ARF LEADER ACCUSES KARABAKH AUTHORITIES OF PUSHING IT OUT TOWARDS OPPOSITION

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS: A top member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) announced today about breathing a new
life into a consultative body which was set up several years ago but
has been inert.

Hrant Margarian, representative of the ARF Bureau, said the Ruling
Coalition Council that comprises heads of three members of the
governing coalition-ARF, Republican Party and Orinats Yerkir as well
as president Kocharian, would be discussing urgent problems in a more
coordinated way.

Margarian agreed with parliament chairman Arthur Baghdasarian that
there are now four poles of power, which have different positions on a
set of issues, but described the discrepancy as “normal,” saying also
that differences should be solved in a healthy climate. Margarian said
his party is against revolutionary changes, which ‘are aimed to topple
the ruling regime.” “When there are no reasons to spark a revolution,
no revolution takes place no matter what kind of efforts are exercised,
but when there are such reasons, nothing can stop it,” Margarian said.

Margarian also warned that the ARF would have to take adequate measures
if the June 19 parliamentary elections in Nagorno-Karabakh were rigged.

Margarian accused the current Karabakh authorities of “pushing the
ARF out towards the opposition.” “Karabakh is not the place where we
would like to be in opposition, but it experiences a set of economic
and social problems and we are not satisfied with the policy of
authorities to resolve them,” he said.

A statement issued by ARF and Movement 88 earlier this week accused
“some puppets of the incumbent authorities of plotting to secure
parliamentary seats for pro-government candidates with the aim of
maintaining the atmosphere of connivance, lawlessness, corruption
and bribery as long as possible.” It also accused them of abusing
power, using levers of power and riches illegally earned through
misappropriation and embezzlement, ignoring human and moral values
and inspiring fear and terror to achieve their goals by using dirty
tricks, breaking the law and giving bribes.”

Margarian said also the ARF would not take a step that would jeopardize
the stability in Karabakh. “The June 19 elections should be looked
upon as a step that could raise the international image of Karabakh,”
he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress