TER-PETROSIAN NEGOTIATES POSSIBLE ALLIANCE WITH TWO OPPOSITION GROUPS

ARMENPRESS
Feb 5, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS: Chief of ex-president Levon
Ter-Petrosian’s central campaign headquarters, Arman Musinian, said
today Ter-Petrosian was negotiating a possible alliance with two
other opposition parties, represented in the Armenian parliament- the
Zharangutyun (Heritage) of Raffi Hovhanesian and Arthur Baghdasarian’s
Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law).

Speaking at a news conference Arman Musinian said the talks were
likely to reach their ‘logical end’ later this week. He said Levon
Ter-Petrosian has been urging a broad opposition alliance from the
moment of his political comeback saying it is vital for challenging
the government’s candidate.

Campaigning last weekend in Vanadzor Ter-Petrosian said he had serious
grounds to expect Arthur Baghdasarian and Raffi Hovhanesian to team
up with him.

According to Arman Musinian, Aram Karapetian, head of another
opposition Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) party is likely to endorse
Ter-Petrosian’s presidential bid as well.

On Monday, however, Raffi Hovhanesian insisted that he has not yet
decided to endorse any of Armenia’s presidential candidates, but
admitted negotiating with Ter-Petrosian and Baghdasarian.

Arman Musinian said today that the ex-president avoids TV and newspaper
interviews because he is very busy and because he is afraid that they
may turn into what he described as ‘an interrogation."