WHAT OBSTRUCTS TER-PETROSYAN-GAGIK TSARUKYAN MEETING?
January 22 2014
This meeting was possible to organize in at least the last two years.
On Saturday, the rally “We are against mandatory funded pension” held
at the Freedom Square, in participation of non-ruling powers of the
National Assembly, “Prosperous Armenia”, “Heritage” party, ANC and ARF,
raised hopes of excitement and opposition “consolidation”. One of the
opposition forces, the ANC, has long been signifying the establishment
of “consolidation”. Moreover, evidences of fact to act jointly in
some matters at the National Assembly are evident and periodically
assuring that “consolidation,” at large, has happened.
ANC is optimistic that the joint struggle of non-governmental forces
against mandatory funded system will turn into a struggle for change
of power, and to the question of whether “Prosperous Armenia” also
wants to change of power, the ANC advises to judge by the speeches of
“Prosperous Armenia” party members. Can a “consolidation” happen in
the matter of demanding change of power? Are negotiations held? With
this regard, Arman Musinyan said to the “Liberty” RFE/RL, “For now,
I would not give such specified comment, however, the discussion of
spectrum to all this questions and this cooperation are part of your
question, and I think, as they were very active yesterday, so they are
very active today in cooperation, consultations, and discussions, and
tomorrow will be even more active. While the Naira Zohrabyan, secretary
of “Prosperous Armenia” faction, declares that “Prosperous Armenia” has
not discuss the issue. To the question of whether “Prosperous Armenia”
is pursuing the goal of regime change now, Naira Zohrabyan answered,
“Prosperous Armenia” has not discussed the issue.
In our today’s agenda we have covered the issues, which we have
raised. I repeat, artificial casting the events forward and talking
about the steps that have not been discussed, is not the style of
“Prosperous Armenia”.” What obstructs Ter- Petrosyan-Gagik Tsarukyan
meeting and tete-a-tete debates…? This is a question, which, perhaps,
lies on the base of PAP-ANC genuine, sincere dialogue. Of course,
it could be argued that currently the political consultations are
proceeding at this level, and although such consultations have not
been still held at the level of party leaders, however, they might
happen in the future. If the party shall be considered opposition by
the speeches of the representatives of political parties, or moreover,
striving for regime change, the newly independent Armenia has never
felt lack of “opposition”. From time to time, we learn from the
press reports about Serzh Sargsyan’s departures from Armenia and
arrivals that the PAP leader, Gagik Tsarukyan, meets and sees off
Serzh Sargsyan at “Zvartnots” airport. In such cases, the PAP party
reminds us that “Prosperous Armenia” Party leader, Gagik Tsarukyan,
is a member of the Security Council, and it is a function implemented
within the powers and duties of the Security Council member. At the
traditional year-end event of sports representatives, which was also
attended by Robert Kocharyan, the President of the National Olympic
Committee, Gagik Tsarukyan, donated Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan a
horse sculpture, and then stood up and solemnly drink a toast to Serzh
Sargsyan. Thousand of judgments, comment, and analysis can be done to
understand whether the PAP eventually is an opposition or can become
an opposition, or shifting from “alternative” to the power is a real
opposition activity. Or, Tsarukyan, perhaps, is leading such tricky
game that for us, the ordinary mortals, it is difficult to “calculate”
his steps, moreover, may be he is successful in convincing Serzh
Sargsyan that PAP is not an opposition, however, in the debates with
ANC, PAP members succeed to prove that they are the real opposition.
On last May, during the consecration ceremony of St. Hovhannes the
Baptist church built in Abovyan city, answering the question of
journalists whether PAP will become an opposition, Gagik Tsarukyan
gave a clear answer, “PAP cannot become an opposition, because there
are three-four opposition parties. PAP supports to what is good and
beneficial to the people. We follow and will keep following this
principle.” What obstructs Ter-Petrosyan-Gagik Tsarukyan meeting? The
meeting was possible to organize in at least the last two years, if
Tsarukyan had the desire to do it. However, it leaves the impression
that Tsarukyan avoids this kind of format of negotiations and meetings,
and probably he has his reasons for doing so, which the ANC members
probably do not want to admit.
Emma GABRIELYAN
Read more at: