OSCE Chairman condemns use of force in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.03.2008 16:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign
Minister Ilkka Kanerva, condemned the use of force against peaceful
demonstrators in Yerevan today.

"I urge the authorities to use maximum restraint. I am troubled that
there are reports of casualties. I urge the authorities to release
those detained, and I again call on the government and the opposition
to engage in dialogue," the Minister said.

In meetings with Armenian officials in Yerevan on 26 February, the
Minister had said the OSCE was ready to continue helping the country
as it attempts to consolidate its democracy and address shortcomings
noted by OSCE and other observers during the 19 February presidential
election process.

"The OSCE considers dialogue central to stability. At this important
stage in Armenia’s development, everything should be done to avoid
any escalation of tension," said Minister Kanerva, who also visited
Azerbaijan and Georgia during his visit to the South Caucasus this
week, the OSCE Yerevan Mission said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS