Yerevan, 28 October 1999 (RFE/RL) - Armenian President Robert
Kocharian and leaders of the country's
main political groups agreed today to work together to stabilize the
country. The political leaders met to discuss the situation after Armenia's
prime minister, parliament speaker, and
six other deputies and ministers were killed by gunmen in the parliament
building yesterday. A statement from Kocharian said the party leaders stressed their readiness to cooperate with the president and deal jointly with the consequences of the slayings. Vazden
Manukian, chairman of the opposition
National Democratic Union, participated in the meeting and confirmed the
president's report.
Vahan Hovannisian, chairman of the nationalist Dashnaktsutyun
party, told reporters that Kocharian has
formed a government commission to organize the funeral of the slain
officials.
The Armenian Defense Ministry said it also is backing the president. But it demanded the resignation of the country's highest law-enforcement officials.
The Defense Ministry statement says the minister of national security and other law-enforcement officials failed to ensure adequate security in the parliament building.
The Armenian Defense Ministry said it also is backing the president. But it demanded the resignation of the country's highest law-enforcement officials.
The Defense Ministry statement says the minister of national security and other law-enforcement officials failed to ensure adequate security in the parliament building.