REPRESENTATIVE OF OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE CALLS ON ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO LIFT STATE OF EMERGENCY

Noyan Tapan
March 13, 2008

VIENNA, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Special Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Heikki Talvitie on March 13 called on the Armenian
authorities to lift the state of emergency and engage in dialog with
the opposition in order to ease the tension following the February
19 election.

He said that it is in the interests of the Armenian authorities to
take steps aimed at dealing with the crisis. "The inauguration of the
newly elected president is approaching. I think in this situation the
government should lift the state of emergency and engage in a real
political dialog with the opposition," Ambassador Talvitie said when
informing the members of the OSCE Permanent Council about his recent
two visits to Armenia.

He reminded that the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish foreign minister
Ilkka Kanerva appealed to the sides to start a poliltical dialog to
overcome the current crisis.