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**Armenian** · 03-16-2008, 12:31 PM

**icoN** · 03-16-2008, 09:44 PM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

i don't understand? why are there riots going on in Armenia, if Serzh Sargsyan was picked and not Levon Ter-Petrossian?

**Armenian** · 03-20-2008, 06:27 PM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

WILL THE ARMENIA ELECTIONS CRISIS AFFECT LOBBYING IN WASHINGTON?

The short answer is yes. The violence of March 1 and serious charges of electoral manipulations are certainly causing discomfort among our friends in Congress and is being exploited by Turkish and Azerbaijan-funded lobbyists. News reports and pictures of protests and violence were widely covered in the mainstream American media. Comparisons with Georgian and Ukrainian color insurgencies were cited and some critics in the Armenian community have compared the tactics and strategies in Armenia�s election to that in Russia where Putin handpicked his successor, and impaired serious opposition. Violence and the imposition of a state of emergency were seen by many as political regression.

These factors are a serious problem for the Armenian Assembly and other political activists in the United States. Our challenge is to keep the relations between Armenia and the United States in harmony. There are important issues at stake. For one, it is essential to keep the Millennium Fund�s commitment of aid to rural Armenia intact and to raise substantially next year�s foreign aid appropriation, proposed at $24 million dollars, a historic low. And then our efforts to enact the Armenian Genocide Resolution will need a strong grassroots community effort, the level of which might be jeopardized because of community unhappiness over the election controversy.

Understandably, there is serious concern in American government circles that these problems in Armenia can risk destabilizing the volatile South Caucasus region. This concern is real. Within days after the police dispersal of the eleven-day protest rally in Freedom Square, Azeri forces attacked Karabakh positions in the northern front of the ceasefire line. This drew sharp rebukes from American and European officials and demonstrated the volatility of the Karabakh conflict. And on the diplomatic front, Baku introduced a new hostile resolution request in the United Nations General Assembly.

In the face of these problems the Armenian Assembly has endorsed the proposals of the United States and OSCE officials that call on the Armenian government to end the state of emergency, the military patrols in the capital, and the return of full civil rights to the public. We believe that the continuing arrests and prosecution of opposition leaders are contrary to the reestablishment of peace and internal tranquility. We urge lowering the level of angry rhetoric by government and opposition forces. We hope that the mass media in Armenia will be unimpeded to report news and express views without fear of government reprisals. The Constitutional Court has judged the election of Prime Minister Sargsian to be valid. That judgment of the highest judicial body needs to be respected but political reconciliation requires more. It requires honest and mature dialogue among all political forces with the view to return internal stability to Armenia. It also requires agreement on longer term processes that will insure the rights of the citizenry to free speech and assembly, and honest elections to choose leaders who will strengthen Armenia�s progress towards a democratic society.

Armenia is blessed with an intelligent and literate population. It has at its back the support of a strong diaspora anxious and prepared to aid the social, economic, and political development of their homeland. This support must not be squandered by internal disorder. The problematic side of the Armenian equation is the disadvantage of geography with which Armenia has been burdened throughout history. This is being exploited by Armenia�s hostile neighbors whose pipelines and new rail line have deliberately bypassed Armenia. And in addition, Armenia is the eastern boundary of Christianity in the region and that reality can pose new problems as Islamic fundamentalism gains increased power and influence.

These problems are constant but are exacerbated when internal disorder and political regression happens in Armenia. The Assembly and others are thus compelled to confront this reality as we seek strategies to influence American policies in favor of Armenia. There is one favorable coincidence to Armenia�s election. The United States is in the midst of its own presidential election campaign. This period allows us to bring Armenian issues into sharp focus as presidential candidates seek support from the Armenian-American community. But on the political margins of the American body politic, is a growing Turkish and Azerbaijani community who are increasingly vocal and becoming a more formidable rival in Washington. Azerbaijan�s oil and gas potential and Turkey�s geographic advantages are serious factors in Ankara�s and Baku�s favor as their partisans attempt a counter influence.

Therefore, the Armenian Assembly calls for prompt actions in Yerevan to regain political and social reconciliation. We hope that sober leadership by all political forces will finally prevail. Armenia�s citizenry deserves no less and so do we who labor to assist the evolution of a free, prosperous, and democratic Armenia.

Source: http://armenianow.com/?action=viewAr...g=eng&IID=1179

**Tigranakert** · 03-21-2008, 06:48 AM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

IF MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE FUND-IMPLEMENTED PROGRAM IS FROZEN, ARMENIA WILL SEEK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Noyan Tapan
March 20, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian president Robert
Kocharian received a letter from Millennium Challenge Fund's (MCF)
head George Danilovich about the possible freezing of the program
implemented by MCF in Armenia. In his response letter, the Armenian
president expressed regret and asked G. Danilovich to inform him
beforehand about the final decision so that it will be possible to plan
future work. Robert Kocharian announced this at the March 20 press
conference. According to him, unlike all other programs, MCF program
has one peculiarity: the fund may stop the program's implementation
at any moment. "It means that the program may have other contexts,
besides the economic one, and we should always be prepared that the
program may be frozen but I do not doubt that the Republic of Armenia
is able to implement the program completely," the president stated.

He underlined that Armenia is the master of the program, it is a big
program aimed at developing the rural areas, and only part of the
program is being implemented with resources of this fund, another part
is being implemented under a new 66 mln dollar agreement signed with
the Asian Bank, yet another part - with state budgetary resources,
and some part of the program is being done with funds of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund. "We would like to continue our activities with
Millennium Challenge Fund. If they take such a decision, we will seek
other opportunities to implement this program completely," he said,
adding that he has no doubts that some other opportunities for this
5-year program will be found.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation had envisaged to allocate a
total of 235 million USD for development of Armenian rural areas. The
program was launched in 2006.

**Lernakan** · 03-24-2008, 01:05 AM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

A PERSPECTIVE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FROM INSIDE ARMENIA

AZG Armenian Daily
20/03/2008

Opinion

Since Tuesday's presidential elections in Armenia, I have received a
number of well-intentioned e-mails from diasporan Armenians who have
strong opinions about the outcome, and the methods with which that
outcome was reached. Many of these authors have used language bordering
on the hysterical and offensive to characterize the current situation
in Armenia. Some state that they have received their information from
sources within Armenia, including a number of "opposition" websites.

Well, since I am actually in Armenia, I would like to explain a
few things, which may not occur to those who don't live here. And
as a resident of this country for the past seven years, I think I
have earned the right to make certain observations and criticisms
emanating from personal experiences.

Armenia is not the United States. Therefore, there is no accepted
tradition or institutional culture when it comes to many political
activities to which Americans are accustomed. Democracy and democratic
principles in Armenia are developing and progressing. It may not be
happening at a pace that is acceptable to many; nevertheless, it is
happening. Notwithstanding the pace, however, each and every Armenian,
whether in Armenia or in the diaspora, has a solemn responsibility
to support and encourage the maintenance, strength and endurance of
our statehood.

Stability for our state is a high priority, one that may be difficult
to comprehend for anyone or any people who, having enjoyed free and
independent statehood for centuries, thus take it for granted. In
the U.S., we accept America as no longer an experiment - it is a
fait accompli. By contrast, Armenia is at a crossroads, and our
very survival is at stake. Turkey continues its illegal blockade
of Armenia and refuses to establish diplomatic ties with us. We are
still technically at war, and although the cease-fire with Azerbaijan
has held for more than 10 years, it is still a fragile and tenuous
one. The threat of resuming hostilities and aggression by the Azeris
is one that we live with every day, and has been one of the reasons,
I believe, that unlike Georgia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet
countries, Armenia has persevered and remained free of major civic
unrest in recent years. We understand that unity is our weapon and our
strength. And although internally we may have sharp disagreements and
heated political arguments, Armenians know well that at the end of the
day, no one, no nation, no country and no international organization
can be relied upon to save us this time from complete annihilation. I
am sure many of you would agree.

It is true, the elections were not flawless.

Deficiencies of all sorts were observed and are an unfortunate
reality. However, the constitution of the Republic of Armenia worked:
scheduled elections did take place, and a president who is term-limited
is willingly stepping aside and giving up the power entrusted to
him by the people. This may no longer be a revolutionary concept in
California, Massachusetts, or Illinois, but for the former Soviet
Union, it's an important, if symbolic, step. (For those who need
further info, see Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)

Furthermore, international observers from the United States,
Europe and Russia were present before and during the election
to monitor the campaign atmosphere and balloting. They issued an
11-page report on the day following the elections. You can read it
here: www.osce.org/item/29779.html. [See page A8 for the executive
summary.] The report is available in English and Armenian, and
was prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission. The report is
critical in some areas, and offers praise in others, which was to
be expected. In a nutshell, the monitors presented their findings,
stating that the 2008 presidential elections were "mostly in line
with international commitments."

This is not an apologia. We all want Armenia to do better. We all
wait for the day when elections in Armenia are completely fair and
transparent. And that day will come when our citizens fully become
aware of their rights and responsibilities, and when the western
"culture" of elections, voting, campaigning and political platforms
become better integrated into Armenian society.

But just because that day is not here yet, does not mean that we throw
up our arms, give up on democracy and think it merely an experiment
gone bad. It has been said that democracy is a very bad form of
government - it's just much better than anything else that's been
tried in history. It would be hard to find anyone today, whether the
authorities of Armenia or the opposition, who would seriously argue
that abandoning our republican form of government because we haven't
yet perfected it, is a logical or preferred path to follow.

We must therefore take great care before making frantic accusations,
for they are heard by us as well as our adversaries. The mental
laziness of giving in to wild conspiracies does not serve the
long-term endurance of Armenia or the diaspora. For the first time
in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are
therefore obligated to place our national interests ahead of our
personal gains or aspirations.

By Fr. Ktrij Devejian

Fr. Ktrij Devejian is the foreign press secretary of the Catholicate
of All Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Born and
educated in the United States, Fr. Devejian has lived in Armenia for
the past seven years.

**TomServo** · 03-24-2008, 01:41 AM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Hetq has reopened their comments section. ArmeniaNow has also introduced a commenting feature.

**Armenian** · 03-24-2008, 01:41 PM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Originally posted by TomServo View Post

Hetq has reopened their comments section. ArmeniaNow has also introduced a commenting feature.

Those two as well as various others, including some blogs, are being used by Washington (directly in the case of Radio Liberty/Armenianow and indirectly in the case of Hetq) in the information war against the Armenian state. There is a geopolitical nuance here. Although Washington did not want to see Armenia fall into disarray and cause problems in the Caucasus, they do nonetheless want to see the Armenian state off-balance and marginalized. This is similar to what they are doing in China today. No western power wants to see China become destabilized to the point of collapse, however, they do want to keep China preoccupied with 'internal' strife.

Anyway, I have already begun posting comments in Hetq's English section. Note that English, the language, has been used as a tool against Armenian interests as of late. Now we can use it against them because by using the English forum you will have the most impact/impression on "foreign" observers. I suggest concerned readers here to post comments as well. Hetq: http://www.hetq.am/eng/

**Armenian** · 03-26-2008, 10:11 AM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Sargsyan Wins Putin's Seal of Approval

President Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan on Monday pledged continuity in bilateral relations, as the Armenian president-elect made Moscow his first destination after being declared the winner in a controversial election last month. "I know that political processes in Armenia are not developing easily, but we very much hope that everything we have built up in bilateral relations in recent years will remain and develop further in the future, regardless of events inside Armenia," Putin said at the start of the talks in the Kremlin. Sargsyan was elected in a Feb. 19 vote that the opposition says was rigged. The growing protests that followed were then violently dispersed by police and a 20-day state of emergency was imposed.

The state of emergency ended last week. Sargsyan thanked Putin for Russia's support, including its backing in the run-up to the Armenian vote. "Both [Armenian President Robert Kocharyan] and our ambassador passed your personal messages on to me, and I will be honest: Never before have we witnessed such an unambiguous approach," he said. Sargsyan's trip comes on the heels of a visit by Kocharyan, who came to Moscow for an informal Commonwealth of Independent States summit on Feb. 22. Putin congratulated Sargsyan, currently prime minister, on his victory, while Sargsyan said the election of First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as Putin's replacement in March instilled hope that the bilateral relations would continue to develop positively.

Sargsyan met Medvedev earlier on Monday. Sargsyan is to be inaugurated on April 9, while the ceremony for Medvedev will take place on May 7. The talks between Putin and Sargsyan were to focus on expanding trade and economic relations, including nuclear cooperation, the Kremlin said in a statement on Monday. Armenia has been invited to join Russia's international uranium enrichment center in Angarsk and is expected to finalize its commitment in the near future. Azhdar Kurtov, an analyst with the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies, said continuity in relations with Yerevan was important for Moscow, as Armenia remains virtually its only ally in the South Caucasus. "Armenia has been successful so far in keeping the Caucasus from drifting toward the West or, rather, the south," said Kurtov, who focuses on the CIS.

Landlocked Armenia borders Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey, in a region that is becoming a key transit route for oil exports to European and world markets. Georgia and Azerbaijan have both said they are interested in NATO membership. The difference between Moscow's relations with Armenia and its relationship with Georgia was evident, Kurtov said, from the Russian media coverage of postelection riots in Yerevan and of the earlier riots in Tbilisi. The disturbances and the police reaction in Armenia have received much less coverage than did the events in Georgia, he said. Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, is part of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, a regional body aimed at strengthening military and political ties. Armenia will take over the chairmanship of the organization this fall.

Russian investment in Armenia totaled about $1 billion at the end of 2007, a year that saw trade between the countries top $800 million, the Kremlin said, adding that a figure of $1 billion was a realistic forecast for the near future. In a standard indication of good relations between the countries, the Kremlin said Armenia would host a series of Russian cultural events this year, while Russia would host a "Season of Armenian Culture" in 2009. Despite the pledges of continued friendship, however, Gazprom is soon likely to significantly hike the prices that Armenia pays it for gas, analysts have said. Armenia currently pays a mere $110 per thousand cubic meters.

Source: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/storie...03/25/003.html

Russian Official Voices Support For Yerevan

A senior Russian diplomat commended and voiced support for Armenia�s embattled leadership on Thursday as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Yerevan that focused on the post-election unrest in the country. �Riots, chaos in the streets is a very dangerous thing for any country, and I believe that the events of March 1-2 showed the citizens of Armenia just how dangerous that path can be. It does not solve any problems and instead brings about instability, uncertainty about the future,� Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said, referring to the last opposition demonstration in Yerevan marred by deadly clashes between security forces and protesters.

�In my view, the government of new Armenian statehood has passed this dangerous phase, this dangerous test and is now stepping on to a very certain path of political reforms and dialogue,� he told journalists. The political situation in Armenia, Russia�s main regional ally, in the wake of last month�s disputed presidential election topped the agenda of Karasin�s talks on Wednesday with departing President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister and President-elect Serzh Sarkisian. Russia has closely followed the post-election developments in the country, with President Vladimir Putin discussing it in a March 10 phone call with Sarkisian. While calling for a dialogue between the Armenian government and the opposition, Putin reaffirmed the Kremlin�s recognition of Sarkisian�s victory in the election and invited the latter to visit Moscow.

Sarkisian�s office said on Thursday that the Armenian premier will fly to Moscow on March 24. It said he will meet Putin and Russia�s President-elect Dmitry Medvedev to discuss �a broad range of issues of mutual interest.� According to Karasin, Sarkisian and Kocharian now �understand and control� the domestic political situation. �They have certain plans for the future, plans for bringing the constructive opposition into the legal field and starting dialogue,� he said. �I hope that this tendency will prevail and Armenian society will again acquire stability and predictability. Russia is ready and interested in assisting in that by all means.�

It was not clear if by �constructive opposition� Karasin meant former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and his opposition allies. Unlike Western envoys who have visited Yerevan since March 1, the Russian diplomat declined to meet Ter-Petrosian. �The information which the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister gave us was absolutely sufficient,� Karasin explained. �Having said that, we definitely have information about what they in the opposition camp think. We have an embassy here, we have friends in all spheres of Armenian political and public life. So rest assured that we possess information of various caliber.�

Source: http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...12498ABA14.ASP

Putin: Russian-Armenian relations entering new level

�Despite the hard times in the political process in Armenia, Armenian-Russian are going to develop at a new level,� president of Russia Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Armenia's president-elect Serzh Sargsyan in Kremlin. Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that he is informed of complicated internal political processes in Armenia. Nevertheless, he observed, Russia hopes that, regardless the course of internal political events in Armenia, �everything that has been created in the preceding years, is preserved and developed in the future.� Sargsyan, for his part, said that Armenia needs to further develop relations with Russia. �We have always appreciated your help to Armenia,� Sargsyan noticed. To remind, Sargsyan has already met on March 24 with Russia's president-elect Dmitry Medvedev. He is also expected to meet with prime minister Viktor Zubkov and Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

Source: http://www.regnum.ru/english/975875.html

**freakyfreaky** · 03-26-2008, 01:01 PM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

Crackdown on opposition continues. http://www.iwpr.net/?p=%3Cp%3ENo%20i...apc_state=henh

Georgia extardites oppositionists. http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeni...B219A5ACA5.ASP

Republican Party secretary places blame on "all of us". http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=58861

People's Party of Armenia leader casts blame on government for arresting people for unlawfulness when the people gathered because of ongoing, unresolved problems in the country and the demonstration of their political orientation and pursuits. http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=58853

Protests continue while Serge attempts to resuscitate his political future, Serge states his election was legitimate and blames LTP for attempting to usurp power through street protests, claims state of emergency helped and current protests are not sanctioned but tolerated because peaceful, represents that the organizers of the March 1 protests declared publicly that it was the day of their civil war, pledges to take extensive reforms to defuse crisis and bolster public confidence, resists taking responsibility for divisiveness in country. (read the contribution by Armenian-American in LA "gagik" who blasts those in power for returning Armenia to Soviet style rule and stating that Serge cannot detach himself from his communist past including career as KGB agent)

The Times & The Sunday Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3613772.ece

News and opinion from The Times & The Sunday Times

Go, Gagik!!!

**Armenian** · 03-26-2008, 02:11 PM

Re: Presidential elections 2008 in Armenia

There is an organized effort today to undermine and isolate the Armenian Republic upon the international stage. This concerted anti-Armenian effort is being run by Washington DC and the tools they are using are entities such as Armenianow, Radio Liberty, A1 Plus, Hetq, various blogs and individuals involved within the Armenian Assembly. These organizations and websites have become magnets for delusional asswipes amongst our people as of late. Off-set their effort, post remarks/comments in support of the ruling administration in Yerevan. However, be aware that anti-Levon comments are being periodically deleted by site administrators in order to artificially create an impression that a majority of the Armenian "public" is against the Armenian authorities. Therefore, be ready to repost your comments when required. We need to get involved, we need to contact our embassies, we need to contact Armenia's presidential office and various national organizations and express our opposition to what is going on. At the very least, I ask all patriotic and concerned Armenians to post comments within the following two websites:

Hetq: http://www.hetq.am/eng/

ArmeniaNow: http://www.armenianow.com/

Some reply/commentary samples:

Anyone engaged in any kind of an attempt that can destabilize the Armenian state shall be dealt with harshly. Levon and his treasonous team deserve to hang.

Despite the best efforts of CIA front offices like Armenianow and Radio Liberty, there will be no divisions between Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. You agent provocateurs, along with your petty street whore called Levon, have been defeated in the Caucasus. I suggest you abandon your agendas in Armenia and concern yourselves with saving your pathetic asses in the Persian Gulf.

Long live Russo-Armenian alliance, the last front against pan-Turkism, Western imperialism and Sunni fundamentalism.

After observing Levon during the 90s all I can say is thank God for Kocharyan and Sargsyan.

Websites such as ArmeniaNow and Hetq are tools Washington DC uses to meddle in the internal affairs of Armenia with the hopes of driving a wedge between Yerevan and Moscow, and turn the masses against the struggle for Nagorno Karabagh.

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