NaharNet, Lebanon
March 29 2009

Tashnag Announces Candidates, Adheres to Doha Agreement

The Tashnag party announced Sunday the names of five candidates for
the upcoming legislative elections, paving the way for an Armenian
participation following the 2005 boycott of the polls.

"The party is reaffirming its decision to fully participate in the
elections through candidacy and through voting in all districts, in a
reversal of its 2005 boycott of the polls in Beirut," Tashnag
secretary general Hovig Mekhitarian told a press conference in Burj
Hammoud before naming the contenders.

Among the five candidates, Arthur Nazarian is the only official
Tashnag member and will be running in Beirut’s second district "in
conformity with the Doha agreement," he said.

The rest of the parliamentary hopefuls were identified as: MP George
Qassarji in Zahleh; MP Hagop Pakradounian in the northern Metn; Freij
Saboungian for the Armenian Orthodox seat in Beirut’s first district
in addition to Krikor Calouste for the Armenian Catholic seat in
Beirut’s first district.

"The revival of the Armenian parliamentary bloc serves to breathe life
into what this bloc stand for and into its role in Parliament as an
advocate of moderation and dialogue," Mekhitarian said.

The June 7 elections "must take place in a climate of democracy and
must be free of violence and tension," he stressed.

Mekhitarian said that "fair representation in Parliament" will help
Lebanon confront major challenges such as "development, the fight
against corruption and accountability."

Concluding the conference, he called on all members of parliament to
unite around the state notably "the president of the republic who was
elected by full consensus."

Beirut, 29 Mar 09, 19:12