The Armenian leadership has always ignored the recommendations of the PACE and other international organizations. This statement was made by the chairman of the People’s Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchayn at the yesterday’s press conference. According to him the opposition and the government must be adherent to the conduct of the PACE requirements.
“Did people break a rule or attack an official before the March 1 events? They stayed calm even after the Central Election Commission publicized the election figures. No one resorted to violation. Authorities state that they used arms to avert further threats but their step is not justified. The rigged presidential election resulted in the March 1 events,” said Leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (NT) Stepan Demirchyan. “Never would we gather so much people if people weren’t displeased with the election conduct and outcome. It is important to find out who ordered to open fire on peaceful people and who exerted power. “People were shot dead as a result of concrete actions. An impartial and independent investigation should be conducted on each case to eliminate the consequences of the tragic events.” Otherwise they would have returned A1+ to the air or punished the wrongdoers of the previous elections. To recover the situation in the country the authorities should free the political prisoners.” Answering to question whether the opposition has worked out methods to further the struggle, the PPA leader said, “Obviously, the struggle is carried on by people who want to restore their violated rights. The opposition only directs the struggle to a legal path.” “The authorities pretend to be implementing the PACE recommendations and provide broadcasting to the opposition representatives. But I think “their kindness” is temporary.” Demirchyan thinks that the crisis can only be surmounted through a nationwide election. The PPA leader is not seriously disposed to the upcoming elections of community heads. “If the authorities really want to assuage the situation they should pass the draft law on Yerevan,” he said. The PPA leader promised to reflect on the Government’s activity in 100 days. So far the Government hasn’t made major changes, he says. “The meeting is not a scientific seminar. First let the government think why the rally didn’t take place. There were statements made at the rallies, which I personally don’t like but that doesn’t give me grounds to falsify elections or kill someone,” by opposing the demands of the government that the opposition made intolerance petitions said the chairman of the People’s Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan. When speaking of the justification of the former president Robert Kocharyan regarding the use of weapon on March 1 Demirchyan said, “What were they trying to do? Prevent the attempts of the opposition to have the power in a legal way?” Demirchyan is also sure that the crisis in the country must be overcome through the conduct of new extraordinary elections. He thinks that instead of conducting the local government elections it would be better if the government adopted the law on Yerevan. “They don’t adopt it because they are scared of it,” stated Demirchyan. As of the suggestion of Levon Ter-Petrosyan to establish a national congress Demirchyan said that this issue must be discussed in detail. The PPA leader agrees that the PACE resolution could serve as ground for a dialogue between the authorities and opposition. “Definite steps and measures are to be taken to foster a dialogue between the conflicting sides. One cannot help with empty talks. The Armenian leadership has always ignored the recommendations of the PACE and other international organizations.