DON’T LOOK BACK, MR. GHUKASYAN

Lragir, Armenia
July 19 2007

NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan believes that the political forces
must honor the choice of people. In speaking about the complaints
regarding the voting, Arkady Ghukasyan agreed there are complaints
but he does not think they all are grounded. These must be checked,
there is an authorized body which will attend to it but it will not
influence the democratic image of the country, Ghukasyan thinks. He
regrets to say that black PR has penetrated from Armenia to Karabakh.

According to Arkady Ghukasyan, the statements that there was pressure
from the security agencies are not true either. "When people see they
will be defeated, they start inventing tales."

The reporters asked the president to comment on the opinion of the
Armenian pollster Aaron Adibekyan who said Bako Sahakyan is "daddy",
Masis Mayilyan is "glamour", and that in Karabakh they prefer a
"daddy". Personally I am not acquainted with Mr. Adibekyan, and for
me it is difficult to comment. I think it is an insult for the people
of Karabakh. As to Igor Muradyan, he is a sick person. Certainly,
he has made a great contribution to the nation. But such statements
regarding this country are immoral," Arkady Ghukasyan said.

Arkady Ghukasyan thinks his statement on endorsing Bako Sahakyan will
influence the people for whom Arkady Ghukasyan is an authority. The
others will not. At the same time, Arkady Ghukasyan said if usually
the political forces are first elected then form a coalition, in
Karabakh it is the contrary, the political forces have united before
the election. "I think it is determined by the personality of Bako
Sahakyan. As well as the peculiarities of Karabakh. We are at war,
and we must mobilize people for the solution of these problems."

According to Arkady Ghukasyan, the union of forces endorsing Bako
Sahakyan is not artificial. Arkady Ghukasyan said opposition forces
also united for Bako Sahakyan. "The opposition is perceived to be
resentful. The opposition are the people whom we dismissed at one time
because they do not deserve these posts. This is called opposition. But
I think the opposition must have an idea, and in that case the classic
formula will work," Ghukasyan said.

Arkady Ghukasyan said he leaves with the feeling that he fulfilled
his duty, and is hopeful that the new president will rule the country
better than him.