Yesterday Prime Minister, presidential candidate Serzh Sargsyan continued his pre-election campaign in Malatia Sebastia and Shengavit communities, where he was met not only with traditional bread and salt but also pigeons were thrown to the air.
In Shengavit community the voters even addressed Sargsyan as Mr. President. For example, “dear president,” “let God be with you,” etc. And so the people were escorting Sargsyan from car to the podium. Prior to Sargsyan’s visit a huge concert was taking place in the Malatia-Sebastia community. As in all the other places singers Shushan Petrosyan, Aramo, Emma Petrsoyan, Anna Khachatryan and Forsh were singing. And in Shengavit community Sirusho, Susan Margaryan, Hayko and Arsen Safaryan were singing… Besides the head of Malatia-Sebastia community Aghvan Grigoryan the presidential candidate was escorted by a majoritarian MP Samvel Alexanyan, RPA MPs Galust Sahakyan and Samvel Nikoyan. Sargsyan promised the gathered people (about 20.000) to actively communicate with voters after February 19. “I have never avoided responsibilities, and in future I promise to shoulder the responsibilities deriving from my position. Yes I feel responsible for the present situation in the country and I’m quite conscious that there are many poor people, lots of evil, undesirable phenomenon in our country. I’m also responsible for the fact that we have an efficient army in our country that the state and the people are protected, and the economy is developing, slowly but steadily and year in year out life is improving. I assure that I will never have to stand head lowered in front of his people; I will never have to look for justifications, because I have never and will never try to decay the country’s economy. I will never separate the people. One of the basic clauses of our program is to establish an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. We intend to reveal and use our people’s potential in the interests of our nation,” Serzh Sargsyan said. The RPA Leader underscored that some of the candidates use the pre-election campaign to separate the people: “One of the already failed candidates fabricates that in case I’m elected all the high ranking officials will be from Karabakh. Such ideas are simply ridiculous. I have never been interested in the origins of a person. During the 15 years of holding different positions, my personnel selection has never been based on the origin of the person.” According to Sargsyan there are 17 ministers in the cabinet and none of them of Karabakh descent. The Prime minister reiterated that “there is only one official of Karabakh descent in Armenia.” “To tell the truth, the Artsakh people may scold me for my stance. But they know quite well that while designating someone I take into account two characteristics-professional skills and humane qualities. “There is only one official, who is from Karabakh.” He probably meant Vahram Barseghyan. “He was appointed to that position due to his experience.” Sargsyan assured the participants of the meeting that the country would not record regress in the field of democracy and human rights protection. Those who freely express their ideas must enjoy respect. Foul-mouthed men and those who give false testimony, provokers must not have any place in this society. “I will not allow anyone to hinder the persistent development of our economy. One of the presidential candidates yells that our life is becoming from bad to worse and all the foreign credits are pocketed.”