The September 18 speech of Armenian National Congress opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan inferred two political intrigues.

The opposition supporters were astonished to hear their leader would not participate in early presidential elections if the incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan resigns due to negative developments in Armenia-Turkey normalization and Karabakh issue processes. However, before the several-thousand crowd got puzzled with the news, Ter-Petrosyan pointed out he will do so only after RA Former President Robert Kocharyan refuses to run for the race.

If we hypothetically assume that Serzh Sargsyan quits, his predecessor Robert Kocharyan will be the only possible candidate from the governing coalition (definitely many will be against him, however at the moment there is no other candidate) then, Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s walkout from the race becomes very unlikely.

The second intrigue is that ANC leader offered Armenian authorities another time-out to independently resolve the problems on Armenia-Turkey relations and Karabakh issue. He emphasized he will not allow the opposition to be drawn into the perilous developments and the authorities’ game in Armenia-Turkey normalization. That is why ANC will refrain from protesting rallies scheduled for late September and leave the date of the next demonstration in abeyance.

It is evident that Levon Ter-Petrosyan adheres to the tactics voiced at October 17, 2008 meeting, "ANC does not intend to be a mere toy in international community hands to pressurize Armenia on Karabakh conflict. Moreover, the ANC being the only oppositional force capable of organizing mass protest actions, does not intend to assist the authorities in demonstrating the international community the widespread discontent over foreign policy course.

Thus, the next opposition rally will take place after the next developments in Karabakh issue and Armenia-Turkey relations’ normalization.