ALTERNATIVE NOT TO SEEK PARLIAMENT SEATS

Armenpress
Nov 27 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Nikol Pashinian, chief editor of
an aggressive independent newspaper, Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian
Time) said people who are proponents of liberal views and ideas are
uncertain which party to join because of numerous parties which say
they profess these same values.

Pashinian, who is one of the founders of a public initiative called
‘Alternative’ said the "Alternative’ was founded to save liberal
ideas and values from what he dubbed as ‘amorphous liberal processes."

He said the Alternative was beyond party affiliation and anyone,
no matter what party he belongs, can join the initiative. The sole
condition is that this person should accept their values and ideology
and their rules of game.

He said such notions as a pro-government force or an opposition
force should be revised because ‘in many cases their do not differ
in terms of their vision of Armenia’s future and ways to resolve its
major challenges."

He said the Alternative, designed as a future model, would begin
political activity only after winning an army of supporters. "There
are many smart people in Armenia who have things to say but they have
no platform. We shall provide that platform to them’ he said.

Pashinian also said the Alternative had not plans to contest the 2007
parliamentary elections. "It is not a plot to win a couple of seats
in the parliament," he added.