Ter-Petrosyan: Any reform initiated by the Armenian authorities inevitably leads the country to destruction

 Leader of the Armenian National Congress opposition party (ANC) Levon Ter-Petrosyan claims civic initiatives in Armenia are not able to achieve anything without support by political forces and the vice versa.

Ter-Petrosyan made such statement to RFE/RL Armenia Service at the ANC Youth Congress on 10 May.  ANC Leader said the civic movement against the accumulative pension system makes right demands, but the given issue is a private issue for him. "What will change in the country if this issue is settled in favor of the people? There are thousands of similar issues. Will this stop robbery in Armenia? Will this stop migration? My task is the system. I have no other task," Ter-Petrosyan said.  Nevertheless, he said, any movement must be welcomed. If such movements become large-scale, this will help make system changes in the country, Ter-Petrosyan said.

As regards the Government-proposed constitutional reform, the oppositionist said he does not trust in any reform initiated by the incumbent authorities.  "The more they reform, the more they ruin the country," he said.

According to him, accession to the Customs Union was not the initiative of the Armenian authorities.  "They initiated the process of European association, afterwards they have shamefully turned towards the Customs Union. What do you expect from that?"

Ter-Petrosyan refused to comment on the recent statements by US CO-Chair of the OSCE MG James Warlick on the Karabakh conflict.

To recall, James Warlick in his speech at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, particularly, said: "In light of Nagorno-Karabakh's complex history, the sides should commit to determining its final legal status through a mutually agreed and legally binding expression of will in the future.  This is not optional.  Interim status will be temporary. Second, the area within the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region that is not controlled by Baku should be granted an interim status that, at a minimum, provides guarantees for security and self- governance.  Third, the occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should be returned to Azerbaijani control.  There can be no settlement without respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty, and the recognition that its sovereignty over these territories must be restored. Fourth, there should be a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.  It must be wide enough to provide secure passage, but it cannot encompass the whole of Lachin district. Fifth, an enduring settlement will have to recognize the right of all IDPs and refugees to return to their former places of residence. Sixth and finally, a settlement must include international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation.  There is no scenario in which peace can be assured without a well-designed peacekeeping operation that enjoys the confidence of all sides."