Tweet
Armenian Opposition Leader Sarkissian Calls For 'Revolution'
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
April 18 2005
Jan Soykok (JTW) - Aram Sarkisian, Armenian Hanrapetutyun (Republic)
Party leader call a revolution in Armenia. Sarkissian also defended
a pro-Western re-orientation for Armenia.
"Armenia needs a revolution, a change of values, not [a mere] regime
change... Today we have a government which wants to stage-manage
regime change. But I'm telling them that it will not work... Robert
Kocharian will have to go. He will fail to install [Defense Minister]
Serzh Sarkisian or anybody else in his place."" he told hundreds of
delegates at the party's congress.
"I call on every citizen of the Republic of Armenia to join us... I
also address this call to non-discredited government officials. Those
who stand by us today, will be in government tomorrow. Those who are
scared [of backing the opposition] today, will remain scared tomorrow"
added Sarkissian.
DEMOCRACY AND A PRO-WESTERN FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA
Sarkissian also said Armenia needs a pro-Western approach in foreign
policy and democracy inside:
"The situation has changed so much that we must make the right choice,"
he said. "As for being pro-Western, of course we prefer democracy. I
am an Armenian and am guided only by my country's interests. And I
see that in terms of their lifestyle, values and, as Serzh Sarkisian
would put it, mentality, our people are closer to Europe."
However, neither Harutiunian nor Bazeyan spoke at the gathering. The
participants accepted the latter's resignation and elected Sarkisian
as their new chairman. Bazeyan welcomed the decision.
Armenia's has been in economic catastrophe for more than a decade
and difficult relations with the neighboring Azerbaijan, Turkey
and Georgia. While Georgia and Azerbaijan improved their relations
with Turkey, the EU and the US, Armenia remained a 'Russian base'
in the region. As a result Armenia became isolated. Armenian forces
have occupied about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and Yerevan
does not recognize Turkey's and other neighboring countries national
borders.
JTW 18 April 2005
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
April 18 2005
Jan Soykok (JTW) - Aram Sarkisian, Armenian Hanrapetutyun (Republic)
Party leader call a revolution in Armenia. Sarkissian also defended
a pro-Western re-orientation for Armenia.
"Armenia needs a revolution, a change of values, not [a mere] regime
change... Today we have a government which wants to stage-manage
regime change. But I'm telling them that it will not work... Robert
Kocharian will have to go. He will fail to install [Defense Minister]
Serzh Sarkisian or anybody else in his place."" he told hundreds of
delegates at the party's congress.
"I call on every citizen of the Republic of Armenia to join us... I
also address this call to non-discredited government officials. Those
who stand by us today, will be in government tomorrow. Those who are
scared [of backing the opposition] today, will remain scared tomorrow"
added Sarkissian.
DEMOCRACY AND A PRO-WESTERN FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA
Sarkissian also said Armenia needs a pro-Western approach in foreign
policy and democracy inside:
"The situation has changed so much that we must make the right choice,"
he said. "As for being pro-Western, of course we prefer democracy. I
am an Armenian and am guided only by my country's interests. And I
see that in terms of their lifestyle, values and, as Serzh Sarkisian
would put it, mentality, our people are closer to Europe."
However, neither Harutiunian nor Bazeyan spoke at the gathering. The
participants accepted the latter's resignation and elected Sarkisian
as their new chairman. Bazeyan welcomed the decision.
Armenia's has been in economic catastrophe for more than a decade
and difficult relations with the neighboring Azerbaijan, Turkey
and Georgia. While Georgia and Azerbaijan improved their relations
with Turkey, the EU and the US, Armenia remained a 'Russian base'
in the region. As a result Armenia became isolated. Armenian forces
have occupied about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and Yerevan
does not recognize Turkey's and other neighboring countries national
borders.
JTW 18 April 2005