Speaking on the criminal case against former RA FM Vartan Oskanian, the head of “New Times” party Aram Karapetyan announced that Russia has stopped to consider “Prosperous Armenia” as its proponent. In the interview with “First Armenian News and Analysis” he said that the authorities wanted to prove Russia that a party, the second MP of which is sponsored by American John Huntsman and who is a possible candidate in presidential elections, cannot act in favor of Russia. “The ado around Vartan Oskanyan is clear to have some sense. It is logical that the affair is not raised to protect the interests of “Civilitas” fund. The affair is largely discussed in Russian press and as a result PAP didn’t gain Russia’s support. I am not talking about the case when RF ambassador refused G. Tsarukyan’s invitation. There are some issues that show RF complaint against PAP.”
To the commentary whether PAP was ever a Russian power or not, Karapetyan said that until the appearance of the idea of Eurasian Union, there was no word about PAP’s geopolitical orientation, though they have never officially announced of the need to join the Eurasian Union.
“First Armenian News and Analysis” noted about talks that ANC has pro-Russian orientation. In answer to this observation the leader of “New Times” party said that Congress is mixture of several parties, where there are those with opposite views and generally in any party there are proponents of Russian orientation.
The politician refrained from commenting on the talks that ANC coordinator Levon Zurabyan is likely to be the party’s candidate in presidential elections and he also noted that by his account Levon Ter-Petrosyan doesn’t have any geopolitical ideological anchor.
Answering to the question about RF’s influence on any party, Aram Karapetyan said that there is some influence on ARP noting that it has more of pro-Western character.
“First Armenian News and Analysis” noted that EPP integrated ARP, Law Rule and “Heritage” parties, but refused to include PAP. The reason is said to be pro-Russian orientation. In reply Aram Karapetyan said: “In my point of view, this was Serzh Sargsyan’s initiative.”
Asked to finally define PAP’s orientation, the politician said: “The head of PAP is more of a soviet person; accordingly Russian policy will be leading in the party. In lower levels it is clear that Oskanian isn’t inclined to Russia. And generally he is not a bearer of PAP ideology.
The correspondent of “First Armenian News and Analysis” supposed that Kocharyan contributes to PAP’s Russian fame. In his turn Aram Karapetyan said the opposite: “it said the pro-Western actor Vartan Oskanyan whi is supported by Kocharyan, who was more pragmatic being in between West and Russia.”
He also said that PAP actions are of double character with attempts to be more attractive both for Russia and the West.
In the end on the inquiry about “Rule of Law” party he leader of “New Times” party preferred to keep silent.
