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April 27, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 3
Ukraine it has other options, if it feels it needs a “friendly” administration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Armenian counterpart on April 25 and said that Armenia should “stay within the framework of the constitution,” the Kremlin’s first concrete statement on its policy to the revolution which has been running for about two weeks.
"Vladimir Putin and [Armenian President]
Armen Sarkisian emphasised that to overcome the internal crisis as soon as possible, it is of importance to show restraint and responsibility and readiness to solve the existing problems through constructive dialogue in strict compliance with the constitution," the Kremlin said.
For his part Pashinian has gone out of his way
to make it clear that he will maintain good relations with Moscow and also that making a Ukraine-esque “pivot to the west” is not a goal for his would-be administration. Given Armenia’s relatively small size and general poverty it seems possible that this would satisfy Moscow, which has been happy to sit on the sidelines
so far. Pashinian said at a rally on April 25 that Karapetyan was not backed by Moscow.
Pashinian also claimed at the same rally that some lawmakers from HHK were willing to change sides and this would be the best result. Relatively few HHK deputies need to jump ship
in order have a lawful change at the top. But the result remains up in the air. Demonstrators at the rally went further and demanded the resignation of all representatives of the ruling party.
Fears of violence
However, the casually dressed Pashinian also explicitly threatened the ruling elite that he would call on the crowds to “blockade” the parliamentary buildings if HHK attempted to nominate one of their own as prime minister, which could lead to violence.
not to even enter any government building," Pashinian told the rally, reports RFE/RL. "We, the people, have won, and no one can dare doubt this fact."
“Some 80 trucks are gathered on the Sevan- Yerevan highway. I call on the drivers to come to Yerevan and block all streets here,” Pashinian said to the crowd. He also called for labour and student strikes.
In an ominous sign the government has started to deploy police in the capital.
HHK has said little about its intentions. Pashinian and Karepetyan were due to meet on April 24
to discuss the details of the transition but the meeting was cancelled after Karepetyan rejected Pashinian’s demand that he would set the agenda and was not open to negotiations.
HHK has said they are open to fresh elections, but also suggested that the party wants to
remain in charge in the interim – presumably that includes continuing to occupy the post of prime minister with one of their own, something that the protesters have dismissed out of hand.
"The logical solution is that political parties – within the framework of our constitution and the law – sit down and discuss whether there is a need for early elections" and when they could be held, Karapetyan told a news conference on April 25.
There is now a tense stand off as both sides manoeuvre for advantage. More defections from HHK to Pashinian’s cause could bring about a rapid and peaceful conclusion, but that result is not a given.
In the meantime President Sarkisian (no relation to the previous prime minister), who holds a largely ceremonial job, has offered to intervene with both sides in an attempt to broker a peaceful compromise.
"From this moment, I also warn Karen Karapetyan
On balance the protesters still have the upper