ARMENIAN MILITARY PROMISE TO RESPOND TO ANY ATTEMPTS OF MASS ACTIONS IN YEREVAN

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
March 2, 2008 Sunday
Russia

Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces
Col. Gen. Seiran Oganian, in a televised address to the people of
Yerevan, called on them to obey the state of emergency.

"As the chief of the General Staff I am calling on citizens to refrain
from attempts to circumvent the bans implied by the state of emergency,
to demonstrate public spirit and to show understanding for the steps
taken by the armed forces in conditions of the state of emergency,"
he said.

He also warned everyone that any attempt to organize or participate
in actions banned due to the state of emergency will receive the
appropriate answer from the army.

"In particular I ask you to refrain from attempts to gather in Yerevan
even in small groups as the armed forces will take adequate action
stipulated by law and the constitution in case of the slightest
suspicion," Oganian said.

On Saturday morning, police dispersed a rally of supporters of
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian.

The protesters moved to an area adjacent to the embassies of France
and Italy, where up to 10,000 people rallied. Police reported that,
by the evening, the situation had become uncontrollable and the crowd
had started looting nearby government institutions and private shops,
setting cars ablaze in the process.

An end was put to the rioting after a state of emergency was introduced
in Yerevan by a presidential decree.

According to the Health Ministry, eight people died in the unrest on
Saturday night.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress