Opposition rally outcomes: electricity cut off reminds ANC supporters of 1990s

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc rally, which gathered about 3000 supporters kicked off at Yerevan’s Liberty Square on November 25.

About resignations

Haykakan Zhamanak daily editor-in-chief was the first to deliver a speech. As Nikol Pashinyan stated at Nov 25 ANC rally, “recent resignations prove ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian was right in predicting large-scale shifts in government staff.”

Pashinyan further commented on Armenia police chief Alik Sargsyan’s “disgraceful” dismissal, noting that the latter learned about his resignation from newspapers. In this context, Pashinyan urged Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan to follow Robert Kocharian’s suit by leaving politics.

Electricity cut off

Electricity cut off occurred while Republic party leader Aram Sargsyan was delivering a statement at Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc rally.

Lamps at nearby streets, however, were alight.

Despite the darkness, the rally continued with the leader of People’s Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan delivering the next statement.

Declaration claiming RA President’s resignation

ANC coordinator Levon Zurabyan read out a declaration on political and legal reasons for Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation. The latter was unanimously adopted by demonstrators.

According to Zurabyan, 9-point declaration will foster unification of citizens’ political forces backing President Sargyan’s resignation.

The declaration implies that Serzh Sargsyan has committed serious crimes serving a reason for his resignation under RA Constitution. Zurabyan pointed out violation of Election Code during 2008 elections, election forgery and use of administrative and criminal-oligarchic resources.

Zurabyan even noted violation of powers particularly the judicial branch aimed at persecution of ANC activists during Sargsyan’s presidency.

ANC and Prosperous Armenia

ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian noted that ANC will step up cooperation with Prosperous Armenia if the latter leaves the coalition.

In his speech Ter-Petrossian dwelled on serious discrepancies between Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and Prosperous Armenia and formation of a third political force in Armenian authorities.

Vote for any candidate except RPA

ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian called on the opposition to vote for any candidate except for RPA member if ANC fails to nominate a candidate.

ANC leader noted that during Ijevan mayor race local institutions backed candidacy of Prosperous Armenia member without any instruction from ANC headquarters.

Next rally in February

The next rally will be held in February, ANC leader told the demonstrators.

Levon Ter-Petrossian noted that the rally will be held earlier in case of dramatic changes in the political situation.

Ter-Petrossian congratulated his supporters on the coming New Year and Merry Christmas voicing hope that 2012 will become the year of victory and restoration of civil rights.