U.S. BELIEVES THAT THE ELECTORAL DISPUTES NEED TO BE SETTLED "WITHIN THE CONFINES OF ARMENIA’S CONSTITUTION"

Mediamax
February 26, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. U.S. believes that the electoral disputes need
to be settled "within the confines of Armenia’s constitution and
political system".

Mediamax reports that U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesman Tom
Casey said this answering a question about the situation in Armenia
in the aftermath of their elections during the Daily Press Briefing
in Washington D.C.

"You saw the statement that we put out over the weekend. I really
don’t have much to add to that right now. Certainly, you’ve heard
from the international observers about some of the concerns that
they’ve had about the election, but we believe that these disputes
need to be settled within the confines of Armenia’s constitution and
political system", Tom Casey said.

On February 22 Tom Casey made the following statement:

"United States congratulates 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.

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".