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WHY DIDN'T THE OPPOSITION CAMP UNITE? THE ROLE OF THE PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY (PAP)
March 11 2013
Talking about participation in the Yerevan City Council election
at the plenary meeting of the Prosperous Armenia Party political
council, Gagik Tsarukyan, the PAP leader, stated: "We can admit all
those who will wish to rally around the PAP axis." There has been no
consolidation of the opposition camp so far. www.aravot.am inquired
during a conversation with representatives of the opposition camp
whether the reason for failing to unite was that the PAP had offered
to unite around its axis or one should look for the reason somewhere
else. Armen Martirosyan, the deputy leader of the Heritage Party, said
regarding this issue: "There is no need for mentioning any party here.
Raffi Hovhannisyan has already stated that this is no partisan
struggle, but who stands by the people should be in Freedom Square.
The Heritage Party is merged in the people in this part and is
carrying on its struggle around the Republic of Armenia from very
Freedom Square, which means that we are a part of the people's
struggle, nothing more. Therefore, all those who think of themselves
as opposition and are with the people should be in Freedom Square
and join the popular struggle. Partisan ambitions, rallying to me or
someone else are not appropriate any longer. The national struggle
is carried on for new, prospering Armenia, and Raffi Hovhannisyan
has taken a radical measure of self-sacrifice." Naira Zohrabyan,
the secretary of the PAP parliamentary group, in her turn, said in
response to the question: "We have been open and honest during the
discussions with our colleagues in the past few days; we expressed
our position. The PAP was for broad union and consolidation. We told
our colleagues openly and honestly during the discussions what our
position was." In response to our observation whether the PAP wasn't
afraid to give an impression of an ambitious force, Ms. Zohrabyan said:
"There is no issue of being ambitious here, it is just that the PAP
is a realistic political force." Arsen Hambardzumyan, an alternate
representative of the ARF Supreme Body, said regarding the issue:
"One of the conditions of union is that political forces try to
restrain their aspirations and reach the right compromise. We took
that position during the negotiations and didn't show any unhealthy
aspiration. As for why we don't have a union, I leave the assessments
to you." On the one hand, Mr. Hambardzumyan stated that no agreement
had been reached so far, on the other hand, he expressed an idea that
one couldn't say for sure that the negotiations were a failure. Then
he added: "I think that there is a small opportunity of consolidation.
Until the negotiations, as such, are over, I cannot disclose certain
facts, since they can damage the further progress of the negotiations.
When we reach an agreement, we will state more openly why it wasn't
successful." Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/03/11/152891/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia
March 11 2013
Talking about participation in the Yerevan City Council election
at the plenary meeting of the Prosperous Armenia Party political
council, Gagik Tsarukyan, the PAP leader, stated: "We can admit all
those who will wish to rally around the PAP axis." There has been no
consolidation of the opposition camp so far. www.aravot.am inquired
during a conversation with representatives of the opposition camp
whether the reason for failing to unite was that the PAP had offered
to unite around its axis or one should look for the reason somewhere
else. Armen Martirosyan, the deputy leader of the Heritage Party, said
regarding this issue: "There is no need for mentioning any party here.
Raffi Hovhannisyan has already stated that this is no partisan
struggle, but who stands by the people should be in Freedom Square.
The Heritage Party is merged in the people in this part and is
carrying on its struggle around the Republic of Armenia from very
Freedom Square, which means that we are a part of the people's
struggle, nothing more. Therefore, all those who think of themselves
as opposition and are with the people should be in Freedom Square
and join the popular struggle. Partisan ambitions, rallying to me or
someone else are not appropriate any longer. The national struggle
is carried on for new, prospering Armenia, and Raffi Hovhannisyan
has taken a radical measure of self-sacrifice." Naira Zohrabyan,
the secretary of the PAP parliamentary group, in her turn, said in
response to the question: "We have been open and honest during the
discussions with our colleagues in the past few days; we expressed
our position. The PAP was for broad union and consolidation. We told
our colleagues openly and honestly during the discussions what our
position was." In response to our observation whether the PAP wasn't
afraid to give an impression of an ambitious force, Ms. Zohrabyan said:
"There is no issue of being ambitious here, it is just that the PAP
is a realistic political force." Arsen Hambardzumyan, an alternate
representative of the ARF Supreme Body, said regarding the issue:
"One of the conditions of union is that political forces try to
restrain their aspirations and reach the right compromise. We took
that position during the negotiations and didn't show any unhealthy
aspiration. As for why we don't have a union, I leave the assessments
to you." On the one hand, Mr. Hambardzumyan stated that no agreement
had been reached so far, on the other hand, he expressed an idea that
one couldn't say for sure that the negotiations were a failure. Then
he added: "I think that there is a small opportunity of consolidation.
Until the negotiations, as such, are over, I cannot disclose certain
facts, since they can damage the further progress of the negotiations.
When we reach an agreement, we will state more openly why it wasn't
successful." Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/03/11/152891/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia