YEREVAN, MAY 4, NOYAN TAPAN. "Since 1985, I have been on the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's (ARF) side and never betrayed it. So today I have the right to be on the ARF's side." Composer Ruben Hakhverdian stated this at the May 4 press conference, adding that he also has close links with the "Constitutional Right Union" party, sympathizes Raffi Hovannisian, Arshak Sadoyan, Manuk Gasparian and Aghasi Arshakian. He considered it unacceptable that now most of Armenian singers are followers of only one party, particularly the Republican Party of Armenia. Speaking about the song "Old Friend" written at the request of the ARF, R. Hakhverdian said that he tried to show the reality. "And the reality is that the ARF is a party with 117-year history and it still has a great deal to pass on to future generations," the composer noted. However, in his words, it does not mean that he glorifies the Dashnaktsutyun. R. Hakhverdian admitted that like other parties, the ARF has many shortcomings. By the way, the composer confessed that he has not yet been paid for this song. In response to the question about how much he evaluates it, R. Hakhverdian replied: "About 3 thousand dollars. I hope they will pay this sum." As regards the upcoming parliamentary elections, Ruben Hakhverdian said that he does not think that fair and transparent elections will be held in Armenia.

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