July 19, 2005 - 09:23 AMT
ARMENIA MAY BECOME BEACON FOR DEVELOPING DEMOCRACIES
Any attempt of gerrymander of the election returns in Armenia in 2007 and 2008 will create big problems, US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans said, reported Mediamax. «US considers that the coming election in Armenia should be free and fair. They have to be taken by Armenian electors and international observers just in this way,» he remarked. «Actually, it is a simple truth. New leaders are elected in democratic countries by means of the ballot boxes. The lesson of other election should be clear to anyone, who gives way to the temptation of gerrymander of the election returns. People are not silly and they will discover it. This will result a large problem burdened with huge risk,» the Ambassador stated. Evans also noted that democracy in any country should develop in compliance with the history, culture and the available circumstances. «While having a firm and steadfast democracy, Armenia may become a beacon for those in the region, who are trying to establish democracy in their countries,» Evans said.