YEREVAN. - The Armenian National Congress (ANC) rally on April 8 will inaugurate a process of changing power in Armenia by means of early presidential election that will follow by parliamentary elections, the ANC member Manuk Sukyasyan told journalists on Wednesday.

Sukiasyan also criticized a statement by Hovhannes Sahakyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), who mentioned that the authorities do not allow the opposition to hold rallies in Liberty Square for the people not to feel disappointed once more, because the Opposition has nothing to do for or offer the people.

“By ‘doing’ they must mean retaining power at the cost of blood,” Sukiasyan said. “As to the permission to enter the square, the authorities had no choice in view of the number of participants. So it was not the authorities’ good will. Even if the participants had not been allowed to they would have entered Liberty Square.”

As to whether the participants were not disappointed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s decision to “sent everyone home,” Sukiasyan said that the people are under some influence of pro-government public television, however, they “do not feel any disappointment.”

Narek Galstyan, a member of the Hnchakyan party, disagreed with Sukiasyan. He recalled instances when more people attended ANC rallies than the on March 17, but the police did not allow them to enter Liberty Square.

“People are sick and tired of the promises made at ANC rallies and preceding press conferences, when ANC members, in a mysterious manner, speak of imminent changes,” he said.

As to the number of participants in the April 8 rally needed to inaugurate a change of power in Armenia, Sukiasyan said that no specific number could be cited. However, later Sukiasyan agreed with the ANC Central Office Coordinator Levon Zurabyan, who said that “we can say goodbye” to the authorities if 200,000 people attend the rally.

“Zurabyan spoke of 200,000 people, but power can be change with the help of 180,000 people,” Sukiasyan said. “I would not like to cite any figures, but I can say that a change of power require even more people than attended at the March 17 rally. The number of participants was not sufficient, and they were told to go home.”