AUTHORITIES FIRM TO STAVE OFF NEW MANIFESTATIONS OF EXTREMISM, PRESIDENTIAL
SPOKESMAN SAYS

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS: Ashot Kocharian, a spokesman for
president Kocharian (no relation) said today the demeanor of the
“opposition minority,” its calls for change of power and violence,
unsanctioned rallies and marches developed into political extremism,
which he said were jeopardizing Armenia’s stability and damaging its
international image, of a country that has chosen the path of
democracy and radical reforming of its economy.

The spokesman argued that the law-enforcement bodies had to
interfere to maintain public order, and that their actions did not go
beyond the frameworks, set by laws. “The police interfered after the
anti-government rally had disrupted the work of the president and the
parliament, endangering the county’s constitutional order,” he said.

He said the police intervened after the demonstrators refused to
obey their orders. “The capital is under the full control of the
authorities andall government agencies are functioning normally. The
authorities are firm in their resolution to apply all measures,
envisaged by laws, to preserve stability and stave off manifestations
of extremism,” he said.