ANC RALLY: CHAOS, NEW DEVELOPMENTS, MORTAL BLOW, OPPOSITION’S SUMMER HOLIDAYS
PanARMENIAN.Net
June 26, 2012 – 22:12 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc
rally was held in Yerevan’s Liberty Square.
The rally was believed to have gathered the smallest number of
supporters as compared to previous ANC demonstrations.
ANC’s struggle against chaos
ANC member, MP Nikol Pashinyan believes the opposition bloc to be
the only one interested in uncovering October 29, 1999 and March 1,
2008 events.
As he noted, though October 27 case is considered de-jure solved,
a probe into March 1 events is still ongoing.
Pashinyan further addressed to recent beating up of doctors at
Harsnakar restaurant, dubbing the incident as “the activities of
current leadership.”
“Only ANC is capable of stopping the chaos reigning in Armenia,”
Pashinyan stressed.
ANC warns of new developments
Armenian National Movement (ANM) board chair, a member of ANC
opposition bloc Aram Manukyan urged those gathered for ANC rally to
be ready for presidential poll, without waiting for February 2013
to arrive.
According to Makunyan, current leadership was stricken with ANC work
at a newly-formed parliament, with many MPs voicing their satisfaction
with the activities of ANC members.
However, as Manukyan stressed, it’s the people’s support that makes
ANC strong.
ANM board chair further warned those gathered about new developments
to be soon expected in the country’s domestic and foreign policy,
“that the current leadership is not immune against.”
Fateful decisions and blow to regime
ANC opposition bloc coordinator warned of much work to be accomplished
before presidential elections.
At ANC rally, Levon Zurabyan urged against believing skeptics who
argue that current authorities’ victory at presidential poll will be
as easy as parliamentary elections win.
“Presidential elections are the only real chance for a shift of
power in the country,” he said, calling on those gathered to prepare
themselves to take fateful decisions and administer a blow to current
regime.
In conclusion, Zurabyan urged current leader Serzh Sargsyan to resign
his post.
Summer holidays for opposition
The next rally of ANC was scheduled for September, unless a necessity
arises to organize one earlier, the opposition bloc leader said.
According to Levon Ter-Petrossian, political events in Armenia
will be developing in early autumn, as presidential election day is
coming closer.
ANC defends Prosperous Armenia, says parliament regulations absurd
ANC opposition bloc leader, ex-president Levon Ter-Petrossian spoke in
defense of Prosperous Armenia, slamming those who dubbed the party as
“fake opposition.”
“Those skeptical of Prosperous Armenia cite the following arguments
to prove their point : 1st, they believe the party backs ex-president
Robert Kocharian and are threatened by the possibility of his return;
2nd, Prosperous Armenia didn’t announce itself an opposition, in line
with parliamentary regulations, which I believe are absurd and have
to be abolished.”
“By doing so, the skeptics are trying to help current President
Serzh Sargsyan in positioning himself as a lesser evil as compared
to Kocharian, whose name is associated with March 1, 2008 events.”
“The supposedly independent media and political forces are trying to
push Prosperous Armenia back into Serzh Sargsyan’s arms, in an effort
to again turn the party into RPA extension.”
As ANC leader said, current authorities are using harsher means to
pressure Prosperous Armenia, “yet, giving in to President Sargsyan
would mean political death to Prosperous Armenia.”
“Turning into an opposition as the only way out for Prosperous
Armenia,” Ter-Petrossian noted, urging other political forces for help.
Ter-Petrossian urges to abolish OSCE Minsk Group
ANC opposition bloc leader, ex-president Levon Ter-Petrossian commented
on recent statement on Karabakh issue by three Co-Chairing Presidents
of the OSCE Minsk Group, Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama and Francois
Hollande at the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.
As Ter-Petrossian noted at ANC rally, the tone of the message was
perceptively harsher as compared to previous ones.
“The Presidents were dissatisfied over the failure of Serzh Sargsyan
and Ilham Aliyev to implement Deauville statement and Sochi agreement,
with ceasefire violations and military rhetoric continuing.”
“Some experts believe that OSCE MG hasn’t lived up to expectations
and note that even a short-term halt in its work might yield positive
results,” ANC leader said.
“According to the experts, halting mediatory mission and pressuring
conflicting sides into action would promote peace agreement,”
Ter-Petrossian said.
Opposition to vote against
ANC opposition bloc leader, ex-president Levon Ter-Petrossian urged
parliamentary opposition forces to continue cooperation, and vote
against government-proposed bills and programs.
As he noted, the opposition may only join the majority in voting for
national security-related draft laws.
At ANC rally, Ter-Petrossian spoke of a new political situation in
Armenian parliament, noting that the National Assembly hasn’t had as
many oppositional parliamentarians since 1999.
“If in 2012, 49 MPs voted against the government program, in 2007
there was no one to vote against, and only 3 MPs were opposed in 2008,”
ANC leader said.