Statement by the United Communist Party of Armenia:
Taking into account the political situation in the Republic of Armenia, we call on the release of detained Deputies of the RA National Assembly and immediately start negotiating. We urge law enforcement bodies to refrain from using violence against peaceful protesters.
A group of masked people have blocked the Avan-Arinj road, preventing people from entering the city center. Another group of people is standing at “Harsnakar”.
YEREVAN—Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian on Sunday walked out from a meeting with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan saying that a political alliance that has received seven to eight percent of the votes cannot speak on behalf of the entire population.
“[A political] alliance that has won seven to eight percent of votes does not have the right to speak on behalf of the entire population and I no longer want to continue this discussion with you if you do not accept the government’s legal demands. Good bye,” said Sarkisian before walking out.
On Saturday it was announced that the two had agreed to the meeting, which took place at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel on Republic Square, the main site of ongoing demonstrations—in their 9th day—by thousands who are protesting Sarkisian’s ongoing rule. The meeting was announced after President Armen Sarkissian met with Pashinian during the protest on Saturday and held a meeting with the prime minister separately.
At the beginning of the tense meeting, which lasted less than five minutes, Sarkisian said, “I am happy that you responded to my numerous calls to dialogue, .although I don’t quite imagine how long we can negotiate in the presence of dozens of reporters, nevertheless I am happy.”
Pashinyan responded by saying that there seemed to have been a misunderstanding, adding that he was there to discuss the prime minister’s resignation and a peaceful transfer of power and not to hold a dialogue.
“That’s not a negotiation, that’s not a dialogue,” said Sarkisian facing television cameras and journalists. “That is simply an ultimatum, blackmailing the state and legitimate authorities. You do not realize the degree of responsibility. You didn’t learn lessons from March 1 [2008]. And if we have to speak in that tone, then I am only left to once again advise you to return to the lawful area and act within the limits of reasonable actions. Otherwise the entire responsibility falls on you.”
Pashinyan said that neither he nor the protesters respond kindly to ultimatums, adding that the situation in Armenia has changed and the power has transitioned to the people.
Before leaving the meeting, Sarkisian turned to the reporters and said,“Dear reporters, it is up to you to make your own conclusions.”
After Sarkisian walked out, Pashinyan told reporters that the rally would continue at 7 p.m. on Sunday, only to emerge from the Marriott Hotel where hundreds of his supporters were gathered, prompting the rally and demonstration to begin, with Pashinyan leading the crowd to the Erebuni neighborhood of Yerevan.
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STEPANAKERT—The Artsakh Defense Ministry of Sunday released footage showing buildup of Azerbaijani military equipment and manpower along the Artsakh-Azerbaijan border, known as the line of contact.
The Artsakh Defense Ministry also debunked disinformation from Azerbaijan claiming massive violations of the cease fire by Artsakh soldiers, saying those statements were blatantly false and the Azerbaijani propaganda campaign “predictable and typical of Baku’s military strategy.
Tens of thousands gather at Republic Square on the 9th day of protests against Serzh Sarkisian’s rule (Yerkir Media photo)
Three members of parliament detained by police
YEREVAN—Dramatic events on Sunday, punctuated by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian walking out of a meeting with protest organizer Nikol Pashinyan and his subsequent arrest along with two other parliament members, prompted the undeterred population to turn out in droves at a rally Sunday night at Republic Square where calls for Sarkisian’s resignation continued as the popular protests entered their 10th day.
Soon after the failed meeting between Sarkisian and Pashinyan collapsed Sunday morning at the Marriot Hotel, the opposition leader began a march in the streets of Yerevan toward the Erebuni neighborhood, where masked policemen grabbed Pashinyan and took him to detention. Later in the day, Pashinyan’s Yelk bloc colleagues Ararat Mirzoyan and Sassoun Mikaelyan were also detained. The fate of the three parliament members will be decided by their legislative colleagues, who may vote to file official charged and strip them of their parliamentary immunity.
The arrest of the protest organizers, coupled with what can be characterized as Sarkisian’s disregard toward the concerns of the protesters, gave way to a surge in the protest attendance, with some media outlets placing the number at 70,000.
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Meanwhile, throughout the day, police clashed with protesters and in some instances deployed stun grenades, arresting several people. According to organizers some 300 people were behind bars as of Sunday night.
President Armen Sarkissian, who on Saturday went to Republic Square and by walking through the crowds met with Pashinyan, released a statement Sunday after the failed Sarkisian-Pashinyan meeting, lamenting the collapse of the meeting and urging a return to stability.
President Armen Sarkissian, on Saturday, went to Republic Square and met with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan. Following the meeting it was announced that Pashinyan and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian would meet Sunday morning
“The ongoing developments in our country have reached a dangerous point, which can lead to irreversible consequences,” said President Sarkissian in his statement. “Unfortunately, despite an earlier agreement, the negotiations were interrupted, when they might have led to de-escalating the situation.”
The president warned that the continuing protests “may undermine the country’s stability,” expressing hope for further dialogue.
“Thus, I call on all our citizens and our compatriots in the Diaspora to refrain from attempts of escalating the situation and to display restraint. The security of Armenia and Artsakh must not be jeopardized,” added Sarkissian.
The president also called on the Armenian people to stand united on the eve of April 24, the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. He urged all Armenians to, on April 24,
“display nationwide, in both Armenia and Diaspora, maximum restraint for the world to see, and commemorate the memory of our holy martyrs united and collectively.”
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia in a statement renewed its calls for political dialogue saying there can be “no winners or losers” since the interests of the people far outweigh any side claiming victory.
The ARF Youth Organization of Armenia and the ARF Nikol Aghbalian Student Association announced that they will hold the annual procession of torches to Dzidzernagapert, which traditionally takes place on the evening of April 23, will take place as planned at 7 p.m.
The meeting between Armenia’s Prime Minister and opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, leader of the ongoing demonstrations, lasted only a few minutes Sunday morning.
The meeting took place in the Marriott Hotel in Republic Square of Yerevan, the main rally site where every evening demonstrators gather to protest.
The Prime Minister arrived without a tie, while the opposition MP was wearing his usual t-shirt and hat.
As expected, both the Prime Minister and the lawmaker arrived at the hotel at 10:00. The meeting was held in the presence of numerous reporters who were broadcasting live.
“I am happy that you responded to my numerous calls to talk. Although I don’t quite imagine how long we can negotiate in the presence of dozens of reporters, nevertheless I am happy”, the Prime Minister said at the beginning.
MP Nikol Pashinyan responded by saying that there is a misunderstanding and that he has come to discuss the PM’s resignation and peaceful transfer of power, rather than for dialogue.
“That’s not negotiations, that’s not a dialogue. That is simply an ultimatum, blackmailing the state and legitimate authorities. You do not realize the degree of responsibility, you didn’t learn lessons from March 1 [2008]. And if we have to speak in that tone, then I am only left to once again advice you to return to the legal area and overall the limits of reasonable actions. Otherwise the entire responsibility falls on you,” Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said.
Pashinyan reacted by saying that the situation in Armenia has changed and the power has transitioned to the people.
“A 7-8% parliamentary faction doesn’t have the right to speak on behalf of the people. And I don’t want to continue this conveersaton with you anymore. If you do not accept the lawful demand of the state, goodbye,” PM Sargsyan said and walked out on the opposition lawmaker.
Before departing, the Prime Minister addressed reporters, saying : “Dear reporters, you yourselves can make conclusions”.
Opposition lawmaker from the Yelk faction, chairman of Bright Armenia party Edmon Marukyan was quick to weigh in on the Sargsyan-Pashinyan meeting, calling it historic and significant.
Marukyan released a video message, asking the parties to think about options to hold another meeting.
The lawmaker stressed that everything must be done to avoid irreversible consequences.
All other forces of the Yelk faction are not endorsing the ongoing struggle of Mr. Pashinyan.
“I was following the historic meeting of Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan. I believe that we have a serious achievements, this meeting was very important. And I have one request, that Mr. Sargsyan, and Mr. Pashinyan rest for an hour, think, think options and meet again, to discuss.
Your meeting was very important, I repeat, this was a historic meeting. I am asking you Mr. Sargsyan, Mr. Pashinyan, my good friend, I am asking you to once again find an opportunity, speak and discuss options. I made a call yesterday also, and we must do everything to avoid irreversible consequences,” Marukyan said.
He added that he is now on his way to Strasbourg for the sitting of PACE, where according to him clearly the number once topic will be the ongoing situation in Armenia.
“It is obvious that the development of the situation and events will be very bad if you don’t meet again”, he said.
“The maximalist approaches of both sides should be lowered a bit, and a third way must be discussed. I am asking you”, he said.
First deputy prime minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan issued a statement over the April 22 meeting between Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, noting that Pashinyan’s position from the very start was unconstructive and was not supposing a desire to come to an agreement.
The statement runs as follows:
“We all, the citizens of the Republic of Armenia, hoped that as a result of today’s talks we will find solutions to the current situation. Unfortunately, one of the sides, Mr. Pashinyan, came not to negotiate, but to dictate his conditions. In such circumstances the dialogue could not give any result since the position of one of the sides from the very start was unconstructive and was not supposing a desire to come to an agreement.
I call on all political forces, the citizens of Armenia to demonstrate vigilance and soberness. Our ultimate goal remains the country’s stability, ensuring necessary solutions for that and not undermining the country’s normal life”.
Amid the ongoing protests in Yerevan, President Armen Sarkissian released a new statement. Earlier the president personally visited the heavily overcrowded Republic Square in Yerevan on Saturday to meet with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan.
“Dear countrymen,
The ongoing developments in our country have reached a dangerous line which can lead to irreversible consequences.
Unfortunately, contrary to an earlier achieved agreement, the negotiations were interrupted, when they might have led to de-escalating the situation.
Nevertheless, the destructive attitude and conduct must be abandoned, which can undermine the country’s stability, and we should continue seeking for opportunities for dialogue.
Thus, I call on all our citizens and our countrymen of the Diaspora to refrain from attempts of escalating the situation and to display restraint. The security of Armenia and Artsakh must not be trialled.
The society shouldn’t be divided on the eve of April 24 [Genocide commemoration day]. On that day, we must be display nationwide, in both Armenia and Diaspora, maximal restraint for the world to see, and commemorate the memory of our holy martyrs united and collectively”, the president said in the statement.
The defense ministry of Artsakh has released footage showing Azerbaijani manpower and military equipment movements and accumulations in the line of contact.
The defense ministry of Artsakh also addressed a disinformation which was spread by the Azerbaijani defense ministry. The Azeri defense ministry had claimed that an earlier statement of the defense ministry of Artsakh on heavy ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan is false.
Artsakh’s defense ministry said the disinformation and propaganda style of Azerbaijan was fully predictable and is typical of Baku’s military-political strategy.
The defense ministry of Artsakh debunked the accusations and released a video proving that Azerbaijani forces are indeed mobilizing equipment and manpower in the line of contact.