Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 5 2005

Armenian premier denies rumours of resignation if referendum fails

Yerevan, 5 October: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan has
denied the rumours about his possible dismissal by the president if
the referendum on constitutional amendments fails.

In an interview with journalists on 5 October, the prime minister
noted that this question was not discussed at all. He said that the
ruling coalition and the government have committed themselves to
carrying out the constitutional reforms, but there will be no
political consequences no matter if the referendum has a positive or
negative outcome.

“It is another matter that we, as political parties, are obliged to
carry out a propaganda campaign that would prompt people to say yes
to the referendum,” Andranik Markaryan stressed.

Asked about the financing of the referendum, the prime minister noted
that the Armenian Central Electoral Commission will submit an
estimate of expenses in the near future and the government will
provide relevant funding from its reserve fund.

Andranik Markaryan said that discrepancies on electoral lists
revealed during the municipal elections have a technical nature.