Armenian minister eyeing rival in 2007 parliamentary polls

Armenian minister eyeing rival in 2007 parliamentary polls

Arminfo, Yerevan
1 Sep 06

1 September: The Armenian defence minister and head of the council of
the Republican Party, Serzh Sarkisyan, does not consider the
Prosperous Armenia Party [PAP] as a political rival. "This is a force
which has made a statement about its political goals. But its nature
will be known as a result of an election," Sarkisyan told journalists
at the Monte Melkonyan Military College on 1 September.

Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan is the chairman of the Republican
Party. Prominent businessman Gagik Tsarukyan is the head and founder
of the PAP. It is early to give any assessment of the competition
during the 2007 parliamentary election, Sarkisyan said.