" . . . that the West cares about democracy only when it is politically expedient to do so."

'US diplomats have provided no indication that they will press either Kocharian or the president-elect Serzh Sarkisian for an honest accounting of the March 1 events, or for adjustments that could promote reconciliation and the stabilization of the domestic political environment. Bryza, the deputy assistant secretary of state, arrived in Yerevan on March 6 and appeared to offer a strong endorsement for incumbent authorities. "You are a special leader," the official Armenpress news agency quoted Bryza as telling Sarkisian during a meeting. "You have the vision and approaches which we want to see for the implementation of joint programs. We want you and Armenia to succeed."

In sharp contrast to the US diplomatic stance, Canada on March 5 issued a broad critique of the Kocharian administration's practices. "It is a democratic right of people everywhere to gather and express their views, as long as it is done in a peaceful manner," Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier said in a statement, referring to the Yerevan election protest. "We urge the government of Armenia to respect these fundamental freedoms by lifting the state of emergency as soon as possible."'

from

http://www.eurasianet.org/armenia08/news/030608.shtml