Alcee L. Hastings: March events damaged Armenia's image

PanARMENIAN.Net - Although the OSCE observation mission's report described the Armenian February 19 presidential election as "mostly in line with international standards," majority of the republic's population took the streets to protest election outcomes, said chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.



"Clashes with law enforces resulted in human losses. The events damaged badly Armenia's international image," Alcee L. Hastings said during the "Armenia after the Election" hearing.



For his part, Vigen Sargsyan, advisor to the RA President, said that the authorities are willing to open political dialogue with the opposition and that all those responsible for the disorders will be punished.



Meanwhile, Arman Grigoryan, spokesman for Armenia's first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, said the opposition doesn't recognize Serzh Sargsyan as the country's leader, since the election was badly marred. Grigoryan also urged the RA authorities to release opposition supporters.