PARTY LEADERS SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES

A1+
07:09 pm | March 20, 2009

Politics

Leaders of 48 political parties at the head of Serzh Sargsyan and
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan have been trying to find a way out of
the global economic crisis since early morning.

Only the leader of the oppositional Marxist Party, David Hakobyan,
was present at today’s roundtable. "I am here to provide first-hand
information to the main opposition," said David Hakobyan. The
parliamentary opposition faction Zharangutyun (Heritage) abstained
from the discussion of political forces.

Only 48 out of the 63 invited parties accepted Serzh Sargsyan’s
invitation. Surely enough, the leader of the National Unity Party,
Artashes Geghamyan, participated in the close discussion with his
programme devoted to the crisis management. Geghamyan was the first
to make a speech after Premier Sargsyan.

Leader of the National Self-Determination Union (AIM) Paryur Hayrikyan
finds the discussion fruitful as besides hearing the stances of
different parties party leaders (who can hardly be considered political
figures) are given a chance to see, hear and learn something.

Paryur Hayrikyan notes that today Armenia encounters a much more
dangerous crisis than the economic one. He says the Prime Minister
instills hope to surmount the financial crisis by a reasonable usage
of long-term credits.

"Provided that the programmes are successfully implemented and at
least half of the credits get to Armenia, our nation will overcome
the crisis without great losses," says the leader of the Armenian
Ramkavar- Azatakan Party (HRAK) Harutyun Arakelyan.

Mass media representatives were banned access to the meeting. According
to a tentative agreement, none of the participants detailed the
discussion. They only expressed their options on the global crisis.

ARF-Dashnaktsutyun member Armen Rusamyan says after summing up
all opinions and assessments they can find a solution acceptable
by the public as "everyone is concerned about the crisis which can
be overcome only jointly." In this view, Armen Rusamyan highlights
similar discussions where political parties are given a chance to
share responsibilities and determine activities. There were new
proposals which were immediately welcomed and accepted.

Armen Rusamyan says that although the main tasks have been outlined,
we should rely on our own resources and be prepared for the worst as
no one is guaranteed against the worst scenarios. We must do everything
to avert the shortage of staple goods."