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Armenian Official Comments On Speaker's Resignation

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  • Armenian Official Comments On Speaker's Resignation

    ARMENIAN OFFICIAL COMMENTS ON SPEAKER'S RESIGNATION

    Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
    23 May 06

    Text of Vaan Vardanyan's report in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
    on 23 May headlined "We have seen no evidence of maturity"

    An interview with the most likely candidate to the post of parliament
    speaker, [deputy speaker of parliament and a member of the Republican
    Party of Armenia] Tigran Torosyan. He comments on the situation in
    the parliament.

    [Ayots Ashkar correspondent] How do you assess talks around the
    resignation of the speaker of the parliament and the dispute between
    [Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan and [the leader of the National Unity
    Party] Artashes Gegamyan in the parliament?

    [Tigran Torosyan] I have already said that next month will be
    a unique probationary period for politicians. Parties should
    demonstrate that they have become mature and passed their teenager
    period. Unfortunately, what happened could hardly be the evidence of
    maturity, though I hope everything will be put back in order.

    [Correspondent] The opposition says that today there is no political
    majority in the parliament even in the form of a coalition. Will you
    comment on this?

    [Torosyan] The most painful thing is that not only many wrong ideas
    were sounded in parliament today, but also the regulations were
    broken. Saying something with a clever face does not mean that you
    really tell the truth.

    Who says that the "parliamentary majority" should be formed by means of
    signing a memorandum? The first step like this was made after the 2003
    [parliament] election and that was an important step. But nobody has
    to sign a memorandum. In many countries coalitions are formed and
    they split and there is no tragedy. Certainly, today we do not have
    the coalition that was created at that time.

    [Correspondent] Today they speak about two candidates to the post of
    parliament speaker: you and [Republican Party MP] Galust Saakyan.

    [Torosyan] I am saying once again that as there is no vacant post all
    the discussions are in vain. It is senseless to answer this question.

    [Correspondent] In fact, the United Labour Party [ULP] will become part
    of the new majority. Does that mean that a new coalition memorandum
    could be signed?

    [Torosyan] I think there is absolutely no need to sign a new
    memorandum. As to who our partners will be and how we shall work,
    it will be correct to answer this question a few days later. Real
    talks will be held soon.

    [Correspondent] But the prime minister has already signed a decree
    on the appointment of three representatives of the ULP. Does this
    mean that Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] is replaced by
    the ULP?

    [Torosyan] This means that the first steps have already been made.

    But we do not substitute somebody for somebody else. Everybody has
    their own place and role.

    [Correspondent] The MPs who have left Orinats Yerkir are setting up
    a new group. Will you negotiate with them?

    [Torosyan] It is nonsense to rule out negotiations with any force.

    Unfortunately, there are political forces in Armenia which are enemies
    to each other. Finally, no matter what happened or will happen, one
    should have one purpose: to provide the normal work of the parliament.
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