Authorities, opposition should make every effort to ease political tension in Armenia

YEREVAN, October 2. /ARKA/. Armenian authorities and opposition should do whatever necessary to ease political tension in the country, former Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Oskanian said that the authorities should do something about those arrested in connection with March violence.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the information published by newspapers about likely amnesty. The president is to speak in National Assembly on October 2 and expected to announce amnesty”, he said.

He thinks unsolved problem with prisoners prevents Armenia playing significant role in the region.

Oskanian thinks that right steps should be taken as compliance with PACE demands, of which the most important is the release of prisoners.

In his opinion, March events tarnished Armenia’s reputation. The former foreign minister thinks that Armenia puts its image at stake by dragging its feet in complying with PACE demands.

“If the president shares my opinion, he will say something to the public tomorrow”, Oskanian said. M.V.-0--