Robert Kocharyan quotes

" Look what's happening here. While there was two days left for the elections, it was announced that he (Levon Ter-Petrossian) was already the chosen president. And with this, he has inserted himself into this barricade, which coming out from this situation is truly very difficult. And what steps remain for Levon Ter-Petrossian? Collect his supporters, announce that the elections are falsified, and with different means, maintain this concept in the city...which is happening...which is happening right now. This, first of all, is disgraceful, disrespectful behavior to those very people. First of all, to his very followers. When one person sinks, and tries to pull with him his supporters. Overall, it appears as though this person has been bad for the nation and is an even greater danger today for his very environment. Instead of trying to help those people come out of that state of frustration, he further instigates the people and sinks them deeper, making things harder to come out of this situation...the process of coming out of this situation. Of course now, the government cannot continuously allow this constant unlawful activity. Today is the sixth day these unlawful rallies are taking place. Until when? The police force was required to find a means, even today, and I was very patient...trying to allow these rallies to die down, not sharpen the impact...hoping that finally, these arguments would end and the people will stop, and I assume six days is enough for these actions to halt. Let us wait a little...but...I am repeating, even this patience has an end. Since measures can be taken to go against the people furthermore, the power exists, the ability and means exists, and I simply repeat, we understand that this is a tangled chaotic situation in that area. You know, when you look at the images (of the rallies), you get the idea that in the city, there is a very inappropriate and unwise charade being put on, a very poor stage show is coming alive. " # Writers and Writing # Action # Love

" Yes, there are arrests, handcuffings. Both television programs and police units are giving fair warning to these...I would separate these into three types...these arrests. First, they are those who are in connection to these falsified elections. All errors have been taken note of, you may find these on both police and court ruling sites. And all responsible people for these mistakes, of course need to be punished. Here we have both people representing these clingings and other representatives. This is the first block of this problem. The second block...are those people who are being arrested for being dangerous, for carrying a weapon, and let me add here that in this entire investigation, these people are actively involved in these unlawful armies, whom were actively trying to envelop others into their political processes. You know, some percentage of these leaders were truly convinced. There were institutions of veterans which were also involved. And you know, the government cannot look past this. When in the city, we have sworn to handle people with weapons, we are obligated to find a means to handle the situation...to dismantle these dangerous people. I can say that yesterday and today, the different means in which we handle this situation has greatly increased. Many people carrying weaponry and ammunition have already been captured and handcuffed, and these are steps being taken to protect our citizens. These are very serious issues and we are dealing with very dangerous people. And in the third section, are included those people whom are instigating these situations furthermore. Which, had finally decided to spit on the law and continued their misguided rallies. We are required to protect our citizen's rights. They are not the only ones living there. Within those buildings, hundreds of complaints are being gathered. These are the three groups. The larger problem here of course is the group which is deemed dangerous for our citizens and the stability of our government. " # Politicians and Politics # Leaders and Leadership # Cities and City Life

" Dear compatriots, a self-endorsed candidate, who lost the 2008 Presidential elections, Levon Ter-Petrossian and a group of his adventurous supporters, not being able to come to terms with the defeat have instigated illegal activities. Among these actions the accumulation of weapons and their transportation to public places, where the presence of weapons may put life and health of the citizens in serious danger, as well as the organization of the meetings and marches without proper notification. Despite the facts that the recount of the ballots, conducted by demand of the candidates participating at the 2008 presidential elections, did not reveal serious irregularities, that no complaints were filed with the administrative courts of Armenia, that in accordance with the Law on Elections the due process of examining the disputations is being conducted by the Constitutional Court, the supporters of candidate Ter-Petrossian continue to dispute the outcome of the elections through illegitimate means. A group of opposition members on March 1 instigated disorder in the center of Yerevan, inflicting damage to the citizens and state property as well as causing direct threat to the safety of the people, which can take the situation out of control. The objective of these actions is to challenge the stability achieved by the Republic of Armenia, the outcome of these actions will be the dented international image of Armenia. As the guarantor of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia I will allow no one to endanger the constitutional order in our state. To prevent any threat to the constitutional order and guided by the paragraph 14 of Article 55, after consultations with the Speaker of the National Assembly and Prime Minister of Armenia, I signed an order to declare in Yerevan a state of emergency for twenty days starting from March 1. The order on the state of emergency requires the following actions: a) ban on meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, marches and other mass events, b) ban on strikes or other actions that may stop or disrupt activities of enterprises, c) inspection of and restriction on movement of individuals and vehicles by the law enforcement bodies when necessary, d) the publications in the mass media on the issues of internal situation and state importance to be restricted to official information provided by the state entities, e) ban on dissemination of fliers and other means of political propaganda without permission of state structures, f) temporary ban on the activities of the political parties and other public organizations, which impede the removal of the causes that resulted in the introduction of the state of emergency, g) expulsion of the non-residents of the given areas, who have violated the legal regime under the state of emergency at their own disbursement, and in the case of absence of such disbursement to cover the expenses from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia on the condition of a subsequent reimbursement. I appeal to everyone to demonstrate restraint and wisdom. In this situation more than ever it is necessary to team up and to fulfill unconditionally all the requirements of the law. I assure you that the state of emergency will be lifted as soon as the causes for its introduction have been eliminated. " # Politicians and Politics # Law and Lawyers # Action

" Dear Mr. Sarkissian, I cordially congratulate you with the decisive victory at the 2008 Presidential elections. At the free and fair elections you received a vote to continue the reforms undertaken for the Armenia’s speedy development and democratization. The upholding of Armenian economy’s growth rate, reduction of poverty, introduction of a new quality of life, Armenia’s deeper international involvement, as well as a fair and final resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict is but a few of many tasks given to you by the people of Armenia. I am confident that you will apply all your knowledge and skills to achieve these goals. I am convinced that first years of your presidency will mark further strengthening of the Armenian state and larger degree of tolerance within the society. Armenia possesses a unique human potential, which should be engaged for the advancement of our Motherland. I wish you good health, fervor and vigor to serve the people at the highest position in the state. " # Politicians and Politics # Politics # Freedom

" Levon Ter-Petrossian: Do you know the hayr mer (Armenian prayer)? Robert Kocharyan: No...I forgot... Levon Ter-Petrossian: When I tell you that you're not Armenian, you don't believe me. Robert Kocharyan: I'm Albanian. (laughing) " # Prayer # Laughter # Friends and Friendship

" No structure may put itself beyond the law and deal with illegal activity! " # Law and Lawyers

" I view these actions as an attempt to seize power! No organization can put itself above the law and constitution and practice illegal activities! Our actions will be decisive and firm in order to maintain stability and the constitutional order of the country! " # Action # Law and Lawyers # Decisions

" Karabakh people made their historical choice, protected their national interests in the forced war. Today, they build free and independent state. " # War # Freedom # Independence

" Stability is not furniture, and cannot be inherited. " # Inheritance

" In my life, I have not met, in my surroundings, an honor abiding person who is used as a tool against someone else. This, first of all. Our administration does not believe that our candidate could be a tool and used for someone else's mission, secondly. Third, try to imagine, on the side of international powers, whatever desire may arise, to use a person as a tool and ask for his support and for that person to be ready to be used. But it is apparent that any tool that is used for ten years will eventually rust, will luckily break, and already used tools are no longer in demand. " # Understanding # Politicians and Politics # Love