ORINATS YERKIR PARTY DID NOT SUPPORT INITIATIVE TO UNITE ARMENIAN OPPOSITION

Regnum, Russia
Feb 7 2007

An uneasy situation occurred in Armenia in connection with the
forthcoming elections, and the situation will divide those who
are weak and unite those who are strong, leader of the opposition
Orinats Yerkir party, ex-chair of the parliament Artur Bagdassaryan
announced at a news conference today. He reminded that as early as
today Europe is showing interest in the upcoming elections. He also
said that Armenia needs to cooperate closely with NATO, which will
result in political consequences and, of course, to cooperate with
the EU in order to become a member of the European community.

Artur Bagdassaryan noted once again that there was no need for
opposition to unite in a single bloc; according to him, it will only
make it easier for the authorities, only one strike will be enough to
neutralize protest forces. Speaking of participation of his party in
the elections, he said that Orinats Yerkir will go to the parliamentary
elections on its own without blocking with any force.

As he said, a very interesting pre-election situation established
in Armenia, and the elections 2007 can be treated as "a window of
opportunity." Meanwhile, he said that obstacles are being put in
conducting election-campaigns, as 1 minute of broadcasting costs
100,000 dram, which is, according to him, several times more than
a minimal salary. Bagdassaryan stressed that responsibility for
conducting fair elections is first of all on the authorities, which
are obliged to create equal conditions for all political forces.

It is worth mentioning, after the parliamentary elections 2003 Orinats
Yerkir entered the ruling coalition together with ARF Dashnaktsutyun
and the Republican Party. In May 2006, Orinats Yerkir party left the
ruling coalition and entered the protest camp. The party’s leader
Artur Bagdasaryan resigned from the post of the parliamentary speaker.