This meeting was possible to organize in at least the last two years.
On Saturday, the rally “We are against mandatory funded pension” held at the Freedom Square, in participation of non-ruling powers of the National Assembly, “Prosperous Armenia”, “Heritage” party, ANC and ARF, raised hopes of excitement and opposition “consolidation”.
One of the opposition forces, the ANC, has long been signifying the establishment of “consolidation”. Moreover, evidences of fact to act jointly in some matters at the National Assembly are evident and periodically assuring that “consolidation,” at large, has happened. ANC is optimistic that the joint struggle of non-governmental forces against mandatory funded system will turn into a struggle for change of power, and to the question of whether “Prosperous Armenia” also wants to change of power, the ANC advises to judge by the speeches of “Prosperous Armenia” party members.
Can a “consolidation” happen in the matter of demanding change of power? Are negotiations held? With this regard, Arman Musinyan said to the “Liberty” RFE/RL, “For now, I would not give such specified comment, however, the discussion of spectrum to all this questions and this cooperation are part of your question, and I think, as they were very active yesterday, so they are very active today in cooperation, consultations, and discussions, and tomorrow will be even more active. While the Naira Zohrabyan, secretary of “Prosperous Armenia” faction, declares that “Prosperous Armenia” has not discuss the issue. To the question of whether “Prosperous Armenia” is pursuing the goal of regime change now, Naira Zohrabyan answered, “Prosperous Armenia” has not discussed the issue. In our today’s agenda we have covered the issues, which we have raised. I repeat, artificial casting the events forward and talking about the steps that have not been discussed, is not the style of “Prosperous Armenia”.”
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What obstructs Ter- Petrosyan-Gagik Tsarukyan meeting and tête-à-tête debates…? This is a question, which, perhaps, lies on the base of PAP-ANC genuine, sincere dialogue. Of course, it could be argued that currently the political consultations are proceeding at this level, and although such consultations have not been still held at the level of party leaders, however, they might happen in the future.
If the party shall be considered opposition by the speeches of the representatives of political parties, or moreover, striving for regime change, the newly independent Armenia has never felt lack of “opposition”.
From time to time, we learn from the press reports about Serzh Sargsyan’s departures from Armenia and arrivals that the PAP leader, Gagik Tsarukyan, meets and sees off Serzh Sargsyan at “Zvartnots” airport. In such cases, the PAP party reminds us that “Prosperous Armenia” Party leader, Gagik Tsarukyan, is a member of the Security Council, and it is a function implemented within the powers and duties of the Security Council member. At the traditional year-end event of sports representatives, which was also attended by Robert Kocharyan, the President of the National Olympic Committee, Gagik Tsarukyan, donated Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan a horse sculpture, and then stood up and solemnly drink a toast to Serzh Sargsyan.
Thousand of judgments, comment, and analysis can be done to understand whether the PAP eventually is an opposition or can become an opposition, or shifting from “alternative” to the power is a real opposition activity. Or, Tsarukyan, perhaps, is leading such tricky game that for us, the ordinary mortals, it is difficult to “calculate” his steps, moreover, may be he is successful in convincing Serzh Sargsyan that PAP is not an opposition, however, in the debates with ANC, PAP members succeed to prove that they are the real opposition.
On last May, during the consecration ceremony of St. Hovhannes the Baptist church built in Abovyan city, answering the question of journalists whether PAP will become an opposition, Gagik Tsarukyan gave a clear answer, “PAP cannot become an opposition, because there are three-four opposition parties. PAP supports to what is good and beneficial to the people. We follow and will keep following this principle.”
What obstructs Ter-Petrosyan-Gagik Tsarukyan meeting? The meeting was possible to organize in at least the last two years, if Tsarukyan had the desire to do it. However, it leaves the impression that Tsarukyan avoids this kind of format of negotiations and meetings, and probably he has his reasons for doing so, which the ANC members probably do not want to admit.
Emma GABRIELYAN
