In a conversation with Aravot, Artur Hovhannisyan, a member of the Civil Contract, upon the observation that he has been cut off from reality, leaving the most important issues in the country behind and going after the media, insisted that we mention an important issue that is not being resolved. We answered that security issues are the number one issue on the agenda. Artur Hovhannisyan answered, “Do you not follow the events, do you not see our commentary on security?” When we said we see commentary but not progress, he responded, “You cannot see the changes on the front line, you can not see it. It is not allowed and it should be like that.”
The Civil Contract deputy was indignant at the opposition’s assessments that freedom of speech was restricted. “I want to understand where the freedom of speech is, show me, presumably a word, a word should be restricted. Show me, is there such a thing in practice? Nobody answers, that’s my frustration- that they are trying to win political dividends.” We said that this is part of the chain because it is during their administration that the microphones of the deputies are turned off so often, but it was not like that during the RPA’s administration. Hovhannisyan clarified, “It is not during our administration, but during this opposition. This opposition is full of revanchists who have a thirst for revenge and who do not want to remove us from power, but bring Robert Kocharyan to power.”
We were surprised- any opposition wants to come to power; it is normal. The deputy answered, “There is no such thing. The situation is important. When the opposition moves to a non-substantive field, we have nothing to do with the opposition. In fact, we are dealing with revanchists.” We asked about how Pashinyan’s speeches were similar, yet the RPA did not turn off his microphone. Artur Hovhannisyan answered, “Anyone who crosses the red lines will have an asymmetric reaction from our faction and our government.”
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In other words, was the RPA members more tolerant? He answered, “I do not accept that comparison. The RPA members have a history of corruption and political assassinations. That’s why I ask you not to compare our government with the RPA.” He insisted that he did not see a decline in freedom of speech under this government. Is it because he is disconnected from reality? In the past, they did not come after people speaking from the NA podium and try to silence them.
He responded, “Previously, the opposition represented in the parliament were not revanchists. This is the main difference. Now, revanchist forces have appeared in the parliament, with which we must take into account and act accordingly. And we are acting accordingly.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
