ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan assures that the official statement by the ARF party will not be late
After the referendum, the accusations against the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) have been aggravated especially because the political party runs a government-pleasing policy. Such accusations are often voiced from the opposition camps, particularly from the “New Armenia” public salvation camp. In particular, during one of the rallies by this force, following statements were voiced addressed to the Dashnaktsutyun. “Dashnaktsutyun party, always behaving like a virgin, keeps silent about the referendum on December 6 to continue enjoying the pleasures of the government table.”
“Aravot” asked the ARF Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan about the reason for the silence of Dashnaktsutyun party, and whether the criticism of their opponents about the party is sound. Mr. Margaryan considered voicing such statements, regardless of which party they are addressed, “immoral” and noted, “Nevertheless, our organization was not involved in frauds. We have taken part in the elections like them, eventually, they also have to take the facts into account. If the facts go to court and will be told that the elections are rigged, we will be the first ones to take this fact into account. If the court does not say that the referendum was rigged, neither they nor we will take it into account. Hence, no need to make statements ahead of the time.”
Hrant Margaryan is sure that the people did an important thing during this referendum, which conveyed two behests, one to the opposition and the other to the authorities. “It sent the following behest to the authorities: bear in mind that we are unhappy with the situation and say “no” not to the Constitution, but to you. The behest sent to the opposition was that we are mature so much that we know the real way of change of power, which are the elections rather than the atmosphere of such phrases. People have given the greatest lesson to all of us.”
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To our observation of whether frauds were not reported during the referendum, about which, in fact, the ARF proxies have voiced that Dashnaktsutyun has not issued a statement condemning the frauds, Hrant Margaryan responded, “No one denies that there were forgeries. Some things have been said. Armen Rustamyan has expressed an official opinion. The official statement will not be late. A little patience is needed. I think it was obvious that there were forgeries, but whether they will affect the outcome of the referendum or not, it must be proved. It can be said in such a cheap way that it affected and did not. According to our information, it has not affected, if others have facts and can prove that it affected, let them prove. But someone needs to estimate it. Not me or the other, but the judicial system should be the estimator.”
ARF Bureau representative opines that appealing the results of the referendum that is initiated by the opposition camp is the right way. “Let them appeal and prove, it was so rigged that the results of the referendum are not properly reflected.” During the interview, there was also a reference to RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s haste to announce that our country’s governance system is already parliamentary in the event when there is still time until 2018. Hrant Margaryan believes that there is no rush, but there are a lot to do, and we need to act quickly. “About 400 laws should be approved until 2018. And several hundred law should be passed until the next parliamentary elections. It is a process that we should do to transit to the parliamentary system. But the parliamentary system is already adopted as of today. There is no haste. The first task that we have is the elaboration of the Electoral Code, and thereby, the forgeries should be excluded in our country and the true electoral procedures are ensured. This is why we have a point of view, for which we have fought, and the Constitution has the grounds for it. There is a task that needs to commence tomorrow.”
According to Hrant Margaryan, the new Election Code must be approved by May to be able to hold parliamentary elections in 2017. Thus, Armenia needs to keep track to the timing. We asked about the expectations of the “New Armenia” from the ongoing fight headed by Raffi Hovannisian and Zhirayr Sefilyan. In this respect, Mr. Margaryan reminded how many people attend their rallies, and went into detail, “Everything is on the square. I see how many people are gathered to their rallies and how many to the others.” Then, Mr. Margaryan pointed out the inability.
We wondered to know whether now Raffi Hovannisian is untalented or Jirair Sefilyan, Mr. Margaryan explained, “This method is untalented when they do not know how to organize a popular movement, and that is why they fall into the extremes which end in failure. They were in this wrong, and I would not like them to fail. I would like them to exist as a healthy force in our society and be able to correct themselves.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN,
“Aravot” daily
