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Whose flag will Heritage raise?

Politics
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Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian today assessed the Yerevan municipal election in one word - inhuman. The election cannot be considered a step forward or backward, it simply didn't reflect public expectations, says Mr.  Hovannisian.

"The election marred our citizens' dignity. Everything was predetermined-the election day, run-up, results-everything."

 With regard to the opposition domain, Mr. Hovannisian said: "This is a pan-national failure. Our people faced challenges and is no use relying on Europe, observers or foreigners to light a torch for us. We missed another good chance on May 31. It is high time all political forces analyzed their mistakes," added the Heritage Leader.  

In reply to A1+'s question where the HAK had stumbled, Mr. Hovannisian said: "We needn't raise separate flags at present. We have still much to do in the sphere. We should lie down the small flags and return the flag to the people, we should save our national and civil flag. As a citizen I would like the HAK, ARF and Heritage to start consultations over mistakes and work out a new formula for cooperation."

All the aforesaid forces have established themselves in the political sphere. "Both the HAK and ARF-Dashnaktsutyun have established themselves and had better start a tradition of a broader opposition consultation."

Mr. Hovannisian refrained from commenting on HAK's decision to refuse its mandates. "I respect HAK's decision. On the other hand, I support the policy of participation."

"If before PACE's plenary sitting the political prisoners are granted amnesty, no sanctions will be imposed on Armenia. Moreover, the Armenian issue may finally be removed from the PACE agenda. A draft resolution is already circulated in the PACE which urges to clearly define the term "political prisoner. The resolution reads that unless the PACE has voiced a final opinion on the term, there can be no rapporteurs on Armenia, Azerbaijan or Moldova. It means that the Parliamentary Assembly tries to view Armenia and Azerbaijan on the same platform."