23:01, 5 May 2004

Armenian opposition demands release of its activists

In spite of the rain and bad weather, no less than 10 thousand people gathered at the meeting arranged by the opposition on Freedom Square in the evening of May 4. Participants held flags of Armenia and the European Union and numerous slogans demanding that the authorities resign. Opposition leaders introduced the people to main directions of the resolution passed on April 28 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) regarding the internal political situation in Armenia. Aram Sargsian, a member of the political council of the Republic party and former prime minister of Armenia, said that before the authorities had criticized the opposition because it set starting conditions for political dialogue. "And now the Council of Europe makes demands similar to ours: concerning the release of opposition activists, cessation of violence, and others. We have done very much by showing the true face of the Armenian authorities to the world," Aram Sargsian said. The opposition will continue to hold meetings and demonstrations until President Kocharian resigns, he added.

Author: Ashot Ter-Grigorian, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot