ARMENIA: OSCE CALLS FOR CALM AHEAD OF ARMENIA MUNICIPAL POLLS

Eurasianet

April 13, 2009

Amid growing antagonism between supporters and opponents of Serzh
Sargsyan’s administration in Armenia, the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe’s representative in Yerevan has called on
all sides to exercise restraint during the final weeks of campaigning
before municipal elections in late May.

"All participants in the election should display high political and
civil responsibility," the head of OSCE Yerevan office, Sergey Kapinos,
was quoted as saying by Armnfo news agency. Kapinos noted that the
campaign is increasingly characterized by attacks on journalists and
sporadic violence involving police.

In the absence of a formal invitation from Armenian officials, the
OSCE is not slated to monitor the Yerevan municipal election.