OSKANIAN EMPHASIZES PROPER CONDUCT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

ARMENPRESS
Jan 9, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian said
today a proper conduct of the February 19 presidential election will
be the government’s number one priority this year.

He added the government should work harder to ensure that the
presidential ballot become a step forward against the May 12 , 2006
parliamentary elections. According to Oskanian, given this, the
following next five years would be years of progress for Armenia
Oskanian urged political groups to drop any idea of trying to
destabilize the situation in a bid of solving political issues.

"My impression from private conservations with different people is
that there are still groups which have destabilization as a means of
attaining to their political goals on their agendas."

The foreign minister called on the media to expose such groups and
condemn them.

"The candidate elected by people will become the country’s president. I
am saying this in the first place as a citizen of Armenia, who
lives in this country together with family. I would never like to
see this country destabilized. And secondly, as a foreign minister I
am concerned about Armenia’s image and the efficiency of our foreign
policy,’ he said.

Oskanian said he has read parts of former president Levon
Ter-Petrosian’s election manifesto which refers to foreign policy.

"After Ter-Petrosian’s severe criticism of the incumbent government’s
foreign policy I expected his manifesto to have fresh and interesting
ideas and proposals. I am frustrated because there is not a hint of
something new in it,’ Oskanian said.