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Decision 2013: Thousands Rally In Yerevan To Back Hovannisian's Clai

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  • Decision 2013: Thousands Rally In Yerevan To Back Hovannisian's Clai

    DECISION 2013: THOUSANDS RALLY IN YEREVAN TO BACK HOVANNISIAN'S CLAIMED ELECTION VICTORY

    http://armenianow.com/news/43766/armenia_presidential_election_2013_raffi_hovannisi an_rally
    NEWS | 20.02.13 | 21:15

    NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
    ArmeniaNow

    By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
    ArmeniaNow reporter

    The official runner-up in Armenia's presidential election, Raffi
    Hovannisian, who has already declared himself to be president-elect,
    again gathered his supporters in Yerevan's Liberty Square on Wednesday
    to declare his determination to wage a "lengthy" struggle.

    The opposition Heritage party leader told thousands of his activists
    and supporters that he will remain in the square until 2 pm Thursday
    waiting for President Serzh Sargsyan, the official winner of the Monday
    vote, whose ruling Republican Party is expected to hold a rally in
    the same venue tomorrow. Hovannisian said such a meeting would be
    "for the organization of the transfer of power".

    Enlarge Photo

    Enlarge Photo Nikol Pashinyan "This time we will have a real victory
    that will belong to our people," stated the opposition leader,
    who polled about 37 percent of the vote, according to the official
    results of the presidential ballot announced by the Central Election
    Commission on Tuesday, in contrast to Sargsyan's nearly 59 percent.

    "Serzh Sargsyan has made a reservation for this square for tomorrow.

    We will remain here and will meet him here. If he wants, we will have
    a question-and-answer session, if he wants, we will have a debate. We
    must stay here till the victory of Armenia," stressed Hovannisian.

    According to media reports, Sargsyan's Republican Party already now
    considers cancelling its event in the square scheduled for Thursday
    in view of Hovannisian's statements.

    Earlier today, a Sargsyan spokesman responded to Hovannisian's previous
    offer of a meeting saying that the current head of state was ready
    to receive him "at any time" convenient to him to discuss what he
    described as "not quite clear demands" of the opposition challenger.

    Meanwhile, joining Hovannisian in Liberty Square tonight were also
    a number of opposition figures and civil activists who delivered
    speeches at the rally. Among them was also Nikol Pashinyan, an
    outspoken oppositionist affiliated with the Armenian National Congress
    (ANC), who delivered a passionate speech, calling Hovannisian the
    "elected president". He said that the elections were again rigged in
    Armenia, like they were in February 2008. He also stressed that what
    "this February brings" to Armenia will largely depend on Hovannisian
    and his team.

    "There is no leading the bright people of Armenia to disappointment,
    they need victory and nothing else. Let's wish Raffi Hovannisian enough
    will and wisdom to lead the citizens of Armenia towards a victory,"
    said Pushinyan.

    The Heritage party leader again urged all political parties and the
    "non-partisan majority" to join him. Two major opposition forces, the
    ANC and Dashnaktsutyun, have already issued statements condemning fraud
    in the February 18 elections, but they said nothing about their support
    to Hovannisian. Hrant Bagratyan, the other opposition candidate who
    finished a distant third in the election, was not present in Liberty
    Square either.

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