"SERGE SARGSIAN AND LEVON TER-PETROSIAN SHOULD STEP BACK FROM PRESIDENTIAL STRUGGLE, SUPPORTING ANY THIRD CANDIDATE," HEAD OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNION SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Nov 8, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. Irrespective of the fact that
17 years have passed since the Soviet Union collapsed and Armenia
became independent, none of the authorities formed in the country
during this period has managed to become a real alternative for the
communist system. This point of view was expressed by Tatul Manaserian,
a former MP of the RA National Assembly and a doctor of economics,
during the November 8 discussion. In his words, no authority has
managed to create an atmosphere of mutual confidence between itself
and the people, "so as the people turn their faces towards the
authority." At present as well, according to Tatul Manaserian, if
those, who want to be nominated in the 2008 presidential elections,
do not repent, do not admit their mistakes of the past, the electors
will not be filled with faith towards them.

Another participant of the discussion Hrant Khachatrian, the Chairman
of the Constitutional Rights Union, mentioned that citizens of Armenia
are again standing in front of making a choice, without an alternative:
the two main candidates,that is to say, the first president and
the current Prime Minister: they do not offer a new word or a new
program. The nomination of the first president, according to Hrant
Khachatrian, is more inclined to "breaking" the current system than
contributing to the development of the country by coming to power. In
his conviction, it would be much better if the above-mentioned two
figures stepped back and supported a candidate, who "would symbolize
the national awakening."

Opposing the last observation of Hrant Khachatrian, Tatul Manaserian
mentioned that the idea on a third candidate to be supported by
the two strong political figures "is from the field of political
romanticism" and is peculiar to western countries, but not to Armenia,
where personal ambitions are deciding.