YEREVAN. – Hayatsk daily interviewed Mayor Taron Margaryan of Armenia’s capital, Yerevan. Below is an excerpt from the interview.  

“When do you plan on finishing the maintenance activities at the [downtown Yerevan’s Mashtots] Park?  

It seems to me in a very short period of time.

Was it not possible to resolve this matter [that is, the disassembling of the kiosks at the Park] in favor of the society prior to the President’s visit [to the Park and his relevant instructions]?

We had set those kiosks up temporarily. A decision could have been made any day to disassemble the kiosks. And I am against permanent kiosks. 

In the initial period you were speaking a lot about the rights of the kiosks’ owners. You seem to have disregarded this matter today. Has something changed? 

We must unequivocally protect the rights of the owners. And now we are holding talks with the owners. We will try to compensate them by some means in the future.  

Will you move these kiosks somewhere else?

No.

And what financial compensation will be given?

Non-monetary; we are simply discussing. The owners said they will be patient. 

And did they not complain with respect to [President] Serzh Sargsyan’s instruction?

No. It seems the owners comprehend that the kiosks’ location was not that suitable.”