WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T POSSESS RELIABLE INFORMATION ON YEREVAN MARCH 1, 2 EVENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.04.2008 13:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The George Bush administration puts the blame for
March disorders on the Armenian government.

Addressing the congressional bi-partisan commission on security and
cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Matthew J.

Bryza said that although the White House doesn’t possess reliable
information on the March 1 and 2 events, which resulted in 10 deaths,
the Bush administration puts the blame on the Armenian government.

"Washington stands for an unbiased investigation of the events when
the authorities used force to restore order in the capital," he said.

The diplomat called on the Armenian authorities "to take action to
restore democratic development and to release detained opposition
supporters, whose number reaches 100-110." He also warned about
suspension of the Millennium Challenge Account in case Yerevan fails
to meet the U.S. demands.

For his part, Alcee L. Hastings, chairman of the U.S. Helsinki
Commission, said the March events "seriously damaged" Armenia’s
international image.

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin suggested that the Bush administration
head international efforts for independent investigation into the
tragic events, Izvestia reports.

On March 1 ongoing opposition rallies resulted in a melee that claimed
lives of 8 people and injured over 200. Then-President Robert Kocharian
imposed 20-day state of emergency in Yerevan to restore public order.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress