Monday, March 1 2021 13:48

ArmInfo.Armenian President Armen Sarkissian made a statement in connection with speculations on his decision on the proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to  dismiss Onik Gasparyan, Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed  Forces.

Thus, in the statement published by the press service of the RA  President, it is stated that the fact of returning the draft decree  on dismissal with objections is manipulated in an unacceptable manner  and has received a disproportionate reaction.

"In this regard, we once again emphasize that the President of the  Republic exercises his functions only through the powers determined  by the Constitution, impartially making decisions, guided exclusively  by national interests. The President of the Republic does not  represent the interests of any political force, not white or black,  and in this any speculation is unacceptable and unacceptable,  "Sargsyan's statement underlines.

At the same time, it is emphasized that the most important mission of  the President of the Republic is to monitor the observance of the  Constitution, to use the institution of the President as a platform  for negotiations and finding a way out of the current situation in  the country.

"The President of the republic has repeatedly proposed and reaffirms  his readiness to unite political forces at the negotiating table to  settle differences and search for mutually acceptable solutions.

The President of the Republic returned the draft decree on the  dismissal of the Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces,  Colonel General Onik Gasparyan, with his objections, exercising his  powers determined by Part 2 of Article 139 of the Constitution, "the  statement of the head of state says.

It is recalled that the Constitutional Court, by its decision 1518 of  March 31, 2020, established that one of the discretionary powers  exercised by the President of the Republic on the grounds (in  accordance with the procedure) established in the field of the Armed  Forces is the alternative right to appoint and dismiss the highest  command personnel Armed Forces and other troops.

"The reasons for not accepting the president's objections were sent  to the office of the head of state on the evening of February 28,  2021 and were submitted on the first working day after it, that is,  on March 1. The President of the Republic will express his position  on the draft decree in accordance with part 2 of Article 139 of the  Constitution within the time frame, established by legislation,  "Sargsyan stressed.

It should be reminded that on November 26, RA President Armen  Sargsyan returned to the government the draft decree on the dismissal  of the RA General Staff Chief Onik Gasparyan with his objections.  On  the same day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revived the  draft and indicated Gasparyan's dismissal. According to the main law  of the country, the RA President can either sign the document within  three days, or send it to the Constitutional Court for verification  of its constitutionality.

We also note that in connection with this decision, various kinds of  speculation began to circulate in the media. So, from the ruling  force "My Step" began to sound threats to express a vote of no  confidence in the president in connection with the fact that he did  not sign the draft decree of Pashinyan.