PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN TO VISIT GERMANY, BELARUS AND KAZAKHSTAN BY THE END OF THE YEAR
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
01/09/2006
Viktor Soghomonian, spokesman for president Robert Kocharian, met
journalists on August 30 to present president’s scheduled foreign
visit for this year. In his words, by the end of this year president
Kocharian will visit Germany, will take part in CIS Summit in Minsk
as well as will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan. Almost as many
presidential visit are expected to take place in Armenia. "Diplomatic
circles discuss French president Jacques Chirac’s official visit as
well as the visits of presidents of Slovenia and Romania," Soghomonian
said. Concerning Chirac’s visit, the spokesman suggested to view his
visit as manifestation of traditionally friendly relations between
the two states and not to look for political contexts. Journalists
availed themselves of the opportunity to ask Viktor Soghomonian
their questions.
There is no conflict between Robert Kocharian and Serge
Sargsian. Soghomonian turned down rumors about the argument between
Kocharian and Sargsian concerning Prosperous Armenia and Republican
parties. As to the struggle between the parties, Soghomonian thinks
there is no such thing. "There may be discords and contradictions; if
they are absent then there are no different forces." The spokesman said
that he did not discuss with the president the publication according
to which the president does not want to see Serge Sargsian as his
successor. The spokesman made no forecast about Robert Kocharian’s
political future advising to ask president himself. He only said
that so far there is no consideration about Kocharian joining any
political party. Viktor Soghomonian stated that neither he is going
to join any party citing the principle that Kocharian’s staff should
not belong to any party.
As to Kocharian-Aliyev meeting, Soghomonian said it untimely to speak
about it. "A few days ago the foreign ministers agreed to meet. They
will try to prepare the presidents’ meeting," he said.
Asked why Armenia does not send peacekeepers to Lebanon, the
spokesperson said that now Armenia is not going to send its forces
as there are several reasons.
"Firstly, the mandate of peacekeeping forces is not finalized
yet, i.e. it is not clear where are the limits of their
activities. Secondly, participation of Armenian peacekeepers in
diverse clashes can be harmful for Lebanon’s big Armenian community."