Armenian politician criticizes defence minister for joining ruling party

Regnum, Moscow
18 Jul 06

An attempt to monopolize power in the hands of one party is being
made in Armenia, the former Armenian prime minister and leader
of the Armenian Democratic Union, Vazgen Manukyan, said at a news
conference on 18 July. He said that this is proved by the decision
of the secretary of the National Security Council under the Armenian
president, Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan, to join the Republican
Party of Armenia.

"Serzh Sarkisyan controls one part of financial flows, while the prime
minister and leader of the Republican Party of Armenia, Andranik
Markaryan, controls the other. The integration of these financial
flows will create a party of monsters," the former prime minister
said. He added that the concentration of power in the hands of one
party will be dangerous for the country.

Vazgen Manukyan said that the Armenian opposition cannot oppose this
event as it does not have sufficient financial means, our Regnum
correspondent reports. "I and some opposition leaders, particularly,
the former foreign minister, Raffi Ovannesyan, have come up with an
initiative to set up a civil movement," the MP said. He added that
this movement is being set up not for the 2007 parliamentary election,
but for returning power to the people.

"We have to try if not to come to power, then at least to have a
considerable presence in the government," Manukyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress