NDU INITIATES MEETINGS WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF “17+1” FORMAT

Noyan Tapan
May 18 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The goal of the recent meeting
of members of boards of the National Democratic Union (NDU) and
Zharangutiun (Heritage) parties was to discuss the possibilities
of creating a public movement within the framework of the “17+1”
format. NDU Chairman Vazgen Manukian declared this at the same time
mentioning that soon his party will have such meetings with other
parties, too. According to him, “this is a period of not active
actions, but active negotiations, a period of clarification of
general viewpoints”. In response to the question about the possible
participation of the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party in the
above-mentioned discussions NDU Chairman said that “OYP itself has
not determined it place yet”. Meanwhile he considered possible future
cooperation with OYP Chairman Artur Baghdasarian saying that it is
not obligatory within the framework of the “17+1” format. According
to him, some verges for cooperation will be found as in spite of the
OYP’s shortcomings and the “circumstance of its involvement in bad
things, there is energy and people to cooperate with in OYP”.