Armenian Opposition Want “Velvet Revolution” too

Zaman
04.13.2004 Tuesday

Opponents of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan hope to emulate their
Georgian neighbors by spawning a ‘velvet revolution’ of their
own. Protestors camped outside the presidential palace in Yerevan on
Monday, calling for the resignation of Kocharyan.

The Justice Bloc and the National United Party protesters maintain
that the current ruling power came to office via illegal means;
therefore, they argue, a vote of confidence in a referendum is
required.

Aram Sargisyan, one of the opposition leaders, stood in front of
barriers placed outside the presidential palace and addressed a crowd
of over 20,000 people. “They could step over these barriers; however,
they will not do it because they do not want blood to be spilt.”

Sargisyan added that all roads to the Palace were under opposition
control and that there was nowhere for Kocharyan to go. “The process
has already started and we will not step back. We will wait until they
leave.”

Moreover, Savarsh Kocharyan, one of the opposition parliamentarians,
defended that tens of thousands of people would participate in the
protests.

Viktor Dalakyan, an official of the Justice Bloc and leader of the
protests, claimed that the demonstrations would “end the
administration of the Karabakh group.”

The opposition is calling on its powerful partners the Republican
Party, Orinats Yerkir and Dasnaksutyan to join in the
demonstrations. The coalition parties refrained form participating in
the parliamentary session on Monday, so as not to add to the political
tension.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office claims “the separatist
representatives of the opposition are preparing for terrorist action.”

The Russian press writes, “A change in leadership, with U.S. support,
might take place in Armenia in the next few days.”

Some newspapers report that people from rural areas are showing their
solidarity with masses in the streets of Yerevan.

Political observers, likening what is happening in Armenia to last
autumn’s ‘velvet revolution’ in Georgia, indicate that the “Soros Open
Society Fund”is among the largest supporters of the opposition.

04.13.2004 aa, Cihan News Agency Tbilisi, Moscow

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress