EU MEDIATOR BOUND FOR ARMENIA
United Press International
March 3 2008
YEREVAN, Armenia, March 3 (UPI) — European Union officials have
announced a mediator will be sent to Armenia to help ease post-election
tensions that have resulted in at least eight deaths.
Javier Solana, foreign police chief for the European Union, asked
Peter Semneby, his special envoy for the South Caucasus, to visit the
troubled nation after speaking Sunday with Armenian President Robert
Kocharian, Deutsche Welle reported Monday.
The disputed Feb. 19 elections in Armenia led to an eruption of
violence that has killed at least eight people.
An estimated 19,000 demonstrators protested alleged government
interference in the outcome of the vote. Witnesses said police
used truncheons and tear gas on the protesters, which were largely
supporters of opposition presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian,
while firing their guns into the air. Dozens of the protesters were
reported injured while police said 33 officers were injured during
the conflict.
Kocharian, the outgoing president, has declared a 20-day state of
emergency in the country.