Interfax News Agency, Russia
June 5 2008
Armenian authorities should allow opposition rally – EU representative
YEREVAN June 5
The European Union says the Armenian authorities would be well-advised
to allow the opposition to rally unfettered on June 20.
"We advise the authorities not to hinder the rally, because this could
cause wide-spread discontent amongst the opposition. This action will
be an opportunity to begin a dialogue between the opposition and the
authorities," Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s
External Relations Directorate General Hugues Mingarelli told students
of the French University in Armenia.
Mingarelli met with former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian on
Wednesday, the opposition National Movement told Interfax. Ter-
Petrosian talked about the search for a way out of the current
situation at the meeting, the movement said. In particular, it was
noted that a dialogue with the authorities will be possible only if
all political prisoners are released.
The Armenian National Movement, which is led by Ter-Petrosian, has
decided to stage a rally on Liberty Square in downtown Yerevan on June
20.
Levon Zurabian, a member of the National Movement, told journalists on
June 3 that "if the authorities will not sanction the rally on June
20, all responsibility for what could ensue will rest with them."