RA Police: crowd grew uncontrolled
02.03.2008 00:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Police issued a statement describing the opposition conduct as uncontrollable.

“Mass disorders started; the crowd set fire to cars; the Moscow House was looted; 8 policemen received bullet wounds,” the Police said.

The Police called on the citizens to preserve sense and follow the conditions of emergency rule.

—

RA authorities forced to use army potential to ensure public security
02.03.2008 00:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The authorities are forced to use the army potential to ensure public security, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said.

“The decision was compelled by an armed assault on unarmed policemen. We tried to avoid such measures but had to resort to them, eventually. We are obliged to ensure public security and we will do it,” the President said.

—

Oppositionists went all limits
02.03.2008 00:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Participants of the opposition rally went all limits, RA President Robert Kocharian said.

“Eight policemen were injured. State and private property was badly damaged,” he said. “The names of the initiators are known and they will be called to account.”

The President called on citizens to demonstrate restraint, respect the law and contribute to establishment of order.

Unfortunately, in this battle between those formerly in power with those at the top now, truth already appears to be the first casualty. Probably the best bet is to refer to both pro-opposition and pro-government news sources before comparing them with the international news wires.

Then, but only then, will we be able to get a clearer pictre of what is going on and even then, it will not be immediate. For sure I won’t be posting an entry on today’s event until tomorrow for this reason.

Emergency rule declared in Armenia
01.03.2008 22:51 GMT+04:00 Print version Send to mail In Russian In Armenian

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian declared a 20-day emergency rule in the republic.

Conduction of rallies is forbidden, activities of political parties frozen. Media is allowed to publish official information only.

State of emergency imposed as clashes erupt in Armenia

12 hours ago

YEREVAN (AFP) — Authorities in ex-Soviet Armenia imposed a state of emergency Saturday after rising tension over a disputed presidential election erupted into violent clashes between protesters and riot police.

The state of emergency will be in effect in the capital Yerevan until March 20 under a decree signed by President Robert Kocharian, his office said.

“In order to end the threat to order and to defend the law and rights of the people, I declare a state of emergency in Yerevan from March 1 to March 20,” the decree stated, a presidential spokesman told AFP.

Protesters and riot police clashed Saturday in Yerevan with demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails and stones and police firing tear gas and automatic weapons into the air, an AFP reporter saw.

Shortly after the clashes began, riot police charged into the crowd of up to 8,000 protesters who had gathered in a central square in the Armenian capital in defiance of a crackdown earlier in the day.

AFP reporters on the scene described scenes of looting in central Yerevan and said several dozen cars had been set alight.

[…]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKt8k4OaQhGk7Isu4Dz5LLMnDsOA

Personally speaking, I think that Levon Ter-Petrossian should instruct his supporters to return home and Kocharian should order the police (and now army as a state of emergency has since been called) to stand down.

However, both sides need to agree to this. For the sake of the country I hope they do.

Oppositionists set up barricades at French Embassy in Yerevan

01.03.2008 18:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Participants of the opposition rallies started setting upbarricades at the French Embassy in Yerevan.

Impeachment bloc leader Nikol Pashinyan called to construct defense positions to block the way for armored personnel carriers and water cannons. “It’s a convenient place, since the authorities will not dare to use force near the diplomatic missions of France and Italy,” he said.

He told to place barricades with the help of garbage cans, part benches and everything they can find. Presently, they are dismantling a new building opposite to the Embassy, Novosti Armenia reports.

The protesters demand to return Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who is presently in his residence surrounded by law enforcers.

Actually, I knew something was going to happen tonight. There was that feeling in the air. Unfortunately, I also have a very bad feeling that the casualties are going to be very bad this time round, and I have a nasty feeling that there might even be fatalities. I really hope I’m wrong.

Latest press release from the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - http://www.osce.org

*** OSCE Chairman condemns use of force in Armenia, again appeals for post-election dialogue ***

HELSINKI, 1 March 2008 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Yerevan today.

“I urge the authorities to use maximum restraint. I am troubled that there are reports of casualties. I urge the authorities to release those detained, and I again call on the government and the opposition to engage in dialogue,” the Minister said.

In meetings with Armenian officials in Yerevan on 26 February, the Minister had said the OSCE was ready to continue helping the country as it attempts to consolidate its democracy and address shortcomings noted by OSCE and other observers during the 19 February presidential election process.

“The OSCE considers dialogue central to stability. At this important stage in Armenia’s development, everything should be done to avoid any escalation of tension,” said Minister Kanerva, who also visited Azerbaijan and Georgia during his visit to the South Caucasus this week.