In a statement released on 18 March, the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) has appealed to President Robert Kocharian to \"fully investigate all alleged violations of the election process and the rule of law\" during the recent presidential election, RFE/RL\'s Armenian Service reported. Referring to the OSCE Election Observation Mission\'s criticisms of the ballot, the AAA statement said that \"restoration of the public\'s trust in the democratic process must now be the highest priority of the Kocharian Administration.\" In an undated statement posted on Groong on 19 March, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian sought to reassure diaspora Armenians who, he said, have \"not yet fully understood Armenia and its growing pains.\" Oskanian pointed out that international monitors found fault only with the voting process and have not questioned the validity of its outcome. He admitted that the election was not perfect but claimed that what is more important is that \"progress has been made.\" (RFE/RL)