ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT-ELECT OFFERS PEACE TO OPPOSITION

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
February 26, 2008
Russia

Armenia’s president-elect, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, has offered
peace to the opposition, which claims he won last week’s election
through rigging.

"I call upon you to eradicate your hatred," Sargsyan told a rally
in Yerevan on Tuesday in addressing opposition supporters who were
simultaneously holding another rally in the capital.

The premier called those who had gathered at the opposition rally
"our brothers and sisters." "It is love for a prosperous Armenia that
has brought them there," he said.

But he accused opposition leaders of devious motives. "I know these
people quite well, but I’m not someone who would allow them to go on
with their actions. I will make maximum efforts to have these actions
eradicated," he said.

"Democracy cannot accept lies and falsification," Sargsyan said.

"We face absolutely different tasks, we need to re-address the
expectations of the people."

"Today is not the time for division, today is the time for work,"
the president-elect said.

Organizers of the rally where Sargsyan spoke claimed the gathering
had brought together up to 100,000 people.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress