ARMENIA TO REMAIN UNDER RUSSIAN TANKS AS LONG AS RUSSIAN TROOPS STATIONED IN ARMENIA - EX-PREMIER
17:17 18.09.13
Armenia's ex-premier, Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary
group member Hrant Bagratyan warned Armenia's ruling circles back in
February that Armenia will remain "under Russian tanks" as long as
Russian troops are stationed in Armenia, while the country is moving
toward Europe.
At his meeting with journalists on Wednesday, Bagratyan noted that
he was the only presidential candidate to state that the issue was
to be settled by means of a referendum.
"I did not play compliments to either Europe or Russia. I know what
Armenia's interest is. And you will go on placing the country under
Russian tanks unless you settle issues with Europe, Russia and the
United States," he said.
"And after that, in a disgraceful manner, we tell Europe on September 3
that we do not sign? Mr Fule said that confidence is the most serious
problem, and we cannot imagine how we can regain it. As a result,
we did not go along with Russians, but they took us along with them."
As a presidential candidate, Bagratyan sent out invitations to debates
to his rivals by means of RFE/RL.
According to him, even if Armenia moves toward Europe, it will be
forced into joining the Customs Union.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reminded Armenia's leaders of Russian
troops stationed in Armenia, Bagratyan said.
Armenia's president may raise the issue of referendum on Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union, he said.
Armenian News - Tert.am
17:17 18.09.13
Armenia's ex-premier, Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary
group member Hrant Bagratyan warned Armenia's ruling circles back in
February that Armenia will remain "under Russian tanks" as long as
Russian troops are stationed in Armenia, while the country is moving
toward Europe.
At his meeting with journalists on Wednesday, Bagratyan noted that
he was the only presidential candidate to state that the issue was
to be settled by means of a referendum.
"I did not play compliments to either Europe or Russia. I know what
Armenia's interest is. And you will go on placing the country under
Russian tanks unless you settle issues with Europe, Russia and the
United States," he said.
"And after that, in a disgraceful manner, we tell Europe on September 3
that we do not sign? Mr Fule said that confidence is the most serious
problem, and we cannot imagine how we can regain it. As a result,
we did not go along with Russians, but they took us along with them."
As a presidential candidate, Bagratyan sent out invitations to debates
to his rivals by means of RFE/RL.
According to him, even if Armenia moves toward Europe, it will be
forced into joining the Customs Union.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reminded Armenia's leaders of Russian
troops stationed in Armenia, Bagratyan said.
Armenia's president may raise the issue of referendum on Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union, he said.
Armenian News - Tert.am