PRO-RUSSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER VOWS TO START ‘AGGRESSIVE ELECTION FIGHTING’
Armenpress
Mar 19 2007
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS: Aram Karapetian, the leader of an
opposition Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) party, who does not conceal his
pro-Russian stance, vowed today to launch what he called’ aggressive
election fighting."
Speaking to a news conference Karapetian, who ran for 2003 presidential
election and collected as many votes as to be placed fourth, but was
surprisingly banned to run for parliamentary elections few months
later, urged today ‘the real opposition forces, ‘ who want this
country to experience a dramatic positive change, to join efforts
for an aggressive electioneering and use every possible resource.
Karapetian agreed that a sizeable portion of Armenians are frustrated
with major opposition forces, but said the fight would entail success
only in case hundreds of thousands of Armenians take to the streets
to defend their legitimate rights.
Karapetian then slightly criticized those opposition leaders, among
them a veteran politician Vazgen Manukian, head of the almost extinct
National Democratic Union, for deciding to boycott the May 12 polls,
arguing that ‘every political party must participate in all national
elections."
Karapetian said his party will use free airtime on Public TV,
envisaged by the law and will also buy airtime to advertise his
party’s campaign. He also warned Armenia would come under strong
external pressure if the polls were rugged.