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Vote 2012: Oskanian Vows To Take No Part In Potential Pap-Rpa Coalition, As Joint Headquarters Decries "Massive Violations"
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow
11.05.12 | 15:18
The united inter-party headquarters founded by Armenian National
Congress (ANC), Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) to control the election
processes made a statement on Friday summing up the May 6 parliamentary
elections in Armenia and stressing that "the elections were held with
massive violations".
"The joint headquarters state that the parliament formed as a result of
the May 6 parliamentary elections does not reflect the true picture of
public support of the political forces in Armenia," stated two parties
and one bloc that have made it to the new parliament, adding that they
are planning to continue their cooperation. "The united inter-party
headquarters of public control over elections will continue its joint
efforts at reforming the defective election system in the country and
putting in place truly democratic election mechanisms," the statement
says in part.
ANC, PAP and ARF representatives Lvon Zurabyan, Vartan Oskanian and
Armen Arustamyan respectively further held a briefing and answered
reporters' questions.
Ex-foreign minister Oskanian, talking about the possible coalition
between PAP and the winning Republican Party (RPA), reaffirmed his
strong objections he had voiced earlier and said that he is against the
"unreal coalition": 'I cannot speak on behalf of the party as there
are different opinions there, and a reconciled decision has not been
made yet." He said that party leader Gagik Tsarukyan is currently
listening to all opinions before he can make the final decision. One
way or another, Oskanian stressed that he would "never take the
responsibility for arrangements of an unreal coalition". Whether
it means that he would leave PAP should the PAP-RPA coalition come
along, Oskanian gave no comments, leaving the audience, as he said,
to make their own conclusions.
The ex-foreign minister also talked about his presidential ambitions.
"I have always given the same answer to that same question, I am
repeating it now: I am not thinking about the issue, it's too early
to think out it... Some interpret my answer as me considering the
option, others take it as me ruling out such a possibility. The
Turkish reporters, for example, have interpreted it as a "no" and
have reported that I am ruling it out," he said.
ANC's Zurabyan said Armenia is once again dealing with a case of
state power usurpation.
"People are asking us now why we are accepting the mandates, if that's
the case. Had the elections been free and fair ANC, I believe, would
have won not less than 50 mandates. It means 43 have been stolen from
us. We are entering the parliament to get those mandates back," he
said. Zurabyan did not give a clear answer on whether ANC is planning
to continue holding rallies.
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow
11.05.12 | 15:18
The united inter-party headquarters founded by Armenian National
Congress (ANC), Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) to control the election
processes made a statement on Friday summing up the May 6 parliamentary
elections in Armenia and stressing that "the elections were held with
massive violations".
"The joint headquarters state that the parliament formed as a result of
the May 6 parliamentary elections does not reflect the true picture of
public support of the political forces in Armenia," stated two parties
and one bloc that have made it to the new parliament, adding that they
are planning to continue their cooperation. "The united inter-party
headquarters of public control over elections will continue its joint
efforts at reforming the defective election system in the country and
putting in place truly democratic election mechanisms," the statement
says in part.
ANC, PAP and ARF representatives Lvon Zurabyan, Vartan Oskanian and
Armen Arustamyan respectively further held a briefing and answered
reporters' questions.
Ex-foreign minister Oskanian, talking about the possible coalition
between PAP and the winning Republican Party (RPA), reaffirmed his
strong objections he had voiced earlier and said that he is against the
"unreal coalition": 'I cannot speak on behalf of the party as there
are different opinions there, and a reconciled decision has not been
made yet." He said that party leader Gagik Tsarukyan is currently
listening to all opinions before he can make the final decision. One
way or another, Oskanian stressed that he would "never take the
responsibility for arrangements of an unreal coalition". Whether
it means that he would leave PAP should the PAP-RPA coalition come
along, Oskanian gave no comments, leaving the audience, as he said,
to make their own conclusions.
The ex-foreign minister also talked about his presidential ambitions.
"I have always given the same answer to that same question, I am
repeating it now: I am not thinking about the issue, it's too early
to think out it... Some interpret my answer as me considering the
option, others take it as me ruling out such a possibility. The
Turkish reporters, for example, have interpreted it as a "no" and
have reported that I am ruling it out," he said.
ANC's Zurabyan said Armenia is once again dealing with a case of
state power usurpation.
"People are asking us now why we are accepting the mandates, if that's
the case. Had the elections been free and fair ANC, I believe, would
have won not less than 50 mandates. It means 43 have been stolen from
us. We are entering the parliament to get those mandates back," he
said. Zurabyan did not give a clear answer on whether ANC is planning
to continue holding rallies.