Reporters asked representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s executive body Ishkhan Saghatelyan about whether the ARF will work together or unite with Robert Kocharyan because Kocharyan had given a speech in prison in which he mentioned that a new opposition would form and how the new authorities would face many challenges. In response, Ishkhan Saghatelyan said, “We have not held discussions with anyone. We are prepared to work together with anyone to advance our agenda. However, it must be in accordance with our agenda and with issues we bring forth.”
When asked if that means that they will work together with Robert Kocharyan if their interests coincide, Saghatelyan said, “We work in accordance with the agenda, not with individuals. We have not placed forth the issue of working together or not working together with Robert Kocharyan.”
When asked about what the most important issue on the agenda is for the ARF, and whether it is to challenge the authorities as Kocharyan announced, Ishkhan Saghatelyan said, “We are not challenging these authorities. We are not making efforts to ensure that these authorities fail. But as an opposition force outside of parliament, we will criticize these authorities when they do things incorrectly. We will criticize using arguments and facts, not using insults. In our country, it is generally acceptable that the opposition should use insults as much as possible. We are not of that type. We know how to balance ourselves and we have proven that.”
Hripsime Jebejyan
