ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PROPOSES ‘MINIMUM DEMANDS’

TERT.AM
15:28 ~U 27.03.13

Armenian ex-presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian’s proposals to
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan are the minimum for the current
situation, which required a comprehensive approach, Mr Hovannisian
told journalists in Freedom Square on Wednesday.

“If Serzh Sargsyan wants to meet, taking the proposals as a basis,
he should consider the fact that this is our minimum demand. This
does not mean he cannot remove a single point, but, in this case,
he has to propose an adequate point,” Mr Hovannisian said.

Among Mr Hovannisian’s proposals is snap presidential elections
and, within a year, parliamentary elections. He also demands the
appointment of his people to a number of key government posts – as head
of Armenia’s National Security Service, prosecutor general, minister
of education and science, and as governors of five Armenian regions.

With respect to his behavior during the negotiations – if they actually
take place – Mr Hovannisian notes that no further concessions should
be expected.

Mr Hovannisian is not going to leave Freedom Square. So Armenia’s
president can only meet with him there. It may be a public or a
private meeting.

Drawing lessons from his last meeting with Armenia’s president,
however, Mr Hovannisian wants their next meeting to be video recorded,
with him to have a copy.

Mr Hovannisian is not now conducting any negotiations with Armenia’s
president. He also refuted reports on discrepancies in the agenda of
negotiations constitutional struggle agenda.