RA NA Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan answers
Questions of the “Iravunk” (Right) daily
- The press has been alleging that you received your official invitation to Austria directly from the president of the Austrian parliament thus bypassing the Foreign Ministry, for the latter attempted to thwart the visit. Could you comment on these allegations?
-Yes, I did receive the official invitation to pay a visit to Austria directly from the president of the Austrian parliament without the MFA, but I don’t think that the MFA attempted at thwarting the visit since having received the official invitation the NA applied to the MFA in consistence with the established procedure so that the Austrian Embassy in Armenia begin preparations for the visit which was done.
- When RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a visit to Armenia he did not meet you, which happens seldom, doesn’t it? What is the reason?
-In general, foreign ministers of other countries pay visit to the National Assembly when on visit to Armenia. I don’t know why Mr. Lavrov didn’t visit the parliament even though parliamentary meetings weren’t scheduled within the framework of his visit.
- What is the origin of contradictions within the authorities, which are often mentioned in the press?
-Contradictions within the authorities are conditioned by the fact that quite often the coalition member political forces have different positions, which is natural, for certain differences exist in different solutions for reform mechanisms being implemented. Naturally, different positions on different issues incite different allegations. “Orinats Yerkir” being a political force has never abode by both good and bad principle: employing the flawed policy of gathering points discrediting the others. The society recognizes each of us, we propose our political platform to the people, and the people make their choice. I think contradictions shouldn’t hamper our working together and solve problems facing the state. In the long run, we work abiding by the principle in the name of and not against of, in order to improve and better certain aspects in the country and not against positive developments or plotting against anybody. OYe follows the same principle within the coalition as well. Besides, sometimes contradictions are manifestation of envy, spite on the part of certain statements that isn’t the best and most correct way to solve issues. The year 2005 is 15th since the convocation of the National Assembly and I declared the year 2005 a year of political peace and tolerance. It will be good if politicians, among them those standing close to power, show tolerance, fail to swallow the bait offered by forces catering to certain political forces seeking to artificially increase the tension on the political arena. We should neither under or overestimate the existing contradictions within the authorities. Politics is struggle. I understand that good deeds done by the National Assembly or Artur Baghdasaryan weight on some people. We follow our programs. I tell you “No good deed shall go unpunished,” but I don’t want this principle spread and take roots in our society. Quite often I see that certain politicians representing either the opposition or the authorities wage a campaign either against me or the OYe, for there are people who aren’t contented with their success, they are content only when not only they are successful but also people around them. I have already said and I reiterate it I have become immune and don’t think it the best way of solving the issues. People know all of us well, know well, who is who. In the long run, he that mischief hatches, mischief catches. Dante Alighieri said: “Follow your road and let the people say what they will.”
Taguhi Tovmasyan
