Congress thinks the authorities' message
It is not excluded in the future the Armenian National Congress (HAK) will call for civil intolerance.
"In wake of the rigged May 31 Yerevan municipal elections, the opposition has not ruled out civil disobedience. We have always discussed the possibility of creating a civil movement," says HAK Coordinator Levon Zurabyan.
"On May 31 the authorities said straightforwardly: "Don't struggle against us with empty ballots. You cannot come to power with ballot papers. The power can be seized only by force. Now we are thinking over their message."
With regard to the authorities' announcements that the HAK makes an immoral decision and ignores its votes when it renounces its mandates, Mr. Zurabyan said: "I agree with these Pharisees but we didn't receive mandates by public otherwise we would have at least 37 mandates. They have stolen our mandates and now they are trying to give us 12-13 seats as compensation. Yes, we shall not take a mandate from illegal authorities."
"The May 31 vote greatly differs from the previous ones. This time all possible and impossible measures were taken. In particular, the army was engaged in the election frauds by the order of the Defense Minister. The minister gave a one-day holiday to servicemen so that they could participate in the May 31 election.
The relatives of servicemen were also ordered to vote for the Republican Party. In other words, they held our soldiers as hostages to influence on the parents. Hospitals and schools were instructed to make 100-percent lists to be used on the election day.
According to our verified sources rural residents were transported to Yerevan to exert pressure on local voters and make them vote for the Republican candidate.
"A criminal totalitarian regime is established in Armenia under the guise of democracy. The Armenian National Congress has waged a struggle against this devastating system and appeals to all democratic forces to join us.
The HAK is presently summarizing the violations and complaints. The Congress thinks needless to start a dialogue with the authorities, especially after the rigged mayoral election.
From now on, all questions can be settled only after Serzh Sargsyan tenders his resignation.
