R. Hovannisian ready to meet Levon Ter-Petrosyan
Heritage party leader, official runner-up in the February 18 presidential election, Raffi Hovannisian, who went on hunger strike on March 10 demanding a rerun of the ‘fraudulent' vote, says he is in good health condition.
Talking to journalists in Freedom square where he is continuing his post-election rallies, Raffi Hovannisian enumerated all people who had visited him during the day.
"Ter Grigor visited me at 6 a.m. We prayed together. Then I had a private talk with Chief of Armenian Police Vladimir Gasparyan. We discussed the post-election situation in the country. Mr Gasparyan inquired about my health and offered me to find another way to continue the nationwide struggle," said the Heritage leader. "I thanked all my guests for the visit and police officers for their work. At the same time, I reiterated the demand of the people and said we are ready for open discussions. I repeated that people have gained victory and they are not going to step back from the struggle."
Speaking about Tuesday's meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin during which Putin congratulated his Armenian counterpart on his landslide victory in the February ballot, Raffi Hovannisian said, "Mr Putin is mistaken. Strategic partnership does not imply similar attitude. Russia should support the Armenian people."
Regarding the congratulatory message of Wilfred Martens, President of European People's Party, Mr Hovannisian said, "Martens has broken his liabilities as the EPP President and should be made accountable before his party members. But if he decides to impose his opinion on the other members, the Heritage party will have nothing to do with them. But before that, we will do everything so that the EPP remains a strong supporter of fair, independent and transparent elections."
Asked whether he was going to meet Armenia's first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Raffi Hovannisian said, "I am ready to meet everyone, including the first president. As you know Heritage members have held meetings with different political forces, including HAK representatives. If he [Levon Ter-Petrosyan] wants to meet me, I shall be glad to receive him here in Freedom square."
Spokesman for the Heritage party Hovsep Khurshudyan is scheduled to give a news conference at 12.00 March 13, which will be followed by Raffi Hovannisian's press conference at 5.00.
