168 ZHAM: TSARUKYAN MULLS QUITTING POLITICS?
http://tert.am/en/news/2012/12/11/carukyan/
11.12.12
Below is the paper's editorial regarding the situation in the
Prosperous Armenia party (PAP) in the run-up to the 2013 presidential
campaign.
"Following the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary faction's clamorous
visit to Brussels, [PAP leader] Gagik Tsarukyan seemed likely to
declare his plan for nominating his candidacy in the presidential
election. But after returning from Brussels, Tsarukyan met President
Serzh Sargsyan, causing uncertainties in the PAP. The report on the
Sargsyan-Tsarukyan meeting was not denied, but neither was there an
official statement in that connection. According to well-informed
sources, Tsarukyan had meetings in Brussels, while some of his
team members faced 'working meetings' with representatives of
law-enforcement and tax agencies. In particular, the semi-outlaws
affiliated with or close to the PAP were given a hint by the law
enforcement bodies that their activities will not go unnoticed in
case there remain committed to the PAP ideology. The same message
was conveyed to the PAP businessmen. Upon returning from Brussels,
the above circles briefed Tsarukyan on the developments in his
absence; that was why Tsarukyan himself asked for a meeting with
Sargsyan. The PAP leader told the president that he is ready to comply
with any decision of his; Sargsyan said, however, that he is to make a
decision. That means Tsarukyan has missed the chance of describing his
steps as a support to the president and expecting something in return.
Let's note again that the abovementioned is a non-official report on
the meeting, with the PAP and RPA [ruling Republican Party of Armenia]
members who communicate them insisting that they got it at first hand.
After the meeting with Sargsyan, Tsarukyan thinks not only about giving
up the idea of nominating himself for presidency, but also quitting
politics once and for all, according to these reports discussed in the
RPA and PAP circles. As early as this February, Tsarukyan announced,
'Once I realize I am unable to fulfill my duties as the party's leader,
I will call a special session to offer my resignation. And the one who
enjoys a greater trust by the public will come to replace me.' Hence,
if the reported pressures against the PAP members are true, Tsarukyan
is now in a situation that makes him unable to fulfill his duties of
a party leader, i.e., to protect his fellow partisans."
http://tert.am/en/news/2012/12/11/carukyan/
11.12.12
Below is the paper's editorial regarding the situation in the
Prosperous Armenia party (PAP) in the run-up to the 2013 presidential
campaign.
"Following the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary faction's clamorous
visit to Brussels, [PAP leader] Gagik Tsarukyan seemed likely to
declare his plan for nominating his candidacy in the presidential
election. But after returning from Brussels, Tsarukyan met President
Serzh Sargsyan, causing uncertainties in the PAP. The report on the
Sargsyan-Tsarukyan meeting was not denied, but neither was there an
official statement in that connection. According to well-informed
sources, Tsarukyan had meetings in Brussels, while some of his
team members faced 'working meetings' with representatives of
law-enforcement and tax agencies. In particular, the semi-outlaws
affiliated with or close to the PAP were given a hint by the law
enforcement bodies that their activities will not go unnoticed in
case there remain committed to the PAP ideology. The same message
was conveyed to the PAP businessmen. Upon returning from Brussels,
the above circles briefed Tsarukyan on the developments in his
absence; that was why Tsarukyan himself asked for a meeting with
Sargsyan. The PAP leader told the president that he is ready to comply
with any decision of his; Sargsyan said, however, that he is to make a
decision. That means Tsarukyan has missed the chance of describing his
steps as a support to the president and expecting something in return.
Let's note again that the abovementioned is a non-official report on
the meeting, with the PAP and RPA [ruling Republican Party of Armenia]
members who communicate them insisting that they got it at first hand.
After the meeting with Sargsyan, Tsarukyan thinks not only about giving
up the idea of nominating himself for presidency, but also quitting
politics once and for all, according to these reports discussed in the
RPA and PAP circles. As early as this February, Tsarukyan announced,
'Once I realize I am unable to fulfill my duties as the party's leader,
I will call a special session to offer my resignation. And the one who
enjoys a greater trust by the public will come to replace me.' Hence,
if the reported pressures against the PAP members are true, Tsarukyan
is now in a situation that makes him unable to fulfill his duties of
a party leader, i.e., to protect his fellow partisans."