DEMIRCHIAN RULES OUT ALLIANCE WITH PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES
By Anna Saghabalian

Radio Liberty, Czech rep.
Nov 13 2006

A prominent opposition leader has rejected any possible alliance with
pro-government forces ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.

Stepan Demirchian, leader of the People’s Party of Armenia (HZhK), told
the media on Monday that the party he leads will either participate
in the elections separately or in a bloc with other opposition forces.

"The only way is to struggle and I am convinced that the opposition
will still have its say," Demirchian said.

Demirchian did not rule out the possibility of cooperation with Orinats
Yerkir, a former ruling coalition member party led by ex-parliament
speaker Artur Baghdasarian.

"We are ready for cooperation if Orinats Yerkir declares that it is
in opposition," he said, adding that they already cooperate with this
party in the legislative process in parliament.

The HZhK congress originally planned for this month has been postponed
for what the party’s leader describes as technical reasons.

The congress, according to him, is likely to be held in January or
February 2007.

Demirchian also hailed the idea of all prominent opposition leaders
having their nominations in single-mandate constituencies, but added
that it is also important for opposition leaders to concentrate on
work for the benefit of their parties.

The oppositionist accused different wings of power for already using
administrative resource and channeling part of their illicit profits
at influencing political processes in the country.

"There are already pressures, including against journalists. People
in different fields are forced to become partisans, now this is being
done in the tax and customs spheres as well," Demirchian claimed.

Demirchian also spoke about the outside influences on elections in
Armenia. "One cannot underestimate the factor of outside influence
on elections, but let’s not overestimate it either," Demirchian said,
adding that his party will rely only on the Armenian people and will
participate in the elections to win.