– Mr. Zurabyan, what is the reason of the environment dominating in the ANM?
– Don’t try to find the reason of the formed environment with me. I think that it should be sought in some other places because there will always be interested people, forms and sides, which will attempt to hurdle certain things. They haven’t understood one thing. They can infringe anything but not the Armenian National Movement.
– If not to seek with you then what is the reason of the formed environment, the fact that the head and the deputy-head of the ANM are resigning?
– Let certain time pass and then I will perhaps give my assessment. I am still trying to understand what has happened in reality. I will follow the processes, talk to people; I will participate in the political activity within my party and my political force.
– What contradictions are there between the ANM and the ANC?
– We have great relations; no contradictions at all.
– Will you run in the elections jointly or separately?
– Let’s wait till the elections and then we’ll see. I think we will do it jointly.
– Who do you see in the post of the ANM board?
– Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
– Why did you resign?
– A situation and environment has been formed, which cause lots of rumors and conversations via the media outlets. I think that by this step I will try to resolve the situation. I will prove that there is no need to expect any conflict between the ANM and the ANC. The ANC is still standing where it used to stand, next to Ter-Petrosyan. We think that even supposedly we find certain contradictions and problems then it won’t be within the ANM. If I hadn’t resigned you would have asked me what had happened. Now you are asking me why I had resigned. Once again I will mention that I have done the right thing and by this I think that everything is over.
– From your words we may assume that you have resigned because you wanted to avoid responsibility of what has been going on in the ANM.
– I have never shunned responsibility. I have taken on the responsibility even after leaving the government during the most decisive moments. I have been the deputy-head of the ANM board and have been the head of the board for the past 5 years. No one has ever headed the ANM for so long. I also didn’t avoid responsibility because as a member of the board I will continue my struggle within the party and the ANC.
– And why did the deputy-head of the ANM Khachatur Kokobelyan resign?
– Mr. Kokobelyan is one of my best friends and he has abandoned. Just like me he will struggle to restore the constitutional order in the country.
– The statement released by the ANM reads that Kokobelyan was against the ANC tactics and was a supporter of a decisive struggle. That is the reason why he resigned.
– The ANM is a live organism. There are political people there, who constantly hold discussions about political processes; they speak, express viewpoints, etc. The ANM works in quite open principles. In this regard our open discussions have become tools for media bargaining. That is the reason why we have tried to freeze the issue and announce the following: Mr. Kokobelyan, just like any member of the ANM always has the chance to openly express their opinions. He has been supporting 998 out of 1000 questions that we have been discussing. For the case of the 2 he has offered some other solution just like any of us. I think that the natural processes that are present within the ANM certain conspiracy forces have tried to mar and represent in a different loop. Trust me. There is no problem within the ANM. Try to find the problems somewhere else and far from us.
– You and Mr. Kokobelyan, expect a more serious struggle on part of the ANM, which doesn’t take place. Is that the reason why you resigned?
– There is provocation in your question and you are looking for something that doesn’t exist. In the strategic meaning there is no contradiction between the ANM and the ANC. There may be conflicting opinions but not conflicts regarding certain issues and questions. And this is quite natural because both the ANC and the ANM are guided by the principles of democracy. And there is open discussion regarding any question.
– Is it possible that during the upcoming ANM Congress you get nominated and get elected as head of the ANM board?
– Nothing can be excluded and we should avoid assumptions. Time will show everything.
– Comments were heard that the reason of your and Kokobelyan’s resignation is that you were both cooperating with the government.
– I have always struggled and will keep struggling for my goals, which are quite broad. I want the society to live in a normal country, in a country, which is not the way it is now. It cannot be a pro-Serzh or pro-Robik state. This is inadmissible for me. There can be no word about cooperation. Believe me, if I had taken half a stride in the direction of the government then they’d have offered me much more than what the current members of the government have.