HEIKKI TALVITIE STATED THAT ANYONE GUILTY OF COMMITTING CRIMES NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, BUT CAUTIONED AGAINST MAKING ARRESTS ON POLITICAL GROUNDS
Mediamax
March 5, 2008
Yerevan /Mediamax/. Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, the Special Envoy of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office stated that anyone guilty of committing
crimes in the process of unrest in Yerevan on March 1, need to be
held responsible, urging at that to refrain from arrests on political
grounds.
Mediamax reports that Heikki Talvitie, who arrived in Yerevan on
March 2, said this in written from before returning of Helsinki.
The Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, called today
on Armenia’s authorities to lift the state of emergency as soon
as possible.
"We need political dialogue to find a way forward, and such a dialogue
is not possible as long as the state of emergency remains in place.
Political dialogue can only be meaningful if it is an inclusive
process that involves all political forces", Heikki Talvitie stated.
"I note that demonstrations were held peacefully for 10 days following
the 19 February presidential election. However, the events on Saturday
1 March, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, were
very serious and tragic," Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
stated.