YEREVAN (combined sources)–Members of the Council of the Hanrapetutiun (Republic) Party presented the ideological and political principles of the newly established party at a press conference on April 3.
The party’s chairman–former mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan stated that the current authorities and the ruling Republican Party of Armenia have deviated from the main ideas of the "Unity" bloc declared in 1999 and supported by the people. According to him–in a situation like this–realizing their political responsibility–they will be seeking alienation from power and creating a new party. He expressed his belief that the establishment of the party is motivated by both political necessity and ideological aspects.
According to him–the rift between the authorities and the public now looms large–and it has been growing wider ever since the October 27 events. In the current situation–in Bazeyan’s opinion–the country needs a force to become the bearer of the public sentimen’s prevailing during the 1999 parliamentary elections and be capable of presenting alternative programs to the public. "In this sense our party is the bearer of the political heritage of Vazgen Sargsian and will try to realize the programs aborted by the October 27 crime and its consequences," Bazeyan stated.
According to him–the authorities have lost the resource of confidence–which should be a matter of concern first of all for themselves. "One of our priority tasks will be formation of an environment necessary for the creation of a strong power enjoying popular trust," said Bazeyan. He emphasized that all efforts to disorientate public opinion that the newly established Hanrapetutiun Party has come to the political arena to bring one political force or another to power are futile: "We are an independent political force capable of taking independent political decisions. Our system of values is based on conservative ideas."
According to Bazeyan–the Hanrapetutiun Party does not rule out relations with various parties and political structures; cooperation with all parties in solving problems of the country is welcome. As for the inspections being conducted by the authorities and aimed against members of the party–it was stated at the press conference that the authorities are seeking to make political and economic processes tractable–and these inspections are being done in this context. However–the party has nothing to worry about.
The press conference also focused on "October 27." Former defense minister Vagharshak Haroutiunian stated "a coup took place on October 27 and not after it." The army–according to the ex-minister–took a number of necessary measures–which should have been taken by other militarized structures as well.
Ex-premier Aram Sargsian explained that the party hopes the October 27 crime will become clearer due to the activities of judicial bodies. However if this proves unable to disclose the crime–"we can assume that the disclosure of the crime must be determined as a result of certain political changes"–he said. In his opinion–the crime was committed under the current authorities and these authorities bear responsibility for it.
The Hanrapetutiun Party will open chapters throughout Yerevan and Armenia over the following two months. An assembly will also be held soon to establish a blueprint for the Party and elect its new leadership.
