HRANT MARGARIAN: IT IS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT ORGANIZED FIGHT AGAINST
CORRUPTION, SHADOW ECONOMY AND PROTECTIONISM

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "There is still enough time until
the elections to the RA National Assembly but some forces started
distributing from state resources, others have opened widely thier
purses, and finaly some speak with a new inspiration about death and
destruction around." Hrant Margarian, representative of the ARF
Bureau, stated this at an event dedicated to the 116th anniversary of
the party on December 14 in Gyumri. According to the ARF press
service, in his speech H. Margarian addressed the issue of the ARF’s
activities in the RA power system. "Although we formed part of the
power for the main national issues, at the same time we strived to
succeed as much as possible in the solution of social and democratic
issues. We succeeded in national issues because we had the president’s
support. We did not succeed in social and democratic issues because in
these issues we were alone," the ARF Bureau representative
underlined. According to him, the ARF does not have "the whole power"
but is part of the power with 11% confidence vote of the people.

"Tt was not our power. We don’t avoid responsibility or regret being
part of the government. We have succeeded in implementing quite a lot
in this period but we have done what has been possible in these
conditions rather then what is in our program," he added. The speaker
pointed out that it is necessary to conduct an organized and
programmed fight against corruption, shadow economy, atmosphere of
impunity and protectionsm. "The class differences, which are polarized
today, should be mitigated through state intervention. There should be
no poverty in Armenia," H. Margarian stated.