BEING A LEADER OF PARLIAMENTARY FACTION IS VERY IMPORTANT
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
08 Oct 2008
Armenia

But there’s no need to make a fuss about it

In response to our questions, RAZMIK ZOHRABYAN, Vice Chair of the
Republican Party, touches upon the recent speculations over the post
of the leader of the RPA Parliamentary faction

"The issue of the faction leader has really been speculated over the
recent days. Certain names are being enumerated – Galoust Sahakyan,
Edward Sharmazanov etc, names that are not mentioned by the press
but are circulated on the level of private conversations.

Let me note that the primary issue for us was the election of the NA
Speaker. The election was held, and it was a success. Of course, it
was possible, in the same period, to solve the problem of appointing a
faction leader. But I don’t think it is an urgent issue. The four-day
session is over, and the next session is to start on October 20. Before
that, we’ll manage to settle the issue and will have a new faction
leader during next four-day session."

"Is any decision going to be made during the session of the Council?"

"In general, our regulations require that the issues related to
the appointment of the RPA members to high positions be settled by
the council of the party, in accordance with the proposal of the
Chairman. =0 AOr, the issue is first discussed by the executive,
and then, in case of being approved, submitted to the council for
ratification. Such was the case with Karen Karapetyan. Anyway, this
is not an issue to make a fuss about."

"According to ‘well-informed’ sources, the choice in this case is
between the young and experienced human resources rather than the ‘old
and new’ Republicans. Are you in favor of the generation change or,
on the contrary, you are guided by the principle ‘short acquaintance
brings repentance’?"

"If the conversation is about Galoust Sahakyan, he has been the leader
of the faction twice and has honorably discharged his duties. We had
no problems with regard to either the voting or other organizational
issues.

Therefore, Galoust Sahakyan may really become the leader of the
faction. But it is also quite possible that this post may be assumed
by some other member.

After all, it is not compulsory for the same member to be appointed to
that post every the time. Especially considering that Galoust Sahakyan
does not particularly pursue any goals for holding a post. If I am
not mistaken, he was once offered a Ministerial post, but he preferred
to remain in politics and engage in party work.

If that post were offered to me, I would refuse it because I have
my own preferences, and as a Vice Chair on organizational issues, I
deal =0 D with the problems concerning my sphere. And that satisfies
me. Galoust Sahakyan too, is a Party Vice Chair on general issues. He
has his own functions, and the post of the faction leader is an extra
workload for him.

That’s to say, it isn’t that this person wants to become the leader
of the faction. The press too, exaggerates the question a little bit."

"Your words lead to the conclusion that no particular importance is
attached to the post of the faction leader. Is that true?"

"Of course, it isn’t. You are aware the removal of the NA Speaker
was conditioned by the necessity of increasing the Parliament’s role
to the maximum and promoting cooperation and coordinated work with
other state institutions. Tigran Torosyan was a literate NA Speaker
and worked quite properly. Anyway, there were problems that he was
unable to resolve. Whereas Hovik Abrahamyan seems to be meeting those
problems half-way from the very first days of his tenure.

Repeating myself, I should say that one of the principal tasks was
to unite the MPs around the NA Speaker. As far as the former speaker
is concerned, the majority wouldn’t listen to or obey him. That’s to
say, there was also a problem in terms of his personal reputation,
which should necessarily be mentioned. People are united around Hovik
Abrahamyan. Maybe that’s due to his personal character, personal ties
0Aand organizational ability."

"What’s your attitude towards the issue of supporting the candidacy
of the incumbent Mayor of Gyumri in the upcoming elections? Do you
share the viewpoint that the RPA jeopardizes its own reputation by
supporting the discredited candidate?"

"Vardan Ghoukasyan is the Head of our provincial council, i.e. the
RPA representative in the marz of Shirak, and I think he has done
his work properly up to date.

As regards his reputation in the marz of Shirak and especially in
Gyumri (as the Mayor of the town), we all remember the problems related
to his son. But we should never forget that no one is safeguarded
against unpleasant surprises, and there may always be emerge some
problems with the sons and relatives of all of us. Making judgments
only on this basis and saying that this person should be dismissed
from work and then calling him back and imposing some penalties on
him wouldn’t be the right thing to do. If we guide ourselves only
by this criterion, the majority of our political figures should quit
the arena. By the way, I don’t only mean the Republicans.

As regards V. Ghoukasyan, his rating in Gyumri continues to remain
high; in any case, he doesn’t fall behind the other candidates."