Armenia’s president not to go to Liberty Square to meet Raffi Hovannisian

YEREVAN, March 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan told reporters Monday that he was not going to visit Raffi Hovannisian, Heritage party leader, on Liberty Square.

Raffi Hovannisian, former candidate for president of Armenia,  is currently on a hunger strike protesting against the final results of February 18 presidential elections. 

“ I am not going to Liberty Square, there are many reasons and they are various,” Radio Azatutyun (Freedom) quoted Sargsyan as saying.

He didn’t agree that over 500,000 people are backing Hovannisian and all of them are protesting on Liberty Square.

“If it is so, it means I have some issues with an eyesight, and not only me, but most of our population, because I haven’t seen there 500,000, even 50,000 people. When I am told folks are at Liberty Square, it sounds strange for me. On the average,  3,000 people are rallying on Liberty Square. First, I am not sure all of them voted for Raffi Hovannisian. And second, even though the opinion of each person is extremely important for us, 3,000 people make up 0.1% of our citizens… To say that the whole nation is on Liberty Square is at least incorrect,” Sargsyan said.

He noted he highlighted this fact because on Liberty Square it is whooped : nation, for nation, etc.

“As I hear this, bitter scenes come to my memory, because all the do-gooders and villains always spoke on behalf of people and made their speeches eloquent highlighting they were allegedly doing everything  for folks,” he said.

Sargsyan stated by going on a hunger strike, Raffi Hovannisian had withdrawn from political dialogue.

“I ask myself, what should I talk to Raffi Hovannisian about? What to talk about with a person who is upset about the whole world and who has been starving for already 8 days? As you say, his health condition will probably be not very good, as the talks will not be something like exchange of compliments, right? It doesn’t make sense to me,” President added. 

According to President, if he went to Liberty Square, he would have just one goal on his mind: to call upon, ask Raffi to stop the hunger strike, choose some other forms of the struggle.

“I do it now. Call on Raffi: stop it, I appeal to you, ask you… but you know, there is another very significant circumstance: I don’t know  under what conditions Raffi Hovannisian started his hunger strike… Could you remind me what condition did Raffi Hovannisian follow?”

Sargsyan added he got familiar with Hovannisian’s speech very carefully, but the speech was “unfortunately, marred with scolding, personal insulting words,” that doesn’t suit to him. 

“But I saw one thing there: Raffi Hovannisian speaks: if Serzh Sargsyan takes the false, I reiterate false oath of office on the Bible and Constitution on April 9, this and that will happen. In contrast to others, and many others, I have never taken false oaths, squandered false greetings, taken false positions, given to my face an expression of a false smile. Many times I took oaths, oaths of many serious matters. On April 9, I will take an oath from the bottom of my heart, and it will be absolutely sincere.”

Sargsyan also underlined he hadn’t broken ties with Hovannisian and suggested him that he should make a written proposals. He also clarified he had sent to Heritage leader his written proposals, however, hadn’t heard from Hovannisian yet. 

“If I hear some clear proposals, I will make sure to give a clear respond. One can’t lead a dialogue alone…”

Sargsyan also clarified his proposals to Hovannisian are  not kept in a secret.

“I thought and decided that Raffi Hovannisian and I could agree and assemble Constitutional Council which would be headed by Raffi Hovannisian. Best forces of the Armenian people would be involved into the Council to develop a concept of constitutional reforms, and then formulate this strategy into a proposal, make it public, invite experts. In other words, do serious work, and then put it to referendum.” 

He also stated the issues related to proportional or majoritarian electoral systems, parliamentary or presidential political systems, elections of governors should not be discussed through emotions and interests of some political parties, but in association with experts and specialists. 

President noted the respond to these proposals he received was “X”. -0-