MAVER’S WORK ACCOMPLISHED MAVER MUST LEAVE
Anahit Yesayan

Hayots Ashkharh daily
Sept 6 2007
Armenia

Interview with Alvard Petrosyan

"Some people are trying to inspire a thought that there is a social
need for Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s return. Do you agree? In general how you
evaluate the recent announcements of Armenian Pan National Movement?"

"In my view the public manifestations of Armenian Pan National Movement
are quite natural, because this party wants to have its place under
the sun in the political domain and it is natural that they will try
to use all the possible and impossible means to justify their second
performance. And there is no better reasoning than his being Armenia’s
first president. No matter I consider Levon Ter-Petrosyan a great
political figure or not he is already a historical figure. Our people
have the character of feeling nostalgia about the past and Armenian Pan
National Movement is trying to make use of this factor. But I don’t
share the idea that there is a social need for Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s
return and I’m happy that Levon Ter-Petrosyan is also of the same
idea. Maver’s work accomplished, Maver must leave, – he is well
conscious of this. As for his political meetings in some provinces,
it not a great job he should have done it long ago together with his
party members. But his behavior during the previous years displays
that he is persistent and he considers his words to be historical
events. He said if 200 thousand people ask me I would return. But
hardly will 200 000 people ask him to return that’s why I think he
will keep his promise and won’t nominate his candidacy.

In short we shouldn’t consider Levon Ter-Petrosyan a political
marionette – not interesting."

"What is your opinion about the everlasting search for the united
opposition candidate?"

" It is their own business. But, you see, they say there is one step
from the tragedy to the ridiculous . In my view our opposition is
in a tragic situation not only for them but for us as well. It is a
tragedy that you don’t have an alternative implying a thick layer
of society. But you shouldn’t make a tragedy ridiculous with your
disability. I have already said this, when I’m extremely shy I look
arrogant. So it is one step from arrogance to shyness. The same can
be said about tragedy and the ridiculous. I think we are on this way.

We shouldn’t.’ "Do you think it is serious on the part of ARF to
nominate a candidacy for presidency?"

"Dashnaktsutyun is a serious political party and it demonstrates
serious political culture. In my view the country benefits when
there is alternative, no matter which candidate will win. Eventually
whoever wins the elections, his rival, tries to make the picture of the
elections legitimate and civilized. I think it is a serious factor. And
it is not only ARF that nominates a candidacy. And why shouldn’t they?"