EX-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO CONTINUE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ex-minister of foreign affairs of Armenia Raffi Hovhannisian will continue the presidential race. He told journalists today that if fair and transparent elections were held in Armenia, he could figure on 80% of suffrages. The ex-minister expressed intention to continue his participation in all political processes, noting that by now his participation in the electoral campaign as a presidential candidate depends on the coming resolution of the court of appeal concerning the registration of his Armenian citizenship since 1991. "I hope the court will restore my infringed rights and the central electoral commission will register me as a presidential candidate," - R.Hovhannisian said. He refused to report whom he would vote for in case he was withdrawn from the electoral race. Let us note the other day Yerevan first instance court declined Raffi Hovhannisian's lawsuit on recognizing his Armenian citizenship since 1991. As it follows from the ex-minister's statement, since 1991 he has repeatedly appealed to authorized bodies requesting granting Armenian citizenship to him, but his letters were not answered. Only August 10, 2001 a decree granting Armenian citizenship to him was signed, not taking into consideration R.Hovhannisian's right to get Armenian citizenship already in 1991.