DEMOCRATIC PARTY READY FOR COOPERATION

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: Leader of a minor opposition party
advocated today formation of a self-sufficient alliance to contest
next parliamentary elections saying it should be able to press for
what he called ‘systematic changes in the country."

Aram Sarkisian, leader of the Democratic Party, elected to parliament
in 2003 polls on the opposition Ardarutyun (Justice) bloc’s ticket,
said to a news conference today that he would not object to a wider
alliance and is prepared to cooperate with all forces that are
determined not only to supervise the voting on the election day but
also all election-related processes.

"The opposition bares a great responsibility… It has to has an
effective team and political will to face any force majeur situation
that may erupt during the election campaign or on voting day," he
told reporters.

Sarkisian said his party activists will meet February 24 for a
conference to decide the format of its participation in the elections,
tentatively slated for May 12 and will declare their goals and plans.

Sarkisian predicted ‘an interesting competition’ among opposition
forces saying at least two or three opposition blocs would be made
of parties with different ideologies.

He argued that voters should be given a chance to make their choices
after listening to opposition forces’ approaches to various issues,
particularly, on foreign policy. "We are for Armenia’s integration
with international organizations, but we are against its joining
NATO… We deem it unacceptable, because that would make a partner
a rival,’ he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress