VAZGEN MANUKYAN AND TER-PETROSYAN RENEWED RELATIONS

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[05:58 pm] 10 October, 2007

Renewal of relations between National Democratic Party leader Vazgen
Manukyan and Armenian former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan didn’t
affect Manukyan’s political stance.

"In 2005 I initiated a meeting with Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Unfortunately,
he did not respond.

Today Vazgen Manukyan told details about his recent meeting with
Levon Ter-Petrosyan at Karabakh Committee member Samson Ghazaryan’s
place. This time the initiator was Ter-Petrosyan. We recalled the
past and discussed some issues. We did not assume any obligations
and neither reached any agreement. But we renewed our relations. I
must confess that we had not met over the past 14-15 years," Vazgen
Manukyan said.

According to the NDP leader, they stick to their opinions in the
political sense. They even argued on some points, e.g. over the
events of 1996. According to Vazgen Manukyan, either he or Levon
Ter-Petrosyan must be responsible for the presidential election of
1996. "People ask me whether we forgive each other or not. It is not
a matter of personalities. What happened in 1996 was a shock that
changed life in Armenia. I am sure I won the election, he is sure
he won the election. But someone is definitely responsible for the
outcome," Vazgen Manukyan said.

"A president cannot merely say I have finished my work and I can go
home. The responsibilities that you assume as the first president of
the country last for the rest of your life. Therefore, a country’s
first president should spell out his opinion at least once a year
and try to influence on processes. In a normal country, the first
president should use his status in contacts with other countries to
help solve national problems," the NDP leader said.

Vazgen Manuklyan dwelt on his meeting with Raffi Hovannisian without
revealing the details. As for a joint presidential nominee, Vazgen
Manukyan said, "Parties’ alliance is doomed to failure unless there
is solidarity among the public."