WHOSE FLAG WILL HERITAGE RAISE?

A1+
05:09 pm | June 08, 2009 | Politics

Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian today assessed the Yerevan
municipal election in one word – inhuman. The election cannot be
considered a step forward or backward, it simply didn’t reflect public
expectations, says Mr. Hovannisian.

"The election marred our citizens’ dignity. Everything was
predetermined-the election day, run-up, results-everything."

With regard to the opposition domain, Mr. Hovannisian said: "This
is a pan-national failure. Our people faced challenges and is no use
relying on Europe, observers or foreigners to light a torch for us. We
missed another good chance on May 31. It is high time all political
forces analyzed their mistakes," added the Heritage Leader.

In reply to A1+’s question where the HAK had stumbled, Mr. Hovannisian
said: "We needn’t raise separate flags at present. We have still much
to do in the sphere. We should lie down the small flags and return the
flag to the people, we should save our national and civil flag. As a
citizen I would like the HAK, ARF and Heritage to start consultations
over mistakes and work out a new formula for cooperation."

All the aforesaid forces have established themselves in the political
sphere. "Both the HAK and ARF-Dashnaktsutyun have established
themselves and had better start a tradition of a broader opposition
consultation."

Mr. Hovannisian refrained from commenting on HAK’s decision to refuse
its mandates. "I respect HAK’s decision. On the other hand, I support
the policy of participation."

"If before PACE’s plenary sitting the political prisoners are
granted amnesty, no sanctions will be imposed on Armenia. Moreover,
the Armenian issue may finally be removed from the PACE agenda. A
draft resolution is already circulated in the PACE which urges to
clearly define the term "political prisoner. The resolution reads that
unless the PACE has voiced a final opinion on the term, there can be
no rapporteurs on Armenia, Azerbaijan or Moldova. It means that the
Parliamentary Assembly tries to view Armenia and Azerbaijan on the
same platform."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress