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From April 9 To 'New Armenia': Hovannisian Defends His Integrity In

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  • From April 9 To 'New Armenia': Hovannisian Defends His Integrity In

    FROM APRIL 9 TO 'NEW ARMENIA': HOVANNISIAN DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY IN POST-ELECTION STANDOFF, LOOKS FORWARD TO OPPOSITION VICTORY

    POLITICS | 30.04.13 | 11:05

    Photolure

    By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
    ArmeniaNow reporter

    Former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian, summarizing the
    results of his struggle in the wake of the disputed election, has
    expressed a view that the current administration will not last for
    another five-year term. The Heritage Party leader, however, believes
    that people's immediate assistance as well as opposition unity and
    sufficient financial resources are needed for the opposition's victory
    to be secured.

    Hovannisian, who officially finished second in the February 18
    presidential ballot, continues to claim that he was robbed of victory
    and that illegitimate authorities were formed in Armenia as a result
    of the fraudulent vote.

    During a press conference on Monday Hovannisian mainly spoke about
    the situation that has been formed in Armenia after April 9, the day
    when he and his supporters took an oath to work for the establishment
    of a 'New Armenia', as well as answered criticism and gave certain
    clarifications regarding the events of that day.

    On April 9, the day which also saw the inauguration of President Serzh
    Sargsyan for the second consecutive five-year term, the opposition led
    by Hovannisian attempted to stage a march along Baghramyan Avenue,
    where the Presidential Palace is located, but the protest effort
    was halted by the police. Despite minor injuries suffered by some
    demonstrators and security personnel in brief clashes there were no
    victims on that day. Eventually, Hovannisian, accompanied by Chief of
    Police Vladimir Gasparyan, led a large group of the Baghramyan Avenue
    protesters towards Tsitsernakaberd, the final destination of the march,
    via an alternative route. Then at the hill-top Genocide Memorial
    Hovannisian and Gasparyan prayed together in front of the people.

    Hovannisian called that step, for which he has been heavily criticized
    by rival opposition groups, a salvation rather than an attempt to
    avoid responsibility.

    "I think that if I had led [the people] to any other direction on
    April 9 the next day we would have had a tragic Armenia. I wasn't
    ready to send hundreds of messages of condolence after April 9.

    Decentralization of pockets of tension on April 9 was a salvation,"
    he said.

    Hovannisian reiterated that it is impossible to achieve a power
    change within just one day: "There was an expectation among some
    people that within an hour or by just one public rally everything
    would be changed. If I made an impression with anyone that we could
    achieve a power change within just one day, then it was my mistake."

    Commenting on the decision by the hard-line opposition movement,
    Sardarabad, to hold its own rallies in Yerevan and Gyumri, Hovannisian
    said that he would not have a 'tit-for-tat' answer for that.

    "I have met [Sardarabad senior member] Jirayr Sefilian several
    times and urged him to take part in a joint struggle, and now he
    has gathered with his friends. If he can do what I could not, I will
    welcome it. Jirayr Sefilyan is a value for me, and next to him there
    are people who are of a different level. It is not I who should judge.

    We'll see the real situation in Yerevan on May 5 [when the municipal
    elections are due] and decide whether we go to the May 9 rally together
    or separately," he said.

    The Heritage Party leader also said that an upheaval was necessary
    to achieve a change in Armenia.

    "Is such an upheaval necessary for us to come to our senses and move
    ahead in building a normal state? I think perhaps subconsciously or
    not that is necessary... But when I now follow the attitudes, I am not
    sure that even an upheaval will result in any essential change in the
    situation unless the material resources of the people, the opposition
    figures and others are consolidated within one space and time for
    the common cause. I think an upheaval is necessary," said Hovannisian.

    After completing a weeklong campaign of indoor meetings in the regions,
    beginning on Monday Hovannisian switched to the election campaign in
    Yerevan where the Heritage Party, as part of the Hello Yerevan bloc,
    is vying for seats in the 65-member City Council against six other
    parties. The 53-year-old U.S.-born politician is campaigning the
    way he did three months ago ahead of the presidential election -
    going from place to place, greeting people in the streets, etc.

    Hovannisian gave assurances that as compared to what his opposition
    team members were in the February election, they are now more organized
    and would better protect their votes.

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