ANC to set ultimatum to Armenian authorities soon

PanARMENIAN.Net - Representatives of the Armenian authorities and Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc are confident of continuation of coalition-opposition dialogue.

“The absence of choice, rather than a wish to uphold democratic ideas, will force the authorities to continue negotiations,” ANC representative Gurgen Yeghiazaryan told a news conference in Yerevan.

According to Yeghiazaryan, the dialogue is essential for finding a way out of a deadlock the country found itself in. The ANC representative refused to acknowledge the opposition-set ultimatum as a reason for a dialogue suspension. “We posed no ultimatums, however, they may soon follow,” Yeghiazaryan said, adding, “the dialogue will be continued after the release of all political prisoners in Armenia.”

A member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group, Lernik Aleksanyan, in turn, stressed the importance of the dialogue. “Opposition-coalition talks are essential for Armenian society, the authorities and, specifically, ANC, as the latter is not represented in Armenian parliament. The dialogue is a possibility for ANC to express their views on crucial issues,” the MP said.

Representatives of the ruling coalition have held meetings since July 18, the two main issues on the agenda being conduction of extraordinary election (on ANC demand) and development of canons of political competition (as suggested by the authorities).

Problems emerged when police detained 7 young ANC activists. According to the ANC, on August 9 police officers used violence against ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan and Artak Karapetyan. Upon arrival to the site, activists Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kirimajyan tried to settle the dispute but were beaten as well, the ANC said. All above-mentioned were taken to a police station.

Currently, Tigran Arakelyan is kept in custody. The others were released.

On August 26, the Congress announced that it suspends the dialogue and believes Arakelyan to be a political prisoner.