Raffi Hovannisian, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and the founder of the Heritage party, was also on France Square on May 1. He took part in a nationwide disobedience rally organized by opposition forces. “As a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, I have been very devoted to the Republic of Armenia, a supporter of Armenia-centered, sovereign policy. The Armenian liberation movement, which started 34 years ago, will be successful only if it pursues an Armenia-centered policy,” Raffi Hovannisian told Aravot.
Raffi Hovannisian has been perceived as a pro-Western figure in the Armenian political field since the very first day of the establishment of independent Armenia. How does he react to those comments, how does he react to the opposition movement, why is he present at that rally? “Any movement, any square, if it is subject to any center, if it pursues any foreign interest… any… is doomed. If any Armenian, any one, or the third or the fourth, is guided by a foreign interest, I think it is the wrong direction.
I hope that today will be the occasion and we will now see one dimension, one content, and that movement, which started 34 years ago, will finally not have the new disappointment that four years ago the Armenian people saw the outburst of the Armenian spirit, new hope, which unfortunately landed. So, I think that this movement should not be anti-Russian or anti-Armenian, or devoted to either side, but should be only Armenia-centered, only with the aim of sovereignty, the liberation of the homeland,” said Raffi Hovannisian.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
