Leader of NSDU: Armenia can become most democratic country in world

YEREVAN, August 30. /ARKA/. Armenia can become the most democratic country in the world, the leader of the National Self-Determination Union (NSDU) party Paruyr Hayrikian told a press conference. “All the preconditions for it are established in the country today,” he added.

According to the leader of NSDU, the political image of Armenia may be improved only if all democratic political forces combine their efforts in implementation of the democratization program.

In this respect Hayrikian holds consultations with the political forces of Armenia to exchange opinions on the possible ways of cooperation and elaboration of a joint action plan in the process of presidential election campaign.

“Only in case of such unification I will agree to nominate myself for the presidential elections in Armenia to be held in the beginning of 2008,” Hayrikian said.

He pointed out that although the second stage of the consultations is currently underway, the circle of political forces able to establish such an association are not outlined yet.

Hayrikian pointed out unacceptability of purely formal nomination. “I will nominate myself only if I am confident in victory,” the leader of NSDU said.

Hayrikian is willing to support other candidate of democratic forces only if he is the candidate of consolidated forces and if he is in demand. He considered it possible to establish a united election campaign platform of the Armenian democratic forces for the presidential elections.

“In the course of our consultations we consider such opportunities, as well as means of coordination of organizational and financial issues, the ideologies and the programs of the parties that are to join the possible union,” Hayrikian said.

Hayrikian pointed out that the union will in no way be a united opposition front, but will become a team of democratic forces where pro-governmental parties can be involved as well.

“If the acting Prime-Minister of the country Serge Sargsian, who will also contend for the presidency, supports my program, then I am ready to support his candidacy,” Hayrikian said. N.V. –0--