Armenian opposition: door for dialogue with authorities remains half open

 April 28, 2011 - 20:11 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian authorities for the first time allowed the radical opposition to hold its rally in Liberty Square of Yerevan after the March 1-2, 2008, events.

The number of rally participants reached 6,000 that is less compared to previous opposition rallies. No clashes among opposition supporters and policemen were reported. Rumors were circulating on opposition’s intention to march towards the presidential residence after the rally completion. However, eventually the procession was organized through another route – Tuamanyan St. – Mashtots Ave. – Amiryan St. – Republican Square – Liberty Square.

The rally was launched at 06:00pm local time by Chairman of the Armenian National Movement Aram Manukyan who congratulated the rally participants on “liberation” of the square. “Today, the Armenian opposition – Armenian National Congress (ANC) – dictates the political agenda, while the authorities have to consider our will,” Manukyan said.

Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabyan said that a “velvet revolution” has started in Armenia. He noted that the Armenian authorities try to mislead the people, saying that the congress does not aspire towards the change of power. “ANC programs remain unchanged - we demand organization of pre-term parliamentary and presidential elections,” noted Zurabyan.

Leader of the Armenian National Congress, Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrossian told the rally that the Armenian authorities fulfilled 2 out of 3 demands made during the April 8 opposition rally for continuation of a dialogue. The authorities allowed holding a rally in Liberty Square, as well as declared intention to reveal the March 1, 2008, events, noted Ter-Petrossian.

As for the third demand – release of people imprisoned for their political views, Ter-Petrossian said, hopefully, it will be met soon.

According to him, the April 27 statement of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan indicates that they will be released by May 28, Armenia’s First Republic Day.

Ter-Petrossian expressed hope that Editor-in-Chief of Haykakan Zhamanak paper Nikol Pashinyan and Sasun Mikaelyan will have the opportunity to address the next opposition rally scheduled for May 31.

Ter-Petrossian noted that the international community stroke three blows at Armenia recently. First, the Millennium Challenge Corporation has suspended Armenia’s financing. Second, the U.S. Department of State presented Armenia as a totalitarian state in its report on human rights. And third, PACE Co-Rapporteurs made a statement after discussions of the Monitoring Commission, in which they described non-revelation of the March 1, 2008, events as a domestic political crisis.

Ter-Petrossian went on saying: “Why should they speak in such tones with Armenia and brusquely interfere in the country’s domestic affairs? Why should second-rank officials give us lessons of democracy? What for our country should be reproached this way?”

At the same time, expectedly, Ter-Petrossian noted that the opportunity for a dialogue with the authorities is not exhausted, the door is half open.

The ANC April 28 rally finished in Liberty Square at around 08:00pm. It was followed by a procession through Yerevan streets.

After a procession through Yerevan streets, opposition supporters returned to Liberty Square, demanding continuation of the protest action with a sit strike.

However, leaders of the opposition Armenian National Congress managed to persuade people to leave the square, urging them to gather again on May 31.

Leaving Liberty Square, many rally participants stated they will never join an opposition rally in future.

ANC will hold its next rally on May 31.