2 EXPLOSIONS RATTLE ARMENIA

The Moscow Times, Russia
Reuters
April 13 2007

YEREVAN, Armenia — Blasts ripped through two local headquarters of
a pro-government party in Armenia on Thursday, raising tension in
the country ahead of parliamentary elections next month.

The two offices were seriously damaged, but no one was injured in
the explosions, said Baghdasar Mheryan, spokesman for the Prosperous
Armenia party. The blasts occurred two hours apart.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said people wanted to destabilize
the country with the blasts.

"We consider this crime an attempt to destabilize the situation ahead
of parliamentary elections and to create an intolerant atmosphere in
the country," a spokesman for the president said.

Experts say the Prosperous Armenia party, led by well-known businessman
Gagik Tsarukyan, has high chances of winning seats in the parliament.

Earlier this month, gunmen killed four people in an attack aimed at
the mayor of Armenia’s second-largest city, who survived. He was from
the Republican party.

Thursday’s explosions occurred at the party headquarters in the Avan
and Kanaker-Zeitun regions, a police official said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress