YEREVAN, ARMENIA – The Republic of Armenia’s former foreign minister and the leader of the Heritage Party, Raffi Hovannisian held a press conference in Yerevan today, during which he reiterated his call for the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan’s government and proposed his version of a provisional government.
“Under this government, we will either have a mutilated peace or an imposed war. Pashinyan said that what is happening is natural: the surrender of the Motherland, 4,000 victims․…It is not natural that for decades we have been fighting for a democratic Armenia, against the institution of political prisoners, against the subordinate party system of education, but under the new authorities these institutions are deepened and expanded,” stated Hovannisian.
Hovannisian called for a “National Council of Trust” to be created as the foundation for an interim government that could hold new elections. He included several names of individuals he thinks could comprise an interim government, but noted that he has not had any conversations regarding the matter with them. The names he provided were Arman Tatoyan, Arkady Karapetyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Avetik Chalabyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan, Ruben Vardanyan, Gevorg Gevorgyan, Lilit Galstyan, Anna Grigoryan, Armen Darbinyan, Vahan Artsruni, Gagik Ginosyan, and the leader of Tavush Diocese Bagrat Srbazan.
“This proposal is aimed at promoting negotiations, creating balance and stability,” the former foreign minister stressed.
Speaking about his recent experience, when he was denied entry into Artsakh, Hovannisian explained that he does not know the reason he was banned from entering Arstakh, where he was going to attend the baptism of his grandson.
“It doesn’t matter whether the decision comes from a criminal sitting in Baku or from a former commander-in-chief hiding in Yerevan who is now targeting the baptism ceremony. I have no reason to hide, and on September 1 I expect Aghavno, Lachin corridor to be in place and I can go to Artsakh,” he said.
“It is disgusting that our compatriots from the Diaspora are alienated from Armenia and people are imprisoned for their political views,” Hovannisian added, referring to the political prisoners under Pashinyan’s regime and the recent bans of Diasporans from entering Armenia.
He announced that he will be participating in an anti-government demonstration on Monday in Yerevan.
“It will not be a rally. We face the task of pulling Armenia out of this abyss. Citizen Pashinyan is Armenia’s red line. I call on Nikol Pashinyan to resign, and I call on his family and his political force to sobriety,” Hovhannisian said.
