Armenian communists against opposition rallies, back dialogue

Noyan Tapan news agency
26 Apr 04

YEREVAN

The United Communist Party of Armenia [UCPA] is calling on all
Armenians to be vigilant and abstain from opposition actions because
domestic political tension is threatening the country’s statehood,
Yuriy Manukyan, first secretary of the central committee of the UCPA,
told a press conference on 26 April.

. Yuriy Manukyan said he did not doubt at all that the opposition is
being guided by the [ex-ruling party] Armenian Pan-National Movement
[APNM], warning people against being deceived again. He said that
following the APNM actions, the country had been destroyed and looted
within a few years. Although under pressure and dissatisfaction
nationwide, the APNM was compelled to leave the [political scene], but
unpunished.

The chairman of the UCPA believes that for the time being, those
forces, using money stolen from the people and generous funds from
several forces from the West, are thirsting for “revenge”, are again
plunging the country into chaos with all ensuing consequences.

Manukyan drew attention to the circumstance that, he believes that
calls and slogans of the opposition were coinciding with anti-Armenian
“nonsense” of mass media and external enemies.

The UCPA considers itself the opposition as it is not fighting against
personalities but the system. According to the united communists, a
power shift will not contribute to the settlement of the problem. To
attain it, the country needs stability in the first place.

In order to overcome the domestic tension, the UCPA advises the
opposition to abstain from issuing “ultimatums” and to agree to
dialogue, as political debate creates opportunities to reach the
truth.

The UCPA statement was also supported by the Hayrenik (Motherland) and
Women of Armenian Land parties at the press conference.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress