ARMENIAN DEPUTY SPEAKER UNHAPPY ABOUT “CRISIS OF TOLERANCE”

Yerkir, Yerevan
5 Mar 04

March “Parliament deputy speaker urges government, opposition to start
dialogue”

Yerevan, 5 March: Speaking at the National Press Club on Friday (5
March), National Assembly Deputy Speaker Tigran Torosyan said there
was a “crisis of tolerance” in Armenia.

“There is no serious polemic in Armenia today,” Torosyan said, hinting
at the pro-government and the opposition parties. “Both sides are
avoiding polemic.” The deputy speaker called on both sides to sit at
the negotiating table to correct the situation. “Both sides should
realize that this is the only way,” he said.

Torosyan also pointed to the need for fair elections. The speaker
described the opposition’s boycotting of the National Assembly as
“parliamentary bargaining” and “pressure on parliament”.