“There is no such thing, it is made-up. It is the sick and made-up position of Ashot Sargsyan who, unfortunately, uses someone else’s name,” said Free Democrats Party leader Khachatur Kokobelyan at Hayeli Club today, in response to an observation that according to WikiLeaks publications, he was planted in the Armenian National Congress (ANC) by the establishment. According to Mr. Kokobelyan, “Certainly, I don’t think WikiLeaks is a standard, but one thing is obvious what I have said. I have expressed the position unacceptable for me that can be implied from the problems related to Karabakh that as a result of giving up Karabakh some political force may come to power. I am proud that I stood straight and told diplomats that this position was against Armenia’s state interest. I have never revealed any conversation that took place in the Congress and you try to imitate that there is such a thing. My friends and I have always had our perceptions of the Karabakh issue and have expressed those perceptions, have never changed those. It is obvious that Karabakh is a mature unit and the international community has to take it into account. We, as politicians, must be able to achieve its complete recognition. Compromises should be made only if the issue of independence is put forward. I don’t think that Armenia’s problems will not be solved unless the Karabakh conflict is settled.” As for the upcoming election, Mr. Kokobelyan offers ANC and generally the opposition to show political will and not to defend different candidates in all electoral districts, even in case of difference in positions, in order that it was more controllable, “If the rules of the game are these today, one should play by those rules and try, as much as he can, to seize opportunities.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
