ArmenPress
March 10 2004

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL RESPONDS TO LETTER OF ARMENIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS: NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer responded to a letter by Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian on the killing of an Armenian military officer in Budapest.
In his February 20 letter, the minister expressed indignation over
the brutal act which took place during the context of a NATO Language
training program.
According to the press office of the foreign ministry of Armenia,
the NATO Secretary General expressed his profound shock at the brutal
murder of Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan of the Armenian Armed Forces
and expressed his wish to convey his grief and sympathy to the family
of the victim.
“As you know, the appropriate Hungarian authorities are conducting
a thorough investigation and I am confident that they will spare no
effort to explain all the circumstances of this murder and to make
sure that justice prevails. I will closely follow the results of this
investigation and the due legal process which will follow,” Mr. Jaap
de Hoop Scheffer said.
NATO Secretary General expressed his hope that this criminal
incident will not prevent Armenia from further developing cooperation
with NATO. He stated that the Alliance appreciates greatly Armenia’s
approach, and contribution to Partnership for Peace. “Helping build
confidence and encouraging regional cooperation in the Caucasus
remains an essential part of NATO’s policy of Partnership and
Cooperation,” he continued.
“Allies remain determined to work with your country towards this
end,” concluded the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.