LEADER OF "NOR ZHAMANAKNER" PARTY DOES NOT EXCLUDE THAT HE CAN BECOME NEXT RA PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan
Sep 3, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "I am going to put forward
my candidature in the forthcoming presidential elections," Aram
Karapetian, the Chairman of the "Nor Zhamanakner" (New Times) party
declared at the press conference held on September 3. According to him,
from 8 to 10 candidates will take part in the presidential elections,
two out of whom, that is, Serge Sargsian and the candidate of the ARF
Dashnaktsutiun party, will be from the power wing. "The presidential
elections will have two stages: Serge Sargsian and I will pass on to
the second stage," Aram Karapetian declared, not excluding the fact
that he may become the next President of Armenia.

He excluded that the current President will nominate his own
candidature for the third time. In the words of Aram Karapetian,
"Robert Kocharian has chosen a very right way: he is already visiting
Serbia and Chernogoria." Not substantiating his statement, he also
regarded it impossible that Levon-Ter Petrosian will enter the second
stage in case he is nominated.

Aram Karapetian stated that he is not envisaging to take part in the
discussions and meetings concerning the common opposition candidate. In
his opinion, the opposition forces will come up with a few fragments in
the presidential elections, which, in all probability, will not provide
the productiveness of the struggle of the opposition forces. As for the
dispersion of votes of the opposition electorate, Aram Karapetian said:
"Only one or two candidates nominated by the opposition will receive
enough votes, the other votes will in some way or other disperse."

He also mentioned that the "Nor Zhamanakner" party has no financial
problems, at the same time leaving the question of which are the
financial sources of the party unanswered.