DATE=11/2/1999
TYPE=EDITORIAL
TITLE=EDITORIAL: POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ARMENIA
NUMBER=0-08514
CONTENT=
THIS IS THE THIRD OF THREE EDITORIALS
BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 11/2/99.
Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing
points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next,
an editorial expressing the policies of the United
States Government:
Voice: Political violence recently struck at the
rule of law in Armenia. Gunmen seized control of
the Armenian parliament on October 27th. Eight
people were killed, including Prime Minister
Vazgen Sarksyan [vahs-GIN sarks-ee-AHN], Speaker
of the parliament Karen Demirchian [kah-RIN dem-
ur-chee-AHN], Deputy Speaker Youri Bakshian [yuhr-
ee bahk-shee-AHN], and government minister Leonard
Petrosian [leh-uh-NARD pet-roh-see-AHN]. Fifty
others were wounded in the attack. Millions of
stunned Armenians watched on television as their
country's leaders and top lawmakers were murdered
or held hostage for eighteen hours. The terrorists
are now in the hands of Armenian authorities.
Since achieving its independence in 1991 from the
Soviet Union, Armenia has suffered comparatively
little of the political violence that has ravaged
other newly independent states. In April 1998,
U.S. embassy guards safely disarmed a hand grenade
outside the residence of the U.S. ambassador. The
perpetrators have not been identified. Last
December, Deputy Minister of Defense Vahram
Khokhoruni [VAH rahm HOHK-hoh-roon-ee] was shot to
death outside his apartment in Yerevan [yer-ah-
VAHN]. The investigation into that shooting
continues.
President Bill Clinton said that the murder of
Prime Minister Sarksyan and other Armenian leaders
was "a real blow to that country and to that
region." He stressed that "the United States has
built strong ties with Armenia, focused on helping
the Armenian people build a prosperous, secure and
democratic future."
The struggle to establish Armenian democracy,
after decades of totalitarian rule, has been
difficult. And many Armenians believe that much
more has to be done. But only through democratic
institutions can the Armenian people achieve the
freedom, security, and prosperity to which they
are entitled.
No nation or people is entirely safe from the
threat of terrorism and political violence. But
democracies around the world have consistently
proven stronger than the enemies of democracy ever
imagined. Armenia's democracy should be no
different.
Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the
policies of the United States Government. If you
have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A,
Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also
comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials,
or fax us at (202) 619-1043.
01-Nov-1999 15:04 PM EDT (01-Nov-1999 2004 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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