Vartan Oskanian says Kocharyan has nothing to do with his intention to establish political party (video)
Vartan Oskanian, who served as Armenia’s foreign minister during the presidency of Robert Kocharyan, says Kocharyan is not connected with his intention to set up a political party. Speaking at the parliamentary briefings on Monday, Oskanian said, “I think I have given sufficient explanation on this matter, Kocharyan has nothing to do with the party, but I won’t be putting myself in a position of constantly separating myself from Kocharyan,” However, Oskanian decided to answer who will be involved in his new political party and whether it will include members of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) he was affiliated with. “Everything will be known soon. I shall neither confirm nor deny any names. I just do not think it appropriate now to speak about members. You will know everything when a final decision is made,” he said. Asked how he is going to get people's vote of confidence, given the March 1 bloody clashes during Kocharyan’s presidency which remain in people’s memory, Oskanian replied grinning, “I am going to gain it with the resources I possess, the program of the party and our vision for the country’s future.” While Oskanian admits that the Kocharyan administration had failures he stresses that it also had great achievements. “I think that in most cases our people remember that period well. Let us not blacken everything,” he said. With regard to the March 2008 post-election clashes, Oskanian said, “I h had the courage to stand before a camera and I call on the government and opposition to start dialogue on the events.”
