Oskanian: defeated side should accept election outcomes

PanARMENIAN.Net - "I could not imagine such shocks are possible in our republic. But unfortunately, there are people who chose hatred and revenge," Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in Yerevan today.



"Those who gathered at Liberty Square do not want to understand that out country faces global challenges. The election is over. The CEC has officially announced the winner. I think that the defeated should accept this fact and reach out for reconciliation," the Minister said.



He said the Armenian people should unite to prevent genocidal acts like those which took place in Sumgayit in February 1998. "The domestic tensions will affect the country's international image and the Karabakh conflict settlement. I rate conduction of rallies as manifestation of democracy but there is a limit to everything. There were seven days to re-count the votes and express discontent with the defeat," he said.



"Civilized methods, specifically appeal to the Constitutional Court, will be admitted by the international community and will be a positive factor for the Armenian democracy. I think that the nation will comprehend everything and will put an end to rallies, thus directing the opposition to the right track," the Minister said.



The opposition initiated a rally on February 20 to protest the outcomes of the presidential election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan with 52,82 per cent of votes. Ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan received 21,5 per cent of votes.