IN OPINION OF RUBEN HAKHVERDIAN, NO FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS TO
BE HELD IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, MAY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. "Since 1985, I have been on the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) side and never betrayed it. So today
I have the right to be on the ARF’s side." Composer Ruben Hakhverdian
stated this at the May 4 press conference, adding that he also has
close links with the "Constitutional Right Union" party, sympathizes
Raffi Hovannisian, Arshak Sadoyan, Manuk Gasparian and Aghasi
Arshakian. He considered it unacceptable that now most of Armenian
singers are followers of only one party, particularly the Republican
Party of Armenia.
Speaking about the song "Old Friend" written at the request of the
ARF, R. Hakhverdian said that he tried to show the reality. "And the
reality is that the ARF is a party with 117-year history and it still
has a great deal to pass on to future generations," the composer
noted. However, in his words, it does not mean that he glorifies the
Dashnaktsutyun. R. Hakhverdian admitted that like other parties, the
ARF has many shortcomings.
By the way, the composer confessed that he has not yet been paid for
this song. In response to the question about how much he evaluates it,
R. Hakhverdian replied: "About 3 thousand dollars. I hope they will
pay this sum."
As regards the upcoming parliamentary elections, Ruben Hakhverdian
said that he does not think that fair and transparent elections will
be held in Armenia.