Asked why the ruling HHK (Republican Party of Armenia) does not allow the opposition HAK (Armenian National Congress) to hold public gatherings at Opera’s Freedom Square in Yerevan, HHK MP Karen Avagyan asked why the site should make a difference in any case. "Let’s say if the leader of HAK has something to say and can rally lots of people behind him, then why should the gathering place matter?" MP Avagyan responded to reporters’ questions at a press conference held today. Reporters pressed on, asking if there is no difference then why has Freedom Square been denied as a gathering place for HAK. They asked if the real reason was because the HHK was afraid of HAK’s popularity. "Our party doesn’t care either way; it’s up to the Yerevan Municipality. They have explained why the square cannot be used," MP Avagyan said. The reporters pointed out that the mayor’s office was run by a member of the HHK administration. They then asked if the ruling authorities weren’t concerned that one day HAK supporters, their patience exhausted, would return to Freedom Square without any permit. "In fact, we have nothing to fear from the HAK. They still have no second in command that can take the place of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, an individual who is actually preventing the HAK from becoming more active on the domestic political front," the MP concluded.