AS SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN AFFIRMS, OPPOSITION’S DIVISION WAS PREDETERMINED

Noyan Tapan
Mar 01 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The opposition failed to unite on the
threshold of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, as there was
no iedological axis necessary for unification. Shavarsh Kocharian,
Chairman of National Democratic Party, made such a statement at the
March 1 press conference. In his words, the Ardarutiun (Justice)
bloc formed before the 2003 elections included forces with different
ideologies, which were united by the idea of necessity of system
reforms. But when the opportunity to implement real reforms in the
country through constitutional amendments was created, the opposition
stepped back "being afraid of protecting their own achievement." As
NDP Chairman affirmed, starting from that moment the opposition’s
division was predetermined.

S. Kocharian reminded that the draft constitutional amendments
submitted to NA in first reading strengthened authoritarianism
for even more, which was prevented and the principles of power
differentiation was deepened and this was done thanks to opposition’s
pressure as well. As regards the power camp, in S. Kocharian’s words,
it is always consolidated, irrespective of the fact in what way
it presents itself to the public. The NDP Chairman said that power
forces will never permit the competition among them to endanger the
common interest: that is, to reproduce themselves and to retain the
power. S. Kocharian refuted the rumors that preelection agitation
of NDP, as well as other opposition forces running for the elections
independently is financed by the authorities. In his words, by this
logic all opposition forces in Armenia are mercenary, as all of them
will take part in the elections on their own. The NDP Chairman said
that all talks about the election results’ being predetermined and
opposition leaders’ being mercenary have the goal to deepen public’s
disappointment and to incite people not to go to elections.