ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES POLICE ON PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY

Mediamax
April 16 2008
Armenia

Yerevan, 16 April: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today
congratulated the staff of the country’s law-enforcement bodies on
Police Day.

The president’s message says that major reforms have been carried
out in the law-enforcement bodies, the press service of the country’s
president told the Mediamax news agency.

"However, serious efforts should be made to bring the style of the
Police’s work in compliance with contemporary requirements and to
eliminate corruption," Sargsyan said.

The president noted that "the Armenian authorities will improve the
social condition of the Police staff, in particular, will increase
salaries and will take steps to improve working conditions and
equipment".

"Armenia’s comprehensive and rapid development depends largely on how
you carry out your responsibilities and at what professional level
you solve tasks set before you," Sargsyan said while addressing the
Police staff.

"It is no secret that the Police’s actions often cause wide and sharp
public reaction. The 1 March events [unrest in Armenia’s capital
Yerevan, clashes between security forces and opposition protesters]
became an ordeal for our whole country and people, and in particular,
for the police, which together with the public should learn lessons
and overcome this ordeal with honour," the president’s statement said.