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FROM APRIL 9 TO 'NEW ARMENIA': HOVANNISIAN DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY IN POST-ELECTION STANDOFF, LOOKS FORWARD TO OPPOSITION VICTORY
POLITICS | 30.04.13 | 11:05
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian, summarizing the
results of his struggle in the wake of the disputed election, has
expressed a view that the current administration will not last for
another five-year term. The Heritage Party leader, however, believes
that people's immediate assistance as well as opposition unity and
sufficient financial resources are needed for the opposition's victory
to be secured.
Hovannisian, who officially finished second in the February 18
presidential ballot, continues to claim that he was robbed of victory
and that illegitimate authorities were formed in Armenia as a result
of the fraudulent vote.
During a press conference on Monday Hovannisian mainly spoke about
the situation that has been formed in Armenia after April 9, the day
when he and his supporters took an oath to work for the establishment
of a 'New Armenia', as well as answered criticism and gave certain
clarifications regarding the events of that day.
On April 9, the day which also saw the inauguration of President Serzh
Sargsyan for the second consecutive five-year term, the opposition led
by Hovannisian attempted to stage a march along Baghramyan Avenue,
where the Presidential Palace is located, but the protest effort
was halted by the police. Despite minor injuries suffered by some
demonstrators and security personnel in brief clashes there were no
victims on that day. Eventually, Hovannisian, accompanied by Chief of
Police Vladimir Gasparyan, led a large group of the Baghramyan Avenue
protesters towards Tsitsernakaberd, the final destination of the march,
via an alternative route. Then at the hill-top Genocide Memorial
Hovannisian and Gasparyan prayed together in front of the people.
Hovannisian called that step, for which he has been heavily criticized
by rival opposition groups, a salvation rather than an attempt to
avoid responsibility.
"I think that if I had led [the people] to any other direction on
April 9 the next day we would have had a tragic Armenia. I wasn't
ready to send hundreds of messages of condolence after April 9.
Decentralization of pockets of tension on April 9 was a salvation,"
he said.
Hovannisian reiterated that it is impossible to achieve a power
change within just one day: "There was an expectation among some
people that within an hour or by just one public rally everything
would be changed. If I made an impression with anyone that we could
achieve a power change within just one day, then it was my mistake."
Commenting on the decision by the hard-line opposition movement,
Sardarabad, to hold its own rallies in Yerevan and Gyumri, Hovannisian
said that he would not have a 'tit-for-tat' answer for that.
"I have met [Sardarabad senior member] Jirayr Sefilian several
times and urged him to take part in a joint struggle, and now he
has gathered with his friends. If he can do what I could not, I will
welcome it. Jirayr Sefilyan is a value for me, and next to him there
are people who are of a different level. It is not I who should judge.
We'll see the real situation in Yerevan on May 5 [when the municipal
elections are due] and decide whether we go to the May 9 rally together
or separately," he said.
The Heritage Party leader also said that an upheaval was necessary
to achieve a change in Armenia.
"Is such an upheaval necessary for us to come to our senses and move
ahead in building a normal state? I think perhaps subconsciously or
not that is necessary... But when I now follow the attitudes, I am not
sure that even an upheaval will result in any essential change in the
situation unless the material resources of the people, the opposition
figures and others are consolidated within one space and time for
the common cause. I think an upheaval is necessary," said Hovannisian.
After completing a weeklong campaign of indoor meetings in the regions,
beginning on Monday Hovannisian switched to the election campaign in
Yerevan where the Heritage Party, as part of the Hello Yerevan bloc,
is vying for seats in the 65-member City Council against six other
parties. The 53-year-old U.S.-born politician is campaigning the
way he did three months ago ahead of the presidential election -
going from place to place, greeting people in the streets, etc.
Hovannisian gave assurances that as compared to what his opposition
team members were in the February election, they are now more organized
and would better protect their votes.
POLITICS | 30.04.13 | 11:05
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian, summarizing the
results of his struggle in the wake of the disputed election, has
expressed a view that the current administration will not last for
another five-year term. The Heritage Party leader, however, believes
that people's immediate assistance as well as opposition unity and
sufficient financial resources are needed for the opposition's victory
to be secured.
Hovannisian, who officially finished second in the February 18
presidential ballot, continues to claim that he was robbed of victory
and that illegitimate authorities were formed in Armenia as a result
of the fraudulent vote.
During a press conference on Monday Hovannisian mainly spoke about
the situation that has been formed in Armenia after April 9, the day
when he and his supporters took an oath to work for the establishment
of a 'New Armenia', as well as answered criticism and gave certain
clarifications regarding the events of that day.
On April 9, the day which also saw the inauguration of President Serzh
Sargsyan for the second consecutive five-year term, the opposition led
by Hovannisian attempted to stage a march along Baghramyan Avenue,
where the Presidential Palace is located, but the protest effort
was halted by the police. Despite minor injuries suffered by some
demonstrators and security personnel in brief clashes there were no
victims on that day. Eventually, Hovannisian, accompanied by Chief of
Police Vladimir Gasparyan, led a large group of the Baghramyan Avenue
protesters towards Tsitsernakaberd, the final destination of the march,
via an alternative route. Then at the hill-top Genocide Memorial
Hovannisian and Gasparyan prayed together in front of the people.
Hovannisian called that step, for which he has been heavily criticized
by rival opposition groups, a salvation rather than an attempt to
avoid responsibility.
"I think that if I had led [the people] to any other direction on
April 9 the next day we would have had a tragic Armenia. I wasn't
ready to send hundreds of messages of condolence after April 9.
Decentralization of pockets of tension on April 9 was a salvation,"
he said.
Hovannisian reiterated that it is impossible to achieve a power
change within just one day: "There was an expectation among some
people that within an hour or by just one public rally everything
would be changed. If I made an impression with anyone that we could
achieve a power change within just one day, then it was my mistake."
Commenting on the decision by the hard-line opposition movement,
Sardarabad, to hold its own rallies in Yerevan and Gyumri, Hovannisian
said that he would not have a 'tit-for-tat' answer for that.
"I have met [Sardarabad senior member] Jirayr Sefilian several
times and urged him to take part in a joint struggle, and now he
has gathered with his friends. If he can do what I could not, I will
welcome it. Jirayr Sefilyan is a value for me, and next to him there
are people who are of a different level. It is not I who should judge.
We'll see the real situation in Yerevan on May 5 [when the municipal
elections are due] and decide whether we go to the May 9 rally together
or separately," he said.
The Heritage Party leader also said that an upheaval was necessary
to achieve a change in Armenia.
"Is such an upheaval necessary for us to come to our senses and move
ahead in building a normal state? I think perhaps subconsciously or
not that is necessary... But when I now follow the attitudes, I am not
sure that even an upheaval will result in any essential change in the
situation unless the material resources of the people, the opposition
figures and others are consolidated within one space and time for
the common cause. I think an upheaval is necessary," said Hovannisian.
After completing a weeklong campaign of indoor meetings in the regions,
beginning on Monday Hovannisian switched to the election campaign in
Yerevan where the Heritage Party, as part of the Hello Yerevan bloc,
is vying for seats in the 65-member City Council against six other
parties. The 53-year-old U.S.-born politician is campaigning the
way he did three months ago ahead of the presidential election -
going from place to place, greeting people in the streets, etc.
Hovannisian gave assurances that as compared to what his opposition
team members were in the February election, they are now more organized
and would better protect their votes.