"I WOULD REMAIN PRESIDENT IF I WANTED"

A1+
[07:14 pm] 11 October, 2006

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkadi Ghoukasyan rendered a
press conference today in order to inform that journalists and through
them to the society that he is not going to be nominated for the post
of the NKR President for the third time.

Mr. Ghoukasyan made the announcement in answer to the opinions that
it is his desire to be nominated for the third time that makes him
adopt the NKR Constitution.

"I would not pay attention to the gossips if it weren’t for two
important factors: the reputation of Nagorno Karabakh as a country
faithful to democratic values, and the importance of the Constitution
in the life of the country", Arkadi Ghoukasyan announced.

Explaining why the Constitution is being adopted now the President
said that a number of objective circumstances prevented them from
adopting the Constitution earlier.

"I assure you that I never intended to be nominated for the third
time. Even if the Constitution gives me that right, it doesn’t mean
that I will make use of it. Power has never been an aim in itself for
me. If I wanted to preserve the post of the President, theoretically
I would choose an easier way through changing the corresponding law
in the Parliament", the NKR President said.

At the end of his speech Arkadi Ghoukasyan voiced hope that
his announcement will put an end to the gossips which harm the
international reputation of Nagorno Karabakh.