U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION HOLDS HEARING ON POST-ELECTION SITUATION IN ARMENIA

Azeri Press Agency
April 18 2008
Azerbaijan

USA. Husniyya Hasanova-APA. US Congress held a hearing entitled
"Armenia after the Election" on April 17.

APA US Bureau reports, in his keynote speech, Congressman Alcee
L. Hastings, Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation
in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) said according to the OSCE
announcement, February 19 presidential elections in Armenia partly
met the international standards. "However part of the country’s
population started to hold protest actions chanting about the serious
falsifications during the elections and meddling of law-enforcement
bodies in the voting process. Confrontation between the authorities and
supporters of the opposition on March 1 resulted in killing of at least
eight civilians". Congressman Hastings said the March 1 confrontation
had seriously damaged the international reputation of Armenia.

Further, Matthew Bryza, American Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group addressed
the commission. Despite hearings dedicated to the political situation
in Armenia, Congressmen Hastings and Smiths asked Matthew Bryza about
the last statements of Azerbaijani leadership. They asked Bryza to
express opinion on the statements of Azerbaijani leadership about
the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh using all means. The Congressmen
said there was a war atmosphere in Azerbaijan and reminded about the
thoughts of changing the Minsk Group format.

Matthew Bryza stressed that waging of war between Armenia and
Azerbaijan would cause serious problems, including new stream of
refugees. Therefore, he underlined the importance of development of
negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group.

Then Vigen Sarkisian, Assistant to the President of Armenia addressed
the commission. He said the presidential elections in his country met
OSCE standards. He said the government was ready to launch dialogue
with the opposition without any term and everyone responsible for
the March events would be punished. Sarkisian criticized Levon
Ter-Petrosian and disagreed with his image of "more democrat" in
the West.

Arman Grigorian, former spokesman for Levon Ter-Petrossian said the
opposition had not recognized Serj Sarkisian as president and the
elections were accompanied by the mass falsifications. Grigorian urged
to demand the government to release the arrested opposition leaders.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress