Levon Zurabyan: We shall show the strength of our movement at first opportunity

Interview of Levon Zurabyan, Head of Parliamentary Faction of Armenian National Congress, with ArmInfo News Agency

• by Ashot Safaryan

• Monday, September 24, 11:51

Would you tell us about the Armenian National Congress’ plans? Is consolidation of the forces beyond the power’s control possible?    

It is no secret that today Armenia is in a deadlock. It suffers because of the hawkish regime. All of us understand that we should get rid of it. First of all, I mean getting rid of the regime in the political way, which will later transform into radical economic reforms. All our efforts are directed to resolving of these tasks. The people are the key driving force able to make changes in the country. The present government will leave only under the people's rush; actually, any compromises, any reforms are possible under the pressure of wide masses. Just for this reason, ANC thinks that the rally fight is very much important. The consolidation of forces which understand that the present regime is baneful for the country is very much important in this context. We are working in this direction and have got certain progress. If earlier the ANC was absolutely alone and the ruling coalition was rather consolidated, today different political forces are moving towards the ANC. The point is if we can take measures which will promote final success of the process.

May these forces nominate a single candidate at the presidential election of 2013?

It is hard to predict anything. My personal if all the opposition forces support Levon Ter-Petrosyan's candidacy at the presidential election, he will gain a victory. Finally, the consolidating potential of a candidate is very much important, and in this sense, anybody will hardly be able to excel Ter-Petrosyan.

Are there any discrepancies between Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan? For instance, in his recent interview, Rouben Hayrapetyan, one of the oligarchs close to Serzh Sargsyan, said that Robert Kocharyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan wanted to ruin the country.    

I would not like to comment on the statements of such a delusioned man as Rouben Hayrapetyan. To answer the question whether there are any discrepancies between Sargsyan and Kocharyan, we should answer another question that derives from this. Is Kocharyan a political factor? I don't know any force which he supports, or a force that supports him. I don't know either how he differs from other politicians in the context of having resources to affect the political situation. If we mean the financial resources of Kocharyan, there are other politicians with bigger financial resources. If we mean the number of supporters and deputy mandates, here as well, Kocharyan loses. I don't understand how he can start a political fight. Certainly, his only resource is the potential support by some forces.

Perhaps, by the Prosperous Armenia Party?

Prosperous Armenia Party should analyze chances of the potential candidate. In this sense, Robert Kocharyan has no chance. The second president of Armenia is the man, to distance from which will be useful to any political force. Prosperous Armenia Party understands that very well and is distancing from Kocharyan in every possible way, even at the level of official statements.

Some politicians, who were at the waterhead of the Armenian National Congress, have left this political formation. How can you explain it? Won’t the Congress face a new split in the future?

The people, who have not reached fulfillment of their own ambitions, have left Armenian National Congress. It is very hard to fight for 5 years. For this reason, not everybody bears the pressure and provocations from the side of the authorities. It is very hard to fight for 5 years and not to reach the top of their own ambitions. The people, who have serious companies and serious business, have left the ANC. To remain under the pressure of the authorities for five years is an unattainable luxury for them. The development of the ANC is of a wave-like nature - up and down. Sometimes the ANC is disappointed with wide layers of the society. I think this is an impartial process. At the same time, I would like to assure you that the core of the ANC has been preserved and new people are joining it. We shall show the strength of our movement at first opportunity.