June 20 - marks the next day

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http://a1plus.am/am/?page=issue&iid=61311

 

Kartaceq zhoghovurt jan, esel mer verchi norutyunnerna - Junisi 20 in noric patrastvumen zhoghovurt@ hamaxmbats hanrahavaq, azatucyan hraparakum...

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CITY HALL NOTIFIED OF JUNE 20 RALLY

 

The Popular Movement has notified the Yerevan City Hall of their forthcoming rally at Liberty Square, Spokesperson for Armenia’s first President Arman Musinian said to A1+.

 

The rally is scheduled for 6:00 June 20. The City hall is to consider the notification and give an answer within 72 hours.

 

Note: Levon Ter-Petrossian is expected to make a speech at the rally. The latter is in France on a five-day working visit.

 

A1Plus

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IS ZHARANGUTIUN PREPARED TO COMPROMISE WITH GOVERNMENT?

 

[06:34 pm] 11 June, 2008

 

These days Armenia's Parliament is discussing the draft bill on setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate the March 1events. According to the bill, the committee will feature two parliamentarians from each faction and one non-partisan parliamentarian. The “Zharangutiun” Party, the only opposition faction in the parliament, objects to the proposed format of the committee. The party is going to present its objections and proposals to the National Assembly today.

 

“The ad hoc committee aims to investigate a highly important issue therefore it should enjoy public confidence,” said “Zharangutiun” MP Vardan Khachatrian today. In this connection, the party proposes that the representative of the Popular Movement should have voting rights rather than be an associate member. Vardan Khachatrian says even though the Regulations of the National Assembly do not allow inclusion of a non-parliamentarian in a parliament committee, an exception should be made because revelation of the March 1 events and disclosure of wrongdoers are highly important for our society. The Zharangutiun MP says the country will not develop unless the truth about the events is revealed, and the wrongdoers are punished.

 

The party proposes another option of compromise. If the staff of the committee does not change, the “Zharangutiun” proposes invitation of experts to observe parity. “In other words, we suggest that the group of experts have two equal parts-one invited by the government, the other by the opposition. We are rather interested in revealing the objective reality than making an impression on the society,” Vardan Khachatrian says.

 

The party's final decision on the committee will depend on the acceptance of its proposals and objections. Vardan Khachatrian says if they see that the committee aims to cover up the crime, the “Zharangutiun” will make a political statement and leave the committee.

 

A1Plus

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WILL AD HOC COMMITTEE ACT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

 

[08:17 pm] 11 June, 2008

 

“A full revelation of the March 1 occurrences is first of all advantageous to the authorities as only after giving answers to these thorny questions they will be able to turn over the page and go ahead. Otherwise questions will continue being put from the NA rostrum and numerous squares,” said the chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Legal Affairs David Harutiunian. He is confident that they have chosen the best form of an ad hoc committee.

 

David Harutiunian says the committee is to consider the issues posed in the Human Rights Ombudsman’s special report as well.

 

Asked whether the journalists will have an access to follow the committee’s work and whether the committee’s activities will be broadcast on TV, David Harutiunian said “he finds it inexpedient as cameras and journalists imply some elements of a show and a political force tries to appear to the best in front of cameras.

 

The only opposition force in the National Assembly, “Zharangutiun,” demands to have a clear-cut proportion of forces in the committee-50% from the opposition and another 50 % from the authorities. This will enable the committee to gain public confidence.

 

“We shouldn’t draw a preconceived opinion of the committee which isn’t yet set up. We cannot say the child is deaf or blind unless he/she is born,” said OYK MP Hovhannes Margarian.

 

The co-author of the proposal, BHK member Naira Zohrabian says we shouldn’t be ill-disposed to the committee. She advised recruiting more specialists and experts in the committee.

 

“Zharangutiun” MP Vardan Khachatrian noted that the March 1 events divided Armenia’s history into two parts. That page cannot be closed unless public confidence is restored.

 

“I wouldn’t like the March 1 events to stir up hostility and give grounds for settling accounts,” Vardan Khacahtrian said in reply to NA Speaker Tigran Torossian. Then he added that some issues really demand discretion.

 

The draft bill on the formation of an ad hoc committee will be brought to a vote on June 12. The “Zharangutiun” will abstain in the vote while the coalition majority will vote for the bill.

 

A1Plus

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THE AUTHORITIES WILL HAVE TO ANSWER

 

[04:41 pm] 12 June, 2008

“Those who have appropriated the power will have to answer for it”, declared leader of the People’s Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian at the “De Facto” Club today. He meant the present authorities who continuously falsify elections but blame the opposition for their destructive attitude. Stepan Demirchian also noted that it is difficult to make out whether it is the 3rd term of Robert Kocharian or the 1st of Serzh Sargssian.

 

“New Armenia has not been founded. Everything is the same and today’s political situation is the result of recurrently rigged elections and the efforts of the authorities to keep themselves in power. The only difference we have are the victims.” According to Demirchian the authorities have only one way to ease the tension – holding special open elections. “Only after that we can speak over setup of a public council. Government which is setting up a public council and is eager to listen to public opinion cannot rig the elections”, says Demirchian.

 

Leader of the People’s Party also restated the demand of opposition to release the political prisoners, carry out open investigation, punish those guilty and hold free elections.

 

Stepan Demirchian made no provisions concerning the completion of PACE Resolution terms by the authorities and their possible discussion in Strasbourg. He only noticed that completion of the resolution proposals is first of all important for us and not for Europe.

 

A1Plus

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GURGEN YEGHIAZARIAN GOES ON HUNGER-STRIKE

 

[07:06 pm] 12 June, 2008

Former Deputy Minister of National Security Service Gurgen Yeghiazarian, who is presently in “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary, went on a hunger-strike today. As Arsen Babayan, Press secretary of the RA Justice Ministry Penitentiary Department informs, Yeghiazarian applied to the Head of “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary notifying of his permanent hunger-strike.

 

According to Arsen Babayan the management board of the Penitentiary has taken all the necessary measures and Gurgen Yeghiazarian is currently under medical supervision.

 

His health state is assessed to be satisfactory.

 

A1Plus

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“WE CAN WIN BY HOLDING RALLIES”

 

[08:33 pm] 12 June, 2008

 

Zhirayr Sefilian, Commander of the Shushi special battalion will take part in the rally organized by the Pan Armenian National Movement due on June 20. After his release it was the first time that Sefilian had met with journalists. “It does not make much difference whether the rally will be held in Azatutyan Square (Liberty Square) or near the Matenadaran. The authorities simply show their weakness by banning rallies in Azatutyan Square”, Sefilian noticed.

 

Concerning the June 20 rally, former commander believes: “Lots of political problems can be solved on that day. I call all the Armenians to partake in the rally as, I am sure, we can achieve much by our presence. Turnover is almost done; we have only some technical problems to solve. Opposition leaders were able to prove that they could destroy the criminal pyramid of this regime by merely dancing in Azatutyan Square. I am sure the opposition is able to win by holding rallies.”

 

Sefilian stated that 1 March was too difficult for him to confront as he was in prison and in no way could help his people. “I had declared before my imprisonment that these authorities were too weak to yield without shedding blood. Unfortunately I was right”, Sefilian notices with a heavy heart. He considers that people should be cautious on 20 June so that 1 March won’t be repeated.

 

“We must call to responsibility all those who broke the law not only against me but also against any citizen of Armenia. I am not full of revenge. I relieved myself of this feeling long ago since I consider it a weakness that misleads you. But the criminals must be punished in the name of our statehood”, Sefilian concluded.

 

A1Plus

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MUNICIPALITY DOES NOT AUTHORIZE THE OPPOSITION RALLY

 

[08:50 pm] 12 June, 2008

 

Today the Municipality rejected the request of the opposition to authorize the rally due on June 20. As the Municipality promises the causes for rejection will be announced later.

 

However, tomorrow the opposition is planning to apply once more and appeal today’s decision in the court.

 

Later on the Municipality informed “A1+” that the rally is allowed to be held near the sports ground “Hrazdan” on the same day.

 

A1Plus

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POPULAR MOVEMENT WILL GIVE AUTHORITIES ANOTHER CHANCE

 

[02:07 pm] 13 June, 2008

 

Yesterday the Yerevan City Hall turned down the notification of the Popular Movement to sanction the opposition’s rally due at Liberty Square on June 20. The City Hall explained the rejection by its intention to hold an event at the Square on the same day. Later in the day, the City Hall said the rally is allowed to be held near the sports ground “Hrazdan” on June 20.

 

The Center for the Popular Movement made a statement which says in part:

 

“The authorities’ stance testifies to their fear. They break the anti-constitutional and draconian laws passed. They try their best to waive people’s right to rallies therefore they take all illegal and mean efforts. Anyway, we want to give another chance to the authorities in order to solve the question in a civilized and legal way. We shall dispute the decision in the court and apply to the City Hall once more. Displaying a constructive and flexible approach, we will offer an alternative to Liberty Square, the area near the Matenadaran.

 

The Movement had already stated that the rally of June 20 will take place despite the decision made by the acting regime. We reassert our resolve to restore our basic constitutional right for freedom of assemblies on that day.”

 

A1Plus

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OPPOSITION SUBMITS ANOTHER NOTIFICATION

 

[07:27 pm] 13 June, 2008

 

After rejecting the opposition’s notification to hold a rally at Liberty Square on June 20 the Yerevan City Hall suggested holding the rally near “Hrazdan” sports ground.

 

”Aliev applies to the same methods: He suggests the opposition to hold rallies in the city outskirts. But a rally should be available for large masses of people,” Spokesman for the Center of Polular Movement, Armen Musinian, said to A1+.

 

The Popular Movement is going to appeal the City Hall’s decision though they have decided to give the authorities another chance to correct their mistake. The Popular Movement has submitted notification to the City Hall of a June 20 rally to be held either at Liberty Square or near the Matenadaran.

 

A1Plus

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RURAL RESIDENTS ARE BANNED ENTRY TO YEREVAN

[04:10 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

Residents of Kotayk Marz couldn’t get to Yerevan today as all the roads were blocked by policemen. They are checking every bus, minibus and car. Yesterday, drivers of minibuses were strictly ordered to stay indoors. The bus-stops of Abovian town have been overcrowded since early morning.

 

People voiced complaint as they had been waiting for hours to get to the capital. Some hurried to work others to studies.

 

“This is really ridiculous, real nonsense. I shall not be paid if I am late for work. Who is to compensate for the losses,” said architect Misak.

 

Gayane was hurrying to an exam. “I am not interested either in the authorities or in the opposition. I haven’t slept for a week studying day and night for the exam. Today I came to the bus-stop and found no means of transport there. Who is to pass my exam?”

 

People were thinking of a way to get to the destination. Some emptied their pockets and called a taxi, others became discouraged and went home. “The authorities say they care for our security. But I doubt their words. I think they are rather concerned about today’s large-scale rally than about our security. The rally is due at 6:00 p.m. while they have blocked streets since 7:0 a.m.”

 

“The authorities seem to be at a loss as they have been taking preventive measures eight hours ahead of the rally. I wonder how scared they are!” said 49-year-old Vardan.

 

“They cannot hold power by force. Let them grant people freedom as only in that way they will gain public respect and confidence,” said Seda.

 

A1+ tried to find out from a local dispatcher the reasons for the mess. “Don’t you know the reasons? Everything is quite obvious. The main reason is today’s rally. People chained me with their questions. I was hardly able run away. Our country will never better. They force people to run to extremes, said dispatcher Sirak.”

 

“The order was given from the higher echelons. We cannot take even two passengers to Yerevan no matter how sick they are. But there are people really need medical treatment. I feel pity for them but I cannot help them as I have definite orders,” a driver of an Abovian-Yerevan minibus said to A1+,

 

The same is true with other settlements of the marz - Byureghavan, Nor Hachen, Zovuni, etc. Resident of Nor Hachen, 23-year-old David, got to Yerevan by taxi. He left home at 8 in the morning and reached Yerevan at 12.30.

 

“We were stopped on the way to Yerevan and sent back. We wanted to change the route and come to Yerevan via Ashtarak but they again stopped us. Finally, I got to Yerevan via Eghvard. There were about 300 people standing at bus-stops in Nor Hachen,” he said.

 

A1+

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“PROVOCATEURS SHOULD BE PUNISHED”

[04:14 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

http://www.a1plus.am/file/img/b/5411.jpg

 

As promised Armenia’s Police do their utmost to prevent the opposition’s rally near the Matenadaran. As usual the authorities have restored to “traditional” preventive methods. For instance, they ban people’s access to the capital.

 

We have already received alarms from regions that people are not transported to the capital as the main roads are blocked.

 

On June 20 the Popular Movement issued a statement which holds in part, “The Pan-Armenian rally organized by the Popular Movement is scheduled for 6.00 on June 20 near the Matenadaran. Organization of rallies stems from a RoA citizen’s constitutional right.

 

The rally will focus on the restoration of fundamental rights and freedoms of RoA citizens, implementation of PACE Resolution 1609 ahead of the PACE summer session.

 

We welcome the Police intention “to avert mass disorders and provocations.”

 

We agree that the Police should take rough measures towards provocateurs. Moreover, they shouldn’t break people’s right to rallies and demonstrations. We express our readiness to cooperate with the Police to ensure the security of ralliers.”

 

A1+

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SEFILIAN APPLIED FOR CITIZENSHIP

[05:20 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

The Passport and Visa Department of the RoA Police has recently accepted Zhirair Sefilian’s third application for citizenship. The first bapplication was left unaddressed by Robert Kocharian still in 2004, and the second was rejected in 2006 without sufficient grounds. Zhirair Sefilian made his third attempt while serving his sentence but the officers of the Visa and Passport Department refused to accept it for different excuses.

 

A1+

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RALLY AGREED TO BE HELD AT MATENADARAN

[06:52 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

As a result of negotiations representative of the Pan National Movement Levon Zurabian and Deputy Chief of Police Alexander Afian came to an agreement to allow the rally to be held near the Matenadaran.

 

According to Levon Zurabian the policemen, who had enclosed the Matenadaran since midday, allowed people to hold the rally in the site on the condition that “they would cause no trouble”.

 

Levon Ter-Petrossian and other opposition leaders will deliver a speech from the platform of the Matenadaran square.

 

By the way “A1+” has noticed policemen writing down registration numbers of the cars near the Matenadaran, since, in all probability, their owners will be participating in the rally.

 

 

You can watch more videos of the rally in the following link: 'http://youtube.com/a1plus/.

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LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN ARRIVES

[08:09 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

Minutes ago RA First President Levon Ter-Petrossian and Chairman of the “People’s Party of Armenia” Stepan Demirchian arrived at the Matenadaran square. People greeted them with heavy applauses and happy shouts. By the time they arrived, Chairman of the “Liberal Progressive Party” Hovhannes Hovhannissian and Chairman of the “Hanrapetutiun” (Republic) Party Aram Sargssian had already appeared on the stage.

 

More and more people are now joining the demonstrators. The police prevent people to go to the streets so that they wouldn’t block up the traffic.

 

A1+

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EQUIPMENT INSTALLED

[08:13 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

The rally has not started yet as the police hindered the opposition to bring the necessary equipment to the Matenadaran square. After concise negotiations the equipment was taken up to the platform. The microphone and the loudspeakers are already installed and the rally is expected to initiate soon.

 

Pro-oppositionists of rural areas encountered great difficulties in participating in the rally as public transport was banned and they had to take taxis to Yerevan.

 

A1+

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RALLY INITIATES

[09:02 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

Notwithstanding the hot sun thousands of people are going up to the Matenadaran square, shouting “Freedom”, “Free, independent Armenia”, etc.

 

Presently the pavements from the Matenadaran to the Conservatoire after Komitas are overcrowded. The nearby cafés are full too. The protesters are people of different professions and ranks. The staff of a whole chair of Yerevan State University is participating in the rally. “We shall win a conjoint victory. Our spirit has risen and neither Serzh Sargssian nor Kocharian can break it. We need educated authorities,” they say.

 

Armen Aghasian, who has come from Kotayk Region by taxi, observes: “So many people cannot possibly be mistaken. The authorities can’t make us believe they are improving the situation in the country. Why have they closed the roads to Yerevan? They behave like cowards.”

 

People met Levon Ter-Petrossian with triumph. They were running to and fro trying to shake hands with him. The first President was convoyed to the stage accompanied with heavy applauses and joyful shouts.

 

A1+

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MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR 1 MARCH VICTIMS

[09:51 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

Member of the political board of the “Hanrapetutiun” (Republic) Party Suren Surenyants is conducting the rally in the Matenadaran square. First of all he congratulated people on 3 victories they had won.

 

According to him the first victory was the breaking of the police barrier and holding the rally in the Matenadaran square. The second victory was the success of “A1+” in the European Court of Human Rights. The third one was the issue of Armenia to be urgently discussed in the agendum of the PACE summer session.

 

Surenyants considers that national movement is well-organized in Armenia, even better than in all the other former Soviet countries. “The unanimous hunger-strike of the political prisoners can serve as a typical example of it,” Surenyants declares.

 

Chairman of the “New Times” Party Hrachya Sargssian suggested that the people present observed a minute of silence for 1 March victims. “Every citizen struggles for himself. So each of you should bring another 2 people with you for the next rally,” Sargssian advised.

 

A1+

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SEFILIAN DELIVERS SPEECH

[10:24 pm] 20 June, 2008

Today Zhirayr Sefilian, Commander of the “Shushi” special battalion delivered a speech at the opposition rally held in the Matenadaran square. He welcomed all the participants of the rally in the name of Vahan Aronian and Vardan Malkhasian.

 

“We are struggling together though our friends are in prison. The whole political elite are on the platform today. People are divided into two branches: those who are with the Pan National Movement and those who are still in ambiguity. I call to the second party to join us in the rallies to follow.”

 

“There are only two ill-famed people that are determined to put Nagorno-Artsax on the market. Never will Levon Ter-Petrossian do it.,” declared Sefilian.

 

By the way, the police are reluctant to provide any information on the number of the rally participants.

 

A1+

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LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN HAS ONE PROBLEM

[11:04 pm] 20 June, 2008

 

“This has been our first national rally since March 1 and I ask you to observe a minute of silence for the victims”, said Levon Ter-Petrossian and noted that it could not be a usual rally since they had experienced the dreadful events of March 1.

 

“The authorities will have to answer one day,” he promised. “I take on the responsibility to award all the 1 March victims with the title of a hero.”

 

Next the first President spoke of the future tasks to be undertaken.

 

“The rally shows that people are not content with the results of the Presidential Elections and with Serzh Sargssian’s legitimacy. Now there would be more than 200.000 people here if the City Hall had authorized the rally. The international public takes the rating of the present authorities for the reputation of the Republic of Armenia,” noticed Ter-Petrossian.

 

Assessing PACE Resolution 1609 he noted that none of the points had been completed yet. “Now I have only one problem - the problem of the political prisoners”.

 

A1+

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AMERICAN ARMENIANS SEND A LETTER TO PACE

 

[01:29 pm] 24 June, 2008

A rally in defense of the Armenian Pan National Movement was organized in the crossroads of Hobart and Hollywood streets, Los Angeles. According to the US information service the rally participants made a written application to PACE Chairman Luis Maria de Puch. They called to the EC for consistency in their demand against the Armenian authorities to complete the Resolution 1609 and release the political prisoners.

 

Application was sent to PACE. The rally participants also called the Armenian authorities to be sensible and immediately set free the political prisoners.

 

A1Plus

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WILL ARMENIA GET ANOTHER CHANCE?

 

[03:01 pm] 24 June, 2008

 

“The PACE assessment cannot change much in the present situation in Armenia,” considers Arthur Sakunts, Head of the Vanadzor office of Helsinki Civil Assembly.

 

Sakunts believes that at the PACE session tomorrow the Armenian authorities will present what they have already done and will ask for more time to be able to complete the remaining tasks.

 

“The thing is that nothing has been done in conjunction with the political prisoners. Only a few of them have been released. But why are some of them still in prison if others have been set free?” notices Arthur Sakunts.

 

However, PACE will give another chance to Armenia, Sakunts considers, as it is going to make only a political decision.

 

“The investigation body continues using force,” the speaker believes. He was unable to mention concrete quantity of violence cases as “it presupposes collection of data, which arouses difficulties in the sense that even those who have suffered violence are reluctant to talk about it for certain reasons. March 1 events can serve as convincing proof of my words,” Sakunts concluded.

 

A1Plus

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ROADS ARE CLOSED

 

[12:52 pm] 04 July, 2008

 

The roads leading to the capital are closed again. The public transport is banned to take people from the regions to the capital. “A1+” tried to find out why Bus 261 and Bus 262, which serve the Abovyan-Yerevan route, do not work on Fridays. The answer was astonishing. The drivers are ordered to take only a one-way route Yerevan-Abovyan with no return.

 

“There is a rally organized in Yerevan today. The Government might fear heavy crowds”, noticed one of the drivers and added: “Abovyan is not the only region that is given such order.” “Those willing to participate in the rally, find a way to join the protesters at any rate. We are the party that suffers most,” stated another driver of Abovyan-Yerevan route.

 

By the way there was a heated atmosphere in every stop. The residents of Abovyan, who had various reasons to go to Yerevan, were asking the taxi drivers to take them at a low price.

 

“We claim we are living in a democratic country but in reality we are besieged by our own Government,” complained Resident of Abovyan Sedrak Aghajanian.

 

Reminder: The reason for closing the roads is the rally organized by the All Armenian Movement near the Matenadarn at 7 p.m.

 

A1Plus

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RALLY STARTS

 

[08:42 pm] 04 July, 2008

The rally organized by the leaders of the All Armenian Movement initiated near the Matenadaran with a little delay. It is conducted by Suren Surenyants, member of the “Hanrapetutyun” (Republic) Party.

 

Notwithstanding the absence of public transport from the regions there are rather many people from rural areas participating in the rally. Many of them have come by taxi or in their own cars, while others had to come on foot. Residents of Zovuni, for instance, had to walk up to the Davitashen Bridge to take a minibus to the Matenadaran.

 

Levon Ter-Petrossian is expected to deliver his speech at the end of the rally to present the future doings of the All Armenian Movement. By the way he was met with heavy applauses and happy shouts.

 

A1Plus

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AUTHORITIES ARE RECOMMENDED A WAY OUT

 

[09:33 pm] 04 July, 2008

“Resign and go away. This is the only way out,” declared Member of the People’s Party Grigor Harutyunain at today’s rally. He noticed that for 10 years they have been warning Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sargssian that in order to remain in power they had to yield rather often.

 

In his words now we can already see them yielding. Robert Kocharian changed the issue of self-determination into a dispute for territories, and today Serzh Sargssian agrees to the suggestion of the Turks to form a commission that will investigate the Armenian Genocide, thus casting doubt on the fact of the Genocide.

 

“Yesterday the Presidents of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation signed a document banning the shift of a country’s boundaries. In fact, our strategic ally signed a decree with our enemies according to which Nagorno-Artsax stays in the territory of Azerbaijan,” declared Grigor Harutyunian.

 

The number of participants is gradually increasing.

 

A1Plus