"IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED ON EACH CASE"
A1+
[08:22 pm] 16 May, 2008
"Did people break a rule or attack an official before the March
1 events? They stayed calm even after the Central Election
Commission publicized the election figures. No one resorted to
violation. Authorities state that they used arms to avert further
threats but their step is not justified. The rigged presidential
election resulted in the March 1 events," said Leader of the People’s
Party of Armenia (HZhK) Stepan Demirchian.
"Never would we gather so much people if people weren’t displeased
with the election conduct and outcome. It is important to find out
who ordered to open fire on peaceful people and who exerted power.
"People were shot dead as a result of concrete actions. An impartial
and independent investigation should be conducted on each case to
eliminate the consequences of the tragic events."
The HZhK leader agrees that the PACE resolution could serve as ground
for a dialogue between the authorities and opposition. "Definite
steps and measures are to be taken to foster a dialogue between the
conflicting sides. One cannot help with empty talks.
The Armenian leadership has always ignored the recommendations of the
PACE and other international organizations. Otherwise they would have
returned A1+ to the air or punished the wrongdoers of the previous
elections.
To recover the situation in the country the authorities should free
the political prisoners."
Asked whether the opposition has worked out methods to further the
struggle, the HZhK leader said, "Obviously, the struggle is carried
on by people who want to restore their violated rights. The opposition
only directs the struggle to a legal path."
"The authorities pretend to be implementing the PACE recommendations
and provide broadcasting to the opposition representatives. But I think
"their kindness" is temporary."
Demirchian thinks that the crisis can only be surmounted through a
nationwide election. The HZhK leader is not seriously disposed to the
upcoming elections of district heads. "If the authorities really want
to assuage the situation they should pass the draft law on Yerevan,"
he said.
The HZhK leader promised to reflect on the Government’s activity in
100 days. So far the Government hasn’t made major changes, he says.