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“DIALOGUE IS NOT END IN ITSELF”

Politics

“It is within the interests of the authorities to take efforts to restore public confidence. It is high time they understood that they wouldn’t overcome the crisis through repression,” said the leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK), Stepan Demirchian.

“Favourable conditions must be secured for a dialogue. First of all, a number of measures should be taken. In part, political chased must be ceased, political prisoners must be set free and the political tension must be eased.”

“Both the Ago monitoring group and the Council of Europe demand the Armenian authorities review the amendments to the Law on “Marches, Rallies and Demonstrations. Naturally, the need for a dialogue mustn’t become a slogan, specific agenda must be worked out,” says the HZhK leader. He thinks the crisis can be overcome only through an extraordinary parliamentary election as the National Assembly doesn’t present the interests of all public strata.

The coalition government shouldn’t pretend to enjoy the confidence of 70-80% people. It is mere self-delusion. Actually, the collision of personal interests isn’t based on a national concord. A real dialogue should be launched with the public as people lead a struggle to defend their rights.

According to Mr. Demirchian, the violence and fraud during the presidential election resulted in the March 1 tragic events. “The opposition did its utmost to hold a peaceful rally. None of the higher echelons came to assuage public anger. They were to stand between the crowd and the police as the political responsibility lies with the authorities. How long should the authorities raise weapon against innocent people? Nobody would have held a rally but for people’s indignation.”

Demirchian dispelled the rumours that the opposition wants to organize new rallies and provoke incidents. “The rumours are groundless. We don’t have such an intention. On April 9 a number of NGOs will hold a funeral march and lay wreaths near Miasnikian statue in memory of the March 1 victims.”

Stepan Demirchian says he hasn’t been called to an examination since March 8. Asked whether he will be sued, Demirchian asked to ask the question to the RA Prosecutor General’s Office.