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Raffi Hovhannisian to hold rallies in Armenia's regions
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/02/22/azatutyun-live/
17:27 - 22.02.13
Heritage party leader Raffi Hovhannisian's rally kicked off at the
Liberty Square. Earlier he promised to present to the people his
conversation with the Armenian incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan he
had yesterday.
People have gathered in the square. Ex presidential candidate Andrias
Ghukasyan is also there. Speaking to reporters he said he has come to
listen to Raffi Hovhannisian.
He said he has come to offer to create a national cooperation council.
`I think candidates should consolidate over Raffi Hovhannisian. We
should pursue our right to live in welfare. The political figure is to
be the first to take the blows on himself,' he said. Speaking about
elections Ghukasyan described them shameful.
Raffi Hovhannisian is already in the square. Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) representative Armen Rustamyan is
also in the square.
17:56 Tevan Poghosyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, noted
that their struggle "was not launched yesterday nor will it end
tomorrow." He quoted Raffi Hovannisian, saying that the struggle is
for "light and good."
"This struggle is not against anyone, but for everyone," he said. This
is a struggle on all fronts and will certainly produce results if its
aims are good.
Hovsep Khurshudyan, Spokesman for the Heritage party, spoke of the
Armenian cities where Armenia's Central Electoral Commission (CEC)
reported Raffi Hovannisian's victory: Gyumri, Vanadzor, Abovyan,
Echmiadzin, Armavir, Artashat, Spitak, Artik, Noyemberyan, Ijevan, Nor
Hachn. in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, according to the CEC, Raffi
Hovannisian received a little fewer votes than Serzh Sargsyan.
"The situation has no precedents in that people were brought to
Yerevan to vote using additional lists actually voted for Raffi
Hovannisian. But Serzh Sargsyan allegedly won - due to the feudal
village lords, who practiced ballot box stuffing or put the ballot
papers in Raffi Hovannisian's favor together with those in Serzh
Sargsyan's favor," Mr Khurshudyan said, naming the villages.
Speaking of ways of election rigging, Mr Khurshudyan told the people
about a voter with a false passport, who could not tell them his
surname. That man ran away.
"Six hundred ballots were stuffed at another polling station. This is
this the authorities-promised justice. They promised various benefits
in exchange for votes," he said.
It is under Raffi Hovannisian's leadership that Armenia will become a
free country, he said.
Arkady Vardanyan, who was a well-known political figure, said that the
people's will remains firms despite years of violations.
"We are firm and strong and we must live in a democratic country," he
said. no doubt, Raffi Hovannisian will not be a president like his
predecessors. "He will be our political leader, elected by the
people," Mr Vardanyan said.
David Sanasaryan, a Board member, Heritage party, said: "We are not
going to step back. Our victory is only moving forward." He noted "a
spirit of justice" in Freedom Square. "For Serzh Sargsyan to know: do
not frighten us with Azerbaijan and war threats because the people
that gathered here are not afraid of war. And they will respond to any
attack with their unity," Mr Sanasaryan said.
Margarita Hakobyan, a Board member, Heritage party, said: "Our team
believed it was possible. No Armenian citizen would sell his or her
future. Despite money was given out and election commission members
were pressed, the Armenian people gained victory."
The ex-presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan called for civil
disobedience. "This fake election has once more disppointed us,
becuase we have seen the government cannot be honest to the people,"
he said. On the other hand, this election has become a platform for
uniting the people.
`I have come to congratulate Raffi Hovannisian. You have been able to
unite the people,' he said. He called on the people not to recognize
the legitimacy of elections.
Anahit Bakhshyan noted that her 16-year-old grandchildren "want an end
to enmity and that everyone mind his own business." "We must give ear
to the young people. Since statehood is not on a constitutional basis
in our country yet, we are all going to be engaged in politics. We all
must be citizens and work honestly," she said.
`If Serzh Sargsyan is aware of the tragedy of the figures, he must
realize he cannot rule the country, and the best solution to the
present situation is his handing the power over to the people and the
president elected by you - Raffi Hovannisian,' stated Styopa Safaryan,
General Secretary of the Heritage party.
`According to the voter lists at our disposal, Raffi Hovannisian is
Armenia's president,' he said.
Karapet Rubinyan said that `Serzh Sargsyan has not come because he is
aware this is not their victory.'
According to him, Raffi Hovannisian made one more `original step' by
going to the Armenian presidential residence. `He went there
accompanied by a few people,' Mr Rubinyan said.
Ruben Hakobyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, said that `we
do not care about the European observers that say the Armenian
presidential election has been fair.'
`This is not the first time that the opposition has won the national
elections. But the new thing is that we are going to consolidate the
people's victory together this time. We say this is our vote, you
cannot get it.'
Nikol Pashinyan, a member of the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress (ANC), said that Armenia's citizens `want to understand what
is going on in Armenia now.' `A completely new political situation has
developed in Armenia since the February 18 presidential election,' he
said.
He pointed out `the people's unprecedented self-organization' and `two
forces involved in the political struggle - the first the ruling
regime led by Serzh Sargsyan that seized power on March 1, 2008, and
the second, Armenia's people led by Raffi Hovannisian.'
`Serzh Sargsyan's good luck is that he is still at the helm of the
government. But his bad luck is that he has not won - nor will be ever
win - the legitimacy he is dreaming of. Nor can he turn over the page
of the March 1 bloodshed. The people have been able to elect Armenia's
new president, Raffi Hovannisian,' Mr Pashinyan said.
`Our minimum program is that the people must not suffer defeat. We
must not allow marauder bands to use force against the people. We can
do it and we will,' he said.
Mr Pashinyan rules out any agreements with `illegitimate authorities.'
Serzh Sargsyan has `never been nor will he be Armenia's president.'
Mr Pashinyan also pointed out an important role of all the political
forces and called on them to come to Freedom Square. `Not to be beside
Raffi Hovannisian, but to be present in Freedom Square because
Hovannisian has been elected president by the population, and a
self-respecting political force must defend popular will,' he said.
`We must make each day unpredictable for Serzh Sargsyan,' Mr Pashinyan
said, crying out `Nothing, but victory.'
Armen Rustamyan, a Supreme Body member, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), told the participants that their
presence in Freedom Square started `a great process.' `You have
overcome your fear. So you can achieve any aim.'
On February 18, the people proved it is impossible to break their will
and kill their aspiration for justice and freedom.
The ARF-D made its assessment of the elections. No matter what
international observers say, people participated in the voting and are
well aware of what happened.
Determination and unity are a precondition for a victory that `will
not take long to come.' Raffi Hovannisian is a personification of
this. `We met and discussed the present situation with Raffi. We are
for achieving real results in a constitutional way. This situation
must make the authorities seek for ways out. Our country needs radical
changes,' Mr Rustamyan said.
Speaking at the rally, Heritage party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian
reported the details of his meeting with Serzh Sargsyan on February
21.
`You asked me why I decided to visit Serzh Sargsyan? Because I have no
complex or fear in my homeland,' Mr Hovannisian said.
He made the following proposals to Armenia's president: `Instead of
drinking champagne appoint new elections. But Serzh Sargsyan's answer
was `no'. Admit the people's victory, but his answer was `no' again.
If you are not ready for new elections, punish the election riggers -
from election commission chairmen to regional governors and ministers.
I also proposed pre-term parliamentary elections by proportional
representation, but Serzh Sargsyan did not agree,' Mr Hovannisian
said.
He warned against drawing the army and police in the ongoing processes.
`Our soldiers must defend our borders and territorial integrity. An
Armenian commander that would dare send an Armenian soldier against
his own people will have to face both me and the Armenian people. A
policeman that is not guarding our people's safety, but will attempt
to execute illegal orders, will be held responsible,' Mr Hovannisian
said.
He stressed that the next few days will see consistent work in
conformity with the constitution.
Since the Yerevan Municipality has prohibited rallies in Freedom
Square from Saturday, Mr Hovannisian said that the party will organize
rallies in Armenia's regions: in Ashtarak at 12:00am, in Vanadzor and
in Gyumri at 5:00pm on Saturday. A rally in Yerevan will take place at
3:00pm on Sunday.
Talking to Azatutyun Radio commented on his meeting with Armenia's
President Serzh Sargsyan. `All of my proposals received negative
answers. That is his right. But he must know that the Armenian people
have won and their victory must be cemented. He must think of how we
can put an end to this split within our nation. We must do it without
any bloodshed or losses.'
After returning to Freedom Square, Mr Hovannisian said that the
Armenian people has always been strong and honest.
`Sometimes, influenced by others, Armenian lost these qualities. But
we have realized today that we have been able to revive the Armenian
man, citizen, people and our country. We must give our children what
we have inherited from our forefathers. This is a struggle for the
future,' he said.
`Our struggle is going to be long. Let no one sitting in offices think
it will die down. We must complete our victory, and our triumphant
march will continue tomorrow,' Mr Hovannisian said.
He called on teachers, judges and other citizens to unite to build up
a rule-of-law country.
`When I say everyone must mind his own business, it does not mean you
should leave this struggle,'
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/02/22/azatutyun-live/
17:27 - 22.02.13
Heritage party leader Raffi Hovhannisian's rally kicked off at the
Liberty Square. Earlier he promised to present to the people his
conversation with the Armenian incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan he
had yesterday.
People have gathered in the square. Ex presidential candidate Andrias
Ghukasyan is also there. Speaking to reporters he said he has come to
listen to Raffi Hovhannisian.
He said he has come to offer to create a national cooperation council.
`I think candidates should consolidate over Raffi Hovhannisian. We
should pursue our right to live in welfare. The political figure is to
be the first to take the blows on himself,' he said. Speaking about
elections Ghukasyan described them shameful.
Raffi Hovhannisian is already in the square. Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) representative Armen Rustamyan is
also in the square.
17:56 Tevan Poghosyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, noted
that their struggle "was not launched yesterday nor will it end
tomorrow." He quoted Raffi Hovannisian, saying that the struggle is
for "light and good."
"This struggle is not against anyone, but for everyone," he said. This
is a struggle on all fronts and will certainly produce results if its
aims are good.
Hovsep Khurshudyan, Spokesman for the Heritage party, spoke of the
Armenian cities where Armenia's Central Electoral Commission (CEC)
reported Raffi Hovannisian's victory: Gyumri, Vanadzor, Abovyan,
Echmiadzin, Armavir, Artashat, Spitak, Artik, Noyemberyan, Ijevan, Nor
Hachn. in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, according to the CEC, Raffi
Hovannisian received a little fewer votes than Serzh Sargsyan.
"The situation has no precedents in that people were brought to
Yerevan to vote using additional lists actually voted for Raffi
Hovannisian. But Serzh Sargsyan allegedly won - due to the feudal
village lords, who practiced ballot box stuffing or put the ballot
papers in Raffi Hovannisian's favor together with those in Serzh
Sargsyan's favor," Mr Khurshudyan said, naming the villages.
Speaking of ways of election rigging, Mr Khurshudyan told the people
about a voter with a false passport, who could not tell them his
surname. That man ran away.
"Six hundred ballots were stuffed at another polling station. This is
this the authorities-promised justice. They promised various benefits
in exchange for votes," he said.
It is under Raffi Hovannisian's leadership that Armenia will become a
free country, he said.
Arkady Vardanyan, who was a well-known political figure, said that the
people's will remains firms despite years of violations.
"We are firm and strong and we must live in a democratic country," he
said. no doubt, Raffi Hovannisian will not be a president like his
predecessors. "He will be our political leader, elected by the
people," Mr Vardanyan said.
David Sanasaryan, a Board member, Heritage party, said: "We are not
going to step back. Our victory is only moving forward." He noted "a
spirit of justice" in Freedom Square. "For Serzh Sargsyan to know: do
not frighten us with Azerbaijan and war threats because the people
that gathered here are not afraid of war. And they will respond to any
attack with their unity," Mr Sanasaryan said.
Margarita Hakobyan, a Board member, Heritage party, said: "Our team
believed it was possible. No Armenian citizen would sell his or her
future. Despite money was given out and election commission members
were pressed, the Armenian people gained victory."
The ex-presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan called for civil
disobedience. "This fake election has once more disppointed us,
becuase we have seen the government cannot be honest to the people,"
he said. On the other hand, this election has become a platform for
uniting the people.
`I have come to congratulate Raffi Hovannisian. You have been able to
unite the people,' he said. He called on the people not to recognize
the legitimacy of elections.
Anahit Bakhshyan noted that her 16-year-old grandchildren "want an end
to enmity and that everyone mind his own business." "We must give ear
to the young people. Since statehood is not on a constitutional basis
in our country yet, we are all going to be engaged in politics. We all
must be citizens and work honestly," she said.
`If Serzh Sargsyan is aware of the tragedy of the figures, he must
realize he cannot rule the country, and the best solution to the
present situation is his handing the power over to the people and the
president elected by you - Raffi Hovannisian,' stated Styopa Safaryan,
General Secretary of the Heritage party.
`According to the voter lists at our disposal, Raffi Hovannisian is
Armenia's president,' he said.
Karapet Rubinyan said that `Serzh Sargsyan has not come because he is
aware this is not their victory.'
According to him, Raffi Hovannisian made one more `original step' by
going to the Armenian presidential residence. `He went there
accompanied by a few people,' Mr Rubinyan said.
Ruben Hakobyan, a Heritage parliamentary group member, said that `we
do not care about the European observers that say the Armenian
presidential election has been fair.'
`This is not the first time that the opposition has won the national
elections. But the new thing is that we are going to consolidate the
people's victory together this time. We say this is our vote, you
cannot get it.'
Nikol Pashinyan, a member of the opposition bloc Armenian National
Congress (ANC), said that Armenia's citizens `want to understand what
is going on in Armenia now.' `A completely new political situation has
developed in Armenia since the February 18 presidential election,' he
said.
He pointed out `the people's unprecedented self-organization' and `two
forces involved in the political struggle - the first the ruling
regime led by Serzh Sargsyan that seized power on March 1, 2008, and
the second, Armenia's people led by Raffi Hovannisian.'
`Serzh Sargsyan's good luck is that he is still at the helm of the
government. But his bad luck is that he has not won - nor will be ever
win - the legitimacy he is dreaming of. Nor can he turn over the page
of the March 1 bloodshed. The people have been able to elect Armenia's
new president, Raffi Hovannisian,' Mr Pashinyan said.
`Our minimum program is that the people must not suffer defeat. We
must not allow marauder bands to use force against the people. We can
do it and we will,' he said.
Mr Pashinyan rules out any agreements with `illegitimate authorities.'
Serzh Sargsyan has `never been nor will he be Armenia's president.'
Mr Pashinyan also pointed out an important role of all the political
forces and called on them to come to Freedom Square. `Not to be beside
Raffi Hovannisian, but to be present in Freedom Square because
Hovannisian has been elected president by the population, and a
self-respecting political force must defend popular will,' he said.
`We must make each day unpredictable for Serzh Sargsyan,' Mr Pashinyan
said, crying out `Nothing, but victory.'
Armen Rustamyan, a Supreme Body member, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), told the participants that their
presence in Freedom Square started `a great process.' `You have
overcome your fear. So you can achieve any aim.'
On February 18, the people proved it is impossible to break their will
and kill their aspiration for justice and freedom.
The ARF-D made its assessment of the elections. No matter what
international observers say, people participated in the voting and are
well aware of what happened.
Determination and unity are a precondition for a victory that `will
not take long to come.' Raffi Hovannisian is a personification of
this. `We met and discussed the present situation with Raffi. We are
for achieving real results in a constitutional way. This situation
must make the authorities seek for ways out. Our country needs radical
changes,' Mr Rustamyan said.
Speaking at the rally, Heritage party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian
reported the details of his meeting with Serzh Sargsyan on February
21.
`You asked me why I decided to visit Serzh Sargsyan? Because I have no
complex or fear in my homeland,' Mr Hovannisian said.
He made the following proposals to Armenia's president: `Instead of
drinking champagne appoint new elections. But Serzh Sargsyan's answer
was `no'. Admit the people's victory, but his answer was `no' again.
If you are not ready for new elections, punish the election riggers -
from election commission chairmen to regional governors and ministers.
I also proposed pre-term parliamentary elections by proportional
representation, but Serzh Sargsyan did not agree,' Mr Hovannisian
said.
He warned against drawing the army and police in the ongoing processes.
`Our soldiers must defend our borders and territorial integrity. An
Armenian commander that would dare send an Armenian soldier against
his own people will have to face both me and the Armenian people. A
policeman that is not guarding our people's safety, but will attempt
to execute illegal orders, will be held responsible,' Mr Hovannisian
said.
He stressed that the next few days will see consistent work in
conformity with the constitution.
Since the Yerevan Municipality has prohibited rallies in Freedom
Square from Saturday, Mr Hovannisian said that the party will organize
rallies in Armenia's regions: in Ashtarak at 12:00am, in Vanadzor and
in Gyumri at 5:00pm on Saturday. A rally in Yerevan will take place at
3:00pm on Sunday.
Talking to Azatutyun Radio commented on his meeting with Armenia's
President Serzh Sargsyan. `All of my proposals received negative
answers. That is his right. But he must know that the Armenian people
have won and their victory must be cemented. He must think of how we
can put an end to this split within our nation. We must do it without
any bloodshed or losses.'
After returning to Freedom Square, Mr Hovannisian said that the
Armenian people has always been strong and honest.
`Sometimes, influenced by others, Armenian lost these qualities. But
we have realized today that we have been able to revive the Armenian
man, citizen, people and our country. We must give our children what
we have inherited from our forefathers. This is a struggle for the
future,' he said.
`Our struggle is going to be long. Let no one sitting in offices think
it will die down. We must complete our victory, and our triumphant
march will continue tomorrow,' Mr Hovannisian said.
He called on teachers, judges and other citizens to unite to build up
a rule-of-law country.
`When I say everyone must mind his own business, it does not mean you
should leave this struggle,'
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress