KOCHARIAN QUESTIONS PREDECESSOR’S CHANCES

ARMENPRESS
Oct 29 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian cited last
Saturday the findings of several public opinion surveys to question
the chances of his predecessor, Levon Ter-Petrosian, to become the
main oppositional presidential hopeful for 2008 election.

Speaking to reporters in the southeastern town of Meghri, Kocharian
said there are least 2-3 opposition leaders who enjoy a higher
popularity rating.

"I do not think that Ter-Petrosian will be able to draw the attention
during the pre-election stage," he said.

Kocharian recalled that the Armenian National Movement (ANM) of Levon
Ter-Petrosian participated in all elections since 1999 and received
from 0.6 to 1.3 percent of the popular support.

"To think that the people have forgotten the period when their country
was ruled by the ANM will be naive," Kocharian said.

He added, "The fact is that the ANM left a very bad legacy. There is
no doubt that the ANM bears the responsibility for the collapse of
the Armenian economy."

Kocharian said further, ‘Now the ANM and its leaders see that
the country has recovered and they think there is a new chance of
plundering it and their appetite has been whetted. I do not see
any other explanation. I think this is why ANM leaders are dragging
actively Ter-Petrosian into this struggle to step up their resources. I
am confident that the people will not like to return to what they
had back in 1995-96."

In a related news Armenia’s first president, Levon Ter-Petrosian,
said at an opposition rally on Friday that he would run in 2008
presidential elections.