“168 hours”: “Two days ago, the chief prosecutor’s office of the
Republic of Armenia made a decision to quash the unfinished case of the
October 27 events due to lack of information regarding the crime. As a
matter of fact, during “168 hours” weekly’s interview with lawyer Ashot
Sargsyan, he said that there are many witnesses that need to be
presented and that many facts remain yet to be revealed. What happened
suddenly, why did they decide to quash the case?”
Andranik Markaryan: “I would prefer not getting into any legal issues.
I must say that I myself heard about the quashing just yesterday and it
surprised me. From the legal point of view, the prosecutor’s office is
right. I can not say whether or not the prosecutors treated the case
rightfully or not with the arguments brought up because I am not
familiar with the issues at all. In particular, I have no right to give
an exact evaluation. I can only say that people’s doubts during the
court trial remain the same because I, as well as the other people that
suffered the consequences, had hopes that we could bring to light the
remaining section of the case. I am not saying we should have affirmed
the suspicions, but we could at least drive those doubts away….
“168 hours”: “Aren’t you preparing to protest as the party that suffered the most?”
Andranik Markaryan: “No, because I have no new arguments to present and
all that I knew I said in court. There are some who are very mysterious
and are taking clever steps. They are announcing that they know some
things and that everything is clear for them. If those people have not
said anything during the court trial and are not saying one word during
the investigation of the remaining part, then I do not fully believe in
those people’s desires or if they are against the quashing of the case.
Basically, there is a chance to continue the investigation if there are
facts. So, the October 27 case is not lost. If anyone has any
information, then he or she should inform the prosecutor’s office. If
no information is given to the prosecutor’s office, then I begin to
wonder how much of a partisan that person is for the case. Judging from
the fact that the person knows something and doesn’t give out any
information, kind of gets you to thinking.
“168 hours”: “Who do you mean in particular?”
Andranik Margaryan: “Many people. If you watch the news and some of the people’s faces, you will know who I am talking about.”
“168 hours”: “According to Turkish reporters, Turkey is more or less
interested in Armenia’s 2005 budget. They have paid close attention to
the fact that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide
has been removed from the budget this year, compared to previous years.
What can you say about this?”
Andranik Margaryan: “That is just a lie. Recognizing or not recognizing
the Armenian Genocide was never addressed in the budget. The address is
not a political document, but rather economic. However, the government,
along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is concerned about the
process of recognition of the genocide. Next year, we will be
commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
budget is providing some money in order to implement some events
dedicated to that day. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan are following up on
Armenia’s organized ceremonies in honor of the martyrs of the genocide.
The budget is a very important document and it is obvious that they are
going to take advantage of the discussions for their own goals. We can
only observe the information given from this point of view.
“168 hours”: “ArmenTel” recently made a transaction in which it took
over the monopoly of long-distance calls. Political figures looked at
this as a betrayal to the nation. In Arshak Sadoyan’s words, OTE caused
$170 million dollars worth of damage to the Republic of Armenia and
some ministers have pick-pocketed the $7 million.”
Andranik Markaryan: “I don’t consider anything that Arshak Sadoyan says
as being serious and I don’t want to comment on such announcements.”
“168 hours”: “What about the fact that other telephone companies are
the ones who suffer the most as a result of this transaction?”
Andranik Markaryan: “Of course, it is possible that some companies may suffer consequences.”
“168 hours”: In one day 10,000 people get unemployed.”
Andranik Markaryan: “It is not exactly like that. One part of that
10,000 may continue working with limits. There can be people whose
business doesn’t go that well. However, that does not cause the same
damage to economy as cutting off the trade. In that case there would be
a rise in bargain prices which would hurt the population, in
particular, the needy people.”
“168 hours”: “What is your opinion about the present internal political
situation? In regard to the opposition, we are in a crisis. This is
clearly seen in the legislative branch.”
Andranik Markaryan: “It has already been a couple of months since the
opposition participates in the National Assembly activities. If we look
at this from that point of view, then we can surely say that we are in
a crisis. But that does not refer to the political field as a whole and
does not mean that the country’s politics is in a crisis.
“168 hours”: “So, it is safe to say that the National Assembly is in a
state of chaos which can lead to the elimination of the legislative
branch. As a matter of fact, there is much talk going on about this
recently.”
Andranik Markaryan: “The National Assembly is not in a state of chaos.
The thing is that it will be able to work better if the opposition gets
involved in the activities. As for the elimination of the National
Assembly, there is no necessity for that.”
“168 hours”: “Everyone is getting the impression that the political
figures are preparing for the next presidential elections. There are
foresights that the events of 1998 may happen again. The reason that
Levon Ter-Petrosyan left office was considered to be Artsakh. Robert
Kocharyan followed that same route. What is your opinion?”
Andranik Markaryan: “The basic elements that existed in 1997 which led
up to Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s resignation do not exist today.
Furthermore, Artsakh’s situation can not lead to change of rule.”
“168 hours”: “It seems as though the cadre reforms took action when
Carlos Petrosyan got removed from office. According to sources, that
removal was due to personal reasons.”
Andranik Markaryan: “The reform was made based on Carlos Petrosyan’s
appeal. As for personal reasons, I don’t think that that is true
because nobody can remove someone so serious about his work just for
personal reasons.”
“168 hours”: “According to sources, after the conference of the Supreme
Body of the ARF, the ARF has presented Robert Kocharyan with a list of
ministers to be removed. After that, Carlos Petrosyan got removed. It
appears that the ARF is in charge of coordinating the cadre scheme.
What about the Prime Minister?”
Andranik Markaryan: “I don’t know about any list. The ARF was talking
about that a year ago. I can say one thing for sure-the President and
the Prime Minister do not go along with just one list presented by the
government.”
“168 hours”: “But Garnik Isagulyan had announced that only the President is involved in the cadre scheme.”
Andranik Markaryan: “In that case, I will tell him to read the laws and
commands stated by the President and I will let him know how the cadre
reforms work.”
“168 hours”: “Mr. Margaryan, what do you think about the fact that most
of your colleagues in the coalition are making announcements of leaving
the coalition? Those announcements are especially heard at the ARF.”
Andranik Markaryan: “The coalition government does not belong to the
Hayastan Hanrapetakan Kusaktsutyun (Armenian Republican Political
Party). Don’t think that we are very worried and in a state of chaos
when they announce that they will leave. But if the ARPP starts
complaining about the other political parties of the coalition, or
about the ministers doing their work….We are not saying that to
advertise that the ARPP is more responsible than the ARF or LL (Lawful
Land).”
“168 hours”: “Through the combined efforts of Azerbaijan and Turkey,
the issue concerning the discussion of the seized lands got included in
the agenda of the Chief Assembly of the UN. Isn’t this part of our
delegation’s failures?”
“168 hours”: “Let’s look at what that issue is claiming-it claims that
Armenians are occupying the seized lands. We say that those lands are
not located in Armenia and are under the hands of Nagorno Karabagh.
Secondly, who are the people residing there? They are the people who
escaped from Azerbaijan due to politics-people from Shahumyan and
Getashen, Kirovabad and Azerbaijan. How can we perceive the fact that
the Azeri are residing in our lands such as Martakert, Shahumyan and
Getashen? The UN must help out Nagorno Karabagh by providing means for
the people to live in better houses.”
“168 hours”: “After the aggravation of the Karabagh peace settlement
comes the fear of restarting the war. The opposition is even pointing
out some deadlines, for example, July 2005. Do you think that this will
happen as a result of all this?”
Andranik Markaryan: “Since 1994, Armenia is ready to start a war at any given time if the Armenia and Karabagh face danger.
“168 hours”: “Judging from the situation of Armenia today, it is safe
to say that the state and national interests require the unity of both
the opposition and the authorities. Could your political party take on
that role?”
Andranik Markaryan: “The Armenian Republican Political Party has never
had that kind of issue. Our goal is to solve the main problems
presented to the government and the National Assembly. During its
activity, the Armenian Republican Political Party has always been able
to collaborate with all political forces that have made constructive
criticism about everything. Today, we are even more ready for that
collaboration.”