We are publishing the full interview of the Speaker of the NA Hovik Abrahamyan with the journalists with minor cuts
– What is your opinion about the creation of a bicameral parliament?
– The intention of making the Armenian Parliament bicameral should still be debating, it is still in the embryonic situation. Constitutional reforms should still be carried out in order to make that change.
– But today during the meeting with school students you mentioned that it’s not the time for that.
– No I said that this issue is involved in the row of issues we discuss; however today we have more important issues to discuss and solve: the socioeconomic issues of the country and the regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh issue are among those important issues.
– There is certain tension between the RPA and the Prosperous Armenia. Do you think the Prosperous Armenia will deflect from the coalition?
– Now these two political forces do not have any serious issue. The coalition memorandum, signed by three parties in 2007, is still in force, and the three parties operate within the framework of that document. I call on the coalition forces to show restraint in their statements and avoid mutual offences and be responsible for their posts.
– But they addressed offensive words to each other and accusations.
– The ones, who do so, should respond and be more correct. I think the ones, who were offended, will respond.
– In the nearest future parliamentary elections will be held, in what team will you be?
– I don’t change my sides. I have one position, which is very distinct. And at least in connection with my position, nobody can have any doubt. And if some problems have some problems with eyesight I’d recommend them to go see a doctor.
– In your opinion, would it be right that Prosperous Armenia defends Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy or it has its own candidate in 2013 presidential elections?
– In my opinion, it would be right that the PAP defended the candidacy of the current president of the country.
– In your opinion, who is going to defend the Prosperous Armenia Party in the presidential elections?
– The question shall be addressed to the Prosperous Armenia Party.
– Why is the Prosperous Armenia late in its response?
– Why don’t you address this one to Prosperous Armenia as well?
– Because you have very close ties with the chair of the Prosperous Armenia party.
– My close relations with the chair of the Prosperous Armenia don’t have any linkage with my political activity.
– Aren’t the authorities concerned about the scores of people gathering in the assemblies of Tigran Karapetyan”
– Many people being in the assembly is a relative notion. I am for pluralism, and every political force has the right to organize assemblies prescribed by law and present his programs to the public. In general, I have no fear.
– Taking into account the ongoing revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, and on the other side the existing social tension, will that wave be moved to Armenia? Is social revolt expected in Armenia, or not?
– I don’t think that this wave will be moved to Armenia. The National Assembly, the Government, the coalition forces headed by the President of the republic do their best to overcome the existing social and economic problems. I can say that during these two-three years no social program was reduced. There are issues in any family and state. I don’t see this issue in our country.
– Inflation has reached great rates in Armenia. They announce that the gas price will rise as well, which means that the social tension will increase.
– You speak with assumptions. I am speaking about the current reality. There is no social tension. There is only global crisis. Our government, NA and the President are doing everything to avoid the negative consequences.
– Who will be the candidate of the Republican Party in 2013 presidential elections?
– The candidate of the Republican Party will be today’s acting President Serzh Sagsyan. And you shouldn’t surprised about that.
– There are rumors that you are going to be the candidate of the Prosperous Armenia.
– That is your opinion. I cannot make you happy in this regard. I should disappoint you by saying that it’s not going to happen.
– Why are you not wearing an RPA lapel pin?
– I’m a Republican with my soul. I’m an RPA member by spirit, not by lapel pin. I’m wearing the NA pin, which is normal for the NA chairman.
– If Gagik Tsarukyan and Serzh Sargsyan are nominated as candidate for RA President, whose candidacy he will defend?
– I will support Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy. Are you surprised? What do close relations have to do here? Our children didn’t marry to each other so that we would endorse each other during elections.
– Are you going to be the head of the RPA campaign again?
– The party will decide that.
– There are rumors that this responsibility is going to be entrusted to the chief of staff of the President Karen Karapetyan.
– Karen Karapetyan has a very responsible role in our party. He coordinates the 10 marzes. To your surprise I am coordinating the general ideology.
– Do you find the attitude of the Prosperous Armenia correct, which doesn’t announce till now, who the party is going to endorse during the presidential elections 2013? Your party members are saying that this is the main reason of conflict between your party and the Prosperous Armenia.
– But the president of Armenia has so clearly responded to this question that you are merely trying to snatch another response from me. You cannot succeed in that.
– Your party members are saying so.
– Who exactly do you mean?
– Razmik Zohrabyan.
– I don’t agree with Mr. Zohrabyan’s opinion.
– Will Kocharyan run during the 2013 presidential elections?
– I think no.
– Is it possible that the Armenian-Turkish protocols may be withdrawn from the NA agenda?
– That is within the power of the president. If he decides so he can recall the protocols.
– Why don’t you hold press conferences for often?
– I don’t feel that you need my press conferences very much. I agree that we can eat Khash together. Do you agree? I’ll organize that.
– Why were you not participating in the events organized to the anniversary of the army?
– I would like to tell certain journalists that Abrahamyan Hovik was at vacation and was outside Armenia.
– But that was an important day.
– My birthday was an important day too but I wasn’t here. It was the 24th of January. Our army is one of the most important attributes for me. It’s a symbol for me.
– Don’t you have controversies with the president?
– No, we never did.
– You are saying it’s very important to overcome the consequences of the crisis but one of your party comrades has mentioned that the crisis is over.
– Our party is multi-facial. There is pluralism and people have their right to express opinions. I think that in the aspect of democracy it’s very good.
– There was an opinion that the government would soon release all the oppositionists in prison. Has this possibility expired?
– I think that the president of the country went a kind step for an amnesty petition and many people, who asked for amnesty, were released. This is a repeating process and may be continuous. And I support the idea that it should be continuous and these people should be released but not the criminals.
– Do you find amnesty possible?
– Everything is possible in this drastically changing world.
– Can the NA not initiate an amnesty?
– No. The president initiates and the NA enforces.
– Is Sasoun Mikaelyan a criminal or is he imprisoned because of his political views?
– Sasoun Mikaelyan was our colleague in the political field. As much as I know he was imprisoned for holding illegal weapons. And according to the law it’s a crime.
– Do you agree with the offer of meeting the journalists once a month?
– If you want every 15 days I’ll say OK to that too. I don’t have anything to avoid you. I am always open for you. Whenever you want we can go eat Khash or barbecue.
– There is an opinion that in the NA the majority will change and they will express distrust to Serzh Sargsyan.
– As of now there is nothing like that.
– In that case, why doesn’t eh Prosperous Armenia mention the name of its candidate?
– The Prosperous Armenia has always endorsed Serzh Sargsyan and am sure they will do it again and as of Serzh Sargsyan’s victory in 2013 I…
– Don’t you wish to become president?
– No. I’m a president now. I am satisfied with the post of the president of the NA. It is a very responsible and difficult job.
– From time to time rumors circulate about your resignation.
– Everything is possible. Most importantly, I should mention that there is no one to substitute Serzh Sargsyan but there might be substitutes to the post of the NA president.
– Under what circumstances will you resign?
– They may even ask me now to resign. For example, Vazgen Karakhanyan may bring up a suggestion and it may be accepted by others. And Galust Grigorich may become NA chairman. It wouldn’t be any bad.
– In your opinion what is the term of the release of political prisoners?
– That is the issue of the president. I don’t want to interfere with that.