NEXT OPPOSITION RALLY DUE ON JULY 4

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.06.2008 13:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The opposition rally finished in Yerevan late on
June 20 evening.

Opposition leader, Armenia’s first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan
announced a minute of silence in commemoration of ten victims of
March 1 events and conferred them the rank of national heroes, for
"they died in the name of democracy and independence."

The rally had two objectives: first, to show that the national spirit
is not subdued and second, to prove that the nation doesn’t recognize
Serzh Sargsyan as legitimate President, according to Ter-Petrosyan

"Today’s rally is the evidence that people stand firm to protect
their rights. Armenia’s image is not damaged, but the prestige of
the authorities is questioned," he said. "The opposition is ready
to establish a dialog with the authorities but it will never be a
haggling. We do not need posts, we have them thanks to our people."

Ter-Petrosyan reminded about several conditions PACE set before the
Armenian government, namely independent investigation into March 1
events, annulment of amendments to the law restricting conduction of
rallies and release of political prisoners. "I call on the authorities
to fulfill the third and the most important condition," he said.

Ter-Petrosyan promised to call on PACE not to impose sanctions
on Armenia if all political prisoners are released before the
Assembly’s summer session. He also called on the demonstrators not
to believe rumors about "escape of the movement’s leaders from the
republic." "Believe me, I will be the last person to give up the
struggle," he said, IA Regnum reports.

The next opposition rally is scheduled for July 4.