Mediamax, Armenia
Jan 11 2008
ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT AGAINST ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH "DEMOCRACY FROM
OUTSIDE"
Yerevan, 11 January: Armenian ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan said
in Yerevan today that he is "against attempts to establish democracy
from outside".
Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Ter-Petrosyan said
that he "will address neither Russia, nor the USA or Europe for
help".
"If, to put it figuratively, I get power in Armenia on a silver
plate, I will refuse that plate," the ex-president said. He added
that "the world will have to consider the choice of my people".
Asked what Ter-Petrosyan will do if he loses the elections and
international observers recognize them as meeting international
standards, the ex-president noted that "the conclusion of the
international observation mission is their own opinion, not the
ultimate truth".
Ter-Petrosyan pointed out that if he and his team are forced to
dispute the results of the elections, it will happen strictly in
compliance with legislation.
"We will stage demonstrations, rallies, pickets and go to court. Do
not expect me to break fences, seize buildings or attack the leaders
of parliament," Ter-Petrosyan said while speaking about the actions
carried out by supporters of the leader of the National Democratic
Union [NDU], Vazgen Manukyan, after the presidential elections of
1996.
[translated]