VAZGEN MANUKIAN CONVINCED THAT HE IS OPPOSITION’S MOST SUITABLE SINGLE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY

Noyan Tapan
May 30 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The readiness of the Republican Party
of Armenia having received more than 50% in the parliament to create
a coalition government is explained by the upcoming presidential
elections. Former RA MP, Chairman of National Democratic Union Vazgen
Manukian expressed such opinion at the May 30 press conference. In his
words, Chairman of RPA Board, Prime Minister Serge Sargsian "today
offers ministers’ portfolios to everybody," as the government being
formed will be temporary. It is to resign its commissions after the
2008 February presidential elections.

At the same time, in V. Manukian’s words, RPA will do its best to win
the presidential elections by one tour, as the second tour is always
more dangerous. And as the sum total of votes received by RPA in the
parliamentary elections with the votes of Bargavach Hayastan, ARFD and
ULP makes neearly 60% votes of voters, then holding the presidential
elections in the same way S. Sargsian can win the very first tour. In
V. Manukian’s words, S. Sargsian’s slyness is understandable, while
naivety of political forces who are ready to take part in that game
is not understandable.

As NDU Chairman affirmed, if S. Sargsian is elected as President in
2008, unprecedented power belonging to one person will be established
in Armenia, corruption and falsehood will continue. Besides, in his
words, Aliyev and Saakashvili having received education corresponding
to international standards cannot cooperate as equals with Sargsian
having "studied at evening courses of philological faculty" and
"those who will vote for Serge Sargsian will also vote for war."

Under such conditions, in V. Manukian’s words, unless the opposition
has a single candidate, it cannot win the presidential elections. At
the same time, he said that in the parliamentary elections a united
bloc should be formed at the very start, while in the presidential
elections a united candidate can be nominated during the elections,
as this was in 1996. "Let this not seem insolence, but in the current
situation I think I am the most suitable single candidate," Vazgen
Manukian stated.