UKRAINIAN EMBASSY TO RA: ARMENIAN POGROMS ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.07.2009 19:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ukrainian Embassy expresses concerns over Armenian
media reports on recent developments in Ukrainian town Marganets,
Dnepropetrovsk region. Ukrainian Ambassador Alexander Bozhko today
had a phone conversation with Anatolyj Naumenkoa, Head of Ukrainian
Interior Ministry’s General Department in Dnepropetrovsk region. As
reported by Ukrainian official, situation in Marganets is quiet and
controlled by police.

"In the meantime, it was emphasized that no Armenian house
suffered losses, so "Armenian pogroms" are out of the question. All
individuals involved in June 28 clashes and subsequent developments
will be punished under Ukrainian laws," the Eembassy says in
a release. According to Naumenko, both conflicting parties had
people with Armenian origin, hence interethnic conflict is out of
the question.

Ukrainian Ambassador also had a phone conversation with Anahit
Arzoumanyan, Executive Director of Dnepropetrovsk region’s Armenian
community, who too ruled such possibility, expressing astonishment
over some media reports.

"In that connection, Ukrainian Embassy requests Armenian media to
be more balanced while elucidating the above events and refrain from
inseminating unnecessary distrust," says the embassy release.

According to community lawyer Alla Arakelova, the clashes were followed
by mass disorders and house arsons; over 15 vehicles were destroyed.

On June 28, clashes broke out in one of local cafes in Marganets,
Ukraine. Among the people involved in scuffle there were also Ukrainian
citizens with Armenian origin. A 22-year-old police inspector who
wanted to stop disorders died of a knife wound. The police sergeant
was off-duty and dressed in civilian clothes.