
Hayk Kocharyan, an Arab studies specialist, answered more briefly to
our question.
`With the Armenian community's security being on the agenda, Armenia
has to be cautious,' he said, considering neutrality the best form of
cautiousness.
Speaking before the General Assembly voting, UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon said, `The acts of brutality that are being reported may
constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes. Such acts must be
investigated and the perpetrators held to account.'
According to UN records, the clashes in Syria have left over 20,000
people dead over the past 1.5 year or so.
From: A. Papazian
tert.am
19:29 - 04.08.12
Armenia's decision to abstain from voting in favor or against the
Syria resolution was completely justified, say Armenian politicians
and analysts.
A former spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Karapetyan
(who now represents the opposition Armenian National Congress)
believes that the country could not but take such stance on the Syrian
issue.
`I don't think Armenia's position could have been different in the
present-day circumstances of the country (Syria) and our compatriots,
who are now in a very vulnerable situation. Taking sides of any of the
parties. Armenia could have greatly hazarded our compatriots. That's
to say, there was no other option,' he told Tert.am.
The resolution passed on Friday with a vote of 133 in favor, 12
against and 31 abstentions expressed the United Nations criticism of
the Syrian authorities, urging for a change of the political regime
and a transition to a democratic and pluralistic government.
Addressing the topic, President of the European Integration NGO Karen
Bekaryan stressed the importance of considering several key factors,
including the `signals' from the Armenians of Syria.
`[It is necessary to consider], among other things, that no
hostilities have been so far observed against the Armenians or the
Armenian districts in the course of the military operations,' he told
our correspondent.
Another factor, he said, was the feeling of uncertainty that pushed
Armenia to abstain from voting.
`Admittedly, we have no idea about the forces we deal with in the
opponents' army,' he said, referring to the Western media reports
pointing out to the prevalence of Al Qaeda flags in the opposite
side's army. `So we come up with a very delicate question relating to
our community in Syria. It is understood, on the one hand, that there
are difficulties and problems related to democracy and the domestic
situation, but the expectations from the opposite wing are unclear on
the other hand.'
Bekaryan said no country, including Armenia, can be definitely for or
against given the lack of information.
`It is completely a different matter that those voting for pursue
their political interests and ambitions. But for us, this is
predominantly an objective issue, considering that we deal with a
friend nation and state that has a very big Armenian community
inside,' he added.
Hayk Kocharyan, an Arab studies specialist, answered more briefly to
our question.
`With the Armenian community's security being on the agenda, Armenia
has to be cautious,' he said, considering neutrality the best form of
cautiousness.
Speaking before the General Assembly voting, UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon said, `The acts of brutality that are being reported may
constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes. Such acts must be
investigated and the perpetrators held to account.'
According to UN records, the clashes in Syria have left over 20,000
people dead over the past 1.5 year or so.
From: A. Papazian