Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Dec 5 2007
WE’LL RESPECT THE COURT DECISION IN ALL ASPECTS
`I believe it’s clear what approach I will have and whom I will
support during the presidential election, but if there is any need, I
will express my attitude before February 19,’ President ROBERT
KOCHARYAN said yesterday, in response to the questions of the
journalists.
The fact that Aram Karapetyan, leader of `New Times’ party, failed
to submit a notice on his being a permanent resident of the Republic
of Armenia during the past 10 years was also touched upon. `In
general, it would be advantageous to us if the given political figure
were registered and participated in the presidential elections. As
shown by the Parliamentary elections, he enjoys no considerable
rating; neither does his revolutionary enthusiasm receive particular
support by the people. And generally, at each election time, there
must be someone to entertain the electorate,’ R. Kocharyan noted.
According to the President, the elections should be viewed from
two angles. `The first is that, it will be politically advantageous
to us if he runs for election. This will also disperse the votes of
the pro-Opposition candidates (perhaps I am not using the right term,
but it will really be advantageous).
The elections, however, have a legal background as well, and it is
extremely important for nobody to have any grounds to appeal the
election results for the simple reason that one of the candidates had
no right to run for election, and it was his votes that prevented
this or that political force from gaining success. This is a very
important factor,’ R. Kocharyan said.
According to the President, in 2003 there was a legally binding
court decision regarding this particular figure’s having lived in
Armenia for 10 years, and the decision was not appealed thereafter.
`Four years passed after that. He could have appealed; he could have
resorted to higher tribunals, taken certain steps to settle the
situation. I don’t know what final decision the court will make, but
we will respect the court decision in all aspects.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
