FORWARD! TO THE ARMENIA OF NEW VICTORIES
Lilit Poghosyan
Hayots Ashkhar
Wednesday 27 February 2008
The Republic Square was simply crammed yesterday. Thousands of people
gathered here, from the different regions of the country, to back up
their vote of confidence, given to Serge Sargsyan and to say "no"
to those who divide people into relatives and strangers, who sow
enmity in the society with all the possible and impossible means,
who want to impose the choice of the minority on the majority.
People came to reconfirm that they want to link the future of the
country, their children’s future with the persistence of the reforms
performed in the country, that they refuse adventurous political
manifestations and they don’t want to live in a country where the
leaders are professional demagogues, revolutionaries who appeared in
the political domain with the slogan "dismantle -dissolve".
Armenia’s newly elected President Serge Sargsyan welcomed those who
have gathered in the heart of the city to stand for the previous
and future victories of our country, for the continuation of stable
developments, and promised: " I will do my best to justify your
confidence and to be open-faced in front of you. Believe me, you will
never regret that you voted for Serge Sargsyan."
"At this moment our soldiers are protecting our borders, our teachers
are educating the coming generation, our doctors are healing the
wounds of our brothers and sisters. And we have gathered here to heal
other wounds that appeared in our society after these elections. We
must overcome this ordeal. We must try to heal the wounds as soon
as possible.
I feel very sorry about all this. I feel sorry because I’m tired of
seeing wounds on our people’s body. It is high time to go forward. And
I also feel sorry because our people can’t comprehend the value of
our achievements, the formation of power through elections and the
value of the majority’s opinion." RPA Leader said recording that
unlike the sectarians gathered in the Theatrical Square he respects
variety of opinions.
"We never divide society between "ours and theirs", or, as some so
called "democrats" say between "ours and the scum of nation". Fascism
and revenge is strange for us. Believe me, we will analyze the
pre-election criticism heard in our address and we will consider the
healthy ones.
I strongly believe the recent election process will only make
us stronger and will contribute to the development of democracy
in the country. From this high tribune I appeal to all the ex-
presidential candidates and the political powers endorsing them, let’s
cooperate. Right up to the formation of coalition government. My goal
is to use all the constructive powers in favor of the development of
Armenia," he announced.
Despite the post-election poison, hatred and enmity sowed by the
followers of Levon, Serge Sargsyan hopes time will settle everything.
"Every victory is the end of a certain refuge. But for me this
victory is the beginning of all the coming victories of our nation
and the state.
It is due to our united efforts that the history of Armenian people,
turned to a history of victories. Our coming generations will be
proud of these victories. I have promised victories and we have
already won. And at the moment I promise new victories and we will
again win. We will win over the poverty, evil, indifference. Humanism
and optimism will prevail in our country."
"Unfortunately today we eyewitness other phenomena: split of the
society, aggression, by which some people expect to attain their
end, we eyewitness unprecedented, dangerous processes. There
are no strangers and friends for me, or government in power and
opposition. Today we all face the issue of Armenia, the continuation
of our statehood, the protection of our values for which we have
gathered today.
That is why I appeal to all of you; regardless of your political views
and approaches you must be able to overcome this artificial split. We
will overcome this separation as well. Each citizen of Armenia will
win, for the sake of all-Armenians."
The newly elected President asked: "Not to feel enmity towards those
gathered in the other square. Because these people are our brothers
and sisters. I strongly believe the reason they came to the square is
their expectation to have a better Armenia. But unfortunately they
don’t notice that they have become tools for some people to gain
power and to take revenge. I know that you feel irritated when you
see all this. I know lots of people are ready to take to the streets
and protect their votes.
But please try to control yourselves. If you want to initiate something
it should be directed to tolerance and kindheartedness. Always
remember, those who have gathered in the other square are our brothers
and sisters.
Serge Sargsyan said there is no doubt these elections were more
progressive than the previous one. But still we have lots of work
to do. The first issue is to lift public confidence towards the
election processes, to be able to win "honorable victory" and suffer
"honorable defeat", which we unfortunately lack in our reality. But
it is a matter of the future. The most important thing at the moment
is to put into practice the slogan "Forward Armenia!"