SERZH SARKISIAN: "WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF STRONG OPPOSITION"

Mediamax
February 26, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Elected Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian stated
in Yerevan today that "I will defend the right for freedom of speech,
which, however, does not mean freedom of slander and offends".

Mediamax reports that Serzh Sarkisian said this during the rally of
his supporters at the Republic Square in Yerevan today.

"I will defend the right for freedom on holding rallies. But freedom
on holding rallies does not mean that they should paralyze the life
of the capital city. I defend the right for protests, but this right
does not mean that other constitutional rights of our citizens should
be violated and that the right of the majority to form the authority
should be violated", Serzh Sarkisian stated.

"These presidential elections became a turning point in the history
of our new independent state. As a result of the elections the
unprecedented opportunity for consolidating real democracy revealed. I
believe that this situation assists the realization of our aim –
have strong authority and strong constructive opposition. We are not
afraid of strong opposition. On the contrary, we are sure that only
with the presence of constructive opposition, we will be able to secure
the progressive development of our country", Serzh Sarkisian stated.

He urged all the political forces and the public unions of the country
to cooperate.

"I repeat again and again: the authority is ready to cooperate with
all the oppositional forces in the name of Armenia’s development
and the prosperity of our people. At the same time I state with
all responsibility that the most resolute steps will be taken up
to consolidate the political stability existing in the country,
to protect the public law and order and secure normal social vital
activity", Serzh Sarkisian noted.