ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN: OYP INDEPENDENTLY MADE ITS DECISION TO RECALL ITS TWO MINISTERS
Noyan Tapan
March 16, 2010
YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The information that the decision
to recall RA Minister of Emergency Situations Mher Shahgeldian and
Minister of Transport and Communication Gurgen Sargsian was forced upon
the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party is absurd. OYP Chairman,
RA National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasarian stated at
a March 16 press conference. In his words, the OYP Political Board
decided to recall the above mentioned officials from their posts
for them to be engaged in intra-party reforms. "We need to carry out
political, organization reforms," A. Baghdasarian said adding that
thus experienced and devoted persons such as M. Shahgeldian and G.
Sargsian should attend to party’s everyday problems.
Speaking about already former Deputy Head of RA Police Armen Yeritsian
appointed on the post of the Minister of Emergency Situations the OYP
leader stressed that he is his old friend, they maintained doctor’s
thesis together, jointly published a book. "The same also concerns
Manuk Vardanian, with whom we have passed a very good way," A.
Baghdasarian mentioned meaning RA President’s former Adviser M.
Vardanian appointed Minister of Transport and Communication.
A. Baghdasarian said that those decisions were coordinated with the
RA President as the law and coalition government principles require
but OYP made its decisions independently.
The NSC Secretary speaking about the 2008 March 1 events at
journalists’ request declared that "bigger bloodshed was prevented"
thanks to the right position of OYP. In his words, any reasonable
citizen saw how much strained the situation was, and OYP took a
"position aimed at establishing stability in the country." "After all,
300 thousand people voted for me, and they were waiting for my word.
Where would these people go? Would they join those standing there
(in Liberty Square: NT)? What would happen then? Think about it," A.
Baghdasarian said.