ARMY WILL BE DEPLOYED ON MARCH 30
ARMAN GALOYAN
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview25344.html
Published: 15:40:02 - 05/03/2012
Interview with Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the coordinator of the central
office of the Armenian National Congress
Levon Ter-Petrosyan's intervention was eventually required to make
the list of the Armenian National Congress? Was the Congress unable
to reach a consensus and make a list?
Certainly, it would be ideal if the parties forming the election
bloc of the Armenian National Congress reach a consensus on the
list. After all, according to the Election Code, the approval of the
full list by the parties forming the election bloc is required. It
was the reason why we initiated the process of reaching a consensus
among the parties. There were rather effective discussions, the
principles and criteria were established to choose people and decide
the correlation of non-partisans and partisans to be included in
the list. Certainly, they must be leaders who will inspire people,
be acceptable for the society. It is also clear that the key leaders
of the parties must have a place on the list. Everyone understands
that once the other conditions are equal, the political prisoners
must have an advantage because they are people who are ready to meet
challenges for the sake of their political views and principles. It was
understood that the people who wish to run under the majority system
must have an advantage if the other conditions are equal, as well as
the presence of young and fresh personalities must be ensured. It was
important to reach a consensus on a specific list of names. In other
words, there must be a list of names. The political board could not
reach a consensus, and then the discussions continued in interparty
meetings on a daily basis. However, the parties were also unable to
reach a consensus. Afterwards, Levon Ter-Petrosyan held a meeting of
the political board and heads of regional structures to discuss the
options of reaching a consensus. Different options were presented,
including the establishment of a body which would make the list on the
basis of consensus which will be accepted by everyone independent from
the result. However, the discussion showed that the majority prefers
the option which Ter-Petrosyan dwelled on during the rally. In other
words, Levon Ter-Petrosyan will be delegated to finalize the list.
When will the list be finalized?
There is a deadline foreseen by the legislation. The application must
be submitted to the CEC from March 12 to 22.
Will Ter-Petrosyan's list be satisfactory?
There cannot be a satisfactory option because the Armenian
National Congress is a union of political forces, bright political
personalities, and all the leaders have a large caliber and they can
have justified aspirations for high positions. Unfortunately, it is
impossible to ensure adequate places to their merit for all of them.
Hence, I do not think that someone may be satisfied with the
list. But there is another principle. But another principle works -
the political union emerged for the sake of democratization of Armenia,
not for the sake of the list or parliamentary seats. Even if they
dislike something from the point of view of ambitions, assessments,
they are ready to make the final decision for the sake of the cause.
There is another hindrance. Some people may think that the order of
the list defines some hierarchy. It is impossible. The list must
represent the society, the list of people to run in the National
Assembly elections. On the other hand, it must have the effect of
mobilization. The top of the list must be occupied by people who
have first of all considerable human resources, a serious influence,
whose names alone will involve the highest number of citizens in
political activities.
In this context, what is your assessment of the decision of the ruling
coalition parties to run in the elections separately? Will this option
favor the Congress?
If Serzh Sargsyan was able to control the government team fully,
it would be a preferable option for him. If some parties run in the
elections, the government will collect the votes of people who will
not support Serzh Sargsyan's Republican Party and vote for him.
However, the traditional logic was not observed. Witnessing the growing
independence of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) as a political
factor, Serzh Sargsyan had serious concerns and in the beginning
he rejected the principle of running in the elections separately,
tried to make one list for the coalition. They would lose votes but
control the Prosperous Armenia Party. Serzh Sargsyan failed, the PAP
rejected this option. The decision to run in the elections separately
is the consequence of the rejection of Serzh Sargsyan's election
plan. Hence, there is reason to think that the PAP is becoming less
and less controlled by Serzh Sargsyan. In reality, both options are
technically favorable for the popular movement. In both cases there
are advantages which will be used immediately. After all, either
the PAP must agree to the number of parliamentary seats assigned to
it or it will be obvious to everyone that the PAP is the Country of
Law Party of this election. Or the PAP must do everything to ensure
a free and fair voting on the election day, and in this case it will
be possible to defeat the Republican Party by way of the elections.
The Armenian National Congress highlights the PAP. In his recent
speeches Levon Ter-Petrosyan often dwelled on it in a positive light.
What is the reason that the Congress' attitude to the PAP is so
positive?
It is clear that we are ready to cooperate with the Heritage Party
and the ARF-D. The recent developments show that this cooperation is
deepening. However, the PAP is different by its political weight. It
is a more influential factor than the others, both in terms of the
electorate and membership to the coalition, and its independence from
the Republican Party will bring about more far-fetched consequences.
Don't you fear that the PAP will try to lend a hand to the Congress
and try to appear opposition to win over voters but return to the
pro-government coalition after the elections?
Nobody can rule out the way of the Country of Law. However, our
observations show that the main tendency is headed backward, the
controversies are becoming more obvious, the independence of the PAP is
highlighted. From time to time, these controversies end up in fragile
ceasefires but they do not last long. And if it is obvious that Serzh
Sargsyan, nevertheless, forced the PAP to head along the path of the
Orinats Yerkir Party, we will always be able to draw conclusions. At
the moment, however, it is important to enable the independence of
the PAP.
There is an opinion that the attempts of the PAP to get independence
are determined by their relationship with Robert Kocharyan. On the
other hand, Levon Ter-Petrosyan disagreed with this opinion in his
speech. What are your thoughts?
There is a basic reason why Ter-Petrosyan is right. Robert Kocharyan
does not have any lever of influence on the PAP and Gagik Tsarukyan.
He does not have a lever because he is not in government and cannot
influence the decisions of any government body. He cannot have
financial levers because the PAP has its own financial resources and
does not need Kocharyan's financial assistance. In terms of shaping
public opinion they do not have any levers. Instead the Congress
has such levers. While Kocharyan does not unfold public activity,
even if he does, it will produce the opposite result because his
reputation has been damaged.
So what is the strategy of the Congress in this situation?
The strategy of the Congress at this moment is the revolution. As
to our vision, we will speak about it in the rally of March 30, as
soon as we resolve a number of issues related to the elections. I
think that on March 30 the political army of the Armenian National
Congress will be deployed, ready for a general attack.
ARMAN GALOYAN
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/interview25344.html
Published: 15:40:02 - 05/03/2012
Interview with Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the coordinator of the central
office of the Armenian National Congress
Levon Ter-Petrosyan's intervention was eventually required to make
the list of the Armenian National Congress? Was the Congress unable
to reach a consensus and make a list?
Certainly, it would be ideal if the parties forming the election
bloc of the Armenian National Congress reach a consensus on the
list. After all, according to the Election Code, the approval of the
full list by the parties forming the election bloc is required. It
was the reason why we initiated the process of reaching a consensus
among the parties. There were rather effective discussions, the
principles and criteria were established to choose people and decide
the correlation of non-partisans and partisans to be included in
the list. Certainly, they must be leaders who will inspire people,
be acceptable for the society. It is also clear that the key leaders
of the parties must have a place on the list. Everyone understands
that once the other conditions are equal, the political prisoners
must have an advantage because they are people who are ready to meet
challenges for the sake of their political views and principles. It was
understood that the people who wish to run under the majority system
must have an advantage if the other conditions are equal, as well as
the presence of young and fresh personalities must be ensured. It was
important to reach a consensus on a specific list of names. In other
words, there must be a list of names. The political board could not
reach a consensus, and then the discussions continued in interparty
meetings on a daily basis. However, the parties were also unable to
reach a consensus. Afterwards, Levon Ter-Petrosyan held a meeting of
the political board and heads of regional structures to discuss the
options of reaching a consensus. Different options were presented,
including the establishment of a body which would make the list on the
basis of consensus which will be accepted by everyone independent from
the result. However, the discussion showed that the majority prefers
the option which Ter-Petrosyan dwelled on during the rally. In other
words, Levon Ter-Petrosyan will be delegated to finalize the list.
When will the list be finalized?
There is a deadline foreseen by the legislation. The application must
be submitted to the CEC from March 12 to 22.
Will Ter-Petrosyan's list be satisfactory?
There cannot be a satisfactory option because the Armenian
National Congress is a union of political forces, bright political
personalities, and all the leaders have a large caliber and they can
have justified aspirations for high positions. Unfortunately, it is
impossible to ensure adequate places to their merit for all of them.
Hence, I do not think that someone may be satisfied with the
list. But there is another principle. But another principle works -
the political union emerged for the sake of democratization of Armenia,
not for the sake of the list or parliamentary seats. Even if they
dislike something from the point of view of ambitions, assessments,
they are ready to make the final decision for the sake of the cause.
There is another hindrance. Some people may think that the order of
the list defines some hierarchy. It is impossible. The list must
represent the society, the list of people to run in the National
Assembly elections. On the other hand, it must have the effect of
mobilization. The top of the list must be occupied by people who
have first of all considerable human resources, a serious influence,
whose names alone will involve the highest number of citizens in
political activities.
In this context, what is your assessment of the decision of the ruling
coalition parties to run in the elections separately? Will this option
favor the Congress?
If Serzh Sargsyan was able to control the government team fully,
it would be a preferable option for him. If some parties run in the
elections, the government will collect the votes of people who will
not support Serzh Sargsyan's Republican Party and vote for him.
However, the traditional logic was not observed. Witnessing the growing
independence of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) as a political
factor, Serzh Sargsyan had serious concerns and in the beginning
he rejected the principle of running in the elections separately,
tried to make one list for the coalition. They would lose votes but
control the Prosperous Armenia Party. Serzh Sargsyan failed, the PAP
rejected this option. The decision to run in the elections separately
is the consequence of the rejection of Serzh Sargsyan's election
plan. Hence, there is reason to think that the PAP is becoming less
and less controlled by Serzh Sargsyan. In reality, both options are
technically favorable for the popular movement. In both cases there
are advantages which will be used immediately. After all, either
the PAP must agree to the number of parliamentary seats assigned to
it or it will be obvious to everyone that the PAP is the Country of
Law Party of this election. Or the PAP must do everything to ensure
a free and fair voting on the election day, and in this case it will
be possible to defeat the Republican Party by way of the elections.
The Armenian National Congress highlights the PAP. In his recent
speeches Levon Ter-Petrosyan often dwelled on it in a positive light.
What is the reason that the Congress' attitude to the PAP is so
positive?
It is clear that we are ready to cooperate with the Heritage Party
and the ARF-D. The recent developments show that this cooperation is
deepening. However, the PAP is different by its political weight. It
is a more influential factor than the others, both in terms of the
electorate and membership to the coalition, and its independence from
the Republican Party will bring about more far-fetched consequences.
Don't you fear that the PAP will try to lend a hand to the Congress
and try to appear opposition to win over voters but return to the
pro-government coalition after the elections?
Nobody can rule out the way of the Country of Law. However, our
observations show that the main tendency is headed backward, the
controversies are becoming more obvious, the independence of the PAP is
highlighted. From time to time, these controversies end up in fragile
ceasefires but they do not last long. And if it is obvious that Serzh
Sargsyan, nevertheless, forced the PAP to head along the path of the
Orinats Yerkir Party, we will always be able to draw conclusions. At
the moment, however, it is important to enable the independence of
the PAP.
There is an opinion that the attempts of the PAP to get independence
are determined by their relationship with Robert Kocharyan. On the
other hand, Levon Ter-Petrosyan disagreed with this opinion in his
speech. What are your thoughts?
There is a basic reason why Ter-Petrosyan is right. Robert Kocharyan
does not have any lever of influence on the PAP and Gagik Tsarukyan.
He does not have a lever because he is not in government and cannot
influence the decisions of any government body. He cannot have
financial levers because the PAP has its own financial resources and
does not need Kocharyan's financial assistance. In terms of shaping
public opinion they do not have any levers. Instead the Congress
has such levers. While Kocharyan does not unfold public activity,
even if he does, it will produce the opposite result because his
reputation has been damaged.
So what is the strategy of the Congress in this situation?
The strategy of the Congress at this moment is the revolution. As
to our vision, we will speak about it in the rally of March 30, as
soon as we resolve a number of issues related to the elections. I
think that on March 30 the political army of the Armenian National
Congress will be deployed, ready for a general attack.