YEREVAN. – I did not decline from any proposal for a talk, stated Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party leader, former FM Raffi Hovannisian—who is declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election that was conducted on February 18, but who claims to be the real winner in the vote and who declared a hunger strike Sunday at capital city Yerevan’ Liberty Square—during Monday’s press conference at Liberty Square.    

“This is not a hunger strike; this is the crucial phase at supporting our people. And if the people surmounted fear, lies, [and] fraud on February 18, the presidency, the authorities still possess these three sins. We are giving [them] an opportunity until April 9 [when Sargsyan is slated to swear in for a second term]. A new Armenia will be born on April 9. By taking their oath, the people shall exercise the Constitutional requirement,” Hovannisian noted.        

As per the former presidential candidate, “the lie and the fraud also include the next [one], which was directed from the presidential office, that I allegedly turned down any meeting [with Sargsyan].” 

“You know me. You know that I am open to a meeting. If a discourse can resolve a matter, I always favor it. Whoever wants to talk, he can come to Liberty Square,” Hovannisian said,

And addressing the incumbent President, he specifically said as follows:  

“I did not decline from any proposal for a talk. Your office is lying, falsifying. I invite you, at a convenient day and hour, to resolve this nationwide alarm; on this bench, an open or closed meeting. [But] I favor an open talk, since the last time you edited my words, [to show that] as if I am against [an open talk].”   

Raffi Hovannisian also proposed Serzh Sargsyan to meet either under the open sky, or in a nearby café, to discuss all matters.   

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am