Rustamyan Appeals for Prudence and Sobriety
YEREVAN (A.W.)—Armenian President and leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Serge Sarkisian criticized the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Gagik Tsarukyan at an RPA Council meeting on Feb. 12. After a session of the executive council of the PAP today, Tsarukyan responded to Sarkisian’s criticisms and called on the citizens of Armenia to “prepare for struggle.”
Sarkisian’s strongly-worded speech had specifically targeted the PAP leader, questioning his intellect. Sarkisian referred to Tsarukyan’s politics as a “circus” and said that “as a political actor Tsarukyan has become a vice for our country.” Sarkisian called Tsarukyan “a personality, who controls necessary mechanisms for participation in political processes, but possesses low intellectual capacity, [and] unwittingly becomes a hindrance for any development.”
During his speech, Sarkisian announced that Tsarukyan is to be excluded from the National Security Council because of his constant absence and urged members of the National Assembly to address the issue of the PAP leader’s nonattendance of most parliament sessions, adding, “The supreme security body of the country is not a movie theater, which one may come to and leave when he wishes.” Sarkisian also urged Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian to instruct “corresponding” bodies to examine allegations that Tsarukyan is linked to certain tax evasion schemes.
In his statement at the meeting with fellow PAP parliamentary faction members and party officials, Tsarukyan hit back, calling for regime change. “When 3,000 people come out into the streets, they are forced to modify the law. When all the people fill the streets, the regime will change. I am now calling for a national mobilization with just one goal in mind—using all legal means (rallies, marches, demonstrations, and civil disobedience) to force Serge Sarkisian to leave office and thus rid the country of this menace,” said Tsarukyan
He concluded his statement by proclaiming that he regards the most important work of his life to be “liberating Armenia from this evil regime.”
Tsarukyan also noted that he will be meeting with representatives of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) and the Heritage Party for talks later today.
Tsarukyan’s PAP is the second largest political force in the Armenian Parliament with 36 seats. Although it was a part of the coalition governments between 2007 and 2012, the party now positions itself as an alternative/opposition political force.
Speaking with Yerkir.am, Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) Bureau member and head of the party’s political faction, Armen Rustamyan said today that the recent political tensions have entered a new and dangerous stage. “The growing political debate is entering a new stage of heightened intolerance, personal attacks, and dangerous confrontations. This greatly undermines the security of both the country and its people,” said Rustamyan.
Rustamyan went on to say that the recent statements of both the Prosperous Armenia Party and the Republican Party confirm the ARF-D’s grave concerns about the political landscape of the country. He stressed that the separation of business and politics and the proper implementation of the rule of law are necessary in the social and political life of Armenia.
Rustamyan concluded his remarks with the following: “In these difficult and dangerous times full of both internal and external challenges, socio-economic problems and a tense border situation, each of us has the responsibility to approach these issues in a sober, mutually tolerant, and highly political manner. Today, when our borders are under constant enemy attack and we as a nation prepare to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we are all required to show the world that we are united as a people. We [the ARF-D] are convinced that the present tensions and conflict are not in the best interest of our state and nation. We instead call for prudence, sobriety and unity.”
Rupen Janbazian
Latest posts by Rupen Janbazian (see all)
- Battle Everlasting - October 6, 2021
- Aram Manoukian’s bust unveiled in Yerevan’s ARF Aram Manoukian Youth Center - October 1, 2021
- Thursdays with (Unger) Michael - August 6, 2020
Hello ,
Armenian Genocide Centennial around the corner , this is not time to create sitation that our enemies can use this againts us , we must be restrean ourselves this kind of attacks between party leaders , time will come for that later on.
Sincerely Yours,
Have a wonderful day
Yes I agree for a regime change.
But now is not the time.
We should be 100% united.
I agree with Mr. ROUSTAMYAN statment.
Mihran Meneshian. Canada
The timing of this “tension” and open conflict/animosity could not come at a worst time. It is an unfavorable development.
The Prosperous Armenia Party, has the second largest block of parliament members, 37. It has historically been supportive of the ruling party, and been member of the coalition, rarely disagreeing with or opposing the Government. Why the sudden change???
Both the President and Tsarukyan used some very handed words, personally attacking each other, that are not appropriate for their leadership positions. It is difficult to second guess what caused this drift, this animosity, and until we know what is the root cause of the disagreement, it is unwise and difficult to make any assumptions or judgments. Is it purely personal or policy(ies)???
I was very pleased and impressed with the measured and thoughtful comments of Rustamyan.
Faced with the external threats, the needs of the country , and the
fast approaching Centennial of the Genocide, Unity is an imperative must.
Vart Adjemian
This statement by Rustamyan is one of the best I have read for a while: “In these difficult and dangerous times full of both internal and external challenges, socio-economic problems and a tense border situation, each of us has the responsibility to approach these issues in a sober, mutually tolerant, and highly political manner. Today, when our borders are under constant enemy attack and we as a nation prepare to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we are all required to show the world that we are united as a people. We [the ARF-D] are convinced that the present tensions and conflict are not in the best interest of our state and nation. We instead call for prudence, sobriety and unity.”
Aprees Armen Rustamyan
First we were driven out from our homeland by the genocidal Turks. Later we were denied our homeland by the ungodly communists. Now we are prevented from returning to the homeland by scum, the same scum who are remnant of the ungodly communists. Our tragic fate has yet to develop….
YES UNITY ,to all Armenian Organisations if you do not unite ,you will get nowhere , haven’t we learned anything yet?
Something to remember “UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL”
Armenia is dying gradually and you are only concerned about the genocide centennial! I am sure that if the victims of the genocide were now with us they would have been ashamed that Armenia is ruled by the likes of liska and lfik!!
Dear diaspora Armenians, Armenia is a country, people live there, it is not just a fairy land where people wake up every summer when you are there to spend 10 or 15 days of your vacation in Yerevan and visit Garni and Geghart! These people need our help to establish a real democracy, to live in a normal country, a country which will force Turkey to recognize the genocide by its economic prowess and progress, not by begging other states to recognize our history!!
All that talk about unity is good and commemoration of the genocide centennial is essential too, but the lives and livelihood of the people suffering under the circumstances of the Republic is as much if not more essential and should be corrected for the better, otherwise there will not be anyone left to commemorate anything there, after all was not Jesus who also said do not go after the dead but the living.
The declaration of war between President Serzh Sargsyan and the head of the strongest criminal organization, Gagig Tsarukyan (Dodi Gago) has nothing to do with concern for the people of Armenia, democracy, or for that matter the wellbeing of the country. In the last 20 years, these same two thugs were closely associated in robbing and sucking the blood of the Armenian people to enrich themselves. As a result, they have amassed billions of dollars in stolen wealth which has also provided an extremely comfortable lifestyle to their family and friends while the people live in abject poverty and despair. The core reason of their fight is aggrandization (to increase one’s power status or wealth.) Now that they have robed the country to its last penny and there is nothing left to steal, they are now skirmishing with each other to find a way to justify how to rob from each other. As the common saying goes, “Thieves never fight with each other when they rob or loot, but they only fight when the time comes to divide the booty.” As is often the case with law enforcers, when two thugs fight, the police stay on the sideline and watch the thieves kill each other. This is what the Armenian people or the political parties have to do. Let these two thugs score their differences alone without outside interference. In the end, the winner will take it all and rule the country for some times to come. However in the end, the winner’s demise will also come as justice will eventually prevail in Armenia. Out of this ugly and dirty war, Armenians will be able to elect decent leaders who will care and work for the betterment of its people. Finally, Armenia will emerge as a free and democratic country, something it has been denied since independence. This is the best gift Armenia can receive on the year of our genocide centennial.
PS: Has anyone seen the grotesque house of Dodi Gago in Yerevan? It looks like a primitive and ugly palace built sometime during the Roman Empire. The gated dwelling which was built with looted money from the poor has live size statues within the ugly distasteful edifice as to be able to protect the residents from outside intruders.
Խեղջ Հայրենիք, ընկել ա գողականների ձեռքը. Մի կողմից գողականներն են ուզում թալանեն ու իրար մորթեն, մյուս կողմից էլ քեզ շրջապատող թշնամիները. Ափսոս մի խումբ գողականների արարքներից է կախվաց քո ճակատադիրը.
Անուղեղները կատաղել ու իրար արյուն են ուզում խմեն առանց գիտակցելու թե ինչքան կարևոր և ՎՏԱՆԳԱՎՈՐ ԺԱՄԱՆԱԿ Է հիմա ՄԵՐ ՀԱՅՐԵՆԻՔԻ ՀԱՄԱՐ. Հիմա է որ բոլոր “խելացիները” վերևում նստած պետք է իրենց հայրենասիրությունը ցույց տան, որ իրանց եսասիրությունը մի կողմ դնեն ու հանուն հայրենիքի ներեն իրար. ԱՆՁՆԱԿԱՆԸ ՄԻ ԽԱՌՆԵՔ ՀԱՅՐԵՆԻՔԻ ՃԱԿԱՏԱԳՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՀԵՏ. Կներես ինձ, Հայրենիք. Լացում և աղոթում եմ Քեզ համար.
It was long due for such an explosion, BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME.
Shame, shame, shame…This is NOT the time to expose our dirty laundry just as all Armenians throughout the world are preparing to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. We don’t need the Turks or the Azeris as our enemies as we are our own worst enemy. Armenia needs diplomats, not “politicians”.
Rustamyan and the ARF need to stay quiet. They chose the evil regime, we will get rid of them in due time. Hayastan will never forget dashnak’s second betrayal of its people. Revolution is near and the genocide centennial or ARF or the entire diaspora with its leaders can’t stop the people of Armenia to take the country back.
I guarantee you this is feed by Turks
There are too many bad things happening at the same time in Armenia. I suspect many of these things are being orchestrated from abroad. It all maybe a punishment to Armenia for joining the Russian led EEU, or a way of derailing the up coming commemorations of 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenia need to act like an actual state begin cracking-down on any entity in the country that is calling for a revolution. This complimentary politicking BS has gone to far. Armenian officials need to curb the country of its Western-led operatives.
So true!
I personally think that Mr. Gagik Tsarukyan done a lots of positive
things for Armenia, namely the big church in Abovyan, Hotel Pharaon,
etc. But for a regime change it is not a good idea, and time. We must be
united to solve the problems of the country, namely helping each other
bring down the immigration out of country , poverty, security etc.
Rafik
Any radical change or regime change will hurt Armenians in Armenia. Armenia needs to be matured up politically first, before a regime change.There are many adventurers who can harm Armenia, rather than help. Land locked Armenia located in a volatile Caucasus region, surrounded with sworn enemies. Armenia needs the most a strong army and unity. Regime change will come slowly and thoroughly with all democratic values and free elections!
(Gagik // February 14, 2015 at 11:50 am // )
{“Rustamyan and the ARF need to stay quiet. They chose the evil regime, we will get rid of them in due time.”}
Mr. Rustamyan was elected by a section of RoA citizens to represent them in the RoA Parliament, and therefore has the Constitutional right and the fiduciary duty _not_ to stay quiet.
How many votes did _you_ get during the last RoA election ?
And who is this “we” you are referring to ? You and a dozen of your friends ?
{“dashnak’s second betrayal”} ?
When was the first one: as far as I know, since its founding ARF has served the Armenian Nation faithfully.
But maybe you know something I don’t.
{“. Revolution is near and the genocide centennial or ARF or the entire diaspora with its leaders can’t stop the people of Armenia to take the country back.”}
Yes of course: you and a dozen of your ‘revolutionary’ friends will ‘take the country back’ ?
Take it back from whom ?
In February 2013, President Sargsyan was re-elected in a fair, democratic election by 58.64% of the voters of Armenia.
His challenger, Raffi Hovannisian, got 36.75%.
A 22%-margin landslide: not even close.
The voter turnout was a healthy 60%.
Absolute majority of Armenia’s voters voted, and absolute majority voted for RPA and Pres Sargsyan.
Don’t like it ? Too bad: wait for the next election cycle and try your luck at the ballot box.
That’s how it’s done in every civilized country.
2013, May: Yerevan City municipal elections (Yerevan is about 1/3rd of RoA electorate).
RPA: 55.89%
Prosperous: 23.07%
Heritage/Barev: 8.48%
ANC: 4.39%
ARF: 3.80%
2012 Parliamentary election:
Republican Party: 52.7%
Prosperous Armenia Party: 28.2%
ANC: 5.3%
Rule of Law: 4.6%
RoA-ARF: 3.8%
Heritage: 3.8%
Finally about that ‘revolution’ thing.
Before you start your ‘revolution’, please have a talk with one Shant Harutyunyan.
He too was bloviating about ‘revolution’ for years.
But one day he and his friends decided to actually start the ‘revolution’ by exploding magnesium bombs in downtown Yerevan.
He is now in jail, presumably working on his next ‘revolution’.
About a dozen of his ‘revolutionary’ buddies are also in jail.
Have fun.
It’s up to the people to decide on regime change through elections, no?
Do you call the Obama Administration ‘regime’ ?
‘Regime’ implies illegitimacy.
Do you dispute that fact the President Sargsyan was re-elected in a fair, democratic election by a 22-point margin.
Yes or No ?
Avery,
The overwhelming majority of Armenia’s citizens know for a fact that your beloved President Sargsyan was neither fairly nor democratically elected. There were numerous reports that the 2013 Armenian presidential elections contained voter fraud, intimidation, and use of force against voters. Many of these witnesses were either threatened or physically assaulted by polling station officials when they began to protest about election violations. Journalists also reported that they were threatened and disallowed to videotape violations at some of these polling stations. In addition, there were numerous reports that voters in many of Armenia’s villages were forced into voting for President Sargsyan. I would like to also add that various sources in Armenia who don’t even happen to be supporters of Raffi Hovannisian, have claimed that he actually won the 2013 presidential election with 80 percent of the vote. Anyway, regardless of all this, how is it possible to maintain the false belief that President Sargsyan was re-elected in a fair, democratic election when the truth of the matter happens to be that the overwhelming majority of Armenia’s citizens were already against him prior to the 2013 elections?
Yerevanian:
{“ I would like to also add that various sources in Armenia who don’t even happen to be supporters of Raffi Hovannisian, have claimed that he actually won the 2013 presidential election with 80 percent of the vote.”}
I know of several sources who have absolute proof that Raffi Hovannisian not only won RoA vote in 2013 by 80%, but that he won the US Presidential elections by 90%. Many people are unaware of this, but the _real_ US President is not Obama: it is Raffi Hovannisian.
Avery,
“I know of several sources who have absolute proof that Raffi Hovannisian not only won RoA vote in 2013 by 80%, but that he won the US Presidential elections by 90%.” Well, it’s certainly good that you’ve come to the realization that Serzh Sargsyan did not truly win those elections. On the other hand, exactly how is it possible that Raffi Hovannisian won the US presidential elections of 2012, when he never even competed in it to begin with? As a matter of fact, he was in Armenia at that time, preparing himself for the 2013 Armenian presidential elections. Yes, this is really true.
Armenia’s safest bet is the Hanrapetakan party and the Russian Federation. I’m looking forward to Seyran Ohanyan as our next president.
It is widely accepted among the Armenians of the Republic that Tsarukyan is Sarkissian’s stooge. What’s the need for staging such a cheap show? It only devaluates the president. Have more faith in your people, Mr. President, and their ability to see through a mud wall…