Presidential Elections 2008 In Armenia March 1

[Ashot]

Vahan Hovhannissyan urges citizens to vote secretly

 

The presidential candidate from ARF Dashnaktsutyun Vahan Hovhannissyan summed up today the results of the first ten days of the election campaign.

 

According to him, during the visits to the regions of the country, he revealed that the residents of rural settlements are interested in the political life, are concerned about the future of Armenia and are not solving solely daily problems. The presidential candidate stated that people are particularly concerned about the opportunity of secret voting.

 

Vahan Hovhannissyan informed that in the Northern regions of the country, the electors have been suggested the idea that in the end Vahan Hovhannissyan will give his votes in favor of the candidate from the authority, and have been persuaded to vote openly. He stated that this is “an absolute lie and a legend,” and that even in the second round he is not going to give his votes to any of the candidates, since he is sure that he will be the one to participate in the second round. ARF Dashnaktsutyun will not tolerate such attitude towards the electors and urges all the citizens not to give any promises and defend their right for secret voting,” Vahan Hovhannissyan stated.

 

The candidate did not agree with the result of public opinion surveys of international organizations, noting that he does not trust the agents of those companies, which work in the provinces. He noted that 170 thousand citizens have already signed agreements with Dashnaktsutyun and their number continues growing.

 

Talking about the pre-election campaigns of the rivals, Vahan Hovhannissyan stated that some of them are extremely passive, but at the same time, there are candidates, who visit the regions, and the escort accompanying them, is enough to secure audience for them..

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

RA FM, PACE Vice-Cghairman discuss the pre-election process in Armenia

 

On January 31 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the pre-election mission of the PACE ad hoc Committee on Monitoring of the Presidential Elections in Armenia headed by PACE Vice-Chairman John Prescott.

 

The interlocutors exchanged views on the process of preparation of the presidential elections. The PACE delegates presented their impression from their meetings with the senior officials of Armenia, the presidential candidates and NGOs.

 

Minister Oskanian emphasized the importance of the activity of the observation mission. He gave clarifications on the changes in the law on dual citizenship. The Minister expressed hope that the assessment of the forthcoming presidential elections by international observation missions will progress, contributing to the development of democracy in Armenia.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Galust Sahakyan sure PM Serge Sargsyan will gain 60-65% of the votes

 

RA Prime Minister, Leader of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Serge Sargsyan will gain 60-65% of the electors’ votes during the presidential elections of February 19, Vice-President of the Republican Party Galust Sahakyan stated in Yerevan today.

 

Galust Sahakian noted that the results of the surveys conducted by the Party evidence that Serge Sargsyan’s rating today makes 56%. He also reminded that in accordance with the Gallup poll, Serge Sargsyan’s rating increased for 8%.

 

Galust Sahakyan expressed confidence that “Serge Sargsyan is the only candidate, capable to take the responsibility for the life of the country and become a strong President.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan urges citizens not to sell their votes

 

Today RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan called on the citizens of the Republic of Armenia not to sell their votes on the presidential elections on February 19.

 

The Human Rights Defender noted that “if the elections are based on ideas and not the bribing of voters, we shall get a system where speaking about human rights will be simply senseless.”

 

The Ombudsman considers that “the political force that buys ballots will have no moral responsibility before the nation, will not be interested in the improvement of the socio-economic condition, and will not promote the real defense of the civil freedoms.”

 

“Our citizens must be the masters of their votes, their franchise right,” Armen Harutyunyan underlined. He informed that there is a “hotline” at the Ombudsman’s Office, through which the voters and observers can submit their complaints.

 

The phone numbers of the “hotline” are: 53-76-51, 53-92-71, 53-88-31, 53-76-34, 53-85-77, 091 00-88-17, 091 28-02-06.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Robert Kocharyan: Levon Ter-Petrosyan's affection for Azerbaijan is becoming unhealthy

 

RA President Robert Kocharyan is assured that a person, who declares that Azerbaijan is Armenia’s only link with the outer world has at least very dim notion of geography. Turning to the above mentioned statement of presidential contender Levon Ter-Petrosyan, President Kocharyan told reporters that the ex-President probably said it deriving from the fact that in Soviet times 85% of cargoes were transported to Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan.

 

“However, those were the routes of interior trade and interior cargo shipment of the USSR, and Armenia was not a subject of foreign trade at that time. This shows also that some people are not aware of the structure of today’s foreign trade. Of course, Azerbaijan is not that important for Armenia in its trade with Europe, the US and many other countries. We carry out the trade with Russian via Georgia or the Black Sea in the form of ferry communication,” Robert Kocharyan said.

 

The President suggested to look at Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s statements form another perspective. “Currently negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement are underway, and the Azeri side feels somewhat giddy connected with the oil factor, and deriving from oil expectations it is trying to toughen its position. The first President declares that Azerbaijan possesses not only the privilege of oil but also that of favorable location and is the only way for Armenia towards the outer world. And if the knowledge of geography is one the same level in Azerbaijan, it’s clear that they will try to further toughen their position on the Nagorno Karabakh issue. In general, Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s attitude and love for Azerbaijan is becoming unhealthy and raise many questions and doubts,” Robert Kocharyan added.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

THEY SHARED NO EFFORT TO IMPEDE

 

On February 1 presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian held meetings at different settlements of Lori Marz. The first meeting was due in Koti Village where residents slaughtered a lamb in honour of the first President.

 

Levon Ter-Petrossian considered his visit to Koti symbolic as “the best writer of our times comes from Koti” /the first President meant Vano Siradeghian/. “Koti gave birth to many talents, among them Hrant Matevossian, Aghasy Aivazian, etc.”

 

To note, Serzh Sarkissian has recently visited Koti and has been recognized an honourable citizen of the village. His picture is still posted on the building facades. “Obviously, this is a manifestation of sadism. How the Prime Minister dared to step the village? Did he forget that he had exiled one of its residents-Vano Siradeghian?”

 

Ter-Petrossian assured the meeting participants that Serzh Sarkissian’s visit was aimed at degrading them.

 

The Koti meeting was followed by a visit to Noyemberian Town where the first President presented their further steps and accounted for his return to the political arena.

 

Levon Ter-Petrossian pledged to reveal the October 27 events and urged the local residents “to vote for Stepan Demirchian, Aram Sargsian, as well as Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargsian, i.e. for the first President.”

 

The next meeting was held in the town of Alaverdi.

 

The local authorities had shared no effort to impede the meeting.

 

No buses, microbuses or taxis had worked in the town since early morning. The reasons were quite obvious, they were all out of order. Even the funicular railway had stopped functioning all of a sudden an hour before the scheduled meeting.

 

Taxi services were either out of reach or didn't answer the telephone calls.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

SERZH SARKISSIAN REPLIES TO LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN

 

Today, presidential candidate Serzh Sarkissian had a meeting with residents of Avan Community. His meeting was rather a reply to Levon Ter-Petrossian than an introduction of a pre-election campaign. Serzh Sarkissian began his speech posing rhetorical questions.

 

“What society do you long for? Do you want to turn directly to your superiors or do you want barriers on your way? Do you long for a president who will frankly present you the country’s problems or a president who will always go back on his promises and bring groundless reasons for his failures?”

 

“Yes, I do urge you to vote for me as I want to serve the interests of my country and nation to the full. Yes, I ask you to vote for me as I have a definite programme. I ask you to vote for me as I have already passed through many hardships and I know how to overcome them.”

 

The presidential candidate finished his speech with an appeal. “I call on everybody who wants to lead a dignified life, to support our programme. You should demand the head of the country to ensure working places and to administer justice.”

 

“ Finally, I need your vote as I want to be a real president. I don’t want Armenia to yield to any countries in anything. I want to represent my country and its nation in foreign countries with dignity and honour. Onward to prosperous Armenia!”

 

Before visiting Avan, Serzh Sarkissian had met with residents of Nor Nork Community. As usual, Armenian pop singers entertained the Avan residents before the presidential candidate’s arrival.

 

A1Plus

[Arpa]

This is for MosJan, the King of Musa-Ler.

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՄՈՒՍԱԼԵՌ ՀԱՅՐԵՆԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՄԻՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ՊԱՇՏՊԱՆՈՒՄ Է ԼԵՎՈՆ ՏԵՐ-ՊԵՏՐՈՍՅԱՆԻ ԹԵԿՆԱԾՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ

Հայաստանի մուսալեռցիները՝ գիտակցելով 2008-ի փետրվարի 19-ի նախագահական ընտրությունների պատմական նշանակությունը, որը շրջադարձային է լինելու Հայաստանի ապագայի համար, գնահատելով Հայաստանի առաջին նախագահ, նախագահի թեկնածու Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանի ազգանվեր գործունեությունը որպես ազգային ազատագրական շարժման առաջնորդի, իրենց համակողմանի աջակցությունն են հայտնում այդ շարժմանը եւ կոչ են անում Հայաստանի ընտրելու իրավունք ունեցող բոլոր քաղաքացիներին իրենց ձայնը տալ Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանին, որպես պատվար-երաշխիք օրինականության, ազատականության եւ Հայաստանի բարգավաճման:

Հայաստանի Մուսալեռ հայրենակցական միության կենտրոնական վարչություն

 

 

 

 

[Ashot]

Apren Musalertsiner@!!!

[MosJan]

Levon@ chem uzzum lini, Uzzum em Serj@ lini !!!

[Ashot]

Mos???

Es ch@jogetsi....

[Ashot]

Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission urges to “do a little more to ensure secret voting”

 

The Head of the Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) Geert Ahrens said in an interview with Mediamax that “you must, naturally, be interested in coming out of these elections with a good reputation, which will evidence that Armenia can hold elections that correspond to the commitments before the OSCE.”

 

“The Armenian President, the Government and many officials have assured that it will happen, but we must compare the actual development of events with OSCE standards,” Mr. Ahrens said.

 

Asked whether the OSCE Mission is mainly concerned with the non-balanced coverage of the presidential contenders before the official launch of the elections campaign, the Ambassador responded: “I would not call it the main concern. It’s a concern we expressed based on the facts registered by our department engaged in monitoring of mass media. I will not conceal that a big anxiety is connected with the election day and the night following the election, when the ballots are being counted. Nevertheless, it does not mean that I expect frauds, I cannot make predictions. However, the day after the elections is “half of the elections,” and we will see how the things develop.

 

We have also paid attention to the opinions about the low level of trust in the elections, and during our meetings with representatives of the Government and the Central Electoral Commission we raised the question that it is necessary to do a little more to ensure secret voting. I have the impression that there are many people in this country who are convinced that others can control how they are voting.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[MosJan]

Mos???

Es ch@jogetsi....

 

 

 

henst etpes aper - el Levonin chem uzzum

hima serjin em uzzum / inq@ indz 10 hat Tsirani Aygi a xostatsel yve 4 hat el Bah ( LApatka )

[Ashot]

Garegin Azaryan: Organization of elections meets the preset schedule

 

Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia Garegin Azaryan stated in Yerevan today that the whole work on organization of the presidential elections of February 19 “proceeds in strict accordance with the schedule.”

 

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Garegin Azaryan stated that the electoral rolls have already been hung out in all 1923 polling stations of the country and urged the citizens to check the presence of their data.

 

CEC Chairman noted that in the process of the campaign, the presidential candidates raise the question of securing secrecy of vote, in connection with which CEC “with complete responsibility declares that the all booths for voting in the polling stations correspond to the international standards and ensure the secrecy of vote.”

 

Garegin Azaryan stated that there were no serious violations of the Electoral Code by the candidates were registered in the process of the election campaign. The only violation is connected with the terms for presenting the statements on the agitation expenditures to the Central Electoral Commission.

 

According to Mr. Azaryan, the statements should have been presented up till January 31 – the tenth day of the election campaign. However, presidential candidates Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Arthur Baghdasaryan, Tigran Karapetyan and Aram Harutiunyan violated the given term, and Vazgen Manukyan and Arman Melikyan failed to present any information.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Mos jan - steghen asum, azgi davachan - lapatkayi hamar!

[Ashot]

Peter Semneby: Presidential elections important not only for Armenia, but also the EU

 

The presidential elections of February 19 are important not only for Armenia, but also the European Union, since Armenia is an important partner of the EU in this region, declared EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semenby during the opening ceremony of the premises of the European Commission in Armenia. According to him, elections are an important part of democratic development, and since democratic development is one of the priorities of bilateral cooperation, elections can play a certain role from the perspective of Armenia-EU relations.

 

EU Special Representative said that the fact that several candidates are running for President is positive: it increases the public interest in political processes. According to him, it will possible to give an evaluation to the elections only after the voting, while the pre-election processes, coverage of the mass media will also affect the election results. Mr. Semneby said the opening of the office is also an important step in the direction of deepening cooperation and it proved that Armenia is an important partner for the EU.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

VAZGEN MANUKYAN HELD SECRET MEETINGS

 

Today Chairman of the “National Democratic Union” Vazgen Manukyan was to meet the leadership of the CIS observation mission, but as the party’s press speaker Gohar Veziryan informed that the meeting, as such, did not take place. “I and the head of Vazgen Manukyan’s headquarters Samvel Shahinyan were informed beforehand, that Vazgen Manukyan was to meet the leadership of the CIS observation mission. In the morning they came an hour later they we had agreed and it turned out that the head of the Yerevan office with his representatives had come to meet Vazgen Mnukyan and they had brought a letter, - said Gohar Veziryan and added, - The head of our headquarters said they would meet him despite the change of the format. The meeting with the candidate did not take place; instead they talked to Samvel Shahinyan”.

 

As to the content of the letter Gohar Veziryan said: “The letter was addressed to Vazgen Manukyan and it contained questions referring to the elections. They were mainly of organizational character”, she informed. To the question whether Samvel Shahinyan raised any issues or not, Gohar Veziryan responded: “The meeting was not conducting is a friendly atmosphere, we answered to their questions and they left”.

 

The Chairman of the “National Democratic Union” Vazegn Manukyan had two other meetings today but the press speaker refused to reflect on them.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

Mos jan - sorry brother seems like Levon is offering more than 10 tsirani tsar, 12 gilasi tsar, and to tap it all 20 xndzori tsar, plus the 4 lapatkaner with the hoghagortser!!!

 

THEY WILL JOIN TER-PETROSYAN BY THE END OF WEEK

 

“The First RA President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has serious motives to think that Arthur Baghdasaryan and Raffi Hovhanissian will join him”, told the press speaker of the First President Aram Musinyan to the journalists. By saying serious basis, Musinyan meant the negotiations between the three powers. To the question whether Ter-Petrosyan might join Arthur Baghdasaryan, Musinyan advised to wait till the end of the week and everything would become clear.

 

Musinyan ensured that they had serious motives to say that Aram Karapetyan would also join Ter-Petrosyan. The journalists also tried to find out how Arthur Baghdasayan’s joining Levon Ter-Petrosyan would reflect on Baghdasaryan since he was threatened to be killed in case he joined Ter-Petrsoyan. “You would rather address that question to Arthur Baghdasaryan. But that will become clear by the end of the week as well”.

 

Today Musinyan also reflected on the reveal of assassinations, including Hambardzum Galstyan’s assassination, which was ascribed to Ter-Petrosyan. “If you think that Hambardzum Galstyan’s assassination was not revealed, ask the former Minister of National Security and Internal Affairs Serge Sargsyan. The functioning authorities had 10 years to reveal everything and punish the perpetrators”.

 

Reflecting on Ter-Petrosyan’s declaration, that Gagik Tsarukyan will become “homeless”, Arman Musinyan noted: “Ter-Petrosyan announced in Charentsavan that in case the current authorities continue functioning, Gagik Tsarukyan, Samvel Aleksanyan, Ruben Hayrapetyan and many others will become homeless. I wonder why some candidates distort Ter-Petrosyan’s declaration and say that Ter-Petrosyan will make them homeless”.

 

Arman Musinyan noted that the First President was to visit Chambarak today, but he was unable since the candidate was very busy. As to the various materials aired on Chambarak TV Channel against Ter-Petrosyan, Musinayn advised the journalists to turn to the TV Channel to get the explanation.

 

Musinyan also pointed out that some journalists distort not only Ter-Petrosyan’s, but also his words. Musinyan meant his viewpoints on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement expressed during the “Duel” program of “Armenia” TV Company. The journalists wanted to know whether Musinyan still considered that 5 liberated regions should be returned to Azerbaijan.

 

“You distort my words. I told that they demanded 5 regions for signing an agreement on peace and noted that the current authorities discussed the problem of returning 7 regions. You may ask the authorities”. Musinyan refused to answer to the questions referring Geghamyan.

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

It's getting harder by the minute!!!

 

Gagik Hovhannisyan, deputy of head on security affairs of “Vardashen” penitentiary and Arsen Grigoryan, head of the security service of “Vardashen” penitentiary were released from their posts. The reason on what basis Arsen Grigoryan was released from the post is not known, but Gagik Hovhannisyan was released since his father participated in Ter-Petrosyan’s gathering in Avalerdy. This is the second case in “Vardashen” penitentiary. Earlier, Hrach Goginyan was released since his father was the member of one of the parties supporting Ter-Petrosyan.

The information is disseminated by the committee supporting Zhirayr Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan.

 

 

[Ashot]

“WE ARE TIRED OF ILLITERATE LEADERS”

 

Today the RA First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan visited some villages in the region of Kotayk. The Chairman of the “People’s Party of Armenia” Stepan Demirchyan also accompanied him. He did not participate in the campaign during the recent days because of his poor health. Mr Demirchyan called the citizens to vote for Levon Ter-Petrosyan, since the true fight against the functioning authorities would be carried out by him.

 

The Chairman of the “Republican” party Aram Sargsyan called the people not to be afraid, the children and grandchildren of frightened men were also frightened. Aram Sargsyan explained the gathered people that the voting was secret, and no one could find out who the voter had elected. Then he called the participants of the gathering not to be afraid of anything and give their votes to Ter-Petrosyan. Nikol Pashinyan, head of the “Alternative” initiative informed the residents of Kotayk region that by giving their votes to Serge Sargsyan they would give it to Nairi Hunanyan.

 

Before the presidential candidate, the RA First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan approached the loud-speaker, an old woman took it quickly and declared that her only candidate was Ter-Petrosyan, that she trusted him when the latter put his hand on the Bible and took the oath. “You are the only President”, said the woman and apologized for her deed.

 

“God save you. God save us”, said Ter-Petrsoyan and noticed that today was the continuation of national liberal movement of 88s. Ter-Petrosyan announced that today’s Serge Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan were bandits and they made other people their partners, noble people had nothing to do in their system, honest people were dismissed from their circle, they were released from their posts or murdered. According to him only several cultural centers have remained pure, among them are Mathenadaran, Museum of History, National Gallery and Myasnikyan’s Museum.

 

Levon Ter-Petrosyan reminded that 500 thousand people had left Armenia during the last 10 years and if the authorities were reproduced no one would remain in Armenia.

 

Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared that they had come to fight against the emigration and the international observers were witnessing the terrible fight between the parties.

 

“I turn to Serge Sargsyan. How did you prepare millions of posters costing 1000 USD with 70 million drams?”, he asked.

 

Ter-Petrosyan warned Kotayk residents that in case Serge Sargsyan was elected “the next head of the region will be the driver of the bus Sashik Sargsyan”. In Byureghavan, which was the first stop of the presidential candidate, about 1000 people gathered and insisted that Ter-Petrosyan would win.

 

“I will elect Levon. He is a great man”, said Mrs Amalya. An old man who did not mention his name motivated his choice: “He has won in the war, overcome a blockade, energetic crisis, and at last he is an intelligent man, we are tired of illiterate leaders”, he said.

 

A1Plus

[GevorgP]

Հերիք եղավ էս ընտրություններին ես էլ եմ գելերի կողմից:

 

Անցած անգամ իմ գառնուկ ընկերները անցել էին գելերի կողմը ու, գեղամիջում՝ նրանց կողքին կանգնած գառներից մեկը մատով ինձ կանչեց ասելով՝ , ''գառ ջան արի հլը տենամ ու՞մ ես ձենդ տալու'':

 

Ասի - ''դու՞ ով ես - ես մերոնց կողմից եմ'': Ասելս գիտի - կողքի գելերը վրա տվեցին կաշիս մաղ արին՝ չկերան քանի որ ձենս վռազ պետք էր:

 

Էս գելի ''ընկերը'' ընկածս տեղը ոտքը վրես դրեց ասելով՝ ... ''դե գնա իմացի ես ով եմ՝ հետո էլ թե՝ էս տարի գառը 25 000 դրամ արժի փողը կառնես կեթաս էս իմ ընկեր գելին կընտրես՝ թե հանկարծ խաբես՝ մինչեւ հնտրությունները խորովածի մատերյալ կդառնաս: Իսկ թե բախտդ բերի ու մինչեւ մյուս ընտրությունները սոված գելի չհանդիպես՝ ձենիդ համար մյուս անգամ 40 000 դրամ կտանք՝ ''ոչխարն էդ արժի'':

 

Ես էլ հիմի քցե-բռնե ու որոշել եմ էս անգամ գել ընտրել՝ համ 40 000 դրամը կստանամ՝ համ էլ գեղամիջով գելերի հետ ֆռֆռալուց սաղը ինձնից կդողան ու թե որ գելերի աչքն էլ մտնեմ՝ կարող ա էն ոտը փորիս դնող ''օչխըրին'' շուտով գելերի բերանը քցեմ՝ մեկ ա ուշ թե շուտ սաղս էլ ընդեղ ենք ընկնելու:

 

Իմ սիրելի ընկեր գառներ հասկացեք՝ ճիշտը էս ա:

 

 

[Ashot]

Arman Melikyan confident the number of his supporters is growing “every day”

 

Armenian presidential candidate Arman Melikyan stated in Yerevan today that he does not need a pre-election fund and can “achieve good results without the use of advertisement posters, since people realize the necessity of changes anyway”.

 

Arman Melikyan said that the use of media resource allows the candidates to make their programs clear for the electors. The candidate expressed confidence that the number of his supporters grows each day.

Arman Melikyan criticized the behavior of certain presidential candidates, noting that “they are more involved in sorting out their relationships, rather than presenting programs.”

 

He informed that he received proposals to withdraw his candidacy in favor of this or that candidate, however he does not intend to support anyone, since he is confident that neither of them will be able to realize his pre-election program.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

A SMALL INCIDENT

[01:41 pm] 07 February, 2008

 

Today a small incident took place on the way to Nalband village in the region of Lori. A car without state numbers “squeezed into” column of cars, escorting Levon Ter-Petrosyan, wanting to cause a car crash.

 

As Nikol Pashinyan informs they managed to stop the car and to find out that the unknown people were the employees of National Security Service in Spitak.

 

We should remind that today the RA presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan will hold meetings in Jrashen, Shirakamut, Kurtan, Stepanavan, Shahnazar and Tashir.

 

A1Plus

 

 

Es arten vaxenumen Levonits - chen karoghanum payqaren, marten ugharkum vor mahaportser kataren!!!

Vaxumein togh asparez ch@dursgain!!!

 

[Ashot]

VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN DOES NOT TRY

 

“Samvel Shahinyan distorts the real facts and does not have any idea of the current processes”, said the NA Deputy Chairman, member of the ARF Bureau, presidential candidate Vahan Hovhannisyan to “A1+”, reflecting on Samvel Shahinyan’s words, who is the head of Vazgen Manukyan’s headquarters. Samvel Shahinyan did not exclude that Vahan Hovhannisyan would withdraw his candidature in Vazgen Manukyan’s favor.

 

“You cannot exclude anything in politics. Each candidate should decide for himself that he fights for victory. Some candidates want to try their strengths, some are fulfilling an order, some fight to win. Those who fight for victory should assess their real chances and the chances of their opponents. The real assessment of chances today shows that Samvel Shahinyan’s calculations do not correspond to the reality”.

 

- Do you consider that the pre-election situation is getting tensed?

 

- I have heard that it is getting tensed. I am concerned with Arthur Baghdasaryan’s announcement that someone threatened him. I think that he should not have made it public during the meeting, since it might cause extra tension. But if it had happened in deed, then competent bodies should take serious measures immediately, but not invite Arthur Baghdasaryan to the Prosecutor’s Office to get some information on the pre-election bribe. They should find out whether it has really happened or not. And if it has happened, they should find the perpetrators and punish them.

 

- How would you assess the incident which took place during Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s gathering in Artashat?

 

- It is unacceptable for me. Unfortunately, I see no ideological-political grounds in the incident. No quarrel takes place during an ideological argument, since intelligent people always hold debates. But when there is an individual disagreement between two people and it is a fight for power and is not a political fight, it often results in quarrel. Despite what caused the quarrel, the competent people should react quickly and respond harshly and adequately.

 

- What would you say about the incident in Tsovagyugh?

 

- Once they tried to compare it with the incident in Talin, but there is a difference. Talin incident took place because one of the participants of the gathering contradicted the organizers, causing a political debate. It is, of course, unacceptable for us. In our case, the microphone was off, one of the villagers decided to drive the car through the participants of the meeting and some participants began a fight. It had nothing to do with the meeting; it was a disrespectful attitude toward the participants. Anyway, it is painful and we do not welcome it.

 

- Do you think there is a program fight between the candidates?

 

- We present ourselves and our programs. We do not censure anyone. The nation should understand that those who fight against each other on political basis, may bring the situation to a more dangerous point. To avoid this they should give their votes to us.

 

- How do you assess your chances?

 

- I consider that we have all chances to win.

 

- Do you consider that the elections may be concluded in the first round?

 

- I consider that a second round will take place.

 

- In case the elections are concluded in the first round, may it result in a civil war?

 

- It depends on the results of the first round. If they are not rigged, then no civil war may break out.

 

- Do you believe that one may justly win in the first round?

 

- I consider that it is difficult to win in the first round.

 

- What would you say about the social surveys, which are used by the authorities’ candidate?

 

- They are respected international organizations, but God knows who their agents are, how they are paid, and what tasks they have got. We respect the Council of Europe and the OSCE, but their observers make such announcements and conclusions, which contradict not only what we witness, but they contradict each other.

 

Talked Knarik Isoyan

 

A1Plus

[Ashot]

SESSION DID NOT TAKE PLACE

 

Today the NA session did not take place for the absence of quorum. The issues involved in the agenda were not discussed. The deputies’ behavior today proved that the aim of the parliamentary majority was to use the parliamentary tribune for declarations and for carrying out advocating and anti-advocating mission.

 

 

A1Plus