Aram Manukyan: “Gentle breezes cannot stop HAK”
During the April 8 rally, the Armenian National Congress (HAK) will lay emphasis on the implementation of the three major demands sounded by Armenia's first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
"HAK continues to call for snap elections," said board chairman of the Armenian National Movement (HHSh) Aram Manukyan.
Before the opposition's next rally, HAK leaders have met representatives of 80 communities.
"In some communities village headmen and senior police representatives attended the meeting to express their support for the HAK," said Manukyan.
Manukyan says that the authorities are using a new strategy and tying "to prevent people from attending the HAK rally." They want to create an illusion that the opposition has concluded a deal with the authorities. Heritage Leader Raffi Hovannisian also attempted to hinder HAK with his hunger strike.
"The authorities are attempting to distract the HAK from the main path, but they will not succeed in their endeavours. Our primary goal is to hold extraordinary presidential and parliamentary elections and these gentle breezes cannot stop us," said Manukyan.
Asked whether the ralliers will enter Liberty Square on April 8, the HHSh representative said the decision will be made during the meeting.
Liberty Square - the main site for demonstrations and meetings - has been closed for opposition rallies after the deadly post-election clashes of March 1, 2008.
Yerevan authorities have rejected all opposition's applications to stage a rally in the square, saying the square was assigned to another event on that day and suggesting the opposition gather its supporters at some other place.
