Armenian MP chides president for congratulating Ukrainian premier

Mediamax news agency
30 Nov 04

YEREVAN

"Armenia is placing itself against the democratic world and European
entities," a member of the [Armenian] National Assembly from the
opposition Justice bloc, Shavarsh Kocharyan, said in Yerevan today.

He was commenting on the message of Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan to congratulate [Ukrainian prime minister and presidential
candidate] Viktor Yanukovych on his election as Ukrainian
president. The parliamentarian also said that the Armenian president
joined a statement critical of the OSCE, which was signed by some CIS
presidents earlier this year.

Drawing parallels between the situation in Armenia after the
presidential elections in 2003 and the developments in Ukraine,
Shavarsh Kocharyan said that the Armenian opposition is more passive
because of the lack of "public order for democratization" and people's
unreadiness for nationwide protests.

He also said that "Russia doesn't want to have a strong ally in the
region as Armenia, preferring an easily managed puppet leader".