23:33, 28 January 2005

Atkinson's report 'has some drawbacks'

"Efforts of the Council of Europe aimed at developing the South Caucasus, in particular establishing stability and long peace, are positive. Nevertheless, we think that the report by Mr Atkinson has some drawbacks on the whole, along with positive aspects," Gamlet Gasparian, spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, said to journalists commenting on David Atkinson's report and the resolution the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) passed on its basis on January 25.

According to Mr Gasparian, the report touches on consequences of the conflict without going deeper into its reasons. "In any case, we welcome some principles confirmed by the PACE, which, in particular, emphasizes that independence and the separation of the territory "can be reached through a legal and peaceful process based on the democratic support of the population of this territory," and asserts that "the problem cannot be solved by means of military force. The people's future and status must be determined by the people themselves," the spokesman said.

Author: Ashot Ter-Grigorian, CK correspondent