Robert Kocharyan quotes

Armenia has a newly chosen president (Serzh Sargsyan), whom has announced that he is the people's leader and not only for those who are approving of him. And this is exactly what the administration is reinforcing. And I have no doubt that he, with his beliefs and motivations, will be that exact kind of a leader which he has planned to be. Of course, we have to look at other active means to deal with and soften those unstable political fields. And I have no doubt about this and I'm positive it will happen, but out-of-reach thought processes must be eliminated. We are planning different means to deal with this and I am thinking that when the new administration is created, people will see that the victorious president is prepared to create better means...and we have to be more strict and of course maintain the law. We...we are very patient...you know all those who come to Armenia, international people, they all note one thing, that we are very patient. I am always asking, does that patience have to have limits or not. For example, how many days should we wait until you continue to believe that we truly are patient. Of course, in each of your countries, never would any government wait six days before handling the situation. Nowhere. More than one day...they wouldn't allow it. Since this situation is created which the government itself is judged by others...patience by continued patience but I believe it's time that they realize that people do not come to power by this Zorba-ic means. Let's understand that just because the person likes the building, he (Levon Ter-Petrossian) cannot proclaim it as his.

Nations that live somewhere always leave traces, churches, monuments. I think it is enough to walk the Karabakh territory to see who has lived there and left traces.

People will be subjected to as little inconvenience as possible, and everything is done not to violate their basic rights.

If the talks reach a deadlock, Armenia will immediately recognize independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Everything should be done in the right time.

Honorable people, do not become a tool in the hands of irresponsible political people. That is not your game. You will not win that game. You will only lose and the country will lose.

Back then, a few months ago, Levon Ter-Petrossian announced that his goal was to reassemble the already existing government structure and to this extent, was trying to go ahead with this. They had split into groups...groups...and were scheduling meetings with our current government people, trying to envelop them into their political leanings. We had some odd events taking place, about all of their steps, we were watching their movements and people who were being approached by them were complaining themselves that these dangerous methodologies are being implemented by Levon Ter-Petrossian. These groups quickly received fair warning and these warnings were echoed numerous times, soldiers are not allowed to participate in political issues. Diplomats should portray self-control and I believe that I was right when quickly echoing and powerfully echoing these issues. But, if these are steps against Armenia's government, against our republic, we, in all these years, were creating these foundations...and this one man is saying that he is purposely trying to destroy our conceptions. This is what I was trying to avoid to begin with. These are unallowable actions...and for these actions, of course, some people have to meet their obligations.

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.

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!

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.

As we all know the construction of the gas pipeline is continuing. At the start of the year we have begun the construction of the gas pipeline. The launch of the Iran-Armenia highway is planned on the (October 26th, 2007) 26th. We have serious plans of connecting our railroads, as well as put into effect a tripartite program on building oil-refineries.

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.

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.

What's going on now is not a political process. It has gone over the edge. I ask the people of Armenia to show restraint and understanding.

During the 2003 presidential elections I will support the one candidate who is worthy of a second term in office - incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.

The Armenian constitution requires that the government and the president work closely together. That requires that there be a single team acting to achieve common goals. Unfortunately, such a team could not be created. Moreover, political intrigue had become a way of life in the executive branch, while economic problems continued to escalate.

They were beating him...in the most degrading ways, which were taking place in the days of fascists. The way those German fascists were torturing people...for example, tying, beating with batons, with a group of people...what they wanted to know from him, we have no idea...they could have easily called here and all information is made available here...our door is always open for this...what information they wanted to get from that man...by torturing and beating him by Gestapo style...we don't know. Of course, we will clear these situations and it's apparent that all people involved with this whom have participated in and created this scenario will be punished.

No peace...no oil!

Appointment of the prime minister is the prerogative of the president.

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

Stability is not furniture, and cannot be inherited.