New Armenian party set to protect businesses

Noyan Tapan news agency
18 Mar 04

YEREVAN

The main goal of the new Party of Democracy and Labour (PDL) is to
assist the development of small and medium-sized businesses in
Armenia, the head of the initiative group of the party and former
deputy chairman of the Armenian Democratic and Liberal Party (ADLP),
Spartak Melikyan, told a news conference on 18 March. He said that
this sphere in Armenia was in a catastrophic state, as the country’s
parliament adopted laws hindering their development.

Members of the initiative group of the new party called on the owners
of small and medium-sized businesses to enter the party, win a seat in
parliament and protect their interests.

Melikyan said that the party would pursue a pro-state policy and
cooperate with both pro-government and opposition forces to ensure
people’s welfare and prosperity. “There is no idea of the third force
in Armenia’s political spectrum today and this is what our party is
going to be,” Melikyan said.

Passage omitted: minor details