ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 7 2004
Armenia parliamentary majority, opposition agree to continue talks
YEREVAN, May 7 (Itar-Tass) – The ruling majority in Armenian
parliament and the opposition agreed to continue political
consultations on the situation in the country. Partakers of
Thursday’s talks will work out the agenda of further consultations,
their joint statement said on Thursday.
`Participants of the consultations attach importance to creating a
new situation in the country’ taking as the basis the statements of
the parties of the ruling pro-presidential coalition and the
opposition.
Representatives of the factions representing the political majority
— the Armenian Republican Party, the parties Orinats Erkir and
Dashnaktsutyun, and of the opposition — the faction Edinstvo (Unity)
and the party National Unity and neutral political forces — United
Labour Party and the deputy group People’s Deputy participated in the
talks.
The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) contains the demand for the political dialogue between the
Armenian authorities and the opposition. The PACE considered the
internal political situation in Armenia on April 28.
The opposition continues to insist on Robert Kocharyan’s resignation
from the post of the Armenian president. The release of its arrested
activists, provision of the television air, free road for residents
of Armenian regions in Yerevan who want to take part in
anti-government rallies are among the demands of the opposition.
The republic’s authorities call opposition actions `demonstrations of
political extremism.’ Police dispersed the opposition rally in
Yerevan downtown overnight to April 13. The opposition stated on
Wednesday that it would refrain from rallies in Yerevan in the next
ten days `as a sign of good will.’
The talks of Armenian parliament speaker Artur Bagdasaryan with the
opposition were first held on April 26-27, but they were interrupted
later.