Will the FM have to take a helicopter?
Stalwarts of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun have spent the night at Republican Square. As promised, yesterday the ARF started a sit-in and hunger strike in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government in protest against the recently signed protocols between Armenia and Turkey.
The Party urges the society to join them and say no to the protocols in their current form and to make the authorities understand that political consultations are necessary.
Twenty-four ARF activists have staged a hunger-strike outside the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The figure symbolizes April 24 - the day of the Armenian Genocide. Along with the protest, party activists have started a draw for signatures.
Some 1700 individuals have already said no to the disputed Protocols.
A passer-by today approached the strikers and said that the Party was to collect signatures before withdrawing from the Coalition Government. Now, the Party has better demand the resignations of Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and President Serzh Sargsyan.
"We only demanded that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian hand in his resignation," said striker Artur Ghazarian.
ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisian visited the strikers this morning.
"If we didn't expect any changes we wouldn't stage protest actions," announced Mr. Hovhannisian.
"This is first and foremost a wake-up call to the people so that these six weeks do not pass with indifference and I think that during the so-called political debates we shall be able to waken the senses of our people," said Mr. Hovhannisian.
After A1+ noted that Edward Nalbandian doesn't enter the Foreign Ministry from the front door, Mr. Hovhannisian said: "One day the building will be chained by protesters and I don't think the National Assembly can sit the Foreign Minister on a helicopter to rid him of contacts with people."
