Politician: ANC needs external support to achieve change of powerSeptember 9, 2011 - 13:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc is unable to seriously exacerbate the situation or achieve change of power in Armenia, a former presidential candidate said. “Having lost the ability to ignite public enthusiasm like it did back in 2008, ANC now needs a serious external support,” Arman Melikyan told a news conference in Yerevan. “Serzh Sargsyan’s strengthening his positions in the eyes of the international community, as well as the similarity of Armenian president and ANC leader’s views on Karabakh settlement don't play into ANC's hands,” the politician said. Melikyan noted the coalition-opposition dialogue as the most favorable route for ANC to take. He characterized the opposition demand for snap elections as the only irrelevant point on negotiations' agenda, which should be primarily aimed to solve internal problems in Armenia. 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. On September 9, ANC will hold another rally to discuss further steps. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. |