KOCHARIAN REACTS TO PREDECESSOR’S CRITICISM

ARMENPRESS
Sept 25 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian reacted
today to a September 21 speech by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian
that he was still examining, weighing up, considering things before to
decide whether to join the presidential race for 2008 election or not.

Asked by journalists to comment on these remarks, Kocharian said if
his predecessor decides to re-inject into big politics and contest the
highest post of the country he will not differ from many " ordinary’
oppositional leaders with presidential ambitions.

On September 21 former president Levon Ter-Petrosian broke his nearly
decade-long silence during a reception organized by his Armenian
National Movement (ANM) to mark Independence Day with an unusually
harsh attack on the current authorities in Yerevan, branding them as
"criminal and corrupt."

Robert Kocharian said he was avoiding criticism of his predecessor
for ten years.

" I believe that the first president of Armenia should be surrounded
by a flavor of mystery, there must be a sort of mystery connected with
establishment of independent state and this responsibility should be
sensed by ex-president first of all,’ he said.

Kocharian said Armenia would not be able to report for years
double-digit economic growth if his administration was corrupt and
criminal.

‘Armenia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This
growth goes hand in hand with massive reforms. If Ter-Petrosian’s
assessments were true Armenia would have never achieved this
development rate," Kocharian said.

He said when he was appointed prime minister ten years ago he received
a legacy of a $300 million budget with a $40 million deficit.

He said the 2008 budget is to grow to $2.5 million.

"One has to be in a deep seclusion not to see all these achievements,’
Kocharian said.