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| 17:09:54 | 08-10-2005 | Politics |

CHOICE BETWEEN CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM WAYS

November 27 a referendum on constitutional amendments will be held in
Armenia

This is an examination for the authorities, who took lessons of democracy
from Europe. This event will reveal the attitude of the national towards the
leadership. However this choice will be falsified. The coalition forces
certainly do not conditioned the outcome of the referendum by the trust to
the authorities. `If we receive a positive result, we will have a state
based on democratic grounds, with balanced power branches and good
international reputation. Negative outcome would mean denial of everything
we have achieved during these years and our country will have not future
despite of change of power’, ARFD leader Levon Lazarian said.

With the adoption of the constitutional amendments, Armenia will rapidly
develop, RPA leader Galust Sahakyan stated. `If the referendum fails Armenia
will not be able to secure a proper position within international
structures’, he noted adding that the outcome should be positive only. `We
could choose either Muslim or Christian path. We have chosen the Christian
one, that is the European criteria, since they concord with our national
values. Over this reason I hope for the positive outcome of the referendum’,
he said.

Positive outcome of the referendum will become a considerable progress,
Orinats Yerkir Party member Samvel Balasanyan considers. In his words, there
are plenty of important items essential for Armenia on the way of
integration to the European structures. `Though the operating constitution
is not exhausted, the amendments are very important. Samvel Balasanyan is
convinced that the authorities will not resort to forgery. `We will closely
watch the process and do everything to make the election fair and free. This
a very important draft and it will be the basis for further steps’, he
resumed.

Diana Markosyan