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Armenian Minister Rejects Resignation Talk
Hovannes Shoghikian
Armenialiberty.org
July 28 2010
Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdian on Wednesday brushed aside
media speculation that his Orinats Yerkir Party plans to replace by
him a controversial figure who joined it recently.
Reports in the Armenian press have claimed that Orinats Yerkir
leader Artur Baghdasarian is ready to "sell" one of his party's three
ministerial portfolios. The name of Grigor Madatian, a businessman and
former transport minister who joined the party recently, has figured
in that context. Orinats Yerkir officials have denied those rumors.
"I also learned about that talk from the press," Alaverdian told
RFE/RL's Armenian service. "There is no substance to it. The party
is satisfied with my work."
Madatian refused to comment when contacted by phone on Wednesday. He
said he is not in Armenia at the moment.
Madatian, who is better known to the public as Khuchuch (Curly) Edo,
had fled the country in late 2004 to avoid prosecution for allegedly
masterminding what the authorities said was a failed attempt on the
life of then President Robert Kocharian and Defense Minister Serzh
Sarkisian. He returned home in August 2008 after the criminal case
was dropped for still unknown reasons.
The controversial businessman, who lives and holds sway in Yerevan's
southern Erebuni district, is rumored to have promised Baghasarian
to recruit 20,000 new members of Orinats Yerkir in time for the next
parliamentary election due in 2012.
A government source claimed that Madatian has actually set his sights
on the post of minister of transport and communication, currently
held by Manuk Vartanian. The latter was appointed as minister four
months ago.
"You can't change your position once a month," Vartanian told RFE/RL.
"The party entrusted me with this job, the president appointed me
[as minister] and I am trying to perform my duties in full."
From: A. Papazian
Hovannes Shoghikian
Armenialiberty.org
July 28 2010
Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdian on Wednesday brushed aside
media speculation that his Orinats Yerkir Party plans to replace by
him a controversial figure who joined it recently.
Reports in the Armenian press have claimed that Orinats Yerkir
leader Artur Baghdasarian is ready to "sell" one of his party's three
ministerial portfolios. The name of Grigor Madatian, a businessman and
former transport minister who joined the party recently, has figured
in that context. Orinats Yerkir officials have denied those rumors.
"I also learned about that talk from the press," Alaverdian told
RFE/RL's Armenian service. "There is no substance to it. The party
is satisfied with my work."
Madatian refused to comment when contacted by phone on Wednesday. He
said he is not in Armenia at the moment.
Madatian, who is better known to the public as Khuchuch (Curly) Edo,
had fled the country in late 2004 to avoid prosecution for allegedly
masterminding what the authorities said was a failed attempt on the
life of then President Robert Kocharian and Defense Minister Serzh
Sarkisian. He returned home in August 2008 after the criminal case
was dropped for still unknown reasons.
The controversial businessman, who lives and holds sway in Yerevan's
southern Erebuni district, is rumored to have promised Baghasarian
to recruit 20,000 new members of Orinats Yerkir in time for the next
parliamentary election due in 2012.
A government source claimed that Madatian has actually set his sights
on the post of minister of transport and communication, currently
held by Manuk Vartanian. The latter was appointed as minister four
months ago.
"You can't change your position once a month," Vartanian told RFE/RL.
"The party entrusted me with this job, the president appointed me
[as minister] and I am trying to perform my duties in full."
From: A. Papazian