Why does Serzh Sargsyan announce amnesty?
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) does not hurry to comment on Serzh Sargsyan's proposal to grant amnesty. HAK Coordinator Levon Zurabyan promised to share HAK's opinion on the issue a bit later.
Spokesman for the Republican Party of Armenia Edward Sharmazanov says the proposal testifies to the President's philanthropy and goodwill.
«Serzh Sargsyan made a proposal typical of a state figure. We are obliged to unite. I am sure that the amnesty will have its positive impact on the country's political developments,» said Sharmazanov.
The Republican Spokesman could not predict whether the amnesty will be applied on all opposition activists arrested in the aftermath of the March 1, 2008, tragic events.
Edward Sharmazanov does not think that by declaring amnesty the authorities agree to meet the oppistion's last demand, i.e. release the political prisoners.
«The proposal can be viewed as the continuation of Serzh Sargsyan's political course. During his tenure in office, Serzh Sargsyan proved that he always agrees his words with his actions and seeks to create an atmosphere of solidarity, unity and dialogue in the country,» he said.
Heritage Party MP Larisa Alaverdyan hails the proposal of the Armenian President though she thinks «it is not enough to establish a legal state». Mrs. Alaverdyan believes that the amnesty will be applied on all political prisoners.
«We do not only demand to release the political prisoners but also demand to bring the perpetrators of the March 1 tragedy to court,» said the Heritage MP.
ARF-Dashnaktsutyun MP Atrsvik Minasyan also welcomes Serzh Sargsyan's proposal, saying it is an important, though belated decision.
«When the President decared the first amnesty after the March 1 events the ARF-D suggested granting general amnesty to lessen the tension in the country. Unfortunately, our proposal was ignored,» said Minasyan.
As reported earlier today, Serzh Sargsyan appealed to the National Assembly with the proposal of announcing an amnesty on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia.
