Sargsian Apologizes For Mistakes Made by Authorities in Past 17 yrs

SERGE SARGSIAN APOLOGIZES FOR MISTAKES MADE BY AUTHORITIES IN PAST 17
YEARS

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. During the February 17 presidential
election campaign summary rally in Yerevan’s Freedom Square with the
participation of thousands of people, the RA prime minister,
presidential candidate Serge Sargsian said that many of those close to
him are concerned about the political intolerance of recent days.
According to him, he has repeatedly addressed these people, saying:
"Friends, think of the silent majority, those hundreds of thousands who
hate with all their hearts the practice of smashing, who value what
they have and who look ahead: they will silently, without any intrigues
go to vote and say "yes" to "Ahead Armenia".

In the opinion of S. Sargsian, his supporters now form the political
majority, whereas the opposition has status of a minority. The prime
minister compared the authorities to a "mother river" that generously
accepts "noisy brooks", not clarifying who these "brooks" are.

S. Sargsian announced that the Armenian society has long waited for an
apology but has not got it. Noting that only the strong are capable of
presenting their apologies, he said that he apologizes to the people
for the mistakes and omissions made by the authorities in the past 17
years and for "hard and anxious days" of people. S. Sargsian added that
he is one of the citizens who know what a pen and a weapon is and who
also know what freedom and discipline is.

The rally ended with a procession to Surb Sargis Church of Yerevan.