Andrias Ghukasyan, a candidate for president who is on a hunger strike, thinks the statements of Paruyr Hayrikyan, the leader of the Union for National Self-Determination (UNSD), are not clear. “If a figure says that anyone who will vote for him will vote for someone else; it causes confusion. Perhaps, a problem arises for Paruyr Hayrikyan’s supporters, those people who have been loyal to him, have known his long-lasting struggle for the national interests, because it turns out that those who will vote for Hayrikyan will vote for the criminal oligarchic system,” Mr. Ghukasyan told www.aravot.am. Mr. Ghukasyan draws a conclusion from Hayrikyan’s statements that he thinks this political process offers him a lot of opportunities. “The public will make assessments. Participating in a false election, candidates struggle for Serzh Sargsyan’s reelection. I for one struggle against false elections; this is the difference between me and the other 7 candidates who aim at Serzh Sargsyan’s reelection.” Mr. Ghukasyan added that if he were Mr. Hayrikyan’s supporter, he would have problems with following him after such statements.
Arpine SIMONYAN
P.S. This interview was given on January 31, but it wasn’t published, given the assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan, a candidate for president, that day.
