The subject of “Aravot” online “Face to Face” talk show is discussed by NA RPA faction member Lernik Aleksanyan and leader of “National Security” political party Garnik Isagulyan.
Aram Abrahamyan – To understand the current state of affairs, let’s go back to the president’s speech on February 12. What were the reasons of this terrible fight? Your hypotheses?
Lernik Aleksanyan – First, I would like to talk about the period prior to February 12, when the statements and solid formulations were made by the PAP, which was the Republican Party’s coalition partner. The President of Armenia – the PAP party leader relationships were pretty amazing, and we were sometimes addressing questions to the President of why it is so. In all cases, Serzh Sargsyan was restraining us, especially with regard to the leader of the PAP party, and no tough controversies were made. In all cases, we were unhappy when accusations were voiced against the President of the Republic, including personal insults. Eventually, we came to February 12 where tough reaction was made, not an understanding one at first glance, but I think it will be understood that it was a step in time. Tolerance sometimes is viewed as a sign of weakness by people, even to your own party members.
- A. – Do you also think so, in other words, was the President displaying weakness?
- A. – We know, we know the President, we know that the President does not show weakness, I think everyone knows that Serzh Sargsyan is of the few people who always speaks of others in restrain. There happened cases of harsh blasphemy addressed to the President, but the President himself never shifts to personal field. To be honest, I was thinking that the move is belated and I have said it in a few places. But now, I realized that the move was made in time, if it was done a little earlier, other assessments would be given, and in case of becalmed, there were indeed problems threatening the security of our country.
- A. – The same question, tell me please why this speech happened, and respond to Mr. Aleksanyan’s words that swear words and harsh criticism was voiced addressed to the President.
- Isagulyan – First, when we were talking about all the events, statements, conferences and congresses prior to February 12, we must say whether a law or the Constitution was violated. I do not hide that we had supported and still support the “Prosperous Armenia” Party and its leader Mr. Gagik Tsarukyan, as well as the congress, which particularly aroused RPA’s great anger, one of the most radical speeches was mine… does the law ban of what statement to make? Now look, let’s take February 12. The President of the Republic, I repeat, we were in very good relationships, we were and remain friends, but what happened? Clearly, the person was defamed, it could be allowed by an ordinary person, but the President of the Republic has no right. Based on the street rumors, the President is convening a Security Council session to discuss an issue. It is also unacceptable. First, it is necessary to conduct a Security Council session to discuss whether it makes sense to pay attention to these rumors rather than publicly announcing about it at the party meeting and convening a Security Council session based on it. Who has said that the President of the Republic is authorized to decide who has the right to be engaged in politics and who does not? Who has seen that the man who should on the contrary try balancing the work of various wings of the government, gives an assignment to the appropriate wings of the government. I think that on February 12, the President of the Republic exceeded the powers attributed to him by the Constitution, and, in fact, this is already an unauthorized exercise of powers. No one has the right to determine the standards of being engaged in politics, and I think that this reaction that was followed, was just an adequate response.
Complete discussion below:
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Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
“Face to Face” talk show series are released by the Open Society Foundations- Armenia. The views and analyzes found in this broadcast express the opinions of the participants, and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, or its Board. This broadcast is made available thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.
