A ultimatum consisting of 15 points of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) demonstrates a change of strategy, the leader of the Heritage faction, Stepan Safaryan, told a press conference today. He said that the congress had softened its position and is ready to fulfil its obligations.
Safaryan’s opponent, deputy and leader of the Republican Party Gamlet Arutyunyan, said that the opposition’s demands are justified and need fulfillment.
Armenia saw mass protests organized by opposition in early March. The National Congress highlights the events of March 1, 2008, and a social-economic situation that has led to high levels of migration. Another reason for the protests is high inflation of 9-10%, the street trading ban in Yerevan and support for large business enterprises at the expense of medium and small business.
Ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, leader of the ANC, read out the 15 demands. The demands are to release political prisoners by March 15, establish an independent investigation commission, stop threats and terror coming from the police and lift the ban on meetings at Freedom Square. The opposition demanded that the ban on street trading be lifted in Yerevan.
There are demands for higher wages, pensions and benefits. The ANC demanded Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Vice-Premier Armen Gevorkyan, head of the Central Bank Artur Javadyan, chairman of the State Income Committee Gagik Khachatryan, Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan, Prosecutor General Agvan Ovsepyan, Director of the National Security Service Gorik Akopyan and other officials to resign.
Ter-Petrosyan said that if the government fulfils most of the demands, then they will raise the topic of early presidential and parliamentary elections. Press secretary of the Armenian Republican Party Eduard Sharmazanov, deputy head of the party Galust Saakyan and other politicians called the demands unacceptable.
The speaker of the National Council, Ovik Abramyan, recommended the opposition to take part in forums of the authorities. The ANC will analyze fulfillment of the demands on March 17, coordinator of the ANC Levon Zurabyan said.
The Armenian authorities have complete control over the country. The police are doing their base to prevent protests. They are closing the roads into the capital and threatening citizens for taking part in protests.
Media sources supporting the government say that the government is working on the problems. Political observers say that the opposition has not united yet and is unpopular.
Protests may turn into confrontation unless Armenia starts reforms against the high incomes of the oligarchs. The recent events in the Arab world show the possible outcomes. The UN coordinator in Armenia, Dafin Gerchev, recalled that using force against citizens is unacceptable.
The next ANC meeting is scheduled for March 17, where it will determine further actions.
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for VK
