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Armenian opposition faces split over constitution reform
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
19 Jul 05
Text of Naira Zograbyan's report by the Armenian newspaper Aykakan
Zhamanak "The Justice bloc is splitting" on 19 July
The Justice bloc statement made on Friday [15 July], which says that
if the propositions on the constitution submitted by the opposition
are accepted, the opposition is ready not only to cooperate with the
coalition, but also to present other constitutional propositions,
has deepened the disagreements within the bloc even further.
Over the past few days the Republic party political council has
been discussing its statement which it will publicize shortly. The
provisional text of the statement says that if the Justice bloc
does not revise its strategy of reaching a political agreement
with the authorities and does resolutely renounce this imitation of
the constitutional reform, the Republic party will reconsider the
expediency of staying within the Justice bloc.
The Republic party thinks that the Justice bloc understands it well
that by adopting such a policy the bloc intentionally positions
itself on the side of the authorities, calling itself a "constructive
opposition". The Republic party is sure that the uncertain behaviour
of the bloc is brought about by the influence that some of the bloc's
conformist deputies have on Stepan Demirchyan.
The Republic party had to adopt its statement yesterday [18 July], but
there are certain disagreements of a strategic kind within the party
as well. For instance, Albert Bazeyan supports the viewpoint of the
Justice bloc and thinks they have to wait till 20 July, when the Venice
Commission will send the final conclusion on the draft constitution,
and only after that work out the opposition's political moves.
Aram Sarkisyan is, in principle, in favour of taking his party out
of the Justice bloc. At the same time, he thinks that the Republic
party should be more specific about the steps it intends to take after
leaving the bloc, and only after that to apply such drastic steps.
But the next responsible member of the party, Smbat Ayvazyan, calls
for some more resolute actions. His principal approach is not to
cooperate with the authorities at all, to get out of the bloc and
to call for public action. These three approaches exist within the
party and each has its supporters.
Naturally, the Justice bloc is aware of the protest mood within the
Republic party, saying the party is free to make its own decisions.
Thus, irrespective of the statement made by the Republic party,
the Justice bloc will not change its decision. One way or another,
it will become clear in a couple of days how resolute the Republic
party is and what future awaits the Justice bloc.
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
19 Jul 05
Text of Naira Zograbyan's report by the Armenian newspaper Aykakan
Zhamanak "The Justice bloc is splitting" on 19 July
The Justice bloc statement made on Friday [15 July], which says that
if the propositions on the constitution submitted by the opposition
are accepted, the opposition is ready not only to cooperate with the
coalition, but also to present other constitutional propositions,
has deepened the disagreements within the bloc even further.
Over the past few days the Republic party political council has
been discussing its statement which it will publicize shortly. The
provisional text of the statement says that if the Justice bloc
does not revise its strategy of reaching a political agreement
with the authorities and does resolutely renounce this imitation of
the constitutional reform, the Republic party will reconsider the
expediency of staying within the Justice bloc.
The Republic party thinks that the Justice bloc understands it well
that by adopting such a policy the bloc intentionally positions
itself on the side of the authorities, calling itself a "constructive
opposition". The Republic party is sure that the uncertain behaviour
of the bloc is brought about by the influence that some of the bloc's
conformist deputies have on Stepan Demirchyan.
The Republic party had to adopt its statement yesterday [18 July], but
there are certain disagreements of a strategic kind within the party
as well. For instance, Albert Bazeyan supports the viewpoint of the
Justice bloc and thinks they have to wait till 20 July, when the Venice
Commission will send the final conclusion on the draft constitution,
and only after that work out the opposition's political moves.
Aram Sarkisyan is, in principle, in favour of taking his party out
of the Justice bloc. At the same time, he thinks that the Republic
party should be more specific about the steps it intends to take after
leaving the bloc, and only after that to apply such drastic steps.
But the next responsible member of the party, Smbat Ayvazyan, calls
for some more resolute actions. His principal approach is not to
cooperate with the authorities at all, to get out of the bloc and
to call for public action. These three approaches exist within the
party and each has its supporters.
Naturally, the Justice bloc is aware of the protest mood within the
Republic party, saying the party is free to make its own decisions.
Thus, irrespective of the statement made by the Republic party,
the Justice bloc will not change its decision. One way or another,
it will become clear in a couple of days how resolute the Republic
party is and what future awaits the Justice bloc.