Elections in Armenia

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Yeah, I'm really not sure who the hooligans are in these groups but Ter-Petrossian sure is a dour looking bugger.

I thought it was funny that he was pointing the finger at those in power as being thugs when there are plenty of people that think he fleeced the country before those that succeeded him.

But stoning, what were they trying to do go medieval on his a-ss or something. What happened to a bullhorn? Not very civilized. The concept of using violence to suppress the opposition is rather barbaric, no?

Yet, I do not believe he is the future of the country or that he has the citizens' best interests in mind.

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Then Russian PM visits genocide memorial and, afterwards, Karekin II in Echmiadzin.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12339428&PageNum=0

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080206/481/mosb13202061649/

Do you know during the Soviet Era, some Armenians feared that Echmiadzin was sympathetic to the KGB and keeping tabs on Armenian citizens for Moscow?

[Artsakh]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia



Fighting for History: Andranik artifacts secured for Armenian museum
By Marianna Grigoryan
ArmeniaNow reporter


The Minister of Defense with the weapon of a hero

The sword of Armenian hero General Andranik has come to Armenia to rest. Or maybe to fulfill the honored warrior’s words that:

“Where there is struggle against violence, my sword is there.”

On Wednesday, Defense Minister and Secretary of the National Security Council Serzh Sargsyan handed Andranik’s sword and decorations to the History Museum of Armenia.

“The fund of Andranik has become richer,” History Museum Director Anelka Grigoryan said, thanking the minister.

Andranik’s sword and six orders found their honorable place in the museum.

“A French citizen of Armenian descent turned to me and said that one British citizen wanted to sell Andranik’s sword and his combat decorations,” Sargsyan said at the museum. “Naturally, I could not remain indifferent, I reported to the president of the republic, got his approval and as you see, these relics are in Armenia today.”

General Andranik (Andranik Ozanyan, 1865-1927) is one of the symbols of the Armenian liberation movement. Andranik was the Armenian “fidayapet” (leader of freedom fighters), military commander and national hero.

Sargsyan said that the General had six awards, which along with the certificate found their place in the history museum.

Andranik’s Order of the Knight of the Honorable Legion, the 4th degree Order of Saint Vladimir, the first degree Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the 3rd degree Order of Saint Stanislav, the 2nd degree Georgy Cross, the 2nd degree Battle Cross and the sword, according to Grigoryan, had passed an expert examination for authenticity, confirming that they belong to the General.

“The relics of our great compatriots must find their last harbor in Armenia. If they are items, they must be kept here. After all, we must gather the most sacred items in one place,” Sargsyan said.

The general
The minister did not elaborate on the cost of the “sacred relics”, however he said that the sword and decorations were purchased with extra-budget funds, and not with the help of private sources.

“I think that Andranik deserves that it be done with state funds, otherwise I think there will be found at least 50 people who would want to do it by themselves,” Sargsyan said.

To the question whether handing over “sacred relics” to the museum in a solemn ceremony could be viewed as part of the pre-election campaign, the minister said:

“I am not concerned with that, but I think that my step will be assessed exactly that way. But we are doing our job and those who say spiteful things are doing theirs,” Sargsyan said. “If someone thinks that I have been specially searching for Andranik’s rewards all over the world to use them as part of my campaign, I leave it to their conscience. It is very possible in terms of imagination, but sometimes such people also may feel pangs of conscience.”

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Armenian scenario

On February 19, a head of state will be elected in what is for us a friendly and very important country. The elections in Armenia are very similar to those Russia will hold in March. The successor of the current president will run for the top position; he is being opposed by representatives of the former government, and his long standing opponents. As in Russia, the current government's nominee - Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian - has every chance of success. As in Russia, the popularity of the current government in Armenia rests on economic success. When Robert Kocharian's team came to power ten years ago Armenia was in a desperate position. It had suffered several years of economic dislocation, absence of electricity and heating. Today, Armenia, a country with no energy resources or any other tangible natural resources, has one of the world's most dynamic economies. Its economy grew by 13.6% last year, one of the fastest rates in the world.

But statistics as such are of little interest to the voters. What matters for them is how those statistics reflect their well-being. During the past year, average incomes increased by 24.7%, while inflation did not exceed the Russian old dream rate of 6%. Last year's parliamentary elections testified to serious public support for the current government. The ruling Republican Party, led by Sarkisian, together with its ally and rival Prosperous Armenia, headed by Gagik Tsarukian, received more than half of all votes and two thirds of seats in parliament. Now this alliance has shored up its power even further - at the presidential elections Tsarukian will support Sarkisian. This partnership is as hard hitting as that between Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev in Russia. The latest polls give Sarkisian 47.5% of all votes, which are likely to guarantee his victory in the first round.

Today, Yerevan looks like an enormous construction site. The prime minister and his political consultants do not have to ponder over election scenarios - Sarkisian is travelling all around the country, and telling his compatriots about ambitious plans for spreading the gas network, road and house construction, and the eradication of poverty. He does not need a detailed program, and has drafted a short document on the consolidation of statehood and promotion of the principles of justice. Sarkisian cannot be accused of weakness or lack of experience - before heading the government, he served in various positions in security-related ministries, and his name is associated with military victories in Karabakh. Relations with Russia and the West are a big part of the election campaign. It is hard to notice anti-Russian attitudes in Armenia - Russia is associated with hope and support. But the same is true of anti-Western sentiment, which is only natural considering the existence of the influential Armenian Diaspora countries such as the United States and France. Sarkisian has a well-deserved reputation of a pro-Russian politician. He has known Putin for a long time, since he worked in CIS security-related agencies. But he is quite open to cooperation with the West, which practically eliminates the possibility of a foreign country conducting a large-scale campaign against him, as has sometimes happened in post-Soviet republics.

In this position it will be difficult not to win. No opposition candidate stands a chance, unless the government makes the mistake of paying too much attention to them. For the time being, the most prominent rival is the recent Speaker of Parliament and close associate of the current leader Artur Bagdasarian, who the polls put in second place with 13.4% of votes. He has suddenly turned into a vociferously pro-western critic of the regime. An active participant in every recent campaign, the leader of the National Unity Party, Artashes Gegamian, is in fourth place with a rating of 4.7%. Ex-Prime Minister Vazgen Manukian, and the leader of the historical Dashnak Party Vice-Speaker of Parliament Vaan Ovannesian are well known in the country. But the biggest sensation was the decision of the first Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian to run for the presidency. It has given not quite understandable hope to many opponents of the current government to defeat it. It is comparable to Mikhail Gorbachev running in the election race in Russia (he ran for the presidency in 1996 but with no success).

Ter-Petrosian is trying to prove the unprovable - that he was a more successful leader than Kocharian and Sarkisian. But his compatriots have not forgotten the first half of the 1990s. Moreover, Ter-Petrosian had to resign when under Western pressure he displayed readiness to make tangible concessions on Karabakh and relations with Turkey. Such conduct is not forgiven in Armenia. It will be difficult for him to prove his good attitude to Russia. It was he who shut down all the Russian schools in the country. Half of the voters will not support him under any circumstances, and he can hardly hope for more than third place and 7% of votes.

Could the consolidation of the opposition change the situation before the elections? It seems unlikely, primarily because none of the opposition leaders is accepted by the others. Ter-Petrosian, who is the loudest in claiming the leadership of the opposition, is also the most resented by the others. Sarkisian's opponents will not form a political alliance. The West is not likely to support an oppositionist, either. Moreover, now that international observers have, with a few reservations, declared the elections in neighboring Georgia quite legitimate, they will find it rather difficult to give the Armenian elections a lower rating for fear of looking ridiculous. Unlike in Georgia, the elections in Armenia are being held according to schedule; TV channels have not been shut down; opposition supporters are not behind bars or in exile, nor under criminal investigation. International monitoring will be very serious - almost 300 observers in 1,923 constituencies.

Russia would like to see Armenia a stable and dynamically developing country with a responsible government oriented towards constructive relations with it. Strategically, Sarkisian's nomination suits Moscow, which has given him support at the top level. It would be appropriate to take steps that would demonstrate our readiness to render Armenia substantial economic assistance. Regrettably, the pro-Russian forces in Armenia have been recently weakened by Moscow's decision to increase prices on gas exports. Considering our financial capabilities Russia should list Armenia as a priority recipient of its direct foreign aid. The main thing is not to overdo with the public demonstration of our support. The United States has been giving tangible assistance to Armenia for a long time. Our policymakers should consider the role Armenia could play in building relations with Georgia. For Armenia, which is under transport blockade, transit via Georgia is a lifeline. The more tense Russian-Georgian relations are, the more this lifeline is threatened.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080207/98622236.html

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Vahan Hovannisian, perhaps the best presidential candidate we have in the Armenian Republic today:

Dashnaks Rally Thousands In Yerevan

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) rallied thousands of people in Yerevan on Friday to shore up voter support for its presidential candidate Vahan Hovannisian and urge Armenians to reject their current and former leaders. Hovannisian, joined by other Dashnaktsutyun leaders, again sought to present himself as a viable alternative to the two mutually hostile camps that have taken the center stage in the Armenian presidential race. He also deplored a weak rule of law and a perceived lack of democracy in Armenia and pledged to “restore constitutional order” if elected president.

“The existing unjust and unfree situation allows the former authorities hiding their sins with that injustice to try to again play with the feelings of our people and base their election campaign on hatred,” Hovannisian, attacking former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and his allies. “They are being met with the same hatred,” he said, referring to the country’s present leadership. “The behavior of the current authorities, which is the other extreme, contains the same hatred.” “Hatred is a sign of weakness. An extremist is always weak,” he added in front of flag-waving supporters who gathered in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. Many of them were bused from outside the capital. Criticism of Ter-Petrosian and Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian was also the central theme of speeches by other top leaders of the nationalist party represented in Armenia’s current government. “We must say no to both the former and current rulers,” said Armen Rustamian, Hovannisian’s campaign manager.

“The former and current rulers, you are the reason for this reality,” agreed Hrant Markarian, the de facto head of Dashnaktsutyun’s worldwide governing Bureau. “On economic issues, on social relations, on the issues of democracy, fair elections and justice they are the same,” he told the crowd. “The people are their victims.” Campaigning in the southern Armavir region on Monday, Hovannisian complained that many Armenians view the upcoming presidential election as a two-horse race between Sarkisian and Ter-Petrosian and could therefore ignore other candidates opposed to both rival camps. He and other Dashnaktsutyun leaders had earlier dismissed suggestions that the ex-president, who had controversially banned their party while in power, is Sarkisian’s main election challenger.

Addressing the rally, Gegham Manukian, another prominent Dashnaktsutyun figure, dismissed as fraudulent government-commissioned opinion polls which show Sarkisian having a huge lead over other candidates, including Hovannisian. “With such artificial figures, they aim to ensure their artificial election,” Manukian said in an apparent reference to the Sarkisian camp. Markarian also apparently had the prime minister in mind when he spoke of unnamed election players relying on the “state machine” and underworld figures. The Dashnaktsutyun leaders also expressed their discontent with the broader state of affairs in Armenia, criticizing a government which they have supported over the past decade and in which they are currently represented by three ministers. “Seemingly, the country is developing,” said Hovannisian. “Seemingly the country is moving forward. In reality, there is stagnation.

“Seemingly, there is a development of democracy. A democracy with all its external signs: a parliament, elections, numerous parties, roundtables and conferences of non-governmental organizations, exit polls, opinion polls. In reality, there is an unfree and unjust atmosphere. In reality, our economic development, which is obvious, has nothing in common with ordinary people.” “The country’s leaders and ordinary people live in two different worlds that are unrelated to each other,” added the Dashnaktsutyun candidate. In Rustamian’s words, the Armenian authorities are primarily motivated their “reproduction” and neglect the needs and problems of ordinary people. He said only Dashnaktsutyun can simultaneously effect “radical changes” and avert “upheavals” in the country.

Source: http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...8305E65CEA.ASP

[Artsakh]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Vahan Hovannisian, perhaps the best presidential candidate we have in the Armenian Republic today:

What happened to Serje being the best, you flip-flopper?

I hate to burst your bubble, but a good majority of those couple of hundred of people were paid to show up. Compare that to Levon der pedrosyans showings, pulling upto 60,000 rally, and against constant harrasment from the authorities. The ARF campaign is largely populist-he's got no support base.

[Artsakh]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Bariluys!

The point is that some of the wierd statements made by Levon Ter Pedrosyan should not be taken too seriously. The ex-president enjoys the backing of a majority of Karabakh war veterans and the Yerkrapah-thus, there is no cause for worry.

Let me put it in a way that you can understand. Do you remember a few years back when President Kocharyan publicly stated, in an interview with a Turkish journalist in Yerevan, that "Armenia has no territorial claims against Turkey?"

Did that stop the ARF Dashnaks from stopping to support Kocharyan? Did the ARF even condemn and criticise Kocharyan for those statements?

Furthermore, how can the ARF support and be part of a goverment that allows such disgraceful events as "Days of Azerbaijan in Armenia" to take place? Why hasn't the ARF spoken out against such shame?

[Lucin]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Bari luys, tikin alooce. qo lvatsket choratsele.

Chem imanum. Gna Mamayits't hartsru...

Politics is a dirty game.

Yeah, I agree… but the 'dirtiness' of politics does not justify the bottomless idiocy and ignorance of some.

Sakayn, I'm not too worried about these statements made by ter pedrosyan. All of the veterans, the Yerkrapahs are standing behind him. Therefore, don't take those words seriously, its all politics. Ter pedrosyan has said he will ensure continued Armenian control over Karabakh.

LOL, are you OK? You can't make up your mind??

[Armenian]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Chem imanum. Gna Mamayits't hartsru...

Yeah, I agree… but the 'dirtiness' of politics does not justify the bottomless idiocy and ignorance of some. LOL, are you OK? You can't make up your mind??

He at times seems to act normal, but other times he totally looses it for some reason. Perhaps its some kind of an ingrained emotional problem he has. Nevertheless, his comments in this thread are self-explanatory of his emotional/intellectual issues. Let's put aside his irrational rants against the ARF, the current ruling administration in Armenia, just the fact the he, a self-proclaimed nationalist, supports a lowlife like Levin Ter Petrostein say a lot about him as a person and his twisted sense of logic.

Lucin jan, a word of advice to you: Never have high expectations with individual Armenians. Most Armenians today tend to be deeply irrational and extremely egotistical. And their "nationalism," if they have any, is conditional at best superficial at worst. In other words, most Armenians today ignorants who think they know it all, and they are Armenian "nationalists" as long as Armenia fits their personal expectations. If you are a proud Armenian with nationalistic feelings, just concern yourself with the betterment of the Armenian nation and the preservation of our cultural heritage.

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Yeah, Lucin, Armenian is a prime example of the Armenians he describes.

Opposition party coalitions to form pre and post election?

Leaders of Heritage, Pan-National Movement and Orinats Yerkir meet in Koti to discuss unification. Some observers describe tactics as 'primitive bluff'. http://armenianow.com/?action=viewAr...3&IID=&lng=eng

Some of the lesser opposition parties consider unitiing after the election for the future of Armenia.http://www.azg.am/EN/2008020901