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POST-ELECTION ARMENIA: HUNGER-STRIKING CANDIDATE THANKS SUPPORTERS - VIDEO
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/03/13/raffi-hovhannisyan-pc/
20:01 ~U 13.03.13
Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovhannisian, who has been on a
hunger-strike at Yerevan's Liberty Square since Sunday, has thanked
all people who have expressed solidarity with him over this period.
At his open-air news conference on Wednesday, the opposition Heritage
party's leader said he had discussed the post-election developments
with Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan this afternoon.
"The chief of police has visited me, and we together found a separate
corner at the square to discuss the situation. I thanked him for his
attention and for policemen's conscientious work," he said.
Hovhannisian emphasized that he had told Gasparyan they are ready to
discuss any kind of issue, without stepping back from their rights
and their successes in the presidential election.
The former candidate said members of different political parties and
different intellectuals visited him since morning.
Asked whether he is ready for a meeting with first President Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, who now heads the opposition alliance Armenian National
Congress (ANC), the politician said he is open to discuss everything
with everyone without any discrimination.
"You are aware that representatives of our party, Heritage, have
meet with most different parties, including the ANC, and I think the
processes will continue because the consolidation you asked about is
necessary. And the Armenian people have made the key step towards
consolidation. From now on, we must serve that consolidation, with
each political force realizing its place and its role," he added.
Hovhannisian further condemned the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
of the current political situation which he described as a blind alley.
As for meetings with other political parties, the Heritage leader
repeated his earlier statement that he is open to any discussion. "The
methodology of invitation and invitation reply is now over, and what
you see here is going on without any request of mine. I am ready
[to meet] anyone who is willing to come. That will continue in the
coming days or weeks," he said, adding that consolidation is not
something to be enshrined in interparty agreements.
Speaking of his hunger-strike, Hovhannisian said it offers a good way
towards self-purification which pursues only civilian objectives. He
said the move partially reflects the Armenian nation's protest. "It
is first of all my family and our citizens that suffer. But those who
criticized me ..., well I have to say that it is part of the Armenian
nation's struggle," he said.
The politician noted further that the leader of the European People's
Party (of which his political force is a member) made a wrong step by
congratulating Serzh Sargsyan on re-election. He criticized Wilfried
Martens' visit to Armenia ahead of the presidential polls, noting that
his pro-Republican Party propaganda in the country was condemngiven
that other political forces in Armenia are also affiliated with EPP.
"He violated his party obligations, and I think his functions as the
EPP leader as well, by making this hasty evaluation now," he said,
promising to explain everything to the European politician in a
separate letter.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/03/13/raffi-hovhannisyan-pc/
20:01 ~U 13.03.13
Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovhannisian, who has been on a
hunger-strike at Yerevan's Liberty Square since Sunday, has thanked
all people who have expressed solidarity with him over this period.
At his open-air news conference on Wednesday, the opposition Heritage
party's leader said he had discussed the post-election developments
with Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan this afternoon.
"The chief of police has visited me, and we together found a separate
corner at the square to discuss the situation. I thanked him for his
attention and for policemen's conscientious work," he said.
Hovhannisian emphasized that he had told Gasparyan they are ready to
discuss any kind of issue, without stepping back from their rights
and their successes in the presidential election.
The former candidate said members of different political parties and
different intellectuals visited him since morning.
Asked whether he is ready for a meeting with first President Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, who now heads the opposition alliance Armenian National
Congress (ANC), the politician said he is open to discuss everything
with everyone without any discrimination.
"You are aware that representatives of our party, Heritage, have
meet with most different parties, including the ANC, and I think the
processes will continue because the consolidation you asked about is
necessary. And the Armenian people have made the key step towards
consolidation. From now on, we must serve that consolidation, with
each political force realizing its place and its role," he added.
Hovhannisian further condemned the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
of the current political situation which he described as a blind alley.
As for meetings with other political parties, the Heritage leader
repeated his earlier statement that he is open to any discussion. "The
methodology of invitation and invitation reply is now over, and what
you see here is going on without any request of mine. I am ready
[to meet] anyone who is willing to come. That will continue in the
coming days or weeks," he said, adding that consolidation is not
something to be enshrined in interparty agreements.
Speaking of his hunger-strike, Hovhannisian said it offers a good way
towards self-purification which pursues only civilian objectives. He
said the move partially reflects the Armenian nation's protest. "It
is first of all my family and our citizens that suffer. But those who
criticized me ..., well I have to say that it is part of the Armenian
nation's struggle," he said.
The politician noted further that the leader of the European People's
Party (of which his political force is a member) made a wrong step by
congratulating Serzh Sargsyan on re-election. He criticized Wilfried
Martens' visit to Armenia ahead of the presidential polls, noting that
his pro-Republican Party propaganda in the country was condemngiven
that other political forces in Armenia are also affiliated with EPP.
"He violated his party obligations, and I think his functions as the
EPP leader as well, by making this hasty evaluation now," he said,
promising to explain everything to the European politician in a
separate letter.