Raffi Hovannisian, Opposition Rally, Matenadaran, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2003

RFE/RL reports that the former president, Levon Ter Petrosian, has once again met with his first foreign minister, now opposition party leader Raffi Hovannisian, in an apparent attempt to win support for the former’s candidacy in the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. As mentioned on this blog, Ter Petrosian sorely needs the support of Hovannisian who is one of the few political figures highly respected by the population.

In a short statement issued on Monday, Ter-Petrosian’s campaign office said the two men met in Ter-Petrosian’s Yerevan mansion to discuss the political situation in the country and, in particular, “issues related to the forthcoming presidential elections.” “They agreed to continue those discussions,” the statement said.

Neither Hovannisian, nor his Zharangutyun (Heritage) party issued any statements on the meeting. Aides to the U.S.-born former foreign minister said they are unaware of its details.

The two opposition figures already held election-related talks last month. Hovannisian, who had served as independent Armenia’s first foreign minister in the Ter-Petrosian administration, is among a dozen opposition leaders whom the ex-president has publicly urged to back his presidential bid.

Hovannisian is arguably the most popular of those leaders, making his endorsement particularly significant for Ter-Petrosian. The Zharangutyun leader is also being courted by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, a governing party which will contest the election with its own candidate.

The full post is available on the Armenia Election Monitor 2008.