OGASSAPIAN: MARCH 14 ALLIANCE TO ANNOUNCE ITS UNIFIED ELECTORAL LISTS VERY SOON

NowLebanon
April 9 2009
Lebanon

Minister of State Jean Ogassapian said in a statement issued on
Thursday that the March 14 alliance had publicly taken the decision
to run united in the upcoming parliamentary elections with unified
electoral lists throughout Lebanon, adding that the lists would be
announced very soon.

Ogassapian said that negotiations between the Future Movement and the
Tashnaq party failed, because both parties were unable to reach an
agreement. He said the lack of understanding "reflected negatively
on the elections and on the possibility of forming an Armenian bloc
with clear policies."

However, Ogassapian said that "political disagreement with the Tashnaq
does not eliminate common" Armenian principles, and he highlighted the
importance of the Armenian Church’s national and religious authority.

He said he hoped the next cabinet would be "harmonious and productive"
to be capable of making quick decisions. He called on the minority to
clarify its stance on the obstructing third vote in the next cabinet.

Ogassapian also said that President Michel Sleiman assured during
Wednesday’s cabinet session that the government had to make the pending
administrative appointments in two weeks at the latest, "or let those
who obstruct" the appointments would deal with the consequences.