ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER URGED NOT TO POLITICIZE ISSUES OF DETENTION OF PEOPLE, WHO WERE BROUGHT TO CHARGE FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCES

Mediamax
March 13, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian urged
today not to politicize issues of detention of people, who were
brought to charge for criminal offences.

Mediamax reports that Vartan Oskanian said this today, commenting on
the urges of international organizations requesting to relieve the
people arrested as a result of unrest in Yerevan on March 1-2.

Armenian Foreign Minister informed that on March 14-15 he will hold a
number of meetings with the leaders of the European Union within the
framework of the annual Brussels Forum in the capital city of Belgium,
and will discuss during those meetings the situation in Armenia.

According to Oskanian, in general, the concern of European structures
is clear to him, "since the state of emergency, announced in Armenia,
is difficult to consider a normal development".

Commenting on the urges on the necessity of a dialogue between the
authorities and the opposition of Armenia, the Minister expressed
opinion that "we have missed the appropriate moment for a dialogue"
and stressed that "much depends today on Levon Ter-Petrosian".