Azernews.Az

A senior US official put forth strongly-worded demands to the Armenian authorities after meeting with the country's first president, opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian.
US Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer said on a recent visit to the South Caucasus republic that Yerevan should comply with certain requirements to improve relations between the two countries. First of all, Armenia should put an end to steps that run counter to democratic principles.
"We have put forth certain demands. These are lifting restrictions imposed on free speech and the conduct of public protests, fully investigating the March developments, releasing those arrested over their political views and launching real dialog between the authorities and opposition."
Armenia's February 19 presidential election was followed by mass protests which were put down with the use of force. The opposition had refused to recognize the results of the election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, charging vote rigging and taking to the streets. 28 people were reported killed and hundreds were injured during the demonstrations on March 1.
With regard to the parliamentary commission set up to investigate the post-election violence, Kramer said there were divergent opinions about it in society. "But the main thing is public confidence in the commission," he added.
Ter-Petrosian said the opposition was ready to launch dialog with the ruling elite if political prisoners were freed.
Kramer is a State Department official responsible for democracy, human rights and labor issues. Reports have linked the visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's deputy to the tense situation in Armenia.