Hrant Bagratyan: I was right in my decision
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?"
