It Pains Me that the Matenadaran is Viewed by Children as Venue for Rallies: HHK MP

A Sultan system rules In Arab countries, while in Armenia our problems are socioeconomic, and the wave of revolutions in Arab countries should more so trouble Azerbaijan (than Armenia), said ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) MP Karine Atshemyan, speaking to journalists in Yerevan today, and adding that it’s unlikely recent developments in Arab countries will be repeated in Armenia.

“Our problem is more socioeconomic than political,” she said.

In response, Heritage Party MP Anahit Bakhshyan, also present at today’s press conference, said rather rhetorically, “We don’t have a political problem, yes? They killed 10 people on Mar. 1 [2008] and till today, they haven’t uncovered this. Is this political or social?”

The two deputies also addressed problems of the opposition. According to Atshemyan, the opposition in Armenia is unable to unite.

On the issue of marches and rallies:

“I cannot understand that our two great cultural centers, the Matenadaran [Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts] and Opera square [i.e. Liberty Square]… it pains me that many children perceive the Matenadaran as a venue for rallies; they don’t know that it’s our treasury of books, and I wanted to ask, why can’t we move the venue for rallies away from these areas?” said the Republican Party MP, noting that she wanted to pose this question during the parliamentary discussion of amendments to the draft law on marches and rallies.

Liberty Square earned its name as a symbol of liberty and freedom, Bakhshyan retorted.

“And all that monkey business [presumably referring to the children’s rides placed in Liberty Square] there deprives [the square] of its good name. Yes, Liberty Square in the country has to be as Liberty Square, and anyone who wants to protest will go there, sit and speak,” she said.

Epress.am asked Atshemyan where she proposes people hold their peaceful assemblies.

“We have many new squares, we have areas where it’s possible, which are far from cultural centers. I, as a cultural person, experience pain that for children, rallies are associated with the Matendaran and vice-versa.  This too is a social problem… But this is my personal opinion,” she concluded.