The South African Government condemns in the strongest terms the senseless killing of the Armenian Prime Minister, Mr Vazgen Sarkisian, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Karen Demirchian, and six parliamentarians, in a cowardly attack on the Armenian parliamen t on 27 October 1999.
The South African non-resident Ambassador to Armenia, Mr Delarey van Tonder, who is currently in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, yesterday conveyed the South African Government’s condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and pe ople of Armenia, following the tragic events and the violation of the sanctity of the Armenian Assembly.
The Ambassador reported from Yerevan that the situation in the capital is calm, following the release of the hostages and the arrest of the attackers.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
29 OCTOBER 1999