Republican Party Prepares To Win In First Round And Understands ARF

REPUBLICAN PARTY PREPARES TO WIN IN FIRST ROUND AND UNDERSTANDS ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN

Lragir, Armenia
Sept 7 2007

The political negotiations among the political parties on the
presidential election are about to end and apparently without any
result, said the leader of the Republican Party Karen Karapetyan
on September 7 at the Friday press club. "I think and I wish there
were two, or even three poles, joined on the basis of ideology, not
against but for the sake of something, and appeared to the public,
I mean the poles, with their programs, approaches, as well as all the
other elements, and the society could make a choice," Karen Karapetyan
says. He underlines that judging by the statements of all the political
figures no such poles will emerge.

"I think four or maybe five opposition candidates will be put up. It
means the pro-opposition audience is distorted, and at the same time
it means it is not clear whether part of this pro-opposition voters
will vote for them or not," Karen Karapetyan says. Therefore, he
thinks that there is no alternative to Serge Sargsyan, the candidate
of the Republican Party. "We will have a determined victory," says
the leader of the Republican faction.

In answer to the question what his thoughts about the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun which says to put up its own candidate who will be
Serge Sargsyan’s opponent, Karen Karapetyan says people always want to
compare with the strong to appear stronger. "I would not understand
them if they compared them with another force. I understand their
plan," Karen Karapetyan says.

He also said they do not worry that the parliament majority and the
government majority puts up a candidate. "We are strong enough, we
know the political forces that will support us, we suppose that a
number of NGOs, as well as people will support us, and our success
will be impressive, and you will become convinced of that," says
the leader of the Republican Party. He thinks they will achieve that
impressive success in the first round of the election. "Considering
the distribution, and the distorted sphere, I think it is realistic
to win an absolute victory in the first round," says the leader of
the Republican faction.

He gave an ambiguous answer to the question whether the Republican
Party which is preparing for the presidential election may consider
an early election in its tactics or strategy. "Considering what is
underway now, there is indeed some time, some one or two months,
for new developments. But I think this stage in the talks is over,
at least for me, regarding the opposition forces and emergence of
certain poles," Karen Karapetyan says.