ROBERT KOCHARYAN STILL ABSTAINS FROM ASCERTAINING LUKASHENKO’S VICTORY

Regnum, Russia
March 27 2006

President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan still has not congratulated his
Byelorussian counterpart with victory at his third presidential race,
informs a REGNUM correspondent.

According to information of the Byelorussian Central Electoral
committee on presidential elections on March 19, Alexander Lukashenko
received 83% of votes. Main opponents, Milinkevich and Kozulin received
6.1% and 2.2% votes correspondingly.

Presidents of Russia, Iran, Cuba, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and several
other countries already congratulated Alexander Lukashenko with
his victory.

The US declines to recognize the results of Byelorussian elections,
because they took place “in the atmosphere of fear.” “The US does
not recognize the results of elections. We support the appeal for
the new elections,” stated on March 20 spokesman of the White House
Scott McClellan.