YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–President Robert Kocharian will likely replace his current press secretary Gassia Apkarian with another official and leave her in the capacity of adviser only–a source close to the presidential administration told RFE/RL on Tuesday. The "most likely" candidate to replace Apkarian–the source said–is Vahe Gabrielian–an official in the foreign ministry’s department on international organizations. Gabrielian was seen by the RFE/RL correspondent entering the presidential palace the same day.
An American citizen of Armenian origin–Apkarian has been closely associated with Kocharian since his successful presidential campaign last March. The source said she will remain a presidential adviser–focusing on relations with Diaspora.
