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LEVON TER-PETROSYAN'S SPEECH
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/country22035.html
Published: 00:11:30 - 01/06/2011
Levon Ter-Petrosyan opened the rally with congratulations for the
three demands met by the government. The leader of the Armenian
National Congress said it is not the victory of the opposition or
the ANC but the new civil society in Armenia, the Armenian people,
and finally the country and the state because the popular movement
activists, NGOs, independent press, participants of social protest
have their contribution to this victory.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan described the allegations that the meeting of
these demands was the result of a backstage arrangement with the
government. He says this achievement is the result of a public debate
between the society and the government, and not a deal or external
intervention.
The reason for this skepticism, the first president says, is the
question which occurs naturally why the government, after so many
years of indifference and repression, takes essential steps to meet
the demands of the society. "I am not inclined to ascribe it fully
to the consistent and determined struggle of the Armenian National
Congress," Levon Ter-Petrosyan says, noting other factors which caused
the change in the government's attitude.
The first factor is the Arab Spring which made the government think
seriously. The former indifference of the great powers toward the
dictatorships, guided by geopolitical interests rather than universal
values, has led the world to a situation which burst into the bloody
revolutions in Arab countries, said Ter-Petrosyan noting also the New
and Ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy adopted on May 25. Time
will show how long this positive change will last, and whether cold
pragmatism will not prevail over universal values again.
The second factor, according to the leader of the opposition,
is the Karabakh issue. On the one hand, through Russian efforts,
the Karabakh issue is approaching its settlement, and on the other
hand, with another failure the danger of resumption of war by
Azerbaijan will become real. The government realizes that with lack
of public confidence it is unable to reach a solution or wage a war on
Azerbaijan. Therefore, the government tries to win over the public to
get the least support inside the country through compromise. I think
the series of compromises will continue, the first president says. In
this connection, the leader of the opposition notes the possibility
of resignations, prosecution of some government representatives to
imitate determination to fight corruption and establish rule of law
to win over the society. Serious developments are expected, he says,
referring to the May 26 joint statement of the presidents of Russia,
the United States and France, as well as confidential information we
possess. Serzh Sargsyan is interested in catching up with the process
rather than maintaining the status quo, he says.
The next factor, according to him, is the recently frequent social
protest due to the ban on street trade, higher customs fees, the
problem of cars with Georgian numbers, as well as higher taxes on
flower business and wedding accessories. These protests which are
chaotic now may get out of control and grow into a social uprising,
which is equally important for people, the government and the country,
says the leader of the Armenian National Congress.
Finally, the leader of the opposition points to the social and economic
situation in the country and the awareness of the government that it
is unable to tackle it.
Again referring to recently frequent allegations on a possible
deal between the government and the Armenian National Congress
who underline change of phraseology used by the Congress, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan says indeed there is a change in their rhetoric,
it is milder, which is normal because rhetoric becomes milder on
the eve of negotiations or dialogue. However, he says, a dialogue
does not imply hugging and flirting, changing one's opinions on the
other party. The ruling regime will continue to think that we are an
opposition which tried to usurp power, is destructive, anti-national,
intolerant, lacks ideology, breaches the law, while we continue to
think that the government pyramid is an illegitimate, kleptocratic,
criminal and oligarchic system which must be dissolved fundamentally
and the constitutional order must be restored through snap elections,
says Levon Ter-Petrosyan. "To us, the dialogue is the best opportunity
to overcome this critical situation through mutual understanding of
the government and the opposition," he says. As to allegations on
rejecting tough confrontation and returning to the political sphere,
it is true for the government rather than the Congress, says the first
president, noting that the country would not appear in this hopeless
situation, and the country would not be emptied by emigration, and
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict would move along another
path, had the government responded to the offer of dialogue. In this
connection, he refers to the EU which welcomed the recent positive
political developments in Armenia.
The leader of the opposition Levon Ter-Petrosyan dwelled on the
future plans of the Armenian National Congress. In this connection,
he responded to those political forces which accuse the ANC for not
doing a revolution. He says it is an absurd situation, and it is a
surprise that there are people who think it is possible to succeed
with one step. Although, he says, the Congress will address to every
opinion, even if it is not pleasant for the Congress as there are no
taboos for them.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan responded to recent statements that there is no
need for snap elections, given the government is moving hand in hand
with the Congress toward serious reforms and takes effective steps
to improve the political environment, restore justice and relieve the
social situation. Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that the demand for snap
elections is not a political caprice or ambition, it is a matter of
legitimacy and principles, and the crisis caused by rigged elections
must be overcome through snap elections.
Responding to other statements that the public may get disappointed and
stop trusting the Congress, noting that the factor of public confidence
is extremely important, Levon Ter-Petrosyan says disappointment, lack
of morale, and other similar notions are not a political category,
there are temporary moods, which can be measured by sociological
surveys rather than conversations.
The next concern which the leader of the Congress dwelled on is
the possibility that the negotiations will allow the government to
procrastinate till the scheduled elections, with the Congress losing
its electorate. Levon Ter-Petrosyan says they are aware of this danger
and the possibility that the government will not only protract the
dialogue but also stop it once it feels stronger. However, he says,
fortunately, the dialogue is a two-party game. To reach snap elections
and to impose a constructive attitude on the government it must always
feel people breathe in its back.
Hence, the leader of the opposition says they are ready to engage in
a dialogue at the level of delegations. On the upcoming days we will
choose the members of our delegation which will have three to five
members, Levon Ter-Petrosyan informed. The agenda of the Congress is
snap presidential and parliamentary elections. In addition, the rest
of our demands set forth on March 1 will not be ignored during the
Congress. Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that one of the primary issues will
be the release of the political prisoners Murad Bojolyan and Sargis
Hatspanyan, and permanent residence or nationality for the latter.
The leader of the opposition stated that in Armenia the same thing is
happening as in the Arab world, snap elections under the pressure of
the popular movement. But unlike the Arab states, we want to pursue
the peaceful path and avoid bloodshed. The mechanism of resuming the
process will be regular rallies which will be held upon necessity,
to inform the public about the conduct of the dialogue. The next
rally will probably be in June, he said noting that the time will be
announced later.
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/country22035.html
Published: 00:11:30 - 01/06/2011
Levon Ter-Petrosyan opened the rally with congratulations for the
three demands met by the government. The leader of the Armenian
National Congress said it is not the victory of the opposition or
the ANC but the new civil society in Armenia, the Armenian people,
and finally the country and the state because the popular movement
activists, NGOs, independent press, participants of social protest
have their contribution to this victory.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan described the allegations that the meeting of
these demands was the result of a backstage arrangement with the
government. He says this achievement is the result of a public debate
between the society and the government, and not a deal or external
intervention.
The reason for this skepticism, the first president says, is the
question which occurs naturally why the government, after so many
years of indifference and repression, takes essential steps to meet
the demands of the society. "I am not inclined to ascribe it fully
to the consistent and determined struggle of the Armenian National
Congress," Levon Ter-Petrosyan says, noting other factors which caused
the change in the government's attitude.
The first factor is the Arab Spring which made the government think
seriously. The former indifference of the great powers toward the
dictatorships, guided by geopolitical interests rather than universal
values, has led the world to a situation which burst into the bloody
revolutions in Arab countries, said Ter-Petrosyan noting also the New
and Ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy adopted on May 25. Time
will show how long this positive change will last, and whether cold
pragmatism will not prevail over universal values again.
The second factor, according to the leader of the opposition,
is the Karabakh issue. On the one hand, through Russian efforts,
the Karabakh issue is approaching its settlement, and on the other
hand, with another failure the danger of resumption of war by
Azerbaijan will become real. The government realizes that with lack
of public confidence it is unable to reach a solution or wage a war on
Azerbaijan. Therefore, the government tries to win over the public to
get the least support inside the country through compromise. I think
the series of compromises will continue, the first president says. In
this connection, the leader of the opposition notes the possibility
of resignations, prosecution of some government representatives to
imitate determination to fight corruption and establish rule of law
to win over the society. Serious developments are expected, he says,
referring to the May 26 joint statement of the presidents of Russia,
the United States and France, as well as confidential information we
possess. Serzh Sargsyan is interested in catching up with the process
rather than maintaining the status quo, he says.
The next factor, according to him, is the recently frequent social
protest due to the ban on street trade, higher customs fees, the
problem of cars with Georgian numbers, as well as higher taxes on
flower business and wedding accessories. These protests which are
chaotic now may get out of control and grow into a social uprising,
which is equally important for people, the government and the country,
says the leader of the Armenian National Congress.
Finally, the leader of the opposition points to the social and economic
situation in the country and the awareness of the government that it
is unable to tackle it.
Again referring to recently frequent allegations on a possible
deal between the government and the Armenian National Congress
who underline change of phraseology used by the Congress, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan says indeed there is a change in their rhetoric,
it is milder, which is normal because rhetoric becomes milder on
the eve of negotiations or dialogue. However, he says, a dialogue
does not imply hugging and flirting, changing one's opinions on the
other party. The ruling regime will continue to think that we are an
opposition which tried to usurp power, is destructive, anti-national,
intolerant, lacks ideology, breaches the law, while we continue to
think that the government pyramid is an illegitimate, kleptocratic,
criminal and oligarchic system which must be dissolved fundamentally
and the constitutional order must be restored through snap elections,
says Levon Ter-Petrosyan. "To us, the dialogue is the best opportunity
to overcome this critical situation through mutual understanding of
the government and the opposition," he says. As to allegations on
rejecting tough confrontation and returning to the political sphere,
it is true for the government rather than the Congress, says the first
president, noting that the country would not appear in this hopeless
situation, and the country would not be emptied by emigration, and
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict would move along another
path, had the government responded to the offer of dialogue. In this
connection, he refers to the EU which welcomed the recent positive
political developments in Armenia.
The leader of the opposition Levon Ter-Petrosyan dwelled on the
future plans of the Armenian National Congress. In this connection,
he responded to those political forces which accuse the ANC for not
doing a revolution. He says it is an absurd situation, and it is a
surprise that there are people who think it is possible to succeed
with one step. Although, he says, the Congress will address to every
opinion, even if it is not pleasant for the Congress as there are no
taboos for them.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan responded to recent statements that there is no
need for snap elections, given the government is moving hand in hand
with the Congress toward serious reforms and takes effective steps
to improve the political environment, restore justice and relieve the
social situation. Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that the demand for snap
elections is not a political caprice or ambition, it is a matter of
legitimacy and principles, and the crisis caused by rigged elections
must be overcome through snap elections.
Responding to other statements that the public may get disappointed and
stop trusting the Congress, noting that the factor of public confidence
is extremely important, Levon Ter-Petrosyan says disappointment, lack
of morale, and other similar notions are not a political category,
there are temporary moods, which can be measured by sociological
surveys rather than conversations.
The next concern which the leader of the Congress dwelled on is
the possibility that the negotiations will allow the government to
procrastinate till the scheduled elections, with the Congress losing
its electorate. Levon Ter-Petrosyan says they are aware of this danger
and the possibility that the government will not only protract the
dialogue but also stop it once it feels stronger. However, he says,
fortunately, the dialogue is a two-party game. To reach snap elections
and to impose a constructive attitude on the government it must always
feel people breathe in its back.
Hence, the leader of the opposition says they are ready to engage in
a dialogue at the level of delegations. On the upcoming days we will
choose the members of our delegation which will have three to five
members, Levon Ter-Petrosyan informed. The agenda of the Congress is
snap presidential and parliamentary elections. In addition, the rest
of our demands set forth on March 1 will not be ignored during the
Congress. Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that one of the primary issues will
be the release of the political prisoners Murad Bojolyan and Sargis
Hatspanyan, and permanent residence or nationality for the latter.
The leader of the opposition stated that in Armenia the same thing is
happening as in the Arab world, snap elections under the pressure of
the popular movement. But unlike the Arab states, we want to pursue
the peaceful path and avoid bloodshed. The mechanism of resuming the
process will be regular rallies which will be held upon necessity,
to inform the public about the conduct of the dialogue. The next
rally will probably be in June, he said noting that the time will be
announced later.