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OSKANIAN LEANING AGAINST PRESIDENTIAL RUN
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Sept 6 2007
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian indicated on Thursday that his
participation in next year's presidential elections is unlikely
despite an opinion poll suggesting that he is the most popular of
potential contenders.
Oskanian left indications last year that he is seriously considering
joining the race to succeed President Robert Kocharian. That prompted
speculation that he, rather than Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian,
is Kocharian's preferred successor.
Speaking at a regular news conference, Oskanian was asked whether he
has already made a decision. "Those who want to be candidates are
already speaking out. The fact that I don't speak out means that I
am not a candidate," he replied without elaborating.
Oskanian, who has served as foreign minister since 1998, added only
that he still does not know what he will do after Kocharian completes
his second and final term in office next March.
A leading pro-Kocharian pollster told RFE/RL earlier this week that
a recent U.S.-funded poll conducted by his Armenian Sociological
Association found that Oskanian would have garnered the largest number
of votes if the presidential ballot had been held in July.
Gevorg Poghosian said Sarkisian was less popular than not only Oskanian
but opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian and Kocharian-connected
businessman Gagik Tsarukian as of July.
"The results are interesting," Oskanian said, commenting on the
survey. "I haven't studied them in detail, I don't even know the
numbers. In any case, they are interesting, but don't make me so
enthusiastic that I will make decisions based on them."
There are lingering questions as to whether Oskanian, who was born
in Syria and later became a U.S. citizen, is eligible to run for
president. Under Armenia's constitution, only those individuals who
have been Armenian citizens and lived in the country for at least
ten years preceding a presidential election can be registered as
candidates. Kocharian granted Oskanian Armenian citizenship in April
1998. The forthcoming vote is expected to take place in February or
March 2008.
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Sept 6 2007
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian indicated on Thursday that his
participation in next year's presidential elections is unlikely
despite an opinion poll suggesting that he is the most popular of
potential contenders.
Oskanian left indications last year that he is seriously considering
joining the race to succeed President Robert Kocharian. That prompted
speculation that he, rather than Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian,
is Kocharian's preferred successor.
Speaking at a regular news conference, Oskanian was asked whether he
has already made a decision. "Those who want to be candidates are
already speaking out. The fact that I don't speak out means that I
am not a candidate," he replied without elaborating.
Oskanian, who has served as foreign minister since 1998, added only
that he still does not know what he will do after Kocharian completes
his second and final term in office next March.
A leading pro-Kocharian pollster told RFE/RL earlier this week that
a recent U.S.-funded poll conducted by his Armenian Sociological
Association found that Oskanian would have garnered the largest number
of votes if the presidential ballot had been held in July.
Gevorg Poghosian said Sarkisian was less popular than not only Oskanian
but opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian and Kocharian-connected
businessman Gagik Tsarukian as of July.
"The results are interesting," Oskanian said, commenting on the
survey. "I haven't studied them in detail, I don't even know the
numbers. In any case, they are interesting, but don't make me so
enthusiastic that I will make decisions based on them."
There are lingering questions as to whether Oskanian, who was born
in Syria and later became a U.S. citizen, is eligible to run for
president. Under Armenia's constitution, only those individuals who
have been Armenian citizens and lived in the country for at least
ten years preceding a presidential election can be registered as
candidates. Kocharian granted Oskanian Armenian citizenship in April
1998. The forthcoming vote is expected to take place in February or
March 2008.