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REGIME CHANGE CAN START WITH YEREVAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, SAYS ARF
http://asbarez.com/108643/regime-change-can-start-with-yerevan-municipal-elections-says-arf/
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
Armen Rustamian addresses crowd at Liberty Square on Tuesday with
Raffi Hovannisian in the background
YEREVAN-Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia
representative Armen Rustamian on Tuesday laid out his party's vision
for the post-election popular movement in Armenia by stressing the
importance of securing a victory at the Yerevan municipal elections
set for May 5, as a stepping stone toward achieving regime change.
Speaking at a rally on Freedom Square on March 5, Rustamian noted
that the authorities will not willingly compromise, let alone concede
power. "Only a popular movement that transforms into a powerful
political factor can force them to do that," he said.
According to Rustamian, The final objective of the movement is to
guarantee that the people assume power on all levels. That objective
can best be attained through persistent struggle, by securing a
series of victories. We should not get disheartened if we cannot
achieve regime change right away. We can attain that goal gradually,
he noted, adding that every single person in the movement will have
to work towards that goal.
Rustamian concluded by saying that securing a victory during the
May 5 municipal elections in Yerevan constitutes the first step. In
a country like Armenia, assuming municipal power in Yerevan would
be very significant and would force the authorities to make greater
concessions, he argued.
Meanwhile, at the same rally opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian
pledged that there will be "no retreat" from the popular movement
sparked after the February 18 presidential elections.
"Nothing will make us deviate from our path," he told the thousands
assembled at what has become a regular occurrence as the popular
movement continues to grow.
Hovannisian also condemned the international community for accepting
the official results of the disputed February 18 election. He said
congratulatory letters sent to Sarkisian by the U.S. and Russian
presidents as well as other foreign leaders were a "huge mistake,"
reported RFE/RL.
Hovannisian announced that he will tour more areas outside Yerevan,
including the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor, on Wednesday and
Thursday before holding fresh rallies in the Armenian capital on
Friday and Sunday.
Speaking at Tuesday's rally, Hovannisian assured supporters that Sunday
will see a "breakthrough" in the realization of his post-election
"program." He did not elaborate.
http://asbarez.com/108643/regime-change-can-start-with-yerevan-municipal-elections-says-arf/
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
Armen Rustamian addresses crowd at Liberty Square on Tuesday with
Raffi Hovannisian in the background
YEREVAN-Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia
representative Armen Rustamian on Tuesday laid out his party's vision
for the post-election popular movement in Armenia by stressing the
importance of securing a victory at the Yerevan municipal elections
set for May 5, as a stepping stone toward achieving regime change.
Speaking at a rally on Freedom Square on March 5, Rustamian noted
that the authorities will not willingly compromise, let alone concede
power. "Only a popular movement that transforms into a powerful
political factor can force them to do that," he said.
According to Rustamian, The final objective of the movement is to
guarantee that the people assume power on all levels. That objective
can best be attained through persistent struggle, by securing a
series of victories. We should not get disheartened if we cannot
achieve regime change right away. We can attain that goal gradually,
he noted, adding that every single person in the movement will have
to work towards that goal.
Rustamian concluded by saying that securing a victory during the
May 5 municipal elections in Yerevan constitutes the first step. In
a country like Armenia, assuming municipal power in Yerevan would
be very significant and would force the authorities to make greater
concessions, he argued.
Meanwhile, at the same rally opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian
pledged that there will be "no retreat" from the popular movement
sparked after the February 18 presidential elections.
"Nothing will make us deviate from our path," he told the thousands
assembled at what has become a regular occurrence as the popular
movement continues to grow.
Hovannisian also condemned the international community for accepting
the official results of the disputed February 18 election. He said
congratulatory letters sent to Sarkisian by the U.S. and Russian
presidents as well as other foreign leaders were a "huge mistake,"
reported RFE/RL.
Hovannisian announced that he will tour more areas outside Yerevan,
including the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor, on Wednesday and
Thursday before holding fresh rallies in the Armenian capital on
Friday and Sunday.
Speaking at Tuesday's rally, Hovannisian assured supporters that Sunday
will see a "breakthrough" in the realization of his post-election
"program." He did not elaborate.