Serzh Sarkisian on July 20 (RFE/RL)
YEREVAN, July 20 (RFE/RL) -- Armenia's defense minister says he has given no "serious" thought to seeking the presidential post in 2008 when current President Robert Kocharian completes his second term.
In an interview with RFE/RL's Armenian Service, Serzh Sarkisian said it was too early to decide whether to run:
"It's very difficult to say [if I will run], because I've never given it serious thought," he said. "You may not believe me, but I am speaking sincerely. I will make my decision after the parliamentary elections are held [in May 2007]. All I can say is that I've never strove for any position. All of my friends know this."
Sarkisian recently became an official member of Armenia's Republican Party, the leading party in the country's governing coalition.
Opposition leaders have called for Sarkisian to resign if he intends to seek an elected office. Sarkisian says for now he has no intention of resigning.
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"It's very difficult to say [if I will run], because I've never given it serious thought," he said. "You may not believe me, but I am speaking sincerely. I will make my decision after the parliamentary elections are held [in May 2007]. All I can say is that I've never strove for any position. All of my friends know this."
Sarkisian recently became an official member of Armenia's Republican Party, the leading party in the country's governing coalition.
Opposition leaders have called for Sarkisian to resign if he intends to seek an elected office. Sarkisian says for now he has no intention of resigning.
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
SUBSCRIBE For weekly news and in-depth analysis on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia's North Caucasus by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Caucasus Report."