At a rally that finished a few minutes ago, Chairman of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), Armenia`s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan issued an ultimatum to the Armenian authorities.

He read out a statement, 15 demands that were unanimously approved by the participants. The ANC demands the release of all the political prisoners before March 15 and formation of an independent international commission to investigate into the tragic events in Yerevan on March 1, 2008. The ANC also demands that the authorities pay U.S. $1 million to the family of each person killed, and U.S. $100,000 for each of the injured. According to the ANC, the authorities must also stop any prosecution of active oppositionists in conformity with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

Among the ANC demands are also broadcasting of the A1+ TV channel, end to militant rhetoric and negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh with Nagorno-Karabakh`s participation. Moreover, the ANC demand removal of the ban on street trading, reversal of the law on compulsory car insurance, U.S. $200 minimal monthly wages and U.S. $100 monthly unemployment benefit, removal of the bill on six-day working week from the Parliament`s agenda. Employers must be legally obliged to pay an amount equal to three monthly salaries to employees in case of dismissal; the Government must subsidize agricultural production and report full information on the property of all the officials since Ter-Petrosyan`s presidency.

The Opposition also demands resignation of Armenian Premier Tigran Sargsyan and of all the ministers responsible for the country`s economy. The ANC accused them of pursuing an incompetent economic policy. The statement approved by the participants (50,000, according to Ter-Petrosyan) calls on the United States and European Union to stop supporting the Armenian authorities in their geopolitical interests - the Arab world`s experience proves this position is ineffective.

Ter-Petrosyan stated that the Opposition is ready to start negotiations with the authorities for early presidential and parliamentary elections within the few months provided the authorities meet the Opposition`s demands. He called on the authorities to come to their senses, saying that the demands are the "last warning". The next rally is scheduled for March 17. The ANC is a format of popular government that "has the right to make decisions," Ter-Petrosyan said.