US, EUROPEAN UNION, SEND ENVOYS TO ARMENIA
By David Gollust
Voice of America
voa55.cfm
March 3 2008
The United States and European Union have dispatched envoys to Armenia
to try to help defuse the political crisis underway since disputed
elections February 19. The Bush administration says both sides in the
political conflict are responsible for restoring order after lethal
weekend rioting. VOA’s David Gollust reports from the State Department.
The parallel action by the United States and European Union reflects
deep concern about the political stability of Armenia, where clashes
between security forces and election protesters Saturday killed eight
people and left more than 130 others wounded.
The State Department says Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
European Affairs Matthew Bryza is enroute to the Armenian capital to
join European Union diplomat Peter Semneby in an effort to restore
political peace in Yerevan.
Armenia has been in political turmoil since the February 19
parliamentary election, which opposition leaders allege was rigged
to favor incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan.
Neither side in the dispute has shown willingness to back down,
with opposition leader and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian
vowing continued protests and Mr. Sarkisyan promising to punish
trouble-makers.
State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey says the Armenian parties
have indicated they are ready to work with the envoys, whose aim will
be to facilitate dialogue:
"Both sides have said they’re willing to engage in a dialogue," he
said. "Matt’s [Bryza] purpose as well as the purpose of the European
Union’s representative is to try and see, through talking individually
with both sides, if we can help stimulate that dialogue and move it
forward. But I would not expect you to see Matt formally negotiating
or offering proposals. This is really a facilitative role."
Casey said the United States supports neither a crackdown on protesters
nor a resort to violence by demonstrators.
In a written statement late Saturday, the State Department expressed
regret over the violence, appealed for restraint, and said both sides
are responsible for helping re-establish order and political dialogue.
It urged the prompt lifting of the state of emergency declared by
Prime Minister Sarkisyan and said Assistant Secretary of State for
European Affairs Daniel Fried had made the same point in a telephone
conversation with the senior Armenian official.