15 May 2009, 23:00
About 30,000 take part in oppositional rally in Armenian capital
Today, in Yerevan, at Matenadaran, a rally of the opposition was held that brought together about 30 thousand persons. After the rally, many thousands of them marched along the streets of the capital. People from transport means and house windows welcomed them. The participants of the march were shouting: "Free, independent Armenia!" and "Levon is President!" The march was accompanied by policemen. The action passed without incidents.
The action was held under the election campaign of Yerevan Mayor. The rally started with a minute of silence in memory of casualties at "Nairit" chemical factory.
Speaking to the rally, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, leader of the Armenian National Congress, called President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to make steps towards consolidation of the nation or to leave his post in order to prevent further aggravation of the situation, in which the country found itself because of external pressure caused by illegitimacy of the present power.
The central point in the oppositionist's speech was criticism of the foreign policy pursued by the incumbent authorities.
"In exchange of treachery in the genocide issue, the Armenia-Turkish border was not opened. After the danger of recognition of Armenians' genocide by the USA evaporated, the Turkish policy returned to the usual track, according to which normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is caused by settlement of Karabakh conflict," said Mr Ter-Petrosyan.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
