June 6, 2005 - 07:27 AMT
EQUATORIAL GUINEA PRESIDENT SIGNED DECREE ON PARDONING ARMENIAN PILOTS
Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo signed the decree on pardoning 6 Armenian pilots who were accused of a coup d'etat attempt last November. The President stated that the decree is the manifestation of good will and was signed on the eve of his birthday. The Armenian pilots will be immediately released and sent back to Armenia. To note, several days ago Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamian said that he is working for discharging of the pilots and hopes for a positive settlement of the issue. It should be also noted that several months ago Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian held negotiations on the problem during his visit to Equatorial Guinean capital of Malabo, Mediamax agency reports.