The interview of Aravot.am with PAP leader Naira Zohrabyan
– Although after the extensive PAP Board session Gagik Tsarukyan announced that in the coming days we will clearly see the format of he is returning to the politics, but the year seems to come to an end and there is still no statement. What is it due to?
– I think Gagik Tsarukyan was very distinct in his words, Gagik Tsarukyan cannot but bring his participation in the political process in this situation. This is a fact. As to the format and how, be sure that Gagik Tsarukyan will personally declare about it and all of you will have the opportunity to ask him any question. One thing is definite, today, the need for Gagik Tsarukyan as a politician is obvious, and I think this will be the biggest stimulus to participate in the active political processes.
– The first pre-election alliance with the name “Yelk” (Exit) seems already to be formed in the participation of Civil Contract, Bright Armenia, and Republic political parties. The second pole is also visible around former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan. What are your estimations?
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– I really appreciate that the politicians who not long time ago had allowed improper formulation against each other, however, were able to forget the personal ambitions and try to shape the political agenda together. We can talk about their potentials more substantially when they submit their political agenda. As for the political alliance formed around Seyran Ohanyan, at this point, we have only Seyran Ohanyan’s statement about his participation in the political process, plus a few posts on his Facebook page. Nothing more seeds to be done. However, I think that the situation is the kind that the opposition political forces will have the opportunity to have a big representation in the parliament only by forming large poles. There is no other option.
– In the case of the activities of Seyran Ohanyan and Vartan Oskanian, nevertheless, there are open questions as they both were holding high positions for more than ten years and during their term in the office they had not criticized but even protected the policy conducted by the current government. Do you think that their becoming an opposition after the resignation may cause rising objective questions in the public?
– First of all, I am not entitled and think that I take the obligation to answer this question instead of Seyran Ohanyan and Vartan Oskanian. Secondly, if we follow this logic, then all former officials should be on the electric chair with the death penalty. No one can give a cadaster certificate about who has the right to be engaged in the politics and who has not. Yes, there will be questions to both Vartan Oskanian and Seyran Ohanyan, and I am confident that Mr. Oskanian who used to answer all the questions during his term in the office will answer in the same way now. So will Seyran Ohanyan. I think that the politicians who have submitted a political application to change the situation in the country seriously should be ready to answer the many questions as well.
– There are rumors that Gagik Tsarukyan will form a big political pole to participation in the parliamentary elections which will be joined by various political forces, including the newly formed “Unity” movement and this alliance will go to the elections under the name “Tsarukyan alliance”. In general, what do you think about the “Unity” movement?
– I think that the “Unity” has formed a very precise and well-defined political agenda – a political change in the generation. This is the most serious task of our political field and parties. Always the same faces with the same agenda. The political environment where there no political change in generation happens, the political environment is simply doomed to permanent defeat. Until now, the “Unity” is quite correct formulating its agenda. As for the cooperation, PAP has announced that they are ready to cooperate with all non-governmental forces, form a broad agenda to hold free and fair elections. As for a closer cooperation, I repeat, I will be ready to answer all these questions only after Gagik Tsarukyan’s statement. I do not consider myself competent to answer instead of Gagik Tsarukyan with which political forces it is possible to form an alliance but not with others. But the point that Gagik Tsarukyan is going to form the biggest alliance that is the strongest, most viable, and trustworthy, I think, there could be no two opinions.
Interviewed by NELLY GRIGORYAN
