Presidential Elections 2008 In Armenia March 1

[elle]

DOES MOSCOW BACK ARMENIA’S EMBATTLED LEADERS?

 

By Emil Danielyan

 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

 

 

As the outcome of Armenia’s upcoming presidential election looks increasingly unpredictable, Russia is exercising unusual caution in backing a transfer of power from outgoing President Robert Kocharian to his chief lieutenant, Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian. Moscow has only indirectly and timidly endorsed Sarkisian’s presidential bid, avoiding the kind of aggressive pre-election interference to which it has resorted in other former Soviet republics, notably Ukraine.

 

Kocharian and Sarkisian have moved Armenia even closer to Russia during their decade-long joint rule and have reason to expect a payback from the Kremlin in the run-up to the February 19 vote. It came in the form of a February 6 visit to Yerevan by Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, which officially focused on bilateral commercial relations. The two sides signed a number of agreements that will further reinforce Russia’s economic presence in the South Caucasus state. In particular, Russia’s state railway formally assumed long-term management of Armenia’s rail network.

 

The two governments also agreed to set up a joint venture that will explore and develop Armenia’s uranium reserves. More importantly, the Russians reaffirmed their strong interest in the planned construction of a new Armenian nuclear plant, which is expected to replace the existing Soviet-era facility at Metsamor by 2016. Sergei Kiriyenko, head of the state nuclear energy agency, Rosatom, said Russian companies are well placed to win a relevant tender by the authorities in Yerevan (Kommersant, February 7).

 

Speaking at a joint news conference after the talks, Zubkov and Sarkisian welcomed a 65% surge in Russian Armenian trade which totaled about $700 million in 2007 and may well pass the $1 billion mark this year. Zubkov said Moscow will help expand a rail-ferry service between the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti and Russia’s Port-Kavkaz, which was launched last year and mainly caters for cargos shipped to and from landlocked Armenia (Armenian Public Television, February 6).

 

Few observers doubt that the main purpose of Zubkov’s visit, the second in less than six months, was to boost Sarkisian’s electoral chances in a country where pro-Russian sentiment has traditionally run high. As an unnamed Armenian government official quoted by Moskovskii Komsomolets on February 7 explained, “The authorities are alarmed by street protests staged by the [Armenian] opposition every day. They are attended by more and more people. The visit by your prime minister will demonstrate to the electorate on whose side Russia is.”

 

Moscow has clearly not been interested in regime change in Yerevan until now. After all, Sarkisian, who also co-chairs a Russian-Armenian inter-governmental commission on economic cooperation, has played a key role in the signing of controversial agreements that have left virtually the whole of Armenia’s energy sector and other industries under Russian control in the last several years. Several Russian dailies quoted an unnamed official accompanying Zubkov as saying that a “continuity of power” is essential for the development of Russian-Armenian relations. Vyacheslav Nikonov, a prominent pro-Kremlin pundit, agreed. “Strategically, Sarkisian's nomination [for the Armenian presidency] suits Moscow, which has given him support at the top level,” Nikonov wrote in a February 7 commentary for RIA-Novosti agency. “It would be appropriate to take steps that would demonstrate our readiness to render Armenia substantial economic assistance,” he said.

 

Yet Moscow is treading more carefully that one would expect. Neither President Vladimir Putin, nor his handpicked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, have made any public statements in support of Sarkisian’s election victory so far. Even Zubkov stopped short of explicitly doing that in Yerevan. “This was a very successful visit,” he told reporters before flying back Moscow. “Whatever the course of the elections, everything should work out for Sarkisian. He is doing his job sincerely and wholeheartedly.”

 

“It remained unclear to journalists whether he was referring to the work of the intergovernmental commission headed by Sarkisian or the upcoming presidential elections in Armenia,” Nezavisimaya gazeta commented the next day. Nor is it clear why another top Russian official, State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov, did not even talk to journalists during a separate trip to Yerevan a week earlier.

 

Sarkisian is in even greater need of Russian backing now that his election victory no longer seems a forgone conclusion. His most formidable challenger, former president Levon Ter-Petrosian, has pulled massive crowds during the ongoing election campaign and has even won over some government loyalists. Ever since his dramatic political comeback in September 2007, Ter-Petrosian has been at pains to differentiate himself from the staunchly pro-Western leaders of democratic revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine and to express his commitment to maintaining close ties with Russia. Speaking at a news conference on January 11, he emphasized the fact that Armenia had agreed to a long-term presence of Russian in troops on its soil and signed a comprehensive friendship treaty with Russia during his rule.

 

At the same time, Ter-Petrosian made it clear that he believes that the Russian-Armenian relationship has ceased to be one of two equal allies since his resignation in 1998, implying that his country will be less subservient to its former Soviet master if he returns to power. The Russians will also hardly like the former president’s enduring belief that the best guarantee of Armenia’s national security is “normal” relations with all neighboring states, rather than a military alliance with Russia or any other foreign power.

 

Furthermore, Ter-Petrosian reportedly (and unexpectedly) left for Moscow on February 11 and was rumored to have met Medvedev. Such a meeting, if it really took place, could have far-reaching consequences for the Armenian election results.

 

But as things stand now, the Kremlin is not lending the Armenian prime minister the kind of vocal support which Ukraine’s Viktor Yanukovych enjoyed before and during the 2004 Orange Revolution. In the end, Yanukovych’s aggressive promotion by Putin proved fruitless and further complicated Russian-Ukrainian ties.

 

Writing in Polit.ru ahead of Zubkov’s arrival in Yerevan, Russian analyst Sergei Markedonov warned that a similar “crude interference” in the Armenian presidential race could only antagonize many Armenians angry at their rulers. “Moscow had better not succumb to the ‘Ukrainian temptation’ and support only the ‘correct’ candidate against ‘incorrect,’ ‘orange’ and other ‘colored’ ones,” he said.

 

http://www.jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2372797

 

Note: Please note that the meeting between Levon Ter-Petrosian and Russia's future president, Dmitri Medvedev NEVER took place. It's already confirmed by the Russian politicans that no one wished to see Levon and the trip to Moscow was like a "show" on Levon's part for his supporters in Yerevan. The bottom line is that he tried to meet up with few Russian politicians, but they had no interest. He lied stating that he did meet with Russian politicians in order to boost his chances of getting more and more votes! A cheap shot on Levon's part!

Russia's stance on the election is already clear. I'm guessing that's why they had no interest in meeting up with Levon. It's interesting that after Levon spread the false rumors, some people were not sure exactly whom he saw while in Moscow, now it's already clear that he met no one.

I simply can't see him getting re-elected. The Russians will not support him now. Number of Russian political analysts stated that Russia is determined in its support for Serge Sargsyan. Instead of looking forward, we're looking back to one of our worst years in our history, the time that was going to be the most joyful because of our independence...it turned out to be one of the tragic years... I have a feeling that Levon is intentionally running for the president in 2008 because he wants to get his REVENGE from his people for making him to step down from his throne back in 90's! I wonder how long it will take him to take us back to early '90s! People should just move on, even if it's Serge as their last resort.

The war in Artsax was only won by the Artsaxis, by the heroes who fought and died for the land, and all the organizers and commanders who did a great job. Levon didn't do anything for the country! Let's face it, if he did anything good why he stepped down! If he tries to give back even an inch of territory, I wouldn't be surprised to see revolution breaking out in Armenia...if he's elected of course.

I'm telling you...Armenians never learn anything. We simply have no luck when it comes to politics and making the right decisions and having the right people who can lead us to the right path.

Edited February 14, 2008 by elle

[Ashot]

Elle jan, enough arguing on the topic, we all are sick and tired from the issue of Serj or Levon - it has been decided a long time ago who will be the president, and we all know Russia will do everything to keep it in it's own interests...

 

The topic would be long forgotten if some of us = "I" didn't act as opposition!!! so there you have it, I said it, hoqis hangstatsav - lol

[Ashot]

And here is the FACT!!!

 

Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress Ara Abrahamyan urged the citizens of Armenia to vote for the presidential candidate from the Republican Party Serge Sargsyan.

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan, Ara Abrahamyan stated that Serge Sargsyan is a candidate who stands for the deepening of cooperation with Russia. According to him, for Armenians residing in Russia the stance of the Armenian authorities concerning the prospects of Armenian-Russian relations, in the given context the stance of Serge Sargsyan, gives all the grounds to assume that the relations of the two countries will continue developing.

Ara Abrahamyan expressed the opinion that Serge Sargsyan is a strong, consistent and intelligent leader, capable of solving both economic issues, and the problems, related to Armenias security.

The Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia expressed hope that the presidential elections in Armenia will be held in line with international standards.

Edited February 14, 2008 by Ashot

[Ashot]

Nikolai Ryzhkov: Armenian people would be correct to support Serge Sargsyan

 

Member of the Council of Federation of Russia, Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Cooperation Commission Nikolai Ryzhkov declared in an interview with RIA Novosti that Serge Sargsyans election would be the best outcome of the presidential lections in Armenia.

 

Personally I do not conceal that I think the Armenian people would be correct to support Serge Sargsyan. He has occupied senior positions and is already prepared tot work at the highest position, he said.

 

Ryzhkov expressed the opinion that Serge Sargsyan will not destroy the economic and political ties with Russia and the humanitarian relations.

 

Public Radio of Aremnia

[Ashot]

ARAM KARAPEYAN SUPPORTS LEVON TER-PETROSYAN

 

Today the “New Times” party announced that the party supported Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The decision was made during the session of the party’s board based on the voting results.

 

The announcement says: “The logic of the administration’s behavior in the pre-election period proves that the systemized change of the Armenia’s inter-political situation is possible, exclusively, through the pan-national movement.

 

Estimating the development of pre-election processes in the country, registering that Armenia has no alternative on the way to democracy, the “New Times” party announces that each citizen, who is concerned with Armenia’s future, should not vote for the authorities’ representative or for the candidate, who supports or serves them on 19 February 2008.

 

As it was predicted, during the 2007 NA elections, the wave of the pan-national movement rose by the joint efforts of the “New Times”, “Impeachment” bloc and the “Republican” party, had its logical development during the 2008 presidential elections. The “New Times” party protects that pan-national movement, which is headed by the RA presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrsoyan. The Armenian society has stood up to get rid of the powers violating its dignity and the “New Times” party is with the nation.

 

The announcement was presented to the mass media by the member of the party’s board Hrachya Sargsyan and the press speaker Emanuel Margaryan. To the question why Aram Karapetyan was not present at the press conference, Hrachya Sargsyan responded: “He is extremely busy”.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

AVK VOICES SUPPORT FOR TER-PETROSSIAN

 

The “National Rebirth” Party (AVK) voiced support for presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian on February 13.

 

STATEMENT OF NATIONAL REBIRTH

 

Armenia can get out of this chaotic political, socio-economic and psychological state only due to a legitimate president endowed with unique qualities and enjoying pan-national support.

 

We stand for presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian at the upcoming presidential election. We are confident that Levon Ter-Petrossian will be guided by the interests of the state and Armenian people and will implement a balanced foreign policy, enhancing Armenian- Russian beneficial relations.

 

“National Rebirth” Party

 

To note, Armenia’s Ex-Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General. Vagharshak Harutiunian is one of the AVK founders.

 

To remind, over twenty parties, among them leading opposition parties, have already voiced support for the First President.

 

A1Plus

[AVO]

Kardzum em dzezanic shadern Amerikaits en:Hetevabar ev Zarmanum em dzer qnnarkumneri vra. mek@ Sergei Rachmaninoffin Seljuk e asum, myus@ Levonin Qor aselov storacnum... Cheq kardzum vor jamanakn e mek meki hargel ev sirel? Ayspes vor gnac, shutov aystegh el mek meki kanpatveq. Bac togheq Levon Ter-Petrosianin. Na el e mard. Na el uni @ntaniq. Uni sirogh kin, tgha ev tornik. Na Hay e, isk nra serundner@, haj en ev bolor mer nakhararner@. Sergei Sarkisian@ nuynpes Hay e. Isk ov vor hay e! Na mern e!!! Ketse hayutiun@!!!

 

P.S. Avo indz shat dur ekav qo Avatar@ Ov e nkarum?

 

Munch jan, hamamit em. qani vor menq ayd @ntrutyunerin chenq masnaktsum, mer asats@ izur tegh@ jur enq tsetsum. Bayts vorpes Hye, haskanalia vor mtahogvats enq mer yerkri apagai masin.

 

avatar@ gtel em internetits, shat havanakan e vor photoshop arats lini.

 

http://www.imagesonus.com/uploads/2b49841e2e.jpg

 

 

 

 

[AVO]

Serzh Sargsyan is leading in poll at presidential election

 

Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia's Prime Minister, leads the race of the presidential campaign in Armenia, says Andrew Cooper, director of the British Populus polling company. According to the Populus data, 50.7% of the Armenian adults would vote for him, if the elections were to take place tomorrow. Sargsyan leads with a strong gap. According to the same data, Artur Baghdasaryan, from the Orinats Yerkir opposition party is the second, with 13.4%. Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the former president of Armenia is the third (12.6%). Results for other six candidates are below 10%.

 

Today is the last day for the presidential nominees to withdraw their candidacies. According to the Central Electoral Committee, all the nine candidates continue their presidential race. The poll shows that since last year, Armenian voters have become more hopeful about the future – of the country and of their own – and increasingly think Armenia is moving in the right direction. The number of optimists has increased by 10% since April 2007 (from 43% to 53%).

 

The nation-wide survey was conducted between January 21 and 29, 2008. 1,500 Armenian adults were interviewed face-to-face, the statistical error is 2.6% (at 95% confidence). The poll was commissioned by Armenia Public TV & Radio.

 

Populus is one of Britain's leading polling companies, with a strong record of accuracy in election polls. At the last UK election, Populus had an average error of just 0.25%. Populus conducts voting polls for a wide range of high profile clients, including BBC, The Times, Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal- Democrats.

 

Permanent news address: www.regnum.ru/english/954208.html

12:27 02/08/2008

[elle]

I didn't think about this before, but now it's clear to me why the Russian PM just recently visited Armenia. I saw the press conference on Russian television where both country's Prime Ministers spoke about how to further straighten their relationship. If I'm not mistaking, Russian PM also visited Armenia at the end of last year. I'm sure it had more to do with the elections than anything else.

[MosJan]

http://www.armenianow.com/images/uploadedimages/ai282101.jpg

 

mi harts es mer Levon Papiki mazer@ spitak cher ??

[Ashot]

“LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN WILL HAVE A LANDSLIDE VICTORY”

 

“Levon Ter-Petrossian had a non-official meeting with Dmitri Medvedev,” Leader of New Times Party (NZhK) Aram Karapetian told A1+. The latter says he is well aware of the Moscow meeting.

 

“In the main, we are content with Ter-Petrossian’s Moscow visit. The meeting was held on a high level. Levon Ter-Petrossian has never sought support of the Russian Federation or any other country.

 

Today, Levon Ter-Petrossian embodies the struggle of the Armenian people against this regime.”

 

Aram Karapetian is confident of Levon Ter-Petrossian’s landslide victory in the first round. Ter-Petrossian will gain 65-68 per cent of votes. I do not endorse Serzh Sarkissian. Ter-Petrossian’s chances to win the election would double provided that Arthur Baghdasarian joined the first President.

 

“Obviously, only a pan-Armenian movement at the head of Ter-Petrossian can remove this clan.”

 

“We don’t cherish hopes from the alliance. We have made the decision to change the country’s political scene. We want Armenia to have a free and fair election.”

 

Aram Karapetian will be present at tomorrow’s meeting due at Liberty Square.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

“EVERYONE MINDS HIS OWN BUSINESS.”

 

Presidential candidate Serzh Sarkissian visited Shirak Marz on February 15. During the meeting with Landzik voters the candidate said his “programme is hard-nosed.” The Prime Minister pledged allegiance.

 

“I pledge to fulfill my promises as an official has no right to repudiate them. I assure you that people will live twice better by 2013,” he said.

 

“The country has a great potential. If we employ at least part of it, we shall have crowning achievements,” Sarkissian said in Azatani Village.

 

“Тhe authorities used to say they couldn't tackle this or that problem, it was beyond their competence. I pledge to solve all problems regardless of their complication,” the candidate said.

 

Occasionally, authorities neglected the problems of Gyumri, thus inflicting great losses on the city. I assure you that I shall restore Gyumri's pride and reputation. People will soon seek shelters in Gyumri.”

 

Serzh Sarkissian finished his speech with an appeal, “Onward to prosperous Armenia we crave for.”

 

Today's meeting was strangely silent. People were neither curious nor boisterous. “Everybody minds his own business,” an elderly man said.

 

“Azdarar” TV Company, Gyumri

 

[Ashot]

OYP LEADER PLEDGES TO OPEN 150 000 WORKPLACES

 

Vanadzor residents received Leader of Orinats Yerkir Party (OYP) Arthur Baghdasarian with warm applauses. In his addressing speech OYP Press Secretary Mher Shahgeldian noted that Vanadzor should have a president concerned over residents’ problems.

 

According to the OYP leader nowadays over 90 per cent of people live in poverty because of the acting authorities.

 

OYP Deputy Chairwoman Heghine Bisharian spoke of unemployment, assassinations, permissiveness and fear reigning in the country and urged the presentees to avoid mean bargains. She called on Vanadzor residents to observe the election and prevent vote rigging.

 

“Once you commit blackmail, you will never win. One can only win a victory by administering justice.”

 

“People are oppressed. An atmosphere of fear is perceived throughout the country,” Arthur Baghdasarian said. He appealed to the presentees to reject election bribes.

 

The OYP leader pledged to combat robbery and open 150 000 workplaces. He pledged to make Armenia a country of law and justice.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

While Waiting for Serge Sargsyan

 

48-year-old Abovyan citizen David Asatryan has been impatiently waiting for this day for the last three weeks. Today the RA presidential candidate, the Leader of the “Republican Party of Armenia” Serge Sargsyan will visit Abovyan. David wants to hand over his letter to the candidiate.

 

“I have three children and we live on 24 000 drams allowance. In my letter I ask the Prime Minister to return my deposit or to give me a trade center for rent. I will work and pay taxes properly. I do not want money, I am not a beggar, I just need a job”, said David to “A1+”. The residents of the first and the third hostels, belonging to “Shintrest” firm, also want to see the Prime Minister, since the buildings are not safe to live in. “We want to hand over a letter to him. Maybe he will save us from ruins. We have appealed to many instances, but not one wants to help us, they just give us sin promises. We hope that the Prime Minister will hear us and will land a helping hand”.

 

In fact, the courtyard of Abovyan Municipality promises to be crowded. People have come not to get acquainted with the pre-election program of the candidate but to raise their problems.

 

By the way, directors of Abovyan schools have demanded the teachers to come and be present at the meeting. Directors of Abovyan hospitals and policlinics are stricter, than the directors of the schools. They have demanded the doctors and the nurses to be present at the candidate’s meeting; otherwise they will be released from the posts. Moreover, Serge Sargsyan’s partner Gagik Tsarukyan, is the honorable citizen of Abovyan town, and he can even compulsively bring thousands of people in this region.

 

Our sources from the “Republican Party of Armenia” mentioned that they already celebrated the victory of their candidate. They are confirmed that their candidate will win in the first round. The upcoming events will show what their confidence depends on.

 

A1Plus

[Arpa]

One can only wish.

I had written the following Armenian article some time ago in response to a post that I forget what it was.

In short, what we are saying is that- We wish that our brothers and sisters in Yerevan would find other tangible sciences, other than philology, politics et al to make a living, sciences like engineering, chemistry, medicine, shoemaking, iron monging and dress making, invent, register and patent something that the world has not seen, rather than participate in the most corrupt culture of "election". After all, there are other ways to make a living, other than running for the presidency, professions like digging ditches, laying water and sewage pipes. Why is it that all of a sudden everyone in Armenia becomes a philologist, politico-philosopher when the rest of the country does not even have decent drinking water, does not have a decent road/highway? Do these people own a shovel and a pick, bah yev porich? Wht don't they go and use them, instead of stuffing the microphone in their ****/voice pipes? Go to Lori, Meghri and Goris and see how the people are living/dying, trying to drive their picks and shovels, and in return having their picks and shovels drive right through their very hearts !

And, on the other flipside. When are our diasporan intellectulals get off the art of "shoemaking" and get involved in philology, armenology, philosophy and poltical acience? Does not fill the stomach? Por chi kshtatsne/փոր չի կշտացնէ, does not pay for our million dollar mortgages?

Երանի մեր բնիկ հայրենակիցները անդրադառնան թէ ապրուստի այլ միջոցներ կան քան թէ նախագահ:

Ինչպէս նաեւ մենք մաղթենք որ մեր արտասահմանի երիտասարդները ընտրեն բառագիտական, քաղաքագիտական, իրաւագիտական, պատմագիտական, հնագիտական եւ այլ մտավորական ասպարէզներ, քան թէ կօշկար, դերձակ, մեքենագէտ, բժշկագէտ, ելետրագէտ, …. Եւ այլ գէտ:

Նմանապէս մաղթենք որ մեր բնիկ հայրենակիցները հետապնդեն աւելի շոշափելի գիտանք քան թէ բառագիտանք, պատմագիտանք, քաղաքագիտանք, տնտեսագիտանք

Edited February 17, 2008 by Arpa

[Ashot]

ARF leader promised change without shocks

 

Presidential candidate from ARF Dashnaktsutyun Vahan Hovhannisyan preferred to hold his last meeting in the framework of the election campaign with those citizens, who will participate in the elections for the first time, i.e. young people aged 18.

 

Addressing the meeting, Vahan Hovhannisyan presented the points of his platform and said he is familiar with problems and concerns of the young. Vahan Hovhannisyan urged the young people to be active and never get disappointed with their own Motherland. “Motherland is above everything. Take a broom if you want to clean it, but never get disappointed.”

 

Vahan Hovhannisyan today revealed what the youth can do on February 19. “Today you can conduct a revolution, conduct a revolution with a simple move of the pen, by votig for number 5. You can change our life. By giving your ballot to me and my supporters, you will provide us with the opportunity to change our life, to get rid of the risk of terrible return to the past.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Artashes Geghamyan attends a wedding party on the last day of the campaign

 

When marrying their daughter, Seda’s parents could not even imagine that а presidential candidate would attend the wedding party.

 

Head of the Talin branch of the “National Unity” Party Sahak Sahakyan suggested, and leader of the Party Artashes Geghamyan did not refuse to participate in his son’s wedding party on the last day of the election campaign. After long hesitation Artashs Geghamyan decided to gift a TV set and a DVD player to the newly-wed to recall the details of the ceremony later. Geghamyan had borough another present, which no one else would ever think of.

 

“In Armenian families it is common to say “grow old on one pillow,” but no one ever thinks of bringing that pillow. We have brought it today,” the candidate said.

 

The newly-married know that the presidential candidate’s participation in their wedding party s the most remarkable detail they will tell their children. The participants of the party promised to vote for Artashes Geghamyan on February 19.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Youth rally in support of Serge Sargsyan

 

Hasmik Dilanyan

"Radiolur"

 

Young people came from different marzes and higher educational establishments of the republic to participate in a peaceful rally and support presidential contender, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan. They marched from Alex Manoogian Street to Vartan Mamikonyan’s monument, later to Nalbandyan Street and the Liberty Square

 

The wing of Georgian-Armenians was the first to participate in the rally and declare that their candidate is Serge Sargsyan.

 

Young people representing different communities of Yerevan joined the students from various higher educational establishments.

 

Young people from different marzes also arrived in Yerevan to support Serge Sargsyan. They are sure they will shape the the future of our country.

 

“We have come from Gegharkunik marz. The young of our marz will elect Serge Sargsyan,” said Armen Hakobyan, representing Zovashen community of Gegharkunik.

 

A young man from Ararat marz, who expressed the wish to stay anonymous, said on behalf of their community that they will support the Prime Minister in office.

 

Representatives of youth wings of the parties supporting Serge Sargsyan also joined the rally. They remember the years when the Pan-Armenian Movement held power.

 

Vice-President of the Progressive Party of Armenia Hamazasp Uzumyan said they also support Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, “since the progress in the country if apparent. We once saw the years when the previous authorities held power, we know what cold and darkness is. Today I say no to the previous authorities, to Levon Ter-Petrosyan and call on our youth to elect Serge Sargsyan.”

 

 

Note: Do you guys still believe that if Levon comes back he is going to cut the power and the water and the gas???

I am really curous as to what you guys think on the matter... Constant reminder of having no light no gas is suggesting that if Levon was to be elected he would cut the cords... It is just hilarious to me!!!

[Ashot]

Serge Sargsyan: We planted the seeds of optimism and kindness

 

Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"

 

“I know that over the past days you have become targets of a number of blind provocations, but I want to urge you once again to remember about the silent, calm majority, remember that we have a great work to do, and have the mission to defend and to create,” presidential candidate, Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan said today during a meeting at the Liberty Square on the last day of the election campaign.

 

“We do not offend, do not abuse and do not propagate hatred. But simultaneously we understand that the time has come to protect the created, to value the achieved, to rise above the splits cracking the national potential, because we have passed a very long and hard way, we have passed through deprivations and trials to have what we have today,” Serge Sargsyan noted.

 

”We had to go in for war for our generations to be able to go in for culture and science. We had to get engaged in politics for our generations to live in better Armenia. I will work hard, because I don’t want our children to inherit today’s problems. I’m grateful to the destiny that I served to my Motherland all my life, served with pride, because servings the Motherland is the greatest honor for me. History will separate the white form the black, history will rove the correctness of the way we have chosen.

 

”Today I ask for your vote of support and trust, the vote of kindness and optimism, I ask for a ballot in the sake of prosperous and flourishing Armenia,” Serge Sargsyan noted.

 

”For a long time out society has been waiting for an apology for all the mistakes of the past. Before this huge crowd today I beg your pardon for the mistakes of the past 17 years. I apologize for all the mistakes the authorities made during those 17 years, for all your hard and troubled days, for the callousness of officials of different ranks. I apologize for everything and say that we shall correct all that.

 

The presidential candidate assured that he is well familiar will all the problems the country faces and knows the mechanisms for their resolution. Mr. Sargsyan assured he will allow no regress in the country, he will be everyone’s President and will destroy the barrier between the authorities and the people.

 

“In my perception democracy is the power of the majority, the majority that will not violate the minority right. Today I see that majority here and declare that we shall allow no provocation and will defend our victory.

 

We shall not allow certain people to defame the forthcoming elections, will not allow someone’s malice to become decisive,” the candidate said.

 

“We shall win, and that victory will belong to everyone. We are the only political force in the current political field of Armenia that is able to solve the problems without serious economic and political shakes. We have enough political will, necessary means for that, and a whole army of supporters, which is evidenced by today’s meeting,” presidential candidate Serge Sargsyan declared.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Arman Melikyan content with the election campaign and its coverage

 

Presidential candidate Arman Melikyan today gave a positive qualitative evaluation to the election campaign. The candidate noted that he managed to make his views accessible to a large part of the society. Arman Melikyan expressed regret for the fact that no debates took place during the campaign.

 

“In general, I can express appreciation for the election campaign. We reached the objectives we aimed at,” Arman Melikyan said. The candidate is satisfied with the coverage of the campaign, as well.

 

”I can judge about the productivity of the campaign from feedback, since many citizens and organizations have applied to me, suggesting their support. By the way, they propose support not only now, but also in the post-election period. It’s obvious that the problems we pose, need to be solved in any case, irrespective of the outcome of the elections.”

 

What could be done during the election campaign that was not done? In response to the question Arman Melikyan said: “There was no civilized dialogue. Most of the candidates stooped to the level of personal offenses, which, I think, was not effective. At this point I’m also anxious about the possibility of civil clashes, because the two teams, that of the authorities and Leon Ter-Petrosyan, are ready to take radical steps, to hold or to seize power.”

 

Arman Melikyan refused avoided predicting how many votes he will receive during the election. It’s impossible to predict, he said.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

 

Note: There is talk about the clashes - it is getting closer and closer 2 days counting!!!

[Ashot]

Tigran Karapetyan concluded the election campaign with candle lighting

 

“We shall win as Christianity won once,” presidential candidate Tigran Karapetyan said today. According to him, if it fails to happen today, it will happen tomorrow, and then “truth and justice will kiss.”

 

Tigran Katrapetyan considers that victory can be achieved only through peace. “Every candidate has his righteousness, but our righteousness is that of the people,” he said.

 

The candidate said he had the opportunity to meet people and propagate his platform throughout the election campaign without any obstacle.

 

As he noted, on this critical day quality, not quantity is important. “We welcome our future President and forgetting the past we elect our future – Tigran Karapetyan, who is number 3.”

 

Following the meeting, the candidate lit a candle.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

MEETING OF RIVAL TEAMS

 

The teachers of School 127 have crowded near the Government building since early morning. They turned out to have been forced to Serzh Sarkissian's rally.

 

Just at that moment a group of young Javakhki Armenians appeared from Sakharov Square. They were holding posters with appeals, “Onward, Armenia,” “Javakhki Armenians are with you.” Representatives of the “Union of the Armenians of Georgia” called on them to unite for the sake of Armenia and to second Serzh Sarkissian.

 

One of the participants told us that they had been taken to the rally on 18 minibuses.

 

The crowd directed to Liberty Square. All of a sudden they turned back and walked along Abovian Street.

 

“If you hold a march you should arrange everything beforehand,” the participants said indignantly.

 

In the main today's march was disorganised.

 

In Abovian Street the crowd ran into representatives of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun. The incident provoked laughter in the rival groups.

 

Weird quietness reigned at Liberty Square today. People crowded here and there keeping silent. The stage was almost invisible because of huge posters.

 

No sooner had Serzh Sarkissian begun to speak than the crowds began dispersing.

 

To note, most people had come from Armenian regions by buses and microbuses. Some of them didn't even go out and waited for their friends on buses.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN: “THE AUTHORITIES SEEM HUMBLE IN DEFEAT”

 

On February 17 presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian visited his pre-election offices in Yerevan. A few hours ago he was at the office near the Cascade. Over 1000 people were waiting for the first President.

 

Everything is clear. I have got the impression that the authorities already accept their defeat. We run in the election open-faced.”

 

HZhK Leader Stepan Demirchian wished their team success during the election.

 

According to “Republic” Party Leader Aram Sargissian, TV Companies will “draw figures about exit-polls” on Election Day.

 

“We shall depict the real picture of the election by the Internet,” he added.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

“WILL YOU TELL ME THE WAY?”

 

Rural residents arriving in Yerevan seem to be confused. They wander in the central streets inquiring where the “Opera House” is. People have come to participate in today's rally of presidential candidate Serzh Sarkissian. One can see labour collectives hurrying to Liberty Square.

 

Some of them ring up their relatives to inform that they “have been assigned to stay for an hour and not to leave earlier.” A middle-aged man orders a group of people near the “Yerevan Project” building “to stay till the end.” He will check whether they have executed his order.

 

All the roads leading to the capital have been car-clogged since morning. Omnibuses and minibuses full of people are hurrying to the rally.

 

According to some verified data, employees of Hospital 1 have been assigned to attend the rally with copies of passports.

 

A1Plus

 

Note: This is just funny how Serzh's team forces everyone to be there... let's hope the force will not work at the voting boots...

[Vera]

I think the diaspora will rule Armenia much better than those current idiots, like Kocharyan

 

What do everyone think on this matter?

 

Oh yeah... This sort of arrogance was all we needed...

 

The diaspora should first learn how to rule itself and not raise a new generation of gansters