Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 27 2008

Party from Armenian ruling coalition replaces three ministers

YEREVAN May 27

Three ministers from the coalition party Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) have stepped down from their
government offices following their election to the Bureau of this
political organization.

"Agriculture Minister David Lokian, Education Minister Levon
Lazarian, and Labor and Social Affairs Minister Agvan Vardanian were
elected members of the ARFD Bureau at 30th general meeting of the
ARFD.

New ministers representing the ARFD will be appointed in their stead,"
Grant Margarian of the ARFD Bureau told journalists on Tuesday.

Candidates for the ministers will be made public "after the ARFD
Supreme Body makes a relevant decision," he said.

ARFD Bureau members have no right to hold ministerial offices,
Margarian said. "This decision will have no influence on cooperation
within the coalition framework," he said.

The ruling coalition comprises the Republican Party, the Prospering
Armenia party, the Orinats Yerkir party, and the ARFD.