EX-DEFENCE MINISTER OF ARMENIA ANNOUNCED THAT HE SUPPORTS THE STATEMENTS BY MANUCHARIAN

PanARMENIAN.Net - 25.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The ex-defense minister of Armenia Vagharshak Haroutyunian stated in an interview to "Haykakan Jamanak" Armenian daily that he supports the statements by the political secretary of the Union of Socialist Forces of Armenia Ashot Manucharian saying that the October 27 act of terrorism was conditioned by the plan of territorial swap between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On October 18 Ashot Manucharian stated at the press conference that the Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargssian and the Speaker of the parliament Karen Demirchian were murdered in the parliament October 27, 1999 because of their discord with the plan on territorial exchange between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Vagharshak Haroutyunian said that he knew about the negotiations around this plan and exerted efforts for counteracting the implementation of the plan. Ex-defense minister announced that after May 2 the investigation on October 27 case "has utterly changed its direction." Haroutyunian stated that he is not agree with the version that the act of terrorism was organized and perpetrated by five terrorists without any other support.

On May 2 of 2000 the Armenian President resigned the Prime Minister of Armenia Aram Sargssyan and the Defence Minister Vagharshak Haroutyunian. The statement by the President read: "Unfortunately, my attempts to form a united team with the government has failed, moreover, some ministers were very active in political games."

Vagharshak Haroutyunian was considered as one of opponents of the President in the government. --0--