June 6, 2011 - 12:25 AMT
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RPA: Armenian authorities don’t consider forming delegation for talks with ANC

The authorities haven't discussed forming a delegation for talks with oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC). The issue was never included on the authorities' agenda, according to the head of ruling Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary group.

As Galust Sahakyan told a news conference in Armenia, ANC-suggested negotiation format is unacceptable, leaving an impression of a dialogue between the two different states- ANC on one side, and Armenian authorities on the other.

Commenting on the composition of ANC delegation to participate in talks, Sahakyan noted that the delegation includes ANC staff members instead of the Congress' leadership.

From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results. The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested.

In May 2011, President Serzh Sargsyan offered the National Assembly to declare amnesty on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the proposal being based on article 81.1.1 of the RA Constitution and article 90 of the law on National Assembly regulations. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved the proposal for amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut.

During a recent political council session, Armenian National Congress (ANC) named the composition of ANC delegation to negotiate with the authorities. The delegation includes ANC coordinator Levon Zurabyan, representative of the central bureau David Shahnazaryan, a member of ANC economic committee, the head of ANC structure in Malatya Vahagn Khachatryan, People’s Party of Armenia secretary Felix Khachatryan and deputy head of Armenian National Movement Samvel Abrahamyan.

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