COUNCIL OF ELDERS OF FORUM OF INTELLIGENTSIA CALLS FOR PASSING FROM SPEAKING TO ACTING

Noyan Tapan
Jan 18 2007

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Starting 2003 the authorities have
been actively preparing for the parliamentary elections of 2007 and
presidential elections of 2008. Garnik Margarian, Chairman of Homeland
and Honor Party, declared this at the January 18 sitting of Council of
Elders of Forum of Intelligentsia. He said that during the past year
the authorities made laws necessary for them, created puppet-parties,
such as Bargavach Hayastan ((Prosperous Armenia). And the political
forces saying that the opposition will pass to the parliament have
a secret agreement with the authorities. In G.Margarian’s words,
it is time of undertaking actions for formation of legal power and
taking the country out of the current crisis.

Council members – Academicians Rafael Ghazarian and Lenser Aghalovian,
People’s Artist of Armenia Khoren Palian, publicist Hrach Matevosian
made appeals for unification of opposition and all sound forces.

At the sitting, it was mentioned for many times that "they should pass
from speaking to acting." Such an appeal was also voiced by Toros
Sefilian, elder brother of Zhirayr Sefilian who is currently under
custody. He is the Chairman of the Defence of Liberated Territories
committee founded in Beirut.

The statement of the National-Democratic Union was read at the
sitting. The statement mentioned the necessity to create a Council of
Opposition, which "should include people anxious about the country’s
future."