STATEMENTS

STATEMENT REGARDING THE ARREST OF ALEXANDER ARZUMANIAN

May 9, 2007

We are shocked and alarmed by the arrest of Alexander Arzumanian, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and leader of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

This development validates our deepest concerns for the measure of lawlessness, impunity and arbitrariness in Armenia -- phenomena that, despite having existed in our society for decades, have taken unprecedented proportions since 1998, and are now threatening to undermine the values and the course of Armenia’s independence.

We call upon the President of the Republic, and the Prime Minister to demonstrate adherence to the principles of the Constitution of Armenia, and heed the voice of morality and reason, by reverting from a path that leads to the establishment of a medieval dictatorship in Armenia.

We urge an immediate end to repressions and intimidation of the opposition and the citizenry, and call for a return to norms of conduct befitting a civilized society.

We also express our admiration for Alexander Arzumanian and his family, for their restraint and civil courage at this difficult time.

Armen KHARAZIAN
Former Head of Political Military Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia
Former Deputy Chief of Mission, Armenian Embassy to the United States
Arsen GASPARYAN
Former Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia
Arman GRIGORYAN
Visiting Professor of Government, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Former Foreign Service Officer, Armenia
Hasmik HARUTIUNIAN
Former Foreign Service Officer, Armenia
And dozens of other former career officers of the Armenian government service

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