Government building to be turned into hotel?
The Rule of Law Party (OEK) was not surprised to hear that the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be put up for sale.
"The heart of the Armenian capital is turning into a tourism center, following a good tradition," said OEK MP Mher Shahgeldyan.
During today's parliamentary briefings OEK faction head Heghine Bisharyan referred to the National Assembly's decision to strip MP Vartan Oskanian of his mandate. She said the law enforcement agencies were given an opportunity to study the issue comprehensively.
"I am confident that Vartan Oskanian will not have any problems. He left the impression of a decent man, and from his speech I guessed that nothing serious had happened. Let's give this man a chance to prove his righteousness," she said.
Aram Manukyan, Secretary of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, said Armenia's first President and HAK Leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan is in Armenia. The HAK member also dismissed the allegations that Levon Ter-Petrosyan had met with Gagik Tsarukyan, Leader of the Prosperous ARmenai Party (BHK), outside the country.
"We do not see any problem in meeting representatives of other parties openly in Armenia," said Mr Manukyan.
Regarding [Armenia's second President] Robert Kocharyan's statement about Vartan Oskanian, the HAK official said he did not consider Kocharyan a political figure any longer and did not want to comment on his statements.
Aram Manukyan is angered by the pending sale of the MFA building.
"While [Prime Minister] Tigran Sargsyan urges us to display respect for the Cabinet members, I daresay that the government building with its staff will be the next one to put up for sale. They show disrespect for their people and national values. My upbringing does not allow me to use coarse words," he said.
Asked whether the opposition alliance is going to name candidates for the local elections in Gyumri city and Yerevan's Avan district, Mr Manukyan said the question had not been considered by the alliance.
Galust Sahakyan, head of the Republican faction, disapproves of the decision to raise Oskanian's issue at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"You need not seek help in foreign countries. Once, they went to Tizbon for help. I am hopeful that one day our society will find peace in this issue," he said.
The BHK MPs did not attend today's discussion.
