Armenian opposition holds rally in Yerevan - UPDATED

21.VI.08

11:00

First President of Armenia Ter-Petrosyan called on the authorities to release his supporters, who were arrested by political motives.

"It is necessary to release all the prisoners and after it it will be able to hold a political combat in a civilized manner", said Ter-Petrosyan Friday during the meeting of his supporters in Yerevan.

According to Armenia former President, PACE set several provisions for initiation of a dialogue of powers with opposition, particularly independent investigation of March 1 events, recognition of amendments to the law, restricting freedom of assembly, as invalid and liberation of all political prisoners.

Noting that the first two provisions are not so important, even so more, they have not been executed, Ter-Petrosyan calls on the authorities to fulfill the third and the most important provision.

He announced that if all political prisoners are freed before the beginning of the PACE summer session, where issue of functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia will be heard, he will call on the assembly not to appeal promised sanctions against Armenia.

He said he is ready to a dialogue. "But it is necessary to define the essence of the dialogue. We will not trade by principle of recognition of the legitimacy in exchange for posts, we do not need these posts", said Ter-Petrosyan.

He added that the best way out of the situation may become new parliamentary and presidential elections.

At the same time, the former President announced that "he will welcome positive steps of the authorities".

Ter-Petrosyan called on the Armenian authorities to give the name of the National Hero of Armenia to all, who died in the result of March 1 events, as "they died for freedom and democracy".

Ter-Petrosyan called on people to trust the Center of National Movement, asking them not to belive the smeary rumors about possible "escape" of the movement leadership for the country. "Believe me, I will be the last one to give up the fight", noted he. He said the next meeting will be held following the summer session of PACE-on July 4.

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20.VI.08

22:07

The Meeting was opened by Suren Surenyants, member of Respublika opposition party.

He said the meeting starts with a victory-winning Matenadaran square from the police, A+ Tv company won in the European Court and the decision of the PACE monitoring commission to discuss report on Armenia urgently. He informed that along with Yerevan the protests are also held in Moscow, Paris and Vladikavkaz.

The representatives of opposition, speaking at the meeting, announced that struggle has not ended that meetings will continue.

It should be noted that the rally involves first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan and leaders of national movement Stepan Demirchyan, Aram Sargsyan and others, who are still free. The rally participants chanted "Levon-Levon", "Victory", "Freedom to Armenia".

According to the meeting organizers, the rally involved about 50,000 people. Police say their number was 10,000.

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20:24

First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan arrived on the spot of the rally in Yerevan. Currently thousands of opposition supporters gathered near Matenadaran.

Earlier in the result of talks with deputy chief of police department of Yerevan Alexander Afyan representative of Ter Petrosyan's office Levon Zurabyan agreed that police will not hamper the rally.

At the same time, police reminded to the participants that the rally is illegal and called on them to disperse.

Previously, the police announced that it will not allow unsanctioned action. Moreover, law enforcement officers announced that they have information about prepared upheavals.

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19:24

In Yerevan special forces let the opposition rally participants to Matenadaran.

The protesters blocked the traffic. Special and police forces are dislocated on both sides of Matenadaran.

Opposition planned to take the streets Friday to join the rally at Matenadaran, the depositary of ancient manuscripts, scheduled for 6 p.m, yet the major's office did not sanction this rally, offering to hold it at a square near Razdan stadium.

Before the meeting police called on the people to disperse, calling opposition actions illegal.

/Novosti-Armenia, ARMENIA-Today, Regnum/