ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan`s speech at the rally.

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN'S SPEECH AT THE RALLY ON MAY 8, 2012:

Dear compatriots,

First and foremost, I consider it my duty to thank all the citizens of the Republic of Armenia who voted for the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and the candidates that were running under the majoritarian ticket.

I wouldn't like to speak about the quality of the elections, the widespread electoral violations, the double votes, the massive bribery or calling them elections at all because first of all, the previous speakers discussed those issues and secondly, this time my claim that every election in Armenia is worse than the previous one was affirmed.

If the Republicans think they have scored a fair victory, let them think so. If they claim that these were the best elections in the history of Armenia, let them claim that. If the international observation missions view those elections as legitimate, despite the numerous flaws that they mentioned, let them view them as such. That will change neither the quality of our government nor the international community's stance on our country.

Armenia's ruling regime continues to be a regime of bandits, bribers, assassins and ignorant people, and the international community, contrary to its assurances, will continue to subordinate democracy and human rights over regional stability and geopolitical considerations for security. The world will continue to support and cherish Serzh Sargsyan's criminal regime as long as it hasn't seen the establishment of a commission of Armenian and Turk historians and then the factual independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and all the liberated territories.

Thus, if the Republican Party's victory is truly a victory, it's not a victory at the price of its political opponents, but the people and the country. Those who sold their votes in exchange for bribes and the sold members of the electoral commissions will feel that soon enough. Most of them will find themselves in extreme poverty soon and will emigrate without having any hope for the country.

Without any intention to foresee a catastrophe and instill despair, I can't hide the fact that the future of Armenia is not consoling for me after these elections.
Those who are optimistic and wish only the best can view the votes that the Armenian National Congress gained as success, and those who are pessimistic can view them as failure. Those who view them as success are the sector of the people who cast their votes for the Armenian National Congress.

Regardless of the election results and the evaluations, the Armenian National Congress, reinforced by even a small parliamentary faction, will continue its struggle to achieve all the goals that it has set for itself. No failure will put us down. If other forces join our struggle, we will receive them with pleasure. If they don't, we won't be discontent with any of them. If there are those who can fight better than us, we will follow them. If we are left alone, we will still fight until the end. Neither terrorism nor assaults nor the indifference of the civilized world can break us down. We have never deviated and will continue with the demands of the Constitution and the laws because we are certain that legality will win in the end. I assure you that the deputies of the Armenian National Congress will take advantage of the podium in parliament and you will soon witness their actions that emanate from real parliamentarism.

Since I have always been open and sincere with you, it is my duty to speak about my own plans as well. I think it is needless to explain why I am dropping my mandate. My presence in parliament would be meaningful, if the Armenian National Congress was the only one that formed the majority or was joined by other opposition forces, or if the Republican Party of Armenia was no longer the majority. In addition, according to the tradition established in the civilized world, it is improper for ex-presidents to be in parliament. However, dropping the mandate doesn't mean that I am preparing to leave politics. This might sound immodest, but I think I have fully fulfilled my duty for the people and the country, but even that doesn't give me the right to leave politics as long as Armenia is in a miserable state. So, I will continue to do everything possible to relieve the Armenian people of the evil bandit regime led by Kocharyan and Serzh. I will fight as long as I am physically able to and as long as the people demand my service.

Contrary to the hardships in life, the embarrassing illegal acts against you, your humiliation and the violation of your human and national dignity, I wish you all be in a great mood and the will to stand up for your rights until the end. I fully understand your frustration over the injustice, but I would never like to see that frustration turn into evil.