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U.S. Helsinki Commission holds hearing on post-election situation in Armenia

18 April 2008 10:00 (UTC +04:00)

APA US Bureau reports, in his keynote speech, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) said according to the OSCE announcement, February 19 presidential elections in Armenia partly met the international standards. â€œHowever part of the countryâ€™s population started to hold protest actions chanting about the serious falsifications during the elections and meddling of law-enforcement bodies in the voting process. Confrontation between the authorities and supporters of the opposition on March 1 resulted in killing of at least eight civiliansâ€. Congressman Hastings said the March 1 confrontation had seriously damaged the international reputation of Armenia.
Further, Matthew Bryza, American Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group addressed the commission. Despite hearings dedicated to the political situation in Armenia, Congressmen Hastings and Smiths asked Matthew Bryza about the last statements of Azerbaijani leadership. They asked Bryza to express opinion on the statements of Azerbaijani leadership about the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh using all means. The Congressmen said there was a war atmosphere in Azerbaijan and reminded about the thoughts of changing the Minsk Group format.
Matthew Bryza stressed that waging of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan would cause serious problems, including new stream of refugees. Therefore, he underlined the importance of development of negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group.
Then Vigen Sarkisian, Assistant to the President of Armenia addressed the commission. He said the presidential elections in his country met OSCE standards. He said the government was ready to launch dialogue with the opposition without any term and everyone responsible for the March events would be punished. Sarkisian criticized Levon Ter-Petrosian and disagreed with his image of â€œmore democratâ€ in the West.
Arman Grigorian, former spokesman for Levon Ter-Petrossian said the opposition had not recognized Serj Sarkisian as president and the elections were accompanied by the mass falsifications. Grigorian urged to demand the government to release the arrested opposition leaders.