YEREVAN. – Head of Armenian ruling coalition member Orinats Yerkir Party Arthur Baghdasaryan was aware what would have followed if March 1, 2008, tragic events were prolonged, he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“I state it acknowledging the whole responsibility and as a Secretary of the National Security Council,” he added.

According to him, by joining the ruling coalition, Orinats Yerkir, which presented itself as an opposition, assisted in prevention from further clashes and more victims after the March tragic events. Hence, national security was protected and we could realize programs for the society, Baghsadaryan claimed.

“After the 2008 presidential elections, we could choose either cooperation with off parliamentary opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), which was impossible as ANC leader had called me ‘a traitor,’ or not to do anything at all, which was again impossible as we had received lots of voices, or else we could cooperate with the coalition government, which we accepted,” Baghdasaryan said.

“I am told to join the coalition for my current office, as a matter of fact I did indeed have an office and if I wanted to be in power I could anyway. Moreover, as a proof, I would state that I had some disagreements with the Armenian second President Robert Kocharyan,” Orinats Yerkir leader said.

To note, the party received three posts in the government: Minister of Transportation and Communications and Minister of Emergency Situations and later Minister of Agriculture.