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Prescott leads Armenia peace trip Prescott leads Armenia peace trip
(about 14 hours later)
Ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott is heading a diplomatic mission aimed at defusing Armenia's political crisis.Ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott is heading a diplomatic mission aimed at defusing Armenia's political crisis.
A state of emergency has been in force in the capital, Yerevan, since 1 March, after violence erupted amid allegations of vote-rigging in recent elections.A state of emergency has been in force in the capital, Yerevan, since 1 March, after violence erupted amid allegations of vote-rigging in recent elections.
Mr Prescott is visiting as a member of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, which he joined in October.Mr Prescott is visiting as a member of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, which he joined in October.
He will meet outgoing president Robert Kocharian and president-elect Serzh Sarkisian during his two-day trip.He will meet outgoing president Robert Kocharian and president-elect Serzh Sarkisian during his two-day trip.
The crisis followed recent presidential elections, in which the prime minister, Mr Sarkisian, won a large majority. The crisis followed recent presidential elections, in which the prime minister, Mr Sarkisian, officially beat the main opposition leader, Levon Ter-Petrosian, by a wide margin.
The main opposition leader and former president, Levon Ter-Petrosian, claims the election was rigged. Mr Ter-Petrosian, a former president, claims the election was rigged.
At the time of the elections on 19 February, John Prescott headed a similar delegation which travelled around Armenia, observing the poll.At the time of the elections on 19 February, John Prescott headed a similar delegation which travelled around Armenia, observing the poll.
They judged the election to have been generally democratic, but said there had been some problems with the counting of votes.They judged the election to have been generally democratic, but said there had been some problems with the counting of votes.
Official election results in Armenia gave Serzh Sarkisian 53% of the vote, and Levon Ter-Petrosian 21.5%.Official election results in Armenia gave Serzh Sarkisian 53% of the vote, and Levon Ter-Petrosian 21.5%.
A state of emergency was imposed as violence flared in YerevanA state of emergency was imposed as violence flared in Yerevan
The Council of Europe has sent Mr Prescott back to Armenia on what it calls a "snap visit", concerned by the violence and the imposition of the state of emergency.The Council of Europe has sent Mr Prescott back to Armenia on what it calls a "snap visit", concerned by the violence and the imposition of the state of emergency.
The aim is to "assess the post-electoral situation... and explore possibilities for defusing the current political crisis and promoting dialogue", the Council said in a statement.The aim is to "assess the post-electoral situation... and explore possibilities for defusing the current political crisis and promoting dialogue", the Council said in a statement.
Mr Prescott will also meet defeated candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian.Mr Prescott will also meet defeated candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian.
Opposition angerOpposition anger
The crisis in Armenia began when opposition demonstrators responded to electoral defeat with 11 days of mass demonstrations in the capital, setting up barricades in Yerevan's city centre.The crisis in Armenia began when opposition demonstrators responded to electoral defeat with 11 days of mass demonstrations in the capital, setting up barricades in Yerevan's city centre.
The government declared the protests were illegal, and on 1 March police fought pitched battles with demonstrators on the streets.The government declared the protests were illegal, and on 1 March police fought pitched battles with demonstrators on the streets.
Police clashed with protesters in Yerevan on 1 MarchPolice clashed with protesters in Yerevan on 1 March
Eight people who had been demonstrating in support of the defeated opposition candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosian, were killed. About 100 others were injured in the violence.Eight people who had been demonstrating in support of the defeated opposition candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosian, were killed. About 100 others were injured in the violence.
Mr Ter-Petrosian was placed under house arrest, but has been allowed out to attend proceedings at the Constitutional Court to challenge the election results.Mr Ter-Petrosian was placed under house arrest, but has been allowed out to attend proceedings at the Constitutional Court to challenge the election results.
Mr Prescott joined the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe last October, as leader of the UK contingent of 18 Westminster MPs.Mr Prescott joined the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe last October, as leader of the UK contingent of 18 Westminster MPs.
The Council of Europe is a body founded in 1949 to promote democratic ideals and human rights in Europe, and is not part of the apparatus of the European Union.The Council of Europe is a body founded in 1949 to promote democratic ideals and human rights in Europe, and is not part of the apparatus of the European Union.