Analyst: Idea of formation of a national confidence government in Armenia has legs

 In the current stalemate situation, the idea of formation of a national confidence government in Armenia has legs, ex-foreign minister of the NKR, independent analyst Arman Melikyan has told ArmInfo.     

"It appears that only conscious and grounded mutual concessions of all sides of the conflict can settle the given critical situation, which is aggravated by mutual hatred and non-confidence. Though the demand about Serzh Sargsyan's resignation is not realistic today, nevertheless, the proposal about formation of a national confidence government in Armenia has legs," he says.   

The analyst thinks that the problem is the lack of mechanisms capable of creating such a government in the republic.   

In this light, Melikyan thinks that it is reasonable to discuss the goals set to the given government and only after that to launch discussions on the structure of that government. Afterwards, it might become possible to hold parliamentary elections in Armenia. "All this time Zhirayr Sefilyan's supporters will be keeping the building under control, but the hostages will be set free. In case the specified processes are completed, they will have to lay down the arms and surrender to the authorities. Certainly, this is not a perfect proposal, but I think it should be discussed," he says.     

To recall, on July 17, Artsakh war hero Zhirayr Sefilyan's armed supporters, who are calling themselves "Sasna Tsrer" (The Daredevils of Sasun), seized the building of the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment in Erebuni district of Yerevan. They demand releasing Sefilyan, who was arrested on June 20 on suspicion of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. The armed group is still holding police as hostages. Deputy Head of the Patrol- Guard Service Regiment, Colonel Artur Vanoyan was killed in the incident. Armenian MP Nikol Pashinyan says that during his visit to the Erebuni Police Department building he saw 26 members of the "Sasna Tsrer" group.    

The access routes to the building are still blocked and the police are on combat duty. Dozens of people spent the night in the territory adjacent to the building to support Sasna Tsrer. On July 19 evening, protests developed into clashes between the residents of Sari Tagh district and the law enforcers. 4 policemen were hospitalized with injuries.
On June 20, 2016, Zhirayr Sefilyan was detained on suspicion of organizing a criminal group. 8 persons face charges of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. 6 have been arrested and 1 is wanted.  According to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, Sefilyan and his supporters were planning to seize buildings of state importance in early April. Two-month arrest has been chosen as a measure of restraint against Sefilyan, however, his supporters think the case is a frame-up and the arrest is political persecution for his political views, activities and statements about the territorial losses the Armenian side suffered during the April war.