The US and EU speak about the peaceful solution of the conflict in Khorenatsi Street, Maria Zakharova speaks about the “quick cleaning” thereof
The US, EU and Russia have reacted to the armed attack on the Patrol Service regiment (SPS) located in Erebuni Administrative District and the actions following. However, their statements diametrically differ from each other. US Ambassador Richard Mills announced, “Violence is never an acceptable way to bring political change to Armenia.”
The statement issued by the EU Delegation to Armenia reads, “We call on the authorities to observe the principle of proportionality in handling public manifestations, which applies to both peaceful and violent gatherings. Likewise, demonstrators need to refrain from violence in the exercise of their civil rights. We also take note of the statements issued by the Ombudsman and call for a full investigation of all cases of alleged wrongdoing by the police, including mistreatment, denial of access to lawyers and medical care.”
Yesterday, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova addressed the issue of seizing the SPS regiment. She told in an interview with one of the Russian media, “Moscow condemns the seizure of the police station in Yerevan and supports the measures taken by the Armenian authorities. We strongly condemn the armed attack on the headquarters of the patrol service in Yerevan o July 17. We hope they will help settle the situation as soon as possible, release the hostages, carry out a thorough investigation and punish those guilty.”
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As it is seen, the reactions of Moscow, the US and the EU diametrically differ. If the US and EU emphasize the solution thru peaceful settlement, the investigation of violence against demonstrators, the official Moscow’s approach is different, “Urgent solution and release the hostages.” To the question of “Aravot” what conclusions should be drawn from these diametrically different statements, the founder of the Institute for International and Security Affairs, political analyst Stepan Safaryan replied, “If the US and the EU have set a claim for a peaceful solution to the situation, rather say, a solution with political process, then Russia is pushing the RA authorities to force actions, making them understand that no legitimacy issue will arise. The used vocabulary is the evidence of it: “urgent solution”, “release the hostages.” Unfortunately, this means provoking to force actions. Whether the RA authorities would be so reckless, I hope that they will understand the gravity of the moment and will not go by this way.” Stepan Safaryan warned that in that case, the RA authorities will be greatly dependent on Russia, “After the use of force, the RA authorities will appear in Putin’s hands.” According to Mr. Safaryan, “Maria Zakharova’s words mean to “quickly clean them from there.” Back to the stance of the US and the EU, Stepan Safaryan stated that “they demand the police officers using violence against citizens be accountable and carry out a fair investigation, and most importantly, the problem be resolved through political processes, which emerges from the RA democracy.” Stepan Safaryan totally accepts the solution in political and peaceful manner.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
