White House doesn't possess reliable information on Yerevan March 1, 2 events

PanARMENIAN.Net - The George Bush administration puts the blame for March disorders on the Armenian government.



Addressing the congressional bi-partisan commission on security and cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Matthew J. Bryza said that although the White House doesn't possess reliable information on the March 1 and 2 events, which resulted in 10 deaths, the Bush administration puts the blame on the Armenian government.



"Washington stands for an unbiased investigation of the events when the authorities used force to restore order in the capital," he said.



The diplomat called on the Armenian authorities "to take action to restore democratic development and to release detained opposition supporters, whose number reaches 100-110." He also warned about suspension of the Millennium Challenge Account in case Yerevan fails to meet the U.S. demands.



For his part, Alcee L. Hastings, chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, said the March events "seriously damaged" Armenia's international image.



Senator Benjamin L. Cardin suggested that the Bush administration head international efforts for independent investigation into the tragic events, Izvestia reports.



On March 1 ongoing opposition rallies resulted in a melee that claimed lives of 8 people and injured over 200. Then-President Robert Kocharian imposed 20-day state of emergency in Yerevan to restore public order.