Interfax, Russia
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
February 22, 2008 Friday 12:16 PM MSK

Armenian defense minister denies military brass support opposition

YEREVAN Feb 22

Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Shakhsurian has brushed aside
speculation that some high-ranking military officials might have
switched allegiance to the losing candidate in the presidential
election in Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosian.

"There was nothing like that," the Armenian Defense Minister told
Interfax on Thursday.

Ter-Petrosian earlier told a rally of his supporters, who want a
revision of election results, that he met with the deputies of the
Armenian defense minister, Manvel Grigorian and Gakik Melkonian.

"On their behalf I am authorized to tell you that they, as deputies
of the defense minister, stand by the people and will defend the
candidate who got the people’s vote of confidence," Ter-Petrosian
said.

He said he was reassured that the army "will not interfere in
politics. Both see themselves as guarantors of security for the
people.

And I am certain that the army command will join them."

The deputies told me they are in talks with Armenian Chief of General
Staff Seiran Oranian, he said.

It has been reported that Ter-Petrosian’s supporters are protesting
in Yerevan, demanding a revision of the results of the presidential
election held in the country on February 19.

The election was won by Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, with
52.86% of the vote. Ter-Petrosian got 21.5% of the vote.