Stepan Demirchyan: "One should not have any illusions about the dialogue."

"At the end of last year when there were consultings in the political field and political forces were trying to determine the format of the presidential elections, the leader of People's Party of Armenia (NPA) had health problems and to present it is not known his opinion about a number of important issues", writes the newspaper "Haykakan Zhamanak".

Demirchyan underwent three operations, the last in January in Munich. After a long break, yesterday, he gave his first interview to the newspaper "Haykakan Zhamanak".

-Mr. Demirchyan, how do you feel, how did the last surgery pass?

-I feel very good, the third surgery had a success, I recovered and started to work. I want to thank you and all those who, during this time were worried about me and interested in the state of my health.

-While you were out of the country, there began speculations that your party, may leave ANC, how are these allegations justified? Also, now there are some processes in ANC, how do you feel about that?

-Rumors about the leaving ANC are unfounded. NPA has been one of the key parties of ANC. On the contrary, both NPA, and the remaining political forces of ANC, analyzing the path, should try to make the work of the ANC more effective in this regard, in the Congress, of course, yet there will be discussions. If there are rational proposals, I think they will be accepted.

-When Levon Ter-Petrosyan announced his non-participation in the presidential election in 2013 because of age, you were at the stage of recovery after the next operation and your opinion is not known, how do you feel about Ter-Petrosyan's decision?

-Participation does not make sense, regardless of age, when the elections are rigged, and in this case the entire state apparatus is involved. The vast majority of citizens of the Republic of Armenia does not believe that with the elections we can achieve some changes, the faith in the electoral process is absent.

-Congress has decided not to support any candidate in the upcoming elections, however, members of the ANC, some parties and individuals stated that they would support Hrant Bagratyan. What position does NPA have in this matter?

-NPA also has made its decision, NPA, which has always taken an active part in the presidential elections, this time will not attend. This solution would not tolerate criticism if it would guarantee a fair election, if the people who carried out fraud and abuse in the last election would be punished, if responsible for the events of March 1 would be held accountable. So, the solution is clear. But this does not mean that the NPA ceases political struggle. 

-They regularly speak of the possibility of the turning ANC into the party. Is this possible, and what is your position on this issue?

There are occasionaly such conversations, but ANC did not have such discussions, the agenda of NPA alsodoes not have such an issue.

-The question of cooperation with the "Prosperous Armenia", as well as dialogue with the authorities received a serious conviction, what is your point of view in relation to these issues?

-As for the dialogue, let us not forget that the ANC stated that after the release of political prisoners it will prepare to enter into a dialogue with the authorities solely around holding early elections. But even at that time we said that one should not have any illusions about that dialogue. In the end, authorities will take any steps under intense public pressure.

-Mr. Demirchyan, what do you think about the incident that occurred with Paruyr Ayrikyan?

-I do not want to assume anything, I hope that the police will reveal the crime and wish Paruyr Ayrikyan a recovery.