Armenia President Accuses Protesters Of Trying To Seize Power AFP

YEREVAN, Armenia (AFP)–President Robert Kocharian accused the Armenian opposition of trying to seize power Saturday as tens of thousands protested for a fourth day demanding a presidential election be overturned.

Some 50,000 supporters of opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian gathered in the central Freedom Square, waving Armenian flags and chanting “Levon!” and ” Fight to the End!”

It was the fourth day of protests against the result of last Tuesday’s presidential poll, officially won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.

The protests have been peaceful, but Kocharian warned the government was prepared to take action.

“I view these actions as an attempt to seize power,” Kocharian told a meeting of senior army and police officials, according to a statement.

“No organization can put itself above the law and constitution and practice illegal activities,” he said. “Our actions will be decisive and firm to maintain stability and the constitutional order of the country.”

[…]

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080223%5cACQDJON200802231342DOWJONESDJONLINE000379.htm&

RA president is ready to take all measures to keep order in country

ArmInfo. RA President Robert Kocharyan held a session today with participation of the Armenian Armed Forces’ generalship. RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan were also present at the session. As the Armenian governmental press-service told ArmInfo, the internal political situation, which has recently developed in the country, was discussed. The president said that stability is one of the most serious achievements of the latest years, upon which the country’s primary successes are built, and added that he will allow no one to endanger the internal political stability. “President of the country bears responsibility and is ready to fulfill it completely. I am decisive in taking all the easures to keep order and legality”, Robert Kocharyan said. In view of this, the president gave specific orders. He said that the government is elected exclusively in a legal way and the power is not gained by violence, moreover, he will never admit for anyone’s whims to affect the internal political stability and the political processes. “No structure may put itself beyond the law and deal with illegal activity”, he emphasized. According to the Armed Forces’ generalship, the Army has always been the major guarantee of stability. Today, if necessary, it will take steps to keep the country’s constitutional order and it is ready to execute all the orders of the supreme commander. To note, a meeting of Robert Kocharyan with the command staff of the Police was also held today, during which the internal political situation in the country was discussed.

2008-02-23 16:52:00

Armenian president watches action of the opposition as an attempt of power capturing and pledges resolute and sharp action as a reply

ArmInfo. Today Armenian president Robert Kocharyan held consultation with leadership of National Security Service. As press-service of the president informs, the domestic political situation created in the country over the last days and its consequences were discussed. Assessing the situation as an attempt of power capture, Robert Kocharyan said that the answering actions will be resolute and sharp. , - he said. For his part, leaders of the NSC assured the president that all subdivisions are ready to fulfill orders.