Comments on: Ter Petrosian, Ter Petrosian… http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/ News, Photography, Blogs & Analysis Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:18:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Bruce Tasker http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-711 Bruce Tasker Sat, 22 Sep 2007 07:43:43 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-711 Levon Ter-Petrossian was not the best President Armenia could have had. But his failings have paled into virtual insignificance through the past Kocharyan /Sargsyan years. Today's question for any candidate, who has a sincere desire to become President, and not simply play a presidential election game, is whether he/she would have a chance to win, taking into consideration the control the incumbent authorities will have over the presidential election process. LTP is possibly the only candidate who has a realistic chance to win through against the unjust odds that will be stacked against him (and others). He will make his move only if and when he feels he has a strategy to give him a realistic chance to win. Should Levon Ter-Petrossian decide to enter the race, and should he manage to overcome the odds and win, his Presidency will give Armenia the chance to re-direct toward a secure democracy. The other option for Armenia is to continue along the authoritarian dead end highway that has been built by the domineering opponent he will be challenging. Levon Ter-Petrossian was not the best President Armenia could have had. But his failings have paled into virtual insignificance through the past Kocharyan /Sargsyan years.

Today’s question for any candidate, who has a sincere desire to become President, and not simply play a presidential election game, is whether he/she would have a chance to win, taking into consideration the control the incumbent authorities will have over the presidential election process.

LTP is possibly the only candidate who has a realistic chance to win through against the unjust odds that will be stacked against him (and others). He will make his move only if and when he feels he has a strategy to give him a realistic chance to win.

Should Levon Ter-Petrossian decide to enter the race, and should he manage to overcome the odds and win, his Presidency will give Armenia the chance to re-direct toward a secure democracy. The other option for Armenia is to continue along the authoritarian dead end highway that has been built by the domineering opponent he will be challenging.

]]> By: 2008 Presidential Election Monitor » Blog Archive » Ex-President Ponders Comeback http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-669 2008 Presidential Election Monitor » Blog Archive » Ex-President Ponders Comeback Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:27:02 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-669 [...] before elections in Armenia, but never quite as much as it is now. As reported here, here, and here, I’m of course referring to speculation that the first president will return to the political [...] […] before elections in Armenia, but never quite as much as it is now. As reported here, here, and here, I’m of course referring to speculation that the first president will return to the political […]

]]> By: 2008 Presidential Election Monitor » Blog Archive » 2008 Presidential Election Monitor http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-656 2008 Presidential Election Monitor » Blog Archive » 2008 Presidential Election Monitor Sun, 09 Sep 2007 20:33:28 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-656 [...] will make their decisions known if they haven’t already. Former President Levon Ter Petrosian should decide by the end of the month, for example, and so if Oskanian is going to be a surprise candidate despite his ineligibility to [...] […] will make their decisions known if they haven’t already. Former President Levon Ter Petrosian should decide by the end of the month, for example, and so if Oskanian is going to be a surprise candidate despite his ineligibility to […]

]]> By: Ara Manoogian http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-499 Ara Manoogian Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:27:29 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-499 LPT is not presidential material. If he is an honest man who is not corrupt, then we can also say that he is very weak and will not be able to overcome the issue that is holding Armenia back from developing as it should and could, thus his second time around as president would be disaster for Armenia and it’s future. A have to agree that he could be running to get Sarkissian more votes, that is if he is the only other candidate. I would say that though we can speculate all we want, until we knew who all the candidates are going to be, it is hard to say anything about if and why LPT will run for president. LPT is not presidential material. If he is an honest man who is not corrupt, then we can also say that he is very weak and will not be able to overcome the issue that is holding Armenia back from developing as it should and could, thus his second time around as president would be disaster for Armenia and it’s future. A have to agree that he could be running to get Sarkissian more votes, that is if he is the only other candidate. I would say that though we can speculate all we want, until we knew who all the candidates are going to be, it is hard to say anything about if and why LPT will run for president.

]]> By: Onnik http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-481 Onnik Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:05:05 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-481 Armenia Now <a href="http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2449&lng=eng&IID=1149" rel="nofollow">has something</a> on speculation over Ter Petrosian's possible return to politics and candidancy in next year's presidential election. <blockquote>With presidential elections now only six months away, two key questions dominate political debate in Armenia: 1. Will the opposition find a candidate to challenge the overwhelming presence of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan? 2. Will that candidate be former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan? [...] Speculation that independent Armenia’s first president might take up the campaign mantle has been fueled by visits Ter-Petrosyan has made in recent moths to provinces, presumably holding discussions with supporters. [...] However, Ter-Petrosyan’s return is not widely welcomed by everyone. Particularly Manukyan, who has declared his intention to seek the republic’s top post. “Levon Ter-Petrosyan has been silent for ten years and does not say a word. Those, who hit at the opposition politicians to clear out the political field and to return Levon Ter-Petrosyan, do service first of all mostly to the authorities,” says Manukyan. Former Member of Parliament, oppositionist Manuk Gasparyan also believes the talks of Ter-Petrosyan’s return an exaggeration as he is confident the latter will not run for the post. “He is a serious politician and understands that the return to politics after ten years of dormancy is not an easy thing,” says the chairman of the Democratic Way Party. [...] Arshak Sadoyan shares Gasparyan’s opinion saying if the former president really wanted to run then he should have had started the preparations at least two years before. [...] “If Levon Ter-Petrosyan runs, the powers will get a real opportunity to falsify the election results and say ‘people have not voted [for Ter-Petrosyan] because they remember the cold and dark years’,” says Sadoyan. The ruling circle does not perceive the return of the first president seriously yet. Galust Sahakyan of the Republican Party told ArmeniaNow they have not discussed the possibility yet, but in case Ter-Petrosyan runs, their strategy will be somewhat different, although: “the results will be the same nonetheless.”</blockquote> Well, time will tell, but as I've said, I was surprised when a local businessman politely and rather quietly called me over the other day to ask me about the likelihood of Ter Petrosian returning. How widespread such interest is another matter entirely, of course, and that's precisely what his supporters are trying to assess. At the same time, it also depends on how successful Serzh Sarkisyan's PR campaign is at present. To be honest, I think it is proving more successful than I could have imagined if asked about the feeling in the country over his presidency a year ago. And given that a lot will depend on whether the opposition can get it's act together, I think the advantage still lies with the prime minister. Armenia Now has something on speculation over Ter Petrosian’s possible return to politics and candidancy in next year’s presidential election.

With presidential elections now only six months away, two key questions dominate political debate in Armenia: 1. Will the opposition find a candidate to challenge the overwhelming presence of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan? 2. Will that candidate be former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan?

[…]

Speculation that independent Armenia’s first president might take up the campaign mantle has been fueled by visits Ter-Petrosyan has made in recent moths to provinces, presumably holding discussions with supporters.

[…]

However, Ter-Petrosyan’s return is not widely welcomed by everyone. Particularly Manukyan, who has declared his intention to seek the republic’s top post.

“Levon Ter-Petrosyan has been silent for ten years and does not say a word. Those, who hit at the opposition politicians to clear out the political field and to return Levon Ter-Petrosyan, do service first of all mostly to the authorities,” says Manukyan.

Former Member of Parliament, oppositionist Manuk Gasparyan also believes the talks of Ter-Petrosyan’s return an exaggeration as he is confident the latter will not run for the post.

“He is a serious politician and understands that the return to politics after ten years of dormancy is not an easy thing,” says the chairman of the Democratic Way Party.

[…]

Arshak Sadoyan shares Gasparyan’s opinion saying if the former president really wanted to run then he should have had started the preparations at least two years before.

[…]

“If Levon Ter-Petrosyan runs, the powers will get a real opportunity to falsify the election results and say ‘people have not voted [for Ter-Petrosyan] because they remember the cold and dark years’,” says Sadoyan.

The ruling circle does not perceive the return of the first president seriously yet.

Galust Sahakyan of the Republican Party told ArmeniaNow they have not discussed the possibility yet, but in case Ter-Petrosyan runs, their strategy will be somewhat different, although: “the results will be the same nonetheless.”

Well, time will tell, but as I’ve said, I was surprised when a local businessman politely and rather quietly called me over the other day to ask me about the likelihood of Ter Petrosian returning. How widespread such interest is another matter entirely, of course, and that’s precisely what his supporters are trying to assess. At the same time, it also depends on how successful Serzh Sarkisyan’s PR campaign is at present.

To be honest, I think it is proving more successful than I could have imagined if asked about the feeling in the country over his presidency a year ago. And given that a lot will depend on whether the opposition can get it’s act together, I think the advantage still lies with the prime minister.

]]> By: Haik http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-477 Haik Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:18:31 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-477 I think his chances will increase if he promises not to rule but to undo the falsifications since 1996. It doesn’t matter what people talk now. It matters that what will people talk after his first speech. On the other hand it would be a nice surprise if at the last minute LTP withdraws his candidacy in favour of Vazgen Manookian. I think his chances will increase if he promises not to rule but to undo the falsifications since 1996.
It doesn’t matter what people talk now.
It matters that what will people talk after his first speech.
On the other hand it would be a nice surprise if at the last minute LTP withdraws his candidacy in favour of Vazgen Manookian.

]]> By: Onnik http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-476 Onnik Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:45:51 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-476 Haik, it has to be asked. Given that the 1996 election that brought LTP a short lived second term in office was falsified and tanks were brought out onto the streets of Yerevan, is he really someone who could stand up in front of people and talk about "re-establishing democracy?" Anyway, I think the issue is going to be something simpler. It's going to be "do you want Serzh as president or not." However, I think that LTP is capable of dealing with concrete issues, especially if it comes to a televised debate (unlike Demirchian in 2003). Still, even with international support, hidden supporters in government and business, and his intellect (which nobody doubts), I'm still unsure as to whether he can change the perception of his rule. If he can, though, he will run and I think he will have calculated he stands a chance of winning. Incidentally, I'm not sure the constitutional court or the parliament can be dissolved so easily, especially the former. Anyway, as Gagik Harutiunian has been President of the Constitutional Court since 1996 under LTP it's not as if he'd be hostile. I also think that many parliamentary members, including those in Republican Party as well as others, have old ties with LTP that could be re-established. The Dashnaks? Well, that's another issue. ;-) Haik, it has to be asked. Given that the 1996 election that brought LTP a short lived second term in office was falsified and tanks were brought out onto the streets of Yerevan, is he really someone who could stand up in front of people and talk about “re-establishing democracy?”

Anyway, I think the issue is going to be something simpler. It’s going to be “do you want Serzh as president or not.” However, I think that LTP is capable of dealing with concrete issues, especially if it comes to a televised debate (unlike Demirchian in 2003).

Still, even with international support, hidden supporters in government and business, and his intellect (which nobody doubts), I’m still unsure as to whether he can change the perception of his rule. If he can, though, he will run and I think he will have calculated he stands a chance of winning.

Incidentally, I’m not sure the constitutional court or the parliament can be dissolved so easily, especially the former. Anyway, as Gagik Harutiunian has been President of the Constitutional Court since 1996 under LTP it’s not as if he’d be hostile. I also think that many parliamentary members, including those in Republican Party as well as others, have old ties with LTP that could be re-established.

The Dashnaks? Well, that’s another issue. ;-)

]]> By: Haik http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-474 Haik Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:43:44 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-474 In my opinion LTP should set his candidacy not with the aim of presidency but as a guarantor for re-establishing democracy in Armenia. Actions should be taken to undo all the political frauds. Most actions should be ratified by national referendums. 1.Cancellation of the current constitution. (with a referendum) 2. Dissolving the Constitutional court and in its place setting up a transitional board comprising of delegates from all the functional political parties. (with a referendum) 3. Dissolving the parliament and the government (with a referendum). 4. Guaranteeing fair elections for the new parliament. 5. Establishing a new constitutional court. 6. Passing a new constitution. (referendum) 7. Setting up new presidential election dates 8. Resign. I think this can be done in 100 days. In my opinion LTP should set his candidacy not with the aim of presidency but as a guarantor for re-establishing democracy in Armenia. Actions should be taken to undo all the political frauds. Most actions should be ratified by national referendums.
1.Cancellation of the current constitution. (with a referendum)
2. Dissolving the Constitutional court and in its place setting up a transitional board comprising of delegates from all the functional political parties. (with a referendum)
3. Dissolving the parliament and the government (with a referendum).
4. Guaranteeing fair elections for the new parliament.
5. Establishing a new constitutional court.
6. Passing a new constitution. (referendum)
7. Setting up new presidential election dates
8. Resign.

I think this can be done in 100 days.

]]> By: Haik http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-473 Haik Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:18:23 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-473 I dont think some of the reports make fare judjment of LTP's years as a president. Howevere as he never responed to any of them whatever is said by other people are not much than speculation. What I can say that the independence years were harsh and especially for Armenia and all the 3 post soviet Republic in the regoion. Independence, transition from Communism to capitalism, War, collaps of the USSR economy, threats from the outside. The condition were a little bit favourable for Azerbaijan but they realy failed it. The only thing that Armenia managed to dodge was a civil war and anrest and we should credit LTP and HHSh for this. I dont think some of the reports make fare judjment of LTP’s years as a president. Howevere as he never responed to any of them whatever is said by other people are not much than speculation. What I can say that the independence years were harsh and especially for Armenia and all the 3 post soviet Republic in the regoion. Independence, transition from Communism to capitalism, War, collaps of the USSR economy, threats from the outside. The condition were a little bit favourable for Azerbaijan but they realy failed it. The only thing that Armenia managed to dodge was a civil war and anrest and we should credit LTP and HHSh for this.

]]> By: Oneworld Multimedia :: Ter Petrosian, Ter Petrosian… :: August :: 2007 http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/08/31/ter-petrosian/#comment-467 Oneworld Multimedia :: Ter Petrosian, Ter Petrosian… :: August :: 2007 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:20:57 +0000 http://blog.oneworld.am/?p=37#comment-467 [...] full post is here. Posted by Onnik @ 2:18 am. Filed under: Armenia, Caucasus, Elections, 2008 Presidential [...] […] full post is here. Posted by Onnik @ 2:18 am. Filed under: Armenia, Caucasus, Elections, 2008 Presidential […]

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