Evans Presents US Proposals to Assist Election in Armenia
«Helping develop democratic institutions is something that we have already been doing in Armenia for 10 years. So it is not a new departure for us, but it is a recognition of a new golden opportunity that Armenia has to hold free and fair elections in 2007 and 2008,» stated US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans in the course of a news conference in Yerevan today. During it the Ambassador presented a package of measures the US is proposing to help Armenia to have free and fair elections in 2007-2008. In his words, over the past summer they have developed a comprehensive package of election-related assistance ranging from support to develop a national voter register to assistance in developing voter education campaigns. «We have about 18 months between now and the 2007 parliamentary elections in Armenia, so we believe that in these 18 months a lot can be accomplished,» US Ambassador to Armenia stated. He noted another «very important point» by saying that all of the measures that they were proposing were aimed at supporting the democratic process, not individual parties or candidates.
The US diplomat highlighted some points from the package of measures, specifically helping with voter registration lists, administration of elections, helping for constituency to understand information for voters, etc. He specially stressed the point of electoral adjudication, noting judges needed to know how to deal with disputes, what the laws were and how to deal those situations best. "Democracy does not just mean a good election day. It means to be supported by democratic political culture, and so we have some things that we want to do in that area," Evans reported. In his opinion, between elections it is very important to have a way to know what is on people's minds. Thus he stressed the capacity to carry out scientific and trustworthy polls to get feedback not only to Government, but to also to the media and to society at large.
«For some years already we have been working with political parties of Armenia. Political parties play an important role in every democracy,» Mr. Evans remarked. «We plan to continue our work with political parties,» he stated. The US Ambassador remarked the important role of the media in coverage of the elections, mentioning training opportunities were planned for journalists. «The work over voter registry will only begin in 2006. Though the program is worked out, its details will still be discussed,» J. Evans stated. In his turn USAID Yerevan Office Director Robin Phillips added that something over $6 million is allocated for implementation of the measures and these will be realized within 3 years. «Part of the measures is already being implemented, while part of them will be done so later,» he stated.
The US diplomat highlighted some points from the package of measures, specifically helping with voter registration lists, administration of elections, helping for constituency to understand information for voters, etc. He specially stressed the point of electoral adjudication, noting judges needed to know how to deal with disputes, what the laws were and how to deal those situations best. "Democracy does not just mean a good election day. It means to be supported by democratic political culture, and so we have some things that we want to do in that area," Evans reported. In his opinion, between elections it is very important to have a way to know what is on people's minds. Thus he stressed the capacity to carry out scientific and trustworthy polls to get feedback not only to Government, but to also to the media and to society at large.
«For some years already we have been working with political parties of Armenia. Political parties play an important role in every democracy,» Mr. Evans remarked. «We plan to continue our work with political parties,» he stated. The US Ambassador remarked the important role of the media in coverage of the elections, mentioning training opportunities were planned for journalists. «The work over voter registry will only begin in 2006. Though the program is worked out, its details will still be discussed,» J. Evans stated. In his turn USAID Yerevan Office Director Robin Phillips added that something over $6 million is allocated for implementation of the measures and these will be realized within 3 years. «Part of the measures is already being implemented, while part of them will be done so later,» he stated.
