Armen Rustamyan, the leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) parliamentary group, thinks of the movement united around the Heritage Party as everybody’s movement to establish the people’s rule. In response to an observation that the ARF was skeptical about the possible consolidation of the opposition, Mr. Rustamyan denied it; he told us to read all their statements more carefully. “We have laid a good foundation, based on which it has to continue, regardless of the election results. We had no doubt that the results were predetermined, as it has happened. Rigged elections are always predetermined; only normal elections cannot be predetermined.” Mr. Rustamyan thinks that the path of the struggle should be to consolidate the people, draw up a concrete program and make clear moves. In response to a question whether he could see the program of the Heritage Party, he said: “A concrete program is that a movement should be formed. I still see all this in embryo. A movement cannot yield results through an uncontrolled struggle; it should
turn into an organized struggle.” In his words, the government wants to suppress the movement, but they have to do everything necessary, so that it doesn’t happen. “One should do everything necessary, so that the movement grows stronger. There are different mechanisms; we have our experience too. Not repeating our predecessors’ mistakes, we can organize and carry through such a movement this time that will grow bigger and bigger day by day.” He said that the goal of the moment was to establish the people’s rule. “No one relinquishes power easily; one should demand it. There are cases when the pressure grows to such an extent that they are compelled to relinquish.”
Arpine SIMONYAN
Photo by www.panarmenian.net
