Armenian deputy minister slams Poland’s ambassador for ‘breach of diplomatic ethics’

YEREVAN, February 6. / ARKA /. A deputy Armenian foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharian lashed out at Poland’s ambassador to Armenia, Zdzislaw Raczynski, for what he described as ‘breach of diplomatic ethics.  

In an interview with "Haykakan Zhamanak" Armenian daily Raczynski  said the  January 31 assassination attempt on presidential candidate Paruyr Harikian destroyed  the "myth of a secure and prosperous Armenia." The incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan is campaigning for reelection in February 18 polls under the slogan "for secure f Armenia."

"Any diplomat, especially ambassador, should not go beyond the limits of diplomatic ethics, when expressing his/her  opinion on  the processes in the country of his/her accreditation, including its  domestic and foreign policies" Kocharian was quoted as saying in a statement issued today by the foreign ministry.

According to Shavarsh Kocharian,  it is likely to cast shadow  on the mission of the ambassador as a person responsible for the development of friendly relations between the two countries.

The February 18 election will be contested by eight candidates - the incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister Hrant Bagratian, ex-foreign minister Raffi Hovhanesian, a Soviet time dissident Paruyr Hayrikyan, former foreign minister of Karabakh Arman Melikyan, a political analyst Andrias Ghukasyan, a businessman Vartan Sedrakian and Aram Harutyunyan, leader of a small National Unity party. -0-