IN SAMVEL BABAYAN’S WORDS, IT IS NOT AS A RESULT OF AGREEMENTS THAT HE WITHDRAWS HIS CANDIDATURE FROM ELECTORAL DISTRICT No37

Noyan Tapan
Apr 20 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "I have not allowed during my
whole life to speak with me with making conditions, irrespective
of the fact who will be the one making conditions, what post he
will have, a person of what level he will be." Samvel Babayan, the
Chairman of the "Dashink" (Alliance) party made such a statement at
the Etchmiadzin meeting with voters, disproving the rumours as if
he withdrew his candidature from electoral district No37 as result
of reaching agreements with some forces. In his words, one can not
agree with him: "it is another issue, if they ask."

Responding the question of one of voters, who, according to his
foresights, will be nominated at the 2008 president’s elections,
S. Babayan said that everything depends on results of the parliamentary
elections. And the president’s candidate to be nominated by the party
will be decided after the May 12 elections, at the "Dashink" congress,
with secret ballot.

The "Dashink" Chairman stated that in the case of coming to the
parliament, they will raise pensions on the account of reduction
of expenses of the state apparatus. In his words, those expenses
today devour 60% of the country budget. "Those normative acts must
be changed, and "the officials must tighten their belts," S. Babayan
stated.

As for the issue concerning possible control of the Karabakh war,
S. Babayan mentioned that Armenia is ought to have a professional army
which will suppress the opponent’s military ambitions. "If there is
a war or not depends on the fact what kind of army we shall have,"
he added.

Hmayak Hovhannisian, the Chairman of the Union of Politicians of
Armenia, involved in the 4th place of the "Dashink" proportional list,
explained in his speech why "Dashink" held its first pre-electoral
meeting in Etchmiadzin. In his words, "Etchmiadzin occupies the first
place in the country with the number of boors falling to the lot of
one person, but the flag of justice and belief must be hoisted just
in that city."