Joseph Pennigton refutes hearsay about U.S. attempt to carry out 'color revolution' in ArmeniaMarch 28, 2008 - 14:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. is seriously concerned about the post-election situation in Armenia and tragic events of March 1 and 2 which ended in imposition of emergency rule, arrests and media freedom limitations, Joseph Pennington, U.S. charge d'affaires in Armenia, told a news conference today."Armenia and the U.S. enjoy warm and friendly relations. We have examined the situation and now express our concern. However, Armenia should itself decide on the ways to resolve the crisis and come back to democracy track," he said. "In his statements President-elect Serzh Sargsyan demonstrates willingness to continue democratic reforms," he noted. Mr Pennigton voiced concern about arrests and tensions. "Only those who committed illegal acts should be punished. People who expressed their political will via protest actions should not be treated the same way," he said. "Armenia needs time to restore stability and the U.S. administration will close watch the steps the President-elect will take. The diplomat refutes hearsay about U.S. attempt to carry out a 'color revolution' in Armenia. "The problems emerged in Armenia and they should be addressed," he said, adding that the U.S. was not offered to hold an independent investigation into the March 1 and 2 events. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |