Paruyr Hayrikyan says authorities-ANC talks agenda important

PanARMENIAN.Net - The agenda of the oncoming negotiations between the authorities and the oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) is what must be important to the society, rather that the composition of ANC delegation at future elections, according to Union for National Self-Determination party leader.

As Paruyr Hayrikyan told a news conference in Yerevan, no snap elections are to be expected. “In case snap elections took place, they would result in the authorities-ANC union that would follow Miasnutyun union creation scenario.” (In 1999, opposition leader Karen Demirchyan formed Miasnutyun Union with Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, despite his previously complicated relations with the authorities.)

Hayrkyan shared his low expectations from the snap elections, which, in his view, will bring no changes, being a result of falsifications.

From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results. The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested. Starting 2008, Armenian authorities and ANC have been stressing the necessity of launching a political dialogue, which became possible in spring 2011.

The authorities allowed the opposition to hold rallies in Liberty Square, announcing the intention to start investigation of March 2008 tragic events. President Sargsyan offered the National Assembly to declare amnesty on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the proposal being based on article 81.1.1 of the RA Constitution and article 90 of the law on National Assembly regulations. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved Thursday, May 26, President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for declaration of amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut. Further, ANC expressed readiness to start a dialogue. On June 2, a delegation war formed to negotiate with the authorities. As Armenian authorities stated, crucial issues the country is facing will be on talks agenda. However, they urged the opposition against expecting snap elections, noting there are no objective reasons for holding them.