CZECH FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN ARMENIA

Czech News Agency
March 4, 2008 Tuesday

Prague, March 4 (CTK) – The Czech Foreign Ministry expressed
its concern over internal political developments inArmenia after
February 19 presidential elections that led to the declaration of
a state of emergency in a statementissued today. "We believe that
free expression of views on the government policy is an indivisible
part ofdemocratic developments but a discussion on the future of the
country should be carried out within the rule of law andpolitical
dialogue," the ministry says. It reacts to violent protests triggered
by opposition demonstrationsagainst the election of Robert Kocharyan
as new Armenian president in the elections that the opposition
considersrigged. Opposition leader and former President Levon
Ter-Petrosyan blamed police brutality for the violence. Eightpeople
were killed and 33 police injured in the protests that erupted after
the elections. The protests ended after the government declared a
state of emergency and mobilised the army. "The use of force and
violence against peacefulprotesters is absolutely unacceptable,"
the Czech Foreign Ministry says. "The Czech Republic urgently calls
onthe Armenian government to prevent further violence in the country
and release detained persons. It also calls onparticipants to start
a constructive dialogue with the aim to reduce tension and resolve
the crisis in a peacefulway," the Czech Foreign Ministry stresses in
the statement.