TER-PETROSYAN'S SPEECH
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/country21086.html
Published: 22:42:32 - 17/03/2011
Speaking at a HAK rally on March 17, 2011, Levon Ter-Petrosyan
said that 15 demands of the rally on March 1 raised a number of
misunderstandings and statements that are based on an incorrect
perception of the requirements. Firstly, the period March 15 does not
affect all of 15 demands, but only the first - releasing political
prisoners, said Levon Ter-Petrosyan. He noted that the absence of the
name of Serge Sargsyan in the list of officials, whose resignation the
Congress demands does not mean that his question is removed from the
agenda. In addition, a statement is not an ultimatum, but a transition
plan for reforms and a proposal based on state and national interests.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that there is an explosive situation in
Armenia that requires urgent solutions. It is obvious that one should
not pin their hopes with the government, which does not intend to
abandon its predatory policy, and is unable to deal with challenges.
"In other words, the time is ripe for a final dismantling of the
system of bandits," said Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
He noted that the society recognizes this and is determined to achieve
its rights, but not at any price, but only by political means.
Perversity of the current system in Armenia is due to the lack
of legitimacy of the president and parliament. And illegitimate
authorities use violence to maintain power.
In contrast to the society, the government is not aware of the
seriousness of the moment. It would be naive to believe that the
government would so soon retreat under pressure by the people. Now
they have to show they are confident in themselves, said Levon
Ter-Petrosyan.
But the government must understand that compliance with the
requirements of the society is not a defeat, but honor. A different
attitude is just political ignorance, but in the current tense
situation - opportunism, if not a crime. Power should be more
interested in dialogue, because it is its duty by the Constitution to
be responsible for security and stability. But until now, the power
has understood this responsibility in a wrong way, trying to ensure
stability in the country through pressure on the opposition. There
are examples of the decays of much stronger dictatorships, however,
they prove that these methods cannot stop people.
I have no doubt that everything that happened in Egypt and Tunisia
will occur in Armenia and the government will obey the will of
the people. But I believe in Armenia, it will happen smoothly and
painlessly, says Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Authorities will be obliged
to accept our dictated rules of the game - talk to us from equal
political positions, rather than force. I am grateful to the people,
who sympathize with the policies of the Congress, which will lead
to ultimate victory, said Levon Ter-Petrosyan. This strategy was
based, as well, on the expectation that the power will not be able
to solve people's problems, and it will certainly result in a wave
of discontent.
The wave will increase, and this movement has a completely new
quality. People do not come to support Levon Ter-Petrosyan, or
Congress, but to solve their own problems, being assured that the
dictatorship is not directed against the opposition, but all the
people. Therefore, we need not to rush, because the success of the
struggle depends only on our patience, composure and discipline.
The authorities need to rush, because the delay may be dangerous
not only for them but for the country. In response, ignoring the
requirements of the last meeting, they received a crowded rally.
Another rally, and the authorities will find the whole nation against
them. It is time to act - people cannot be fed by the speeches of
Prime Minister on the Armenian world, and tourist centers. Judging
by recent speeches by Serge Sargsyan, the regime realized that.
As a first step we expect to release political prisoners and to
identify the perpetrators of the March 1 events. I think this will
be enough to start a dialogue. We do not intend to drive the power
into the corner.
Let's hope that at the next meeting to be held on April 8, we will
not have to speak the language of ultimatums.
From: A. Papazian
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/country21086.html
Published: 22:42:32 - 17/03/2011
Speaking at a HAK rally on March 17, 2011, Levon Ter-Petrosyan
said that 15 demands of the rally on March 1 raised a number of
misunderstandings and statements that are based on an incorrect
perception of the requirements. Firstly, the period March 15 does not
affect all of 15 demands, but only the first - releasing political
prisoners, said Levon Ter-Petrosyan. He noted that the absence of the
name of Serge Sargsyan in the list of officials, whose resignation the
Congress demands does not mean that his question is removed from the
agenda. In addition, a statement is not an ultimatum, but a transition
plan for reforms and a proposal based on state and national interests.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan noted that there is an explosive situation in
Armenia that requires urgent solutions. It is obvious that one should
not pin their hopes with the government, which does not intend to
abandon its predatory policy, and is unable to deal with challenges.
"In other words, the time is ripe for a final dismantling of the
system of bandits," said Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
He noted that the society recognizes this and is determined to achieve
its rights, but not at any price, but only by political means.
Perversity of the current system in Armenia is due to the lack
of legitimacy of the president and parliament. And illegitimate
authorities use violence to maintain power.
In contrast to the society, the government is not aware of the
seriousness of the moment. It would be naive to believe that the
government would so soon retreat under pressure by the people. Now
they have to show they are confident in themselves, said Levon
Ter-Petrosyan.
But the government must understand that compliance with the
requirements of the society is not a defeat, but honor. A different
attitude is just political ignorance, but in the current tense
situation - opportunism, if not a crime. Power should be more
interested in dialogue, because it is its duty by the Constitution to
be responsible for security and stability. But until now, the power
has understood this responsibility in a wrong way, trying to ensure
stability in the country through pressure on the opposition. There
are examples of the decays of much stronger dictatorships, however,
they prove that these methods cannot stop people.
I have no doubt that everything that happened in Egypt and Tunisia
will occur in Armenia and the government will obey the will of
the people. But I believe in Armenia, it will happen smoothly and
painlessly, says Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Authorities will be obliged
to accept our dictated rules of the game - talk to us from equal
political positions, rather than force. I am grateful to the people,
who sympathize with the policies of the Congress, which will lead
to ultimate victory, said Levon Ter-Petrosyan. This strategy was
based, as well, on the expectation that the power will not be able
to solve people's problems, and it will certainly result in a wave
of discontent.
The wave will increase, and this movement has a completely new
quality. People do not come to support Levon Ter-Petrosyan, or
Congress, but to solve their own problems, being assured that the
dictatorship is not directed against the opposition, but all the
people. Therefore, we need not to rush, because the success of the
struggle depends only on our patience, composure and discipline.
The authorities need to rush, because the delay may be dangerous
not only for them but for the country. In response, ignoring the
requirements of the last meeting, they received a crowded rally.
Another rally, and the authorities will find the whole nation against
them. It is time to act - people cannot be fed by the speeches of
Prime Minister on the Armenian world, and tourist centers. Judging
by recent speeches by Serge Sargsyan, the regime realized that.
As a first step we expect to release political prisoners and to
identify the perpetrators of the March 1 events. I think this will
be enough to start a dialogue. We do not intend to drive the power
into the corner.
Let's hope that at the next meeting to be held on April 8, we will
not have to speak the language of ultimatums.
From: A. Papazian