HAK member: No reason to be disappointed with HAK leader's decision

In an interview given to “Chorrord Ishkhnutyun” daily today, the leader of Armenian National Congress (HAK) Levon Ter-Petrosian said he will not run for President. The first Armenian President explained his decision by his age and said the younger generation should enter the arena.

Since early morning the most notable figures of HAK did not answer the phone calls and it was only in the afternoon that HAK member Vahagn Khachtrian answered a phone call. We tried to clarify the details of HAK leader’s decision, but V. Khachatrian was rather reserved. 

Below is the conversation with HAK member, former Yerevan Mayor Vahagn Khachatrian.

- Mr. Khachatrian, is it normal that HAK leader took such a decision? Didn’t his decision disappoint HAK supporters? 
- You should address this question to HAK supporters. I can only express my opinion: we all expected him to run in the election, he made that decision and announced it during the interview… I assume it as a basis, there is no reason to be disappointed.

- Two days ago Ter-Petrosian made a speech at the HHSh convention, in which he did not say anything about non-nomination, saying in jest that he would announce his decision in two days. Did HAK leader forget his age two days ago?
- He mentions not only his age in the interview, but also some other circumstances, and it is to him that you should address questions about those circumstances.

- Do you consider it possible that HAK will support the candidacy of Freedom Party leader Hrant Bagratian?
- I do not rule out this.

- Was there such a discussion?
- I did not participate in such discussions.