Epress.am News from Armenia
“Join us, Mr. Hovannisian; the nation’s pain is great, join us” is how Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian was greeted by Armenian National Congress (HAK) supporters who have been camped out in LIberty Square since declaring nonstop rallies on Friday.
Speaking to Epress.am, Hovannisian said that Armenian citizens don’t have to have a specific purpose to come to “the Liberty Square belonging to all of us.”
“I’ve come to greet my fellow citizens, to welcome and support them and to say that freedom will eventually come to Armenia. I welcome any expression of the Republic of Armenia citizens’ constitutional right,” he said, responding to a question about the purpose of his visit.
Asked by Epress.am whether it’s possible that the Heritage Party join HAK as a political entity, the party leader said:
“I think that support is not through interviews, not even through statements, but through work. The Heritage Party has been ready and has proved in this same square to do the work together. Together means not those who work unilaterally, but a real devotion, a credo to find a new modern resolution, and every [political] force, individual, president, and leader has to rate that resolution above him. I feel hopeful that everyone will take on this review.
“And eventually we will bypass the stinging [remarks] and checking off a list [doing something just for the sake of or show of doing it]. It really is unnecessary, but it’s normal for political struggle. True victory requires a new approach, which should be inclusion — no one should preach or condemn from above; rather, a new solution is needed. Preaching from above and making assessments won’t help the cause. I support the citizens of Armenia, members of our partner political force, those who carry out their constitutional right. I repeat that taken separately — since there isn’t that cooperation yet, the foundation of which was laid years ago — we won’t achieve victory. I believe in our victory. A new approach, a new power is needed.”
HAK representative Levon Zurabyan, who spoke with Hovannisian, then told Epress.am:
“Hovannisian, basically, paid a visit to this tent city. I considered it my duty to approach and greet him; naturally, I also participated in the conversation that took place between him and participants of our protest. And we, basically, shared the view that the entire nation has to come together in the struggle against the kleptocratic government and in the work of establishing democracy in Armenia.”
Hovannisian then went on to speak with HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrossian.
