Armenian president accuses opposition of trying to overthrow government

AP
2008-02-23 17:09:35 –

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenian President Robert Kocharian accused the
opposition Saturday of attempting to forcibly seize power in the small
ex-Soviet nation as protests against alleged fraud in this week’s
presidential vote entered a fourth day.
«Our actions will be resolute and harsh and aimed at preserving
stability and constitutional order,» Kocharian said
during a meeting with top law enforcement officials.
«This is an attempt to seize power,» Kocharian said. «No organization
can place itself above the law and constitution and engage in illegal
activities.
The opposition claims Tuesday’s presidential vote was rigged and
demands a recount.
Election officials said Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian _ the favorite
to succeed Kocharian _ won the election with 53 percent of the vote
while opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian had 21 percent.
Thousands of opposition supporters have staged daily rallies in the
capital, Yerevan, since Wednesday and maintained overnight vigils
setting up about two dozen tents on the city’s main square since
Thursday.
Ter-Petrosian denied the president’s accusations.
«We are for maintaining stability and will act within the law,» he told
journalists after a rally at which an estimated 30,000 protesters waved
flags, raised clenched fists and shouted «Levon! Levon
Government opponents have said the election was marred by widespread
violations and violence targeting opposition activists who monitored
the vote.

Election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe said there were concerns about the vote count, but issued a
generally positive assessment.
The standoff has raised concerns about stability in the volatile,
strategic country at the junction of the energy-rich Caspian Sea region
and southern Europe, with Russia and Iran nearby.
Memories of economic hardships of the early 1990s and the devastating
conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh are still fresh. Many Armenians long for calm and
stability.
Ter-Petrosian was Armenia’s first president after its independence from
the Soviet Union.