01 August 2008, 22:40
Meeting and march of opposition in Armenia involved more than 45,000 people
On August 1, Armenian opposition held a meeting and a march along central streets of Erevan, which were not sanctioned by the authorities and involved more than 45,000 people.
The meeting initiated by the Popular Movement (block of parties and public organizations which supported Levon Ter-Petrosian at the recent elections) was chaired by Vardan Grigorian, vice-chair of the board of the party "Democratic Way".
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the meeting started with addresses by Arshak Banuchian and Gurgen Eghizarian, political prisoners released from custody a few days before.
The declaration on the creation of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) , which is to become the main consolidating and coordinating structure in the course of fight with the current authorities, was announced at the meeting. Pursuant to the Declaration, the parties in the ANC will retain their autonomy in the association, and it remains open for other political parties and public organizations.
Levon Zurabian, representative of the Popular Movement Center, called on citizens to join the ANC. According to him, opposition in the course of August would create the ANC structures and expand its activity. The permanent sitting action on North Avenue in Erevan would continue for five more weeks.
Opposition plans another meeting on September 5 and states that it will open a series of ANC meetings and marches across the country with the aim to relieve Armenia from "the ruling bandocratic regime".
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent
