RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN ARMENIA THINKS XENOPHOBIA NOT EXCLUSIVELY RUSSIAN PHENOMENON

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2006

YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. Russian Embassy in Armenia is convinced
that xenophobia is not exclusively Russian phenomenon, it was said
during meetings in the Embassy with Armenian participants of the first
Forum of CIS Member Countries’ Intellectuals held on April 14 and 15
in Moscow.

The Embassy expressed regret at several cases of violence committed
by Russian citizens against Armenians.

It was said at these meetings that this evil is often seen in
multinational countries, even those having highly developed democratic
and social institutions.

Russian side also denied allegations appearing in media outlets that
Russian law enforcement agencies are deliberately slow in preventing
violence against Armenians. It also said that statements about some
officials’ complicity in the crime are completely groundless.

Russian diplomats said that many facts proved polar-opposite thing.

They pointed out Armenian community involvement in all areas and
institutions, including state governing bodies and said that this
involvement would be impossible without the reasonable policy pursued
by Russian authorities.

The press release received by ARKA News Agency from Russian Embassy
says that the meeting participants stressed the necessity of uniting
efforts to make ties between the two nations closer.

The meetings were held on June 23 and 30. Issues related to bi-lateral
ties were discussed at the meetings as well.