Hrant Bagratyan: I Was Right In My Decision

HRANT BAGRATYAN: I WAS RIGHT IN MY DECISION

08:04 pm | Today | Politics

Members of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) knew that HAK MP Hrant
Bagratyan would run in February’s presidential race if Armenia’s
first President and HAK Leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan decided not to
challenge the election, Mr Bagratyan told RFE/RL’s Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am).

The former Prime Minister of Armenia says he maintains relations
with Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Recently, Mr Bagratyan called the first
president to congratulate him on the New Year and birthday.

As to whether he could not have waited for Ter-Petrosyan’s decision for
another two days to announce his intention [to stand for president],
Hrant Bagratyan said, “I was right in my decision. Like a clown, I
twice cancelled the congress of the party. I made the announcement on
the second day of my nomination while the candidates were to announce
their intention [to run in the election] in November.

It does not matter that he [Levon Ter-Petrosyan] yielded his
parliamentary mandate to me. I have already thanked him for it.

Frankly speaking, I did not want to be involved in the HAK’s slate.

Ter-Petrosyan said that he would not run for president and I nominated
my candidacy. Have I been unscrupulous or dishonest?”