The Armenian National Movement (ANM) board chairman doesn’t believe Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc to have been mistaken in its decision to start dialogue with authorities.
“At the very outset, I was skeptical over the ability of the sides to go through with the dialogue,” Aram Manukyan stated.
“Still, were the dialogue to succeed, it would have helped find a peaceful solution to current issues,” the politician said, laying the blame on authorities.
“ANC isn’t striving to power for power’s sake; to the Congress, power is a medium to resolve problems the country is facing,” Manukyan concluded.
Representatives of the ruling coalition have held meetings since July 18, the two main issues on the agenda being conduction of extraordinary election (on ANC demand) and development of canons of political competition (as suggested by the authorities).
Problems emerged when police detained 7 young ANC activists. According to the ANC, on August 9 police officers used violence against ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan and Artak Karapetyan. Upon arrival to the site, activists Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kirimajyan tried to settle the dispute but were beaten as well, the ANC said. All above-mentioned were taken to a police station.
Currently, Tigran Arakelyan is kept in custody. The others were released.
On August 26, the Congress announced that it suspends the dialogue and believes Arakelyan to be a political prisoner.
At September 30 rally, ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian announced 7-day-long round-the-clock protest actions with supporters putting up tents at Liberty Square. On October 8 the Congress terminated non-stop rallies, announcing immediate resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan as the main point of the resolution adopted.
Next ANC rally is scheduled for October 28, with the Congress to decide on their further steps.
