OPPOSITION NOT TO AGREE TO CONDUCT DIALOGUE WITH AUTHORITIES UNTIL THERE IS EVEN IF ONE POLITICAL PRISONER IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
June 23, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian National Congress will
not agree to conduct a dialogue with the authorities until there is
even if one political prisoner in Armenia. ANC representative David
Shahnazarian stated at the June 23 press conference.

In his words, if even to put it very diplomatically, the amnesty
granted lately cannot be considered as amnesty. D. Shahnazarian
said that according to Congress’ calculations, 20 of organization
activists will be kept imprisoned, which is an unsuccessful attempt
by the authorities to keep some levers on the opposition. The ANC
representative stated that the opposition will continue struggling
until the release of the last person and gave assurance that they all
will be released very soon. In his words, the authorities will have to
do it not under a pressure from outside, but under people’s pressure.

D. Shahnazarian said that there were two reasons for granting an
amnesty: people’s activity and discussion of the issue on Armenia’s
democratic institutions at the PACE summer session. In his opinion,
no sanctions will be used to Armenia, but the country will remain
under monitoring.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress