July 11, 2002 - 23:00 AMT
FOUR ARMENIANS KILLED AS RESULT OF SKIRMISH IN KIROVOGRAD REGION OF UKRAINE
As a result of the skirmish in the territory of the Kirovograd region of Ukraine 8 July evening, four Armenians are killed and four are wounded. As "Unian" agency reports with the reference to Ukraine MIA, the cause of the skirmish was the conflict between two businessmen that tried to get contract for asphalt works on the roads in Znamenka town. One of the businessmen won the tender and the other one did not like that and this resulted in the conflict. The meeting July 8 near Subotsi village where the competitors with their followers drove to ended in the quarrel about 11 p.m. that was followed with the skirmish. The police officers detained two participants of the skirmish. The businessmen are in search at present. Eight people with Armenian origin residing in Ukraine with wounds were taken to hospitals. Four of the Armenians died at hospital. Thereupon, the embassy of Ukraine in Armenia has called on the Armenian media to refrain from spreading unchecked information about the causes of the incident. "Such information might have negative effect on traditionally friendly relations between the Armenian and Ukrainian peoples", is stated in the press release.