ARMENIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO NOMINATE EX-PRESIDENT LEVON TER-PETROSIAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: A senior member of the former ruling Armenian National Movement (ANM) said today major opposition groups will never agree to rally around a single candidate to challenge a pro-government contender in 2008 presidential election.

Ararat Zurabian, chairman of the governing board of the ANM, denounced some opposition leaders ‘who would fail to collect enough votes for the post of a rural community head but are going to l contest the presidential elections.”

Zurabian undermined the concept of ‘a single’ opposition candidate, saying what is important is to create an alternative to the incumbent regime and to give ordinary voters a chance to make their choice.

Zurabian further predicted ‘an interesting autumn,’ because the political developments may take a surprise turn. He said the Armenian National Movement will nominate ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian as a presidential candidate, but he said nothing whether Ter-Petrosian has decided to come out of his decade-long seclusion and run for presidency. Zurabian said only Ter-Petrosian is contemplating a political comeback.

Commenting on the recent visits by Levon Ter-Petrosian to different regions of Armenia, Ararat Zurabian said Ter-Petrosian is eager to listen to people across the country and get a better idea of the overall situation.