Saturday, 23 February 2008
On behalf of the US Department of State, Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey has issued an official press statement on the presidential election in Armenia, which reads as follows in particular:
"We congratulate the people of Armenia on the active and competitive Presidential election of February 19 and note the preliminary assessment of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly that the election was "mostly in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections." At the same time, we also note that international monitors identified significant problems with electoral procedures. Armenian election authorities have responded with the positive step of recounts in a number of jurisdictions. We urge the Government of Armenia to ensure these recounts are conducted comprehensively and transparently, investigate all allegations of irregularities, and implement steps to improve future elections. We also urge all political forces to continue observing the rule of law and to work peacefully and responsively for a democratic Armenia."
