Lragir, Armenia
Jan 18 2008
ROBERT KOCHARYAN CONGRATULATED LEVON TER-PETROSYAN
On January 18 the Armenian president Robert Kocharyan visited the
City Hall of Yerevan for a consultation and held a news briefing
answering several questions concerning the presidential election.
With regard to the possibility of a second stage Robert Kocharyan
said these rumors are put up by political forces to enable political
bargains. According to Robert Kocharyan, the society determines the
number of election rounds, but public polls suggest that the
candidate of the government stands a chance to win the election in
the first round.
Robert Kocharyan also commented on the concern voiced by the deputy
leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party Heghine Bisharyan about the budget
assignment of 170 million drams for new passports. The president said
he promises that this money will not be spent in the first quarter to
dispel doubts that new passports will be issued for vote tampering.
Robert Kocharyan said the money is allocated for a more modern
passport system.
The reporters also asked his thoughts on Ter-Petrosyan’s statement
that if the other candidates say they will win, he says he has
already won. Robert Kocharyan only said that he congratulates Levon
Ter-Petrosyan.
With regard to his plans after leaving office, President Robert
Kocharyan said he will speak about it in April, in the period of
inauguration of the next president.