OSCE Special Envoy calls for political dialogue to defuse crisis in Armenia

YEREVAN, 4 March 2008 - Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, 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 and to encourage political dialogue.

Talvitie was sent to Yerevan by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, on Sunday 2 March to seek ways to defuse the political crisis.

"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," he said before returning to Helsinki.

He also said he regretted that maximum restraint had not been used.

"That the OSCE Chairman-in-Office sent me to Armenia immediately following Saturday's events shows that he is seriously concerned. He is deeply troubled about the deaths and injuries that have occurred," he added.

In meetings with authorities, Talvitie said he hoped that the state of emergency would be lifted soon so that normal political life can resume.

"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," he said. "Political dialogue can only be meaningful if it is an inclusive process that involves all political forces."

He also urged authorities to thoroughly investigate what happened on 1 March. He noted that anyone guilty of committing crimes need to be held responsible, but cautioned against making arrests on political grounds. He noted that the Constitutional Court had been convened to consider complaints about the outcome of the presidential election.

Talvitie said the OSCE was ready to support Armenia as it seeks to create conditions that would enable a normalisation of the situation.

"As pointed out by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office during his recent visit to Armenia, dialogue and co-operation are the hallmarks of the OSCE. Once again, we call on all sides to make effective use of these tools to resolve the challenges facing Armenia," he said.

During his three-day visit, Talvitie met with President Robert Kocharian, President-elect Serge Sargsyan, Foreign Minister Oskanyan, former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and other opposition leaders as well as civil society representatives.