U.S. CONGRATULATE THE PEOPLE OF ARMENIA AND URGE ALL POLITICAL FORCES TO "CONTINUE OBSERVING THE RULE OF LAW"

Mediamax
February 23, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. United States "congratulate the people of Armenia
on the active and competitive presidential election of February 19 and
note the preliminary assessment of the OSCE ODIHR and Parliamentary
Assembly that the election was "mostly in line with OSCE and Council
of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections".

The statement by U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey
reads this, Mediamax reports.

"At the same time, we also note that international monitors identified
significant problems with electoral procedures. Armenian election
authorities have responded with the positive step of recounts in a
number of jurisdictions. We urge the Government of Armenia to ensure
these recounts are conducted comprehensively and transparently,
investigate all allegations of irregularities, and implement steps to
improve future elections. We also urge all political forces to continue
observing the rule of law and to work peacefully and responsibly for
a democratic Armenia", the statement reads.

–Boundary_(ID_be/BwwKQdIhOgACuJDTQAw)–