PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA READY TO USE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF GRANTING GENERAL PARDON, IF…
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiour"
28.05.2009 16:53

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Memorial of Sardarapat
to participate in the festivities dedicated to the Republic’s Day.

The wreath laying ceremony, which took place at the Memorial dedicated
to the eternal glory of the heroes of Sardarapat, was followed by
festivities and a concert.

President Sargsyan answered the journalists’ questions. This year’s
address of the President to the people stood out for its call for
opening a new page of public unity. "At some point it is essential
to stop. At some point it is essential to open a new page. This
is what the lessons of the past teach; this is what the future of
our country demands," the President declared in his message. Asked
whether he is going to use his right of granting general pardon,
Mr. Sargsyan responded:

"General pardon was last granted in our country in 2006. If the idea
and the necessity of a new amnesty have matured among our society over
the past three years, then I’m really ready to use my constitutional
right.

Therefore, I call on all political forces, public figures, the Public
Council to present their suggestions regarding the necessity and
conditions of the amnesty to the President’s Office, and if it turns
out that the=2 0society really wants me to grant general pardon,
I will immediately use my constitutional right and apply to the
National Assembly," the President said.

Reporters asked the President to assess the campaign of the elections
for the Yerevan City Council. "I assess the process as normal and
satisfactory. I think that the political forces had equal opportunities
to speak free about their views of Yerevan’s development. I believe
the TV Companies ensured equal and unbiased coverage of the activity
of all the political forces. I’m glad that different political forces
applied different election technologies.

I urge the political forces not to create unnecessary tension, continue
in the same spirit and hold good elections on May 31, elections that
would enable both our people and the international organizations to
say that those elections were the best in the Republic of Armenia.

Asked about his expectations from the elections, President Sargsyan
said: "As a citizen of Yerevan and as the President of the Republican
Party of Armenia, I think that no one doubts what I want. My desire
is obvious, and I’m glad that the Republican Party managed to properly
organize the campaign and approach the election day with good chances.

I’m also glad that our coalition partner – the Prosperous Armenia
Party – also demonstrated a very responsible approach towards the
elections and is at the foref ront today. I believe no one doubts
that Prosperous Armenia will play a great role in the administration
of the city of Yerevan. Certailly, I would like our third coalition
partner – Orinats Yerkir – to succeed, as well. The same refers
to Dashnaktsutyun. Being a constructive opposition, Dashnaktsutyun
could play a great role in the administration of Yerevan, and it’s
participation in the management of the capital city would only benefit
Yerevan and the country, as a whole.

But, as the President of the Republic of Armenia, I view the election
as a process that should proceed exceptionally within the framework of
law and legitimacy. In this respect, I think hat both the authorities
and the opposition should be ready to accept the outcome of the
election. This is what every citizen of Yerevan should understand."