STATEMENT OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT AT FORUM
Author: R.Agayev

Trend
Today 19.09.2006

"Armenia-Diaspora" is intended for Armenian Public and Diaspora –
Russian Politician

The recent statement made by the Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
at the Forum "Armenia-diaspora" has been intended primarily for the
Armenian people and the Armenian diaspora, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief
of Russian "Kommersant" Newspaper, Politician Azer Mursaliyev
exclusively told Trend.

"Simply he regards himself as a patriot, a man who always protects
national interests. It is clear that at present Armenia is deeply
involved politically. It is unclear that Kocharyan will hold the power.

Meanwhile a fight for power has begun, and I think that these
statements have been implied firstly for the internal auditorium,
especially at the meeting with diasporas," Mursaliyev said, adding that
"to gain the sympathy of diasporas, with such statements, Kocharyan
demonstrates that only he is capable of protecting national interests".

Answering the question regarding the results of the referendum in
Pridnestrov, Mursaliyev stressed that the voting demonstrated a small
solidarity of population for unrecognized education. "On the other
hand, the referendum is a tool for pressure on the other side of the
conflict. Initially all international organizations announced the
referendum as illegal. For instance, the same referendums are held
in South Osetia through the same scheme and results," he emphasized.

Touching on Nagorno-Karabakh, the politician spelled out that various
types of referendums have already been held there. "From juridical
standpoint, all of them are simply insignificant. Each referendum
is considered illegal. And the visit of several foreigners may not
demonstrate the seriousness of the legal results of the referendum,"
Mursaliyev concluded.