Interfax, Russia
Feb 27 2009

Armenian police, opposition preparing for March 1 rally

YEREVAN Feb 27

Armenian opposition will stage a march and a rally in downtown Yerevan
on March 1 dedicated to the last March events.

"The time has come for the authorities understand that it is
impossible to stop people’s movements by pressure and the atmosphere
of fear. We intend to stage our action in a civilized manner and call
on police to secure the legal process," coordinator of the opposition
Armenian National Congress movement Levon Zurabian told journalists on
Friday.

Armenian opposition led by the former country’s president Levon
Ter-Petrosian staged large scale protest actions after February 19,
2008. The protest actions evolved into clashes with police on March 1,
in which ten people were killed and over 250 were injured.

Head of the Armenian police Alik Sargsyan told journalists on Friday
that policemen will prevent riots on March 1.

"I advise against trying to take revenge on this day. I advise you to
take my words seriously. We are capable of ensuring order and control
over the situation," Sargsyan said.