U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION EXPRESSES DEEP REGRET OVER LOSS OF LIFE IN ARMENIA
Congressional Documents and Publications
March 4, 2008
U.S. Helsinki Commission Expresses Deep Regret Over Loss of Life
in Armenia
(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of
the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki
Commission), Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin Enhanced Coverage
LinkingBenjamin L. Cardin -Search using: Biographies Plus News News,
Most Recent 60 Days (D-MD), and Ranking Minority Member Christopher
H. Smith (R-NJ), remarked that the post-election violence in Armenia
was a tragedy for the entire nation.
"I extend my profound condolences to the victims’ families. It is
deeply regrettable that tensions following last month’s presidential
election could not be handled peacefully," said Chairman Hastings.
Armenia held a presidential election on February 19. According to
official figures, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkissian won, with over 52
percent of the vote, while his main rival, former President Levon
Ter-Petrossian, garnered 21.5 percent. Though international observers
noted problems with the election, they said that it largely met the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards.
However, Ter-Petrossian, leading a coalition of opposition forces,
refused to accept the outcome. He and his supporters rallied in
Yerevan for days, demanding new elections.
On Saturday, violent confrontations broke out when police, claiming
that the demonstrators were armed and were planning a coup, attacked
them. In the country’s worst violence since independence in 1991,
Armenian officials report eight fatalities and numerous injuries. A
state of emergency has been imposed for 20 days.
OSCE’s leadership issued a statement condemning the use of violence
against peaceful protesters. The Finnish Chair-in-Office (CiO) Foreign
Minister Ilkka Kanerva has sent Finnish diplomat Heikki Talvitie to
Yerevan to act as a mediator.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in Armenia," said Co-Chairman
Cardin. "It is essential that the authorities exercise restraint. A
political dialogue between the government and opposition is a
prerequisite to reconciliation in Armenia."
Ranking Minority Member Smith echoed these sentiments, adding that
"I call on Armenia’s authorities to restore regular news sources,
which have been silenced. This includes broadcasts by Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty, which is an important source of objective
information and which has been taken off the air."
Chairman Hastings noted that Armenia’s Constitutional Court is
scheduled to rule on a complaint about the election by the opposition
coalition. "I urge the Court to consider this critical case with all
the somber objectivity mandated by the seriousness of the political
crisis in Armenia."
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The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as
the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors
progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki
Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States
Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each
from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.
Lale M. Mamaux, Communications Director Commission on Security
and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) Congressman
Alcee L. Hastings (FL-23), Chairman 234 Ford House Office Building
202-225-1901 (phone) 202-226-4199 (fax)