President’s proposal still in force: Spokesman

YEREVAN, March 27. / ARKA /. The proposals, which president Serzh Sargsyan addressed to the opposition Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian in a letter on March 25 are still in force, although the language of ungrounded ultimatums used at the rallies in Liberty Square reduces their effectiveness with every passing hour, a presidential spokesman, Armen Arzumanian said today.

In the letter the president said the proposals could help kick-start an effective dialogue.

The president’s letter was a response to Raffi Hovannisian’s letter which the latter read out to his supporters at a March 22 rally before sending it to the presidential residence. In that letter Hovannisian offered to recognize the incumbent’s presidency in exchange for a promise of snap parliamentary elections to be held by the end of this year, as well as sweeping electoral reforms and several key government positions to be given to individuals named by him. In a response letter the president urged him to end his hunger strike and work together.

On March 26, Hovannisian sent a second letter to the president confirming his willingness to meet with the president to discuss ways of solving national problems at any time in Liberty Square.

"President Serzh Sargsyan is known for his great patience and for demonstrating constructive approaches. His meetings are organized according to the planned protocol and are held  at his residence,” the presidential press service quoted Arzumanian as saying.

President Sargsyan and Hovannisian already met at the presidential compound on February 21 when Hovannisian urged Sargsyan to call fresh legislative polls. The president was said to have rejected the idea and offered to appoint Hovannisian as head of a special state commission that would be tasked with drafting sweeping amendments to the Armenian Constitution, a proposal later dismissed by Hovannisian.

According to official numbers, Serzh Sargsyan won the February 18 polls by winning 58.64% of the vote. Hovannisian came in second with 36.74%. However,  Heritage leader did not recognize the official results and went on hunger strike on March 10. -0-