ARMENPRESS

FOUR PARTIES REAFFIRM THEIR SUPPORT TO VAZGEN
MANUKIAN’S BID

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Leaders of four
small political parties have reaffirmed today their
endorsement of a former prime minister Vazgen
Manukian’s bid to become the country’s next president.
These parties are the Alliance of National
Democrats, the Constitutional Right Union, the
National Democratic Party and the National State .
Their leaders are former allies of Vazgen Manukian,
who is chairman of the National Democratic Union. The
latter described them as `people with whom I have
passed a road of 20 years through dreams, revolution,
war and domestic political turmoil.’
`There were moments and issues on which we failed
to reach agreement, but we all have been consolidated
around one idea-to have a modern national state,’
Vazgen Manukian added.
He praised these parties for their pursuance of
general welfare of the people and not of parochial
interests. He said all together they constitute a
strong power.
Vazgen Manukian said the next February 19
presidential election is of key significance for the
nation.
`It is true that there is an economic growth, roads
are being reconstructed, new buildings are being
built, but the main condition for the country to move
forward are its free and protected citizens who look
into future with confidence and who live a decent
life,’ he said.
Vazgen Manukian echoed also three other
presidential candidates, Levon Ter-Pertrosian, Vahan
Hovhanesian and Arthur Baghdasarian, questioning the
findings of opinion polls which give a huge lead to
prime minister Serzh Sarkisian over his rivals, albeit
he agreed that such surveys are important.
Manukian said his supporters interview people by
telephone from time to time to learn about popular
feelings, but he said their results are not for
publication.