KOCHARIAN: I AM NOT GOING TO SERVE IN STATE STRUCTURES

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2008 15:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "It’s hard to enumerate all achievements and
failures of the past ten years. But one thing is clear: I failed to
prevent the March 1 events, although tough measures helped to avoid
graver consequences" Armenian President Robert Kocharian told a news
conference today.

"Armenia can’t have a President elected with 80 per cent of
votes. 50-52 per cent is a normal index in all countries. It’s normal
that there are oppositionists discontent with the election results
but it doesn’t mean that they should lead people into the streets and
destroy the state. As you remember, Stepan Demirchyan garnered more
votes in 2003 than Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 2008. But Demirchyan did
not provoke clashes. The investigation into the March 1 events proves
that it was a thoroughly planned action, the organizers of which will
face trial," he said. "106 of 800 suspects have been arrested. There
were people willing to help the investigation."

As to his future work, the President asked journalists to be
patient. "I am not going to retire but have no intention to serve in
state structures either. I’ll have a little rest and then proceed to
work again," Mr Kocharian said.