“WEAK AUTHORITIES PRETEND AS IF THEY ARE POWREFUL”

  “Aravot’s” interview with “New Times Party “Leader Aram Karapetyan from “Yerevan-Kentron” jail.

 –         On the one hand the authorities speak about honoring the PACE commitments, on the other hand they extend the arrests of “dangerous” politicians. Which are you remarks on this?

–         I think that the authorities now don’t know what to do. On the one hand the Movement is active: Europe, USA still put pressures on, on the other hand they try to show that they control the situation and has no problem. The economic situation of the country becomes worse, the goods are raised in price, and the people’s complaints do not reduce. The authorities face to a dilemma: either an attempt of despotism, or dialogue with the real opposition. The extension of term of arrests of “dangerous” politicians is the authorities’ wish to pretend as if they are powerful.

–         The authorities, who constantly speak on dialogues, prevent any political and public initiative. Which is the logic?

–         Logic? Which logic? Do you remember Gorbachov? He always spoke about dialogues and tried to take real steps , form commissions etc. Until he destroyed the USSR and lost the real authority. Not counting own forces. To solve the political issues by force, not understand the foreign challenges is a very big tragedy for a person who wants to be a leader.

–         The government is already formed; there are no new parties in the coalition, almost no new figures. Could it be the best solution at this moment?

–         There is no solution. I think that you also notice that half steps are taken today. This is a way of action. R. Kocharyan wants to solve all issues by the principle “not allow, forbid”, e.g. by force. S. Sargsyan has not make any radical reform up to current.

–         Which will be your first step after you are set free?

–         I will put flowers near Al. Myasnikyan’s monument commemorating the memory of the victims of March 1 and meet with you…