US embassy says Armenian parliamentary vote "successful"

Mediamax news agency
14 May 07

Yerevan, 14 May: The US embassy made a statement today, congratulating
Armenia on "a more successful poll than previous elections".

The statement of the embassy reads: "We share the satisfaction of
international observers that the election infrastructure, both legal
and technical, has been greatly improved.

"We are proud that our partnership with government and non-government
structures in Armenia has supported these improvements. We value
highly the work of the many election officials who were dedicated to
completing their work with integrity.

"We note ODIHR Ambassador [Boris] Frlec’s comment that this election
is not over.

"Our judgment so far is that this election was an improvement toward
international standards.

"Part of the election process is a careful consideration of all issues
raised in connection with the election, including several serious
allegations of fraud or intimidation which may have affected the
outcome of some of the races.

"We hope for aggressive investigation of allegations of electoral
wrongdoing and subsequent prosecutions, should they be warranted," the
statement of the US embassy reads.