Armenian leader against defence minister’s plans to join ruling party – daily

Iravunk, Yerevan
12 Jul 06

Text of D. H.’s report by Armenian newspaper Iravunk on 12 July
headlined "He has not given his approval"

According to a source close to a newly-established pro-government
party [presumably, the Flourishing Armenia Party], immediately after
returning from Iran Armenian President Robert Kocharyan had a hard
talk with Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan who is going to join the
Republican Party [led by Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan] and even
occupy one of the top posts in the party.

Robert Kocharyan simply forbade Serzh Sarkisyan to join the Republican
Party explaining this by unfavourable geopolitical reaction to
such a step and saying that an alliance between Serzh Sarkisyan
and the Republican Party was not in line with the programmes of any
geopolitical centre connected with the future of Armenia [sentence
as given].

According to the same source, Kocharyan and Sarkisyan finally arranged
to discuss the problem after a G8 summit which will be held in St
Petersburg on 15-17 July.