ANC SPOKESMAN: OPPOSITION KNEW ABOUT PROVOCATIONS THAT AUTHORITIES PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 15

Noyan Tapan

Se p 18, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The decision of the leaders of
the Armenian National Congress (ANC) to cancel the march which was
to take place after the meeting on September 15 is explained by the
fact that the authorities intended to organize clashes with peaceful
demonstrators on that day, spokesman for ANC Arman Musinian said at
the September 18 press conference.

In his words, by the information the ANC had, on the day of the
meeting, police detachments were brought into Yerevan from all regions
of the country, except Syunik marz. Besides, about 15 opposition
activists were taken to various police stations. "Last Monday the
police displayed aggressivenes that was unprecedented since the March
1 events, which allowed to make a conclusion about the intention of
the authorities to repeat their "feat" performed on the first day of
the spring," A. Musinian said.

According to him, the latest events forced ANC to make some corrections
in its strategy. He noted that the matter does not concern reducing the
activity of their struggle. He announced that ANC applied to Yerevam
mayor’s office with notification about holding the next meeting on
September 26.