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`WE LOST THE CHANCE’

[04:21 pm] 14 April, 2006

Armenia lost the chance to avoid the pressure of
Russia. `I think we must speak to Russia in their own
language. When Russia said gas will cost 110 USD,
Armenia was to say that they will take a loan from
Iran for the fifth block of the heat generating plant
and enlarge the diameter of the gas pipeline; now do
what you want. That is to say, we could use the
opportunity and avoid the pressure,’ said Vazgen
Manoukyan, head of the National Democratic Union in
the `Mirror’ club today.

He expressed doubt that the Armenians have their
finger in the raise of the costs. `I don’t want to go
deep into the matter. The reason of my supposition is
the fact that the agreements about the stability of
the gas price are usually signed for 25 years, but the
agreement with Armenia was signed for three years.’
Vazgen Sargsyan said he is sure that the gas tariffs
will be raised during these years.

Head of the Armenian Christian-Democratic Party
Khosrov Haroutyunyan who was the other guest of the
`Mirror’ club is not concerned about the sale of the
fifth block of the heat generating plant. Instead he
is concerned by the gas pipeline Iran-Armenia as it is
clear that since 2001 Russia has changed its policy
and uses the energy issues as weapon. According to
him, it is not important who produces the energy but
rather who supplies the raw material. Khosrov
Haroutyunyan thinks that Armenia must construct a
second nuclear power station and «preferably not with
Russia fuel».

As for the gas pipeline Iran-Armenia, according to
him, Armenia must not allow the participation of a
third party in the project. Khosrov Haroutyunyan
thinks that the deal must be discussed in the
Parliament and rejected by the Parliamentarians. He
also blamed the deputies for not adopting a law
prohibiting the sale of state property to a foreign
state in order to prevent suchlike deals.

«There is no Parliament. What is the Parliament?
Nothing but a toy in the hands of Robert Kocharyan»,
Vazgen Manoukyan said adding that even if Khosrov
Haroutyunyan were in the Parliament he would not be
able to do anything.