Tweet
POST-ELECTION STANDOFF: HUNGER-STRIKING HOVANNISIAN STILL WAITING TO HEAR WORD FROM SARGSYAN
VOTE 2013 | 18.03.13 | 15:15
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Raffi Hovannisian, an opposition leader disputing the official
presidential election results, told the press during a Monday open-air
press conference that parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan did not make
any proposals during his late Friday visit. Hovannisian, who has been
on hunger strike, permanently stationed in Yerevan's Liberty Square
since March 10, once again stressed that he is willing to hear out
only Serzh Sargsyan.
"My interlocutor is Serzh Sarsyan and at present Serzh Sargsyan has
made no suggestions. When Mr. Abrahamyan came, it was a courtesy
visit, he was eager to find a solution to this situation, but we did
not talk anything substantial. I made it very clear that I do not view
him as a mediator or a messenger. Mr. Sargsyan can talk to me
directly, be it orally or in writing, whichever suits him better, and
make suggestions. Mr. Abrahamyan is not someone to bring offers, he
cannot suggest anything to me on Sargsyan's behalf," stated the
opposition leader on the 9th day of his hunger strike.
Hovannisian is demanding that the incumbent president "accept the
people's victory and resign" until April 9, which is the official
Inauguration Day.
The parliament speaker told the press after his meeting with the
Heritage party leader that "the authorities are willing to find a
compromise as long as it is reasonable". Abrahamyan, however, does not
think that a presidential election re-run or snap parliamentary
elections are reasonable demands - something that Hovannisian
suggested to Sargsyan during their February 21 meeting at the
presidential compound.
Tonight president Sargsyan is to hold a press conference and is
expected to speak about Hovannisian's demands. Hovannisian, in turn,
said he had no appeals to address to Sargsyan prior to the press
conference.
"Whatever suggestions I have made, he has refused. If he wants, I will
listen to what he has to offer, but those have to be solutions of
state importance, allowing the victorious people to see themselves in
that solution. Whoever has offers to make directly to me, I will
gladly hear them out. But the people's demand, the people's right has
to be reflected in that solution, and that implies a strategically
important and unprecedentedly painful step forward. He either joins
the people halfway, or if he is planning to throw crumbs, I believe
it'll be unacceptable. The rest, I'll wait for substantial suggestions
from Mr. Sargsyan," said Hovannisian.
From: Baghdasarian
VOTE 2013 | 18.03.13 | 15:15
Photolure
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Raffi Hovannisian, an opposition leader disputing the official
presidential election results, told the press during a Monday open-air
press conference that parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan did not make
any proposals during his late Friday visit. Hovannisian, who has been
on hunger strike, permanently stationed in Yerevan's Liberty Square
since March 10, once again stressed that he is willing to hear out
only Serzh Sargsyan.
"My interlocutor is Serzh Sarsyan and at present Serzh Sargsyan has
made no suggestions. When Mr. Abrahamyan came, it was a courtesy
visit, he was eager to find a solution to this situation, but we did
not talk anything substantial. I made it very clear that I do not view
him as a mediator or a messenger. Mr. Sargsyan can talk to me
directly, be it orally or in writing, whichever suits him better, and
make suggestions. Mr. Abrahamyan is not someone to bring offers, he
cannot suggest anything to me on Sargsyan's behalf," stated the
opposition leader on the 9th day of his hunger strike.
Hovannisian is demanding that the incumbent president "accept the
people's victory and resign" until April 9, which is the official
Inauguration Day.
The parliament speaker told the press after his meeting with the
Heritage party leader that "the authorities are willing to find a
compromise as long as it is reasonable". Abrahamyan, however, does not
think that a presidential election re-run or snap parliamentary
elections are reasonable demands - something that Hovannisian
suggested to Sargsyan during their February 21 meeting at the
presidential compound.
Tonight president Sargsyan is to hold a press conference and is
expected to speak about Hovannisian's demands. Hovannisian, in turn,
said he had no appeals to address to Sargsyan prior to the press
conference.
"Whatever suggestions I have made, he has refused. If he wants, I will
listen to what he has to offer, but those have to be solutions of
state importance, allowing the victorious people to see themselves in
that solution. Whoever has offers to make directly to me, I will
gladly hear them out. But the people's demand, the people's right has
to be reflected in that solution, and that implies a strategically
important and unprecedentedly painful step forward. He either joins
the people halfway, or if he is planning to throw crumbs, I believe
it'll be unacceptable. The rest, I'll wait for substantial suggestions
from Mr. Sargsyan," said Hovannisian.
From: Baghdasarian