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EDWARD SHARMAZANOV: "OPPOSITION HAS TAKEN A CIVILISED PATH"
A1+
[08:34 pm] 18 February, 2009
I expect the opposition to hold a rally on March 1as the right to
assemblies is set down in the RoA Constitution and in the law on
assemblies. I don't share the belief that Armenia needs a society
backing the authorities. A country lacking a mighty opposition cannot
have a mighty leadership," says Republican MP Edward Sharmazanov.
The opposition cannot make its voice audible in the Armenian
parliament, therefore it should be availed a chance to hold rallies.
The Law on Assemblies hasn't be amended for a year, but the City
Hall has rejected the notifications of the Armenian National Congress
(HAK) to hold demonstrations.
"This is not the first time the HAK has been rejected. But we came
to see that despite the rejections, the rallies were held," observed
Sharmazanov.
Does it mean that the authorities conciliated with the idea that the
opposition will hold rallies anyway? "It is my personal opinion. The
authorities and opposition should do their best to avoid further
clashes. If people have something to say, they will attend the rally. I
think the venue doesn't matter- be it near the Matenadaran or somewhere
else. "
The Republican MP declined to comment on the March 1 deadly
clashes. "This is a legal issue, and I call on the authorities and
the opposition not to speculate the tragic events of March 1. Rather,
we had better learn a lesson from the events.
Generally, Sharmazanov thinks the tension has abated after the
March 1 events. "The consequences of the tragic events are not
fully eliminated, but I do think that all negative feelings have
mitigated. The authorities at the head of Serzh Sargsyan do their
best to eliminate the consequences and to carry out campaign
pledges. Beisdes, the extraparliamentary opposition has taken a
civilised path," added Sharmazanov. He meant the opposition's decision
to run for Yerevan Mayor.
A1+
[08:34 pm] 18 February, 2009
I expect the opposition to hold a rally on March 1as the right to
assemblies is set down in the RoA Constitution and in the law on
assemblies. I don't share the belief that Armenia needs a society
backing the authorities. A country lacking a mighty opposition cannot
have a mighty leadership," says Republican MP Edward Sharmazanov.
The opposition cannot make its voice audible in the Armenian
parliament, therefore it should be availed a chance to hold rallies.
The Law on Assemblies hasn't be amended for a year, but the City
Hall has rejected the notifications of the Armenian National Congress
(HAK) to hold demonstrations.
"This is not the first time the HAK has been rejected. But we came
to see that despite the rejections, the rallies were held," observed
Sharmazanov.
Does it mean that the authorities conciliated with the idea that the
opposition will hold rallies anyway? "It is my personal opinion. The
authorities and opposition should do their best to avoid further
clashes. If people have something to say, they will attend the rally. I
think the venue doesn't matter- be it near the Matenadaran or somewhere
else. "
The Republican MP declined to comment on the March 1 deadly
clashes. "This is a legal issue, and I call on the authorities and
the opposition not to speculate the tragic events of March 1. Rather,
we had better learn a lesson from the events.
Generally, Sharmazanov thinks the tension has abated after the
March 1 events. "The consequences of the tragic events are not
fully eliminated, but I do think that all negative feelings have
mitigated. The authorities at the head of Serzh Sargsyan do their
best to eliminate the consequences and to carry out campaign
pledges. Beisdes, the extraparliamentary opposition has taken a
civilised path," added Sharmazanov. He meant the opposition's decision
to run for Yerevan Mayor.