Europe and Eurasia: Armenia: Presidential Election

State Department Documents and Publications
February 22, 2008

STATE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

Europe and Eurasia: Armenia: Presidential Election
Thu, 21 Feb 2008
Press Statement
Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 22, 2008

Armenia: Presidential Election

We congratulate the people of Armenia on the active and competitive
presidential election of February 19 and note the preliminary
assessment of the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly that the election was
"mostly in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and
standards for democratic elections." At the same time, we also note
that international monitors identified significant problems with
electoral procedures. Armenian election authorities have responded
with the positive step of recounts in a number of jurisdictions. We
urge the Government of Armenia to ensure these recounts are conducted
comprehensively and transparently, investigate all allegations of
irregularities, and implement steps to improve future elections. We
also urge all political forces to continue observing the rule of law
and to work peacefully and responsibly for a democratic Armenia.