"TYRANTS ARE NOT ETERNAL"

A1+
27 March, 2008

Attorney Vardan Harutiunian comments on the latest event in Armenia. To
remind, more than 100 people have been taken into custody from Northern
Avenue over the past few days.

What is your opinion of the latest events and the authorities’
efforts to create an atmosphere of fear in the country?

First of all, I would like to focus on the word "fear" as no fear is
perceived in Armenia today. Just on the contrary, I feel a spirit
of resistance and an aspiration to change the situation. After the
adoption of the recent law baring marches, rallies and demonstrations
people can no longer walk in the streets, squares freely. And yet,
the aspiration hasn’t faded away. My opinion of the recent violence
and arrests is surely negative.

What will happen next, in your opinion?

I think the situation will become still tense. The authorities simply
make desperate attempts to hold power. I think the authorities have
never wanted to hand over power. The so-called elections only served
as a screen for the authorities to secure their reproduction.

Do you think they will be able to wield power forcibly?

Tyrants are not eternal in any country of the world.

They only "survived" during a short and definite period. Our
authorities will have the same destiny.

The most concerning is their impact on Armenia’s history and on
the country.

And what about the international structures’ stand about the events?

Judging by their reports I can say they have done their utmost. They
gave a negative estimation to the events, blamed the authorities
and urged them to lift the state of emergency and not to bar the
opposition.

I think that’s all they could do. We only expect them to be consistent.