ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES CONDUCT TALKS ON COOPERATION WITH OPPOSITION – SARKISYAN
ITAR-TASS
March 3 2008
Russia
YEREVAN, March 3 (Itar-Tass) — Armenian authorities are conducting
negotiations on cooperation with opposition members, President-Elect
and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said on Monday.
During his meeting with EU special envoy for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby, Sarkisyan confirmed the government’s commitment to
cooperation with all political forces which he had first expressed
shortly after his election on February 19, the government press
service told Itar-Tass.
"We are ready to cooperate with all those who wants Armenia to develop,
its citizens to prosper, the country to be stable and strong, and we
are ready for an open, straightforward and honest discussion," he said.
He also confirmed his determination and said that those who incited
recent riots in Yerevan had committed a crime and should be punished.
Semneby stressed that all parties should show responsibility and
take all measures to resolve the situation in order not to deepen the
divisions in society but start a political dialogue and ease tensions.
He said the EU would like South Caucasus countries to become close
to the European Union and would do its best toward that goal.
Incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan assured Semnebi that
Armenian authorities were seeking to normalise the situation as soon
as possible and restore stability.
In his words, Sunday’s events had nothing to do with politics and
were a crime that needs to be thoroughly investigated and punished.
The EU envoy said the investigation must be objective and
comprehensive. He expressed hope that all measures would be taken to
ease tensions in the country.
The European Union is ready to make contribution to Armenia to settling
the political crisis in the country, the Common Foreign and Security
Policy’s press service said.
On Sunday evening, CFSP High Representative Javier Solana had telephone
conversations with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.
Solana expressed concern over the introduction of the state of
emergency in Armenia.
"I call on all countries to show restraint in order to normalise life
in Armenia. It is necessary to resume the political dialogue with
the opposition because this is the unique means to move forward,"
Solana said.
Kocharyan on Saturday introduced a state of emergency in the country’
s capital of Yerevan for 20 days.
This was done "in order to avert direct danger threatening
constitutional order in the Republic of Armenia" pursuant to the
relevant article of the Constitution and after consultations with
the parliament speaker, the head of state said in his address to
the nation.
No meetings, rallies, marches or other public events may be held
during the state of emergency. Strikes and the termination of the
work of institutions are banned. Law enforcement agencies will be
allowed to limit the freedom of movement and, if need be, search
people and vehicles.
Mass media may publish materials on state and internal political
issues only within the framework of official information.
The president urged "everyone to show restraint and common sense".
"In this situation as never before we must consolidate and strictly
comply with law," Kocharyan said.
He said, "The state of emergency will be lifted after the circumstances
that caused its introduction have been eliminated."
During the clashes in Yerevan, eight people were killed and 131 people
(72 servicemen and policemen, and 59 civilians) requested medical
attention. Thirty-six vehicles, including 13 police cars and three
police buses, 13 private cars, three trolley-buses and four buses
were burnt.