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ARMENIAN OFFICIAL COMMENTS ON SPEAKER'S RESIGNATION
Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
23 May 06
Text of Vaan Vardanyan's report in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 23 May headlined "We have seen no evidence of maturity"
An interview with the most likely candidate to the post of parliament
speaker, [deputy speaker of parliament and a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia] Tigran Torosyan. He comments on the situation in
the parliament.
[Ayots Ashkar correspondent] How do you assess talks around the
resignation of the speaker of the parliament and the dispute between
[Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan and [the leader of the National Unity
Party] Artashes Gegamyan in the parliament?
[Tigran Torosyan] I have already said that next month will be
a unique probationary period for politicians. Parties should
demonstrate that they have become mature and passed their teenager
period. Unfortunately, what happened could hardly be the evidence of
maturity, though I hope everything will be put back in order.
[Correspondent] The opposition says that today there is no political
majority in the parliament even in the form of a coalition. Will you
comment on this?
[Torosyan] The most painful thing is that not only many wrong ideas
were sounded in parliament today, but also the regulations were
broken. Saying something with a clever face does not mean that you
really tell the truth.
Who says that the "parliamentary majority" should be formed by means of
signing a memorandum? The first step like this was made after the 2003
[parliament] election and that was an important step. But nobody has
to sign a memorandum. In many countries coalitions are formed and
they split and there is no tragedy. Certainly, today we do not have
the coalition that was created at that time.
[Correspondent] Today they speak about two candidates to the post of
parliament speaker: you and [Republican Party MP] Galust Saakyan.
[Torosyan] I am saying once again that as there is no vacant post all
the discussions are in vain. It is senseless to answer this question.
[Correspondent] In fact, the United Labour Party [ULP] will become part
of the new majority. Does that mean that a new coalition memorandum
could be signed?
[Torosyan] I think there is absolutely no need to sign a new
memorandum. As to who our partners will be and how we shall work,
it will be correct to answer this question a few days later. Real
talks will be held soon.
[Correspondent] But the prime minister has already signed a decree
on the appointment of three representatives of the ULP. Does this
mean that Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] is replaced by
the ULP?
[Torosyan] This means that the first steps have already been made.
But we do not substitute somebody for somebody else. Everybody has
their own place and role.
[Correspondent] The MPs who have left Orinats Yerkir are setting up
a new group. Will you negotiate with them?
[Torosyan] It is nonsense to rule out negotiations with any force.
Unfortunately, there are political forces in Armenia which are enemies
to each other. Finally, no matter what happened or will happen, one
should have one purpose: to provide the normal work of the parliament.
Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
23 May 06
Text of Vaan Vardanyan's report in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 23 May headlined "We have seen no evidence of maturity"
An interview with the most likely candidate to the post of parliament
speaker, [deputy speaker of parliament and a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia] Tigran Torosyan. He comments on the situation in
the parliament.
[Ayots Ashkar correspondent] How do you assess talks around the
resignation of the speaker of the parliament and the dispute between
[Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan and [the leader of the National Unity
Party] Artashes Gegamyan in the parliament?
[Tigran Torosyan] I have already said that next month will be
a unique probationary period for politicians. Parties should
demonstrate that they have become mature and passed their teenager
period. Unfortunately, what happened could hardly be the evidence of
maturity, though I hope everything will be put back in order.
[Correspondent] The opposition says that today there is no political
majority in the parliament even in the form of a coalition. Will you
comment on this?
[Torosyan] The most painful thing is that not only many wrong ideas
were sounded in parliament today, but also the regulations were
broken. Saying something with a clever face does not mean that you
really tell the truth.
Who says that the "parliamentary majority" should be formed by means of
signing a memorandum? The first step like this was made after the 2003
[parliament] election and that was an important step. But nobody has
to sign a memorandum. In many countries coalitions are formed and
they split and there is no tragedy. Certainly, today we do not have
the coalition that was created at that time.
[Correspondent] Today they speak about two candidates to the post of
parliament speaker: you and [Republican Party MP] Galust Saakyan.
[Torosyan] I am saying once again that as there is no vacant post all
the discussions are in vain. It is senseless to answer this question.
[Correspondent] In fact, the United Labour Party [ULP] will become part
of the new majority. Does that mean that a new coalition memorandum
could be signed?
[Torosyan] I think there is absolutely no need to sign a new
memorandum. As to who our partners will be and how we shall work,
it will be correct to answer this question a few days later. Real
talks will be held soon.
[Correspondent] But the prime minister has already signed a decree
on the appointment of three representatives of the ULP. Does this
mean that Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] is replaced by
the ULP?
[Torosyan] This means that the first steps have already been made.
But we do not substitute somebody for somebody else. Everybody has
their own place and role.
[Correspondent] The MPs who have left Orinats Yerkir are setting up
a new group. Will you negotiate with them?
[Torosyan] It is nonsense to rule out negotiations with any force.
Unfortunately, there are political forces in Armenia which are enemies
to each other. Finally, no matter what happened or will happen, one
should have one purpose: to provide the normal work of the parliament.