Armenian opposition leader urges people to reject constitutional reforms

Iravunk
23 Aug 05

Excerpt from Piruza Meliksetyan report by Armenian newspaper Iravunk
on 23 August “I will address the people on 29 August. Serious
preconditions will be created for a change of power in November”

Political figures often think it is a thankless task to make forecasts
or refrain from them. In the meantime, the secretary of the Justice
bloc, Viktor Dallakyan, made an exception and said that in November
domestic political events will develop in three directions. First and
foremost, tension will mount around the constitutional referendum
which will find a solution in November. Here is an interview with
Viktor Dallakyan.

[Correspondent] Whom will this solution favour?

[Dallakyan] I think it will be in favour of the people.

[Correspondent] Does this mean that you forecast at least a change of
power in November?

[Dallakyan] I forecast that the people will once again say “no” to the
so-called constitutional reforms submitted by the illegitimate
president and political forces supporting him, which creates serious
preconditions for a change of power. Incidentally, this procedure will
be quick enough.

[Correspondent] There are political figures who do not doubt that the
municipal election will be the basis of a revolution.

[Dallakyan] It is indisputable that the municipal election will create
some tension, and I think the ruling coalition will experience serious
domestic problems.

[Correspondent] From which point of view?

[Dallakyan] From the point of view of sharing “delicious pieces”. The
forces, which issue fine-sounding statements on a free and fair
election, have already shared the seats in election commissions among
themselves. This circumstance also shows that as usual, the
authorities will choose the way of rigging and falsifying the
municipal election.

I think there will be some tension over the scandalous privatization
of some facilities. I mean the power distributing grid and the concert
and sports complex.

[Correspondent] Do you neglect the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
as a factor that creates tension?

[Dallakyan] I do not rule out this circumstance either.

[Correspondent] Nevertheless, how can you explain that in the course
of the intensive developments around the constitutional reforms, the
Karabakh problem has not only been put on the back burner but also
seems to be forgotten at all.

[Dallakyan] If we carefully analyse problems related to the
constitutional reforms and the Karabakh conflict, we shall find out
that they are intertwined. Moreover, according to my observations,
there are structures (including European ones) which try to support
Kocharyan in the constitutional reforms in order to get compromises on
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict instead.

That’s to say if Kocharyan succeeds in the constitutional reforms
(which I think is possible only through falsifications), his decisions
concerning the Karabakh problem will be legalized to some extent. To
be more accurate, his decisions will be considered so.

Therefore, pressure on him in the Karabakh problem is simultaneously
accompanied with efforts to help him implement the constitutional
reforms.

[Passage omitted: Dallakyan says that public money is being wasted in
casinos in Europe]

[Dallakyan] I think the people is resolute to get rid of the
authorities. In my opinion, the major goal of the opposition must be
to say “no” to the package of constitutional reforms proposed by
Kocharyan and his entourage through a national movement [as published]
and to transform the November referendum into a procedure of
overthrowing Kocharyan.

[Correspondent] Does this mean that you will publicize this idea from
the parliamentary rostrum on 29 August?

[Dallakyan] I have already made this idea public. I shall address the
people on 29 August.