British Embassy Warden Message
The British Embassy has issued a warning ahead of today’s first legally sanctioned opposition protest since the state of emergency was lifted. Word is that former president and radical opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian might attend although there has been no confirmation yet.
Probably Ter-Petrossian’s presence will depend on how many people will turn out for the demonstration. In a sense, such protests appear aimed at gaging support for the radical opposition although few are expecting large numbers.
When asked by The Caucasus Knot what he expected, one senior Western diplomat responded, “not many people surrounded by lots of riot police?”
The “Women in the name of peace” NGO has been given permission by the Yerevan city authorities to hold a rally tomorrow in the Children’s Park, near the Myasnikyan monument on Grigor Lusavorich St, on Saturday 19 April at 3pm.
There have also been reports that there are plans for ongoing daily demonstrations between 2-3pm by women’s groups outside the Office of the Public Prosecutor, 5 Vazgen Sargsyan St, Yerevan, starting on Saturday 19 April.
In the context of the current period of heightened political tension, we advise British citizens to avoid the area of known demonstrations and other locations where demonstrations may take place. If it is necessary to be in the vicinity of a demonstration, we urge you to exercise vigilance and caution at all times. Demonstrations can attract large numbers, and even if intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational.
Let’s see if word of Ter-Petrossian’s re-emergence changes the somewhat bleak-looking situation for the radical opposition. The rally will kick off in three hours.
- Published:
- 04.19.08 / 12pm by Onnik
- Category:
- Armenia, Armenia Presidential Election 2008, Blogs, Candidates, Demonstrations, News Briefs, Rallies, Revolution
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