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"If We Aren't Competitive, We Lose"

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  • "If We Aren't Competitive, We Lose"

    "IF WE AREN'T COMPETITIVE, WE LOSE"

    Aravot.am
    20 Oct 06

    OEP leader, NA former chairman Arthur Baghdasarian says.

    We have been informed that you have been awarded by the highest state
    medal of Austria for democratic development and Euro integration. This
    is the second European award after President of France Jacques
    Chirac's highest award. Is our information right and if it is so,
    doesn't is mean that the influences of the outside world become more
    and more important for our country.

    Yes, that information is true and I want to thank to the President of
    Austria for that highest honor. As for your question about the outside
    world I want to say we can't live in an isolated world nowadays,
    we must understand that rivalry and not contrast are preferable in
    the globalizing world, and if we are competitive, we lose. We must
    understand first of all that for being competitive we should create a
    free democratic country inside our country and coming parliamentary and
    presidential elections are very important for the future of Armenia. My
    London meetings proved that everybody were interested there in Armenian
    elections. We should understand that foreign countries will influence
    us by all means and this connects with the rising interests of the
    region. We must realize that we are obliged to hold fair elections
    corresponding to international standards. If we hold unfair elections
    we'll have bad remarks and developments both inside the country and
    out of its borders.

    The leaders or representatives of almost all forces of the opposition
    field don't hide that they agree with the formation of a bloc with
    OEP what about the OEP's orientation, are you going to participate
    in the coming elections separately or with a bloc?

    I'm sure; Orinats Erkir Party will have a weighty participation in the
    future parliament though the use of black technologies and non-civil
    methods. We are for fair and civilized political struggle, for close
    political collaboration with the parties of opposition field. That
    collaboration supposes two mechanisms: active pre-electoral and post
    electoral collaboration. We have already come to an arrangement
    with some political parties to sign bilateral agreement, which
    will be transparent for the population. The time will show whether
    pre-electoral allies will be formed in Armenia. It is difficult to form
    blocs with ambitious parties because the bloc means the existence
    of at least three factors: first of all public confidence among
    the people, strong construction of party adherents and resources;
    human, organizational, financial, political ties etc. All those
    forces, which are ready to put their ego for general activities,
    we are ready to collaborate with them but I'm not so optimism to see
    everything in green light and not so pessimism to see everything in
    dark colors. I'm realist and I'm sure there will be unions in Armenia,
    the time will show.

    It was speaking in time that you were ready to resign but you had to
    send in your resignation earlier?

    I didn't have to resign earlier. The responsibility of our party
    was to improve people's life. OEP has declared since the first day
    of its formation that we are a political force that demands and
    achieves reforms. We haven't kept silence but struggled for changes
    instead. We could keep silence and enjoy as a lot of politicians
    do. I have met with the President before my resignation and he hasn't
    demanded my resignation.

    Do you believe in fair elections?

    I'm not so naive to think that ideal elections will be held in Armenia,
    but everybody must understand that nobody has held fair elections
    only by words, we should make practice steps.

    Some of your former partners declare that OEP acts with the principles
    of sect that the members of your party call on the flats and assure
    the inhabitants like the sect representatives. Is it so?

    There were some publications in the authority-controlled
    press. Nowadays the OEP use western technologies adopted by the
    modern civilized world irrespective of politicians who use soviet
    standards. We use new technologies in our political struggle, we have
    active ties with the public, and we work openly.

    Common people say that you have left the authority so they can believe
    in you, don't you regret for leaving it?

    It wasn't easy to leave the NA chairman's position, nowadays people
    of political field dream of becoming parliamentarian, minister or
    deputy minister, chief of department and even the principal. I left
    that position in favor of true reforms, I'm sure we'll make those
    amendments. Democratization of Armenia, Euro integration, shadow
    economy, fight against corruption and criminal, free, developing
    economy, development of collaboration, social-economic conceptual
    reforms; these are first priorities of my party.

    Margaret Yesayan
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