US DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONGRATULATES THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE ON HOLDING ACTIVE AND COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS

armradio.am
23.02.2008 12:44

Vice-Speaker of the US Department of State came forth with an official
statement on the presidential elections held in Armenia.

"I congratulate the Armenian people on the occasion of the active
and competitive elections on February 19 and note the preliminary
assessment of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, according to which the
elections were held mostly in line with the principles of democratic
elections adopted by the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

At the same time we should note that the international observers
registered considerable problems connected with the electoral
process. Nevertheless, the electoral authorities positively reacted
to the demand to carry out recount of votes. We call on the Armenian
Government to ensure the transparency of this recount, investigate
all the suggested inaccuracies and take steps to improve the future
elections. We also urge the political forces to continue ensuring
the rule of law and act peacefully and with responsibility for the
sake of democratic Armenia."