ANC coordinator: dialogue may only be resumed at authorities’ request

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc coordinator said continuing opposition-coalition dialogue no longer makes sense.

As Levon Zurabyan stated at Liberty Square, “from this moment on we’ll be solving our problems through mass rallies and mobilization of forces.”

“The suspended dialogue can only be resumed on the initiative of authorities. If asked, we’ll discuss the issue and decide if we’re ready to satisfy the request,” Zurabyan stressed.

Coalition won’t resume negotiations with Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc unless the illegal rally at Liberty Square is discontinued, a coalition working group member Gagik Minasyan said on October 3.

Representatives of the ruling coalition have held meetings since July 18, the two main issues on the agenda being conduction of extraordinary election (on ANC demand) and development of canons of political competition (as suggested by the authorities).

Problems emerged when police detained 7 young ANC activists. According to the ANC, on August 9 police officers used violence against ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan and Artak Karapetyan. Upon arrival to the site, activists Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kirimajyan tried to settle the dispute but were beaten as well, the ANC said. All above-mentioned were taken to a police station.

Currently, Tigran Arakelyan is kept in custody. The others were released.

On August 26, the Congress announced that it suspends the dialogue and believes Arakelyan to be a political prisoner.

During the September 30 rally, Ter-Petrossian announced 7-day-long round-the-clock protest actions, with ANC supporters putting up tents at Liberty Square.