SACRAMENTO–Secretary of Foreign Affairs to Governor Gray Davis Michael Flores–directed a statement late Friday to Armenia’s Consul General to the US Valery Mkrtoumian–concerning the printing of a fraudulent letter in the pro opposition Armenian newspaper "Aravot" on March 12.
Asbarez covered the issue on March 14 and 15–revealing that a fraudulent letter allegedly written by Senator Dianne Feinstein was also published along side the Governor’s in the same issue of Aravot.
The letter was supposedly sent by the Governor to the challenger opposing the incumbent President of the Republic of Armenia.
The challenger was defeated in the March 5 runoff.
The following is the text of Flores’s March 14 letter to Consul General Mkrtoumian:
"It has come to my attention that a forged letter was published stating Governor Gray Davis’ support for a presidential candidate participating in the 2003 Armenian Election.
It is against our policy and protocol to endorse political candidates running for office in countries other than the United States.
I look forward to working with you in strengthening the relationship between the Republic of Armenia and the State of California."
The letter is signed–Michael Flores–Secretary of Foreign Affairs.