OEP leader, NA former chairman Arthur Baghdasarian says.
- We have been informed that you have been awarded by the highest state medal of Austria for democratic development and Euro integration. This is the second European award after President of France Jacques Chirac’s highest award. Is our information right and if it is so, doesn’t is mean that the influences of the outside world become more and more important for our country.
- Yes, that information is true and I want to thank to the President of Austria for that highest honor. As for your question about the outside world I want to say we can’t live in an isolated world nowadays, we must understand that rivalry and not contrast are preferable in the globalizing world, and if we are competitive, we lose. We must understand first of all that for being competitive we should create a free democratic country inside our country and coming parliamentary and presidential elections are very important for the future of Armenia. My London meetings proved that everybody were interested there in Armenian elections. We should understand that foreign countries will influence us by all means and this connects with the rising interests of the region. We must realize that we are obliged to hold fair elections corresponding to international standards. If we hold unfair elections we’ll have bad remarks and developments both inside the country and out of its borders.
- The leaders or representatives of almost all forces of the opposition field don’t hide that they agree with the formation of a bloc with OEP what about the OEP’s orientation, are you going to participate in the coming elections separately or with a bloc?
- I’m sure; Orinats Erkir Party will have a weighty participation in the future parliament though the use of black technologies and non-civil methods. We are for fair and civilized political struggle, for close political collaboration with the parties of opposition field. That collaboration supposes two mechanisms: active pre-electoral and post electoral collaboration. We have already come to an arrangement with some political parties to sign bilateral agreement, which will be transparent for the population. The time will show whether pre-electoral allies will be formed in Armenia. It is difficult to form blocs with ambitious parties because the bloc means the existence of at least three factors: first of all public confidence among the people, strong construction of party adherents and resources; human, organizational, financial, political ties etc. All those forces, which are ready to put their ego for general activities, we are ready to collaborate with them but I’m not so optimism to see everything in green light and not so pessimism to see everything in dark colors. I\’m realist and I\’m sure there will be unions in Armenia, the time will show.
- It was speaking in time that you were ready to resign but you had to send in your resignation earlier?
- I didn\’t have to resign earlier. The responsibility of our party was to improve people\’s life. OEP has declared since the first day of its formation that we are a political force that demands and achieves reforms. We haven\’t kept silence but struggled for changes instead. We could keep silence and enjoy as a lot of politicians do. I have met with the President before my resignation and he hasn\’t demanded my resignation.
- Do you believe in fair elections?
- I\’m not so naive to think that ideal elections will be held in Armenia, but everybody must understand that nobody has held fair elections only by words, we should make practice steps.
- Some of your former partners declare that OEP acts with the principles of sect that the members of your party call on the flats and assure the inhabitants like the sect representatives. Is it so?
- There were some publications in the authority-controlled press. Nowadays the OEP use western technologies adopted by the modern civilized world irrespective of politicians who use soviet standards. We use new technologies in our political struggle, we have active ties with the public, and we work openly.
- Common people say that you have left the authority so they can believe in you, don\’t you regret for leaving it?
- It wasn\’t easy to leave the NA chairman\’s position, nowadays people of political field dream of becoming parliamentarian, minister or deputy minister, chief of department and even the principal. I left that position in favor of true reforms, I’m sure we\’ll make those amendments. Democratization of Armenia, Euro integration, shadow economy, fight against corruption and criminal, free, developing economy, development of collaboration, social-economic conceptual reforms; these are first priorities of my party.