Levon Ter-Petrossian Marches

Related posts:

• Lesser of Two Evils (Reprise)
• IYC: Election Cleanest Yet?
• Opinion Polls and Main Contenders
• Levon Ter-Petrossian Marches (Reprise)
• Gagik Tsarukian Takes Sides
• Levon Ter-Petrossian: Return of the King
• Armenian Analyst: Interesting Campaign
• Alexander Iskandaryan Armenian Election Analysis

1. Armenian News, Analysis & Photography — Oneworld Multimedia :: Levon Ter-Petrossian Marches :: January :: 2008 01.23.08 / 4am

   […] full post is available on the Armenia Election Monitor 2008. Posted by Onnik @ 3:02 am. Filed under: Armenia, Democracy, Politics, Blogging, Caucasus, […]
2. artmika 01.23.08 / 5am

   I think numbers are pretty impressive taking into account such cold winter weather. What I got from reading, seeing videos and talking to people in Yerevan, march via downtown Yerevan was peaceful and very inspirational (the largest I could recall in quite some time). For some it raised hopes of people’s awakening, meaning that at least on example of Levon’s supporters, there are many people who are not indifferent. I hope we will witness inspirational examples form other candidates too. Again, as I said many times, there is feeling of unease inside me (still there!) that something bad may happen taking into account irreconcilable differences and antagonism between government and radical opposition. However, I would welcome peaceful demonstrations, rallies and marches from all sides since the opposite is a nightmarish apathy.

   Also, I do not think it’s Levon’s campaign fault that people are talking about Levon vs Serge despite whatever opinion polls suggest. I think, in fact, it’s their campaign level victory, sort of, and defeat of other candidate campaigns (formal or informal) so far, because others did whatever possible and impossible to make this bi-polar situation a reality for presidential elections in Armenia. Because, as I put in comments of my latest blog entry, from the first day when Levon declared his presidential ambitions, everyone, whether pro-governmental or pro-opposition, started concentrating on him, started campaigning against him, instead of campaigning for themselves or involving into their campaign other candidates too.

   And I agree, what is the most important is to have democratic election campaign and clean vote. Whoever wins as a result of such process would mean significant step forward for Armenia.
3. Onnik 01.23.08 / 11am

   […] defeat of other candidate campaigns (formal or informal)

   The pre-election campaign started 2 days ago. That Levon Ter-Petrossian played the same game that the authorities usually do by campaigning months in advance despite the electoral code is hardly fair.

   Anyway, it’s interesting to note that Raffi/Heritage have not gone on board and are waiting to see. That’s what I advise everyone to do or else you’re all contributing to the lack of a free or fair political process in Armenia.

   Besides, nearly everybody I speak to about Levon either considers him no different or actually hates him more than Serge. Hardly something to be inspired about, I think.
4. Onnik 01.23.08 / 11am

   So, what you’re saying is that in order for the local and international media to focus on other candidates and to consider them Sargsyan’s main contender, they have to break the law.

   Man, this is a very bad situation for Armenia. The myth of the King has been created, and I can only hope that it will be the minds and votes of the electorate which will decide matters.

   Ironically, given that the rally today would have been the same size at the start of the pre-election campaign if he hadn’t been there, and as Impeachment marched like this last year in the May elections, there’s still nothing to indicate anything of note.

   It’s just the way his supporters in the media or even those using him in the pro-governmental press want you to see him. After all, Impeachment and Republic did the same last year with the same number of people. They managed less than 3 percent of the vote.

   Funny. All that’s keeping Levon’s campaign alive and publicized is hope from a very small minority of people. I’m also wondering if this isn’t very much welcomed by the authorities. For now, unless some real campaigning starts among more credible candidates, looks like Serge will win and I doubt he’ll need to falsify much.

   That’s the one overriding feeling I came away with after yesterday’s march. Basically, that this is all a game and it suits Sargsyan to the detriment of other candidates who might actually campaign and try to offer an alternative.

   The trouble is, the only conclusion I can reach is that Serge is counting on the dislike of Ter-Petrossian and the fact that his electorate appear for now to be a disenfranchised minority (the radical opposition crowd, basically) in addition to die-hard HHSh supporters.

   But why is Levon playing into this?

   True, his people treat him like a King and he is so aloof from “normal” people even to the extent that yesterday nobody including journalists were allowed withing 5-10 meters of him during the march, but is he so arrogant and full of himself?
5. Onnik 01.23.08 / 1pm

   Oh, and btw: most of the people in attendance appeared to have come from outside Yerevan. Many were shouting “Talinn” or “Aparan,” etc. Might be true he has more support outside in the impoverished regions, of course. Certainly, most Yerevantsi I’ve spoken to do not want Ter-Petrossian back.

   Like I said, even those who say they won’t vote for Serge said they will if it looks like Levon Ter-Petrossian stood a chance of coming to power again. Like I said, makes you think. Maybe this is why the pro-government media focused on him so much.

   Anyway, fact is for now if he wants to come to power it will have to be through street protests which is why he apparently requested Western diplomats to gain him extra exposure through the international media.

   So far, Turkish media are interested in Ter-Petrossian, of course, but now so too is the BBC who contacted me the other day although I don’t think it had anything to do with Western Ambassadors.

   Simply that Ter-Petrossian’s in the online “independent” media, especially RFE/RL’s English-language web site, are doing a great job propagandizing.

   Still, they tried the same for Impeachment/Republic last year , but failed. I see no sign so far they’ll succeed this time either.
6. artmika 01.23.08 / 1pm

   P.S. I do not advocate breaking laws by other contenders. The reality is that everyone started campaigning well before the official start of the election campaign. It’s just the forms of campaigning were different. And partly because of their campaigning we have current concentration of attention on 2 candidates. I would only separate here Vahan Hovhannisyan, whose campaign was pretty respectful so far.
7. Onnik 01.23.08 / 1pm

   I don’t think you can compare Levon’s campaign which included leaflets, flyers, DVDs, posters etc the same as anyone else. This has been ongoing since October. No other candidate did something like this and it is Levon and Serge who were on TV or in the print and online media at the expense of other candidates.

   Ironically, had the CDs, DVDs, posters etc come from Sargsyan, like with the situation last year before the parliamentary election, RFE/RL, CRD-TI Armenia and other civil society activists would be making accusations of breaking the law on pre-election campaigning and pre-election campaign financing. However, not a whisper. Strangely, now word from the government on this either.

   Something really doesn’t smell right about this situation, not least because LTP has minor support in society and isn’t offering them anything other than the removal of Serge despite the fact that presidential powers are less and he will have to work with a more powerful National Assembly controlled by Serge.

   Anyway, point is this. It’s day three, and considering Ter-Petrossian’s months-long campaign he still has about the same support as Impeachment, Republic and People’s part have. His supporters are still trying to push him as the main contender yet others don’t seem convinced.

   Nobody but a shoddy collection of political has-beens are behind LTP. The only people who seem to rate his chances are his supporters and in some case friends in civil society and the opposition media, and ironically enough, those in the pro-government media who understand that making him Serge’s main rival actually favors the prime minister.

   Like I said, this is not an election the way things are shaping up. People are being forced to consider they have no choice but to choose one or the other rather than assess each candidate on his own merits before making their minds up. Still, if this continues, Ter-Petrossian’s supporters are not going to be happy.

   I can already see what will happen. Serge will win — okay, no surprise here — but the vote will be a vast improvement over past elections and meet with international approval precisely because Ter-Petrossian’s candidacy might force the electorate to stick with the devil they know rather than the devil who they thought they had gotten rid of once and for all.

   My take? Can’t everybody just let this campaign period run its course and provide equal and fair coverage of all the candidates? Can’t we please have a democratic election for once?
8. Onnik 01.23.08 / 1pm

   BTW: It wasn’t so cold yesterday. The sun was out and where I was an hour before the rally we even had the window open. I was even thinking off going out without a coat and just a heavy jumper. Anyway, I suppose it was cold, but one of those days you’d want to go out anyway just to enjoy the fact that it was nicer than the days that preceded it.

   BTW: I think the success of the rally yesterday is over-stated. It is simply a matter of propaganda. Most people on the streets just stared and couldn’t even see Ter-Petrossian who was surrounded by security who made sure that even journalists didn’t get close. A1 Plus shows two people waving from balconies.

   I’d say 99 percent of those that saw the rally were just wondering what was going on. Still, in politics that doesn’t matter. A myth or shall we say lie will be created by Ter-Petrossian’s supporters. Due to overwhelming public demand, Ter-Petrosyan has come back to save Armenia.

   On the other hand, I think Ter-Petrossian is not allowed to campaign in Kentron district again and must now concentrate on the regions and districts of Yerevan. Still, it was a smart move. Rather than hold this event at the end of the campaign period which is normal for elections, he held it at the beginning to score a propaganda victory instead.

   Hats off to him. He’s a master at the use of propaganda, and it appears to have worked. Of course, Serge will be able to gather larger crowds and I daresay the Dashnaks can assemble something the same size too, but they lack the understanding of using propaganda to influence people as they did yesterday by turning a run of the mill radical opposition rally into a romantic, historic event.

   Of course, the others also lack Levon’s pet journalists who are ready to lap this up and disseminate it far and wide. Like I said, it won’t be the people determining whether Ter-Petrossian becomes the main candidate. It will be the myth of the ousted leader returning by public demand — ironically even though that demand was never there.
9. H 01.23.08 / 6pm

   The campaign and election, and right to gatherings and demos laws are faulty and illegal because they are against the freedom of people.

   On the other hand what about Serzh team using the TV for anti-Levon propaganda? and what about the anti_levon brainwashing for the past 10 years?

   Onnik if you consider the current standards democratic that’s another things otherwise there is no point in some of teh stuff that you are writing. Every individual should have the freedom of speech and expression and that’s what Levon and his team are doing. They are not harassing anybody or force entering your apartment as MIAK and other Serzh people do.
   Coming to not seeing police during the marches it is because the policemen now don’t want to be associated with the Serzh regime, this is on of the first examples of mutiny among Serj “ranks and files” if one exists. In two weeks time we will have the clear picture that how this illegal regime is collapse.
10. Bruce Tasker 01.23.08 / 6pm

    Onnik,

    Although your personal situation has recently changed, since you became editor for Global Voices; the position of the Armenian authorities has remained the same, despite SS’s valiant efforts to promote himself through all manner of get togethers and away-days. Autocracy continues to strengthen, the corruption goes on and on, and we now have yet another round of lies about the tremendous investments the government will make after the election, on behalf of the people of Armenia.

    You used to pride yourself as being one of the very few independent reporters in Armenia, which was highly credit-worthy, and now you promote yourself as non-partisan. You no doubt follow LTP because you know as well as anybody he is the only candidate that has any chance to break down the barriers that have been put into place by the incumbents through their past 10 years of ever-increasing dominance. But the points you make, and the manner in which you make them, clearly show that you are no longer independent, and far from non-partisan. You continue to belittle the efforts of LTP, in his almost impossible mission to oust the present overpowering authorities, and I see little of the criticism of the Armenian Government you used to promulgate wit great enthusiasm. For instance, you refer to LTP’s supporters coming from outlying regions, as if that were some sort of crime. Contrary to SS’s supporters, who are pressured into traveling to his meetings, LTP’s supporters were lucky if they were able to evade the police and other blockades the state imposed, especially for the occasion. I even know of one instance where a state-associated owner of a major enterprise locked his workers in the workplace and warned them that if anyone were to be seen at an LTP meeting, they would be immediately dismissed. And that is typical of how SS and his motley crew have acted, and will continue to act throughout this election process. The extent to which they will fabricate the election result will be dependent upon how well LTP will be able to build on his already impressive momentum. It is no wonder that the international community has recently been removing its association with the whole affair.
11. Onnik 01.23.08 / 8pm

    H,

    They are not harassing anybody or force entering your apartment as MIAK and other Serzh people do.

    MIAK have only been campaigning for a week or so before the pre-election campaign. Moreover they were attacked by pro-Ter-Petrosian journalist David Petrosian who is already inflating the number of people attending rallies 4-5 fold. Otherwise, Serge has not engaged in any cmpaigning to the extent we saw before the last parliamentary election.

    However, I agree with you about the anti-LTP television coverage totally just as I dislike the propaganda being pumped out by LTP’s papers and the dismissal of the editor of Zhamanak Yerevan who wanted to work professionally and objectively.

    Incidentally, I have been harassed by Levon’s people on a number of occasions and they stole my photos

    Bruce,

    There have been no reports of roads being closed, and I don’t belittle people from the regions. But tell me, if Levon is so popular why didn’t the whole of Yerevan turn out or even a few thousand. And please, while I know people are being bribed, I speak to so many people who loathe Ter-Petrosian more than Serge.

    Anyway, from independent sources, we believe that Serge has 30 percent genuine support in the country. Levon has 10-15 percent. The rest of the population will be making the choice between the lesser of two evils or voting for other candidates, I guess.

    I think that if this battle between Serge and Levon is what’s in store for Armenia it’s perhaps one of the saddest days in the country’s history. It is not progress or even correcting the error of the past. Actually, they represent the same system. Just that one was born in Syria but is considered Hayastantsi, and the other was born in Karabakh.

    What I would like to see is the pro-government media stop from attacking Levon in the ways that they do — although there is plenty to criticize Levon for if done professional — and for Levon’s people to do the same with it’s opponents in government or the opposition.

    Still, what will be will be. Ter-Petrosian for sure is a skilled tactician and knows what he’s doing, for sure. But it’s not democracy and so I fear we’ll slide back rather than progress even a little bit forward. Incidentally, there those who still think that Ter-Petrossian’s return was orchestrated by the presidential palace.

    Basically, nobody is sure what is going on, but we do know that the problems of today’s Armenia were created by Levon Ter-Petrosian and the people around him including Vano Siradeghian who criminalized the police force and his brother-in-law, Khachatur Sukiasian (Grzo) who got rich through connections and bying up and selling Armenia’s industry.

    And in 1998 when I arrived in Armenia it was Vazgen Sargsyan who sat at the top of the corruption pyramid, and now we have his little brother acting as though corruption is an evil while Grzo acts like he has been an honest and decent businessman all his life.

    What we don’t know is a) whether people will support Ter-Petrossian or as H says, it will be those in authority itself, and b) whether this was by design anyway, and if it was, is it because Serge can easily discredit Ter-Petrosian, or because there are those in senior positions in government who don’t want Sargsyan from coming to power.

    Meanwhile, in any scenario, it is the population that has lost.
12. nazarian 01.23.08 / 9pm

    The funny thing is that despite all this anti-LTP coverage, LTP may come to power under Onnik’s photo of the fists.
13. Bruce Tasker 01.23.08 / 10pm

    Onnik,

    There you go again. What on earth are you insinuating when you write “we do know that the problems of today’s Armenia were created by Levon Ter-Petrossian and the people around him”. LTP came to power in the early 90’s when the entire Soviet system had been devastated by Gorbachev’s ‘Perestroika’. You may know that Armenia, like all other former Soviet Republics was entirely dependent on Moscow – for everything!! When the Soviet Union collapsed, Armenia was left without orders for its factories, without contact with the outside World, was faced with a total blockade, and on top of that had to defend the Armenian people of Karabakh, who had found themselves under threat from Azerbaijan.

    I agree, and LTP confesses, that he was not the best, but when Kocharian forced him out of Office in 1997 (over Karabakh), Armenia was already moving into a very encouraging development period. During LTP’s period, state assets were pretty well still in tact, apart from one or two. But since Kocharian took over, the priority objective of the authorities has been to use their clout for their own benefits and to take over ownership of nearly all of Armenia’s multi-billion dollar state assets, a process which they have nearly completed, purportedly in the main to “Russian Investors”, and as you know from my campaign, with the help of the World Bank and the IMF.

    With respect to Ter-Petrossian’s return being orchestrated by the Presidential palace, I would like to suggest you consider the following: Why is it that, after 10 years of power, nobody knows whether Kocharian and SS are working together or fighting each other? The answer basically is that they are constantly jockeying for king-pin position. The power is presently with SS, which Kocharian can not tolerate. So he may even move over to the LTP camp, as a better option to losing out to SS. And if he does that, he could take quite a healthy following with him, including the Dashnaktutsiun party and Prosperous Armenia, to mention just a couple. LTP would undoubtedly accept such a proposal, as the only realistic means of breaking down Armenia’s well established and destructive autocracy.

    The bottom line is that, whilst in the early 90’s LTP fought a war against Azerbaijan to defend the rights of the Karabakhi people; today he is fighting a no lesser important battle against the ones of those Karabakhi people he brought to Armenia, to defend the rights of the Armenian people, and to stop SS completely pillaging Armenia through the next years, should he be allowed to become President!
14. Bruce Tasker 01.23.08 / 10pm

    Onnik,

    Another point.

    You really are going to great lengths to demonise LTP for using your photos, and here you write that they ‘Stole your photos”. You have discussed this on numerous occasions on your blog, and you have written that they offered to pay you for your photos. But for some ethics reason, you apparently did not take the payment. Why do you keep referring back to this incident, which has absolutely no election related importance, just a small personal disagreement between you and the LTP movement.

    Don’t you know that in Armenia everybody steals everything – it has become an everyday part of life for the Armenian people, who have had their Republic stolen from them!

    Maybe this little incident is why you have decided to hound LTP?
15. Countrev 01.23.08 / 11pm

    Dear Onnik,
    We can be on very different standpoints about the candidates or elections, but your report was balanced and straighforward.
    Thank you,
16. Onnik 01.24.08 / 12am

    Nazarian, I don’t consider this anti-LTP coverage. I consider it a balance to all the crap I’m seeing from his supporters in other online media outlets. Actually, I consider this pretty much accurate. Of course, you don’t, but such is life.

    As for the photo, yes, I know, the irony is not lost on me.

    Bruce,

    “should he be allowed to become president?”

    I don’t want anyone to be allowed to become president. I want the electorate to vote and choose their president and so far neither Serge or LTP have support enough in society and for now at least, LTP has less than Serge. However, I admit, that could all change.

    And when it does, it will be reflected here. Meanwhile, I consider it right to cover the other candidates instead. As for Dashnaktsutyun, one suspects the last person they’ll support is LTP who he closed down and threw some of its members into prison.

    Besides, Vahan Hovannisyan and Serge Sargsyan are in-laws.Rumor has it that Raffi Hovannisyan is waiting for assurances from the Dashnaks that they will not pull out of the race in support of Serge before he decides who to support.
17. Onnik 01.24.08 / 12am

    No Bruce, you’ve got the story wrong and I suggest you go and read and comment on the other post before saying that. Besides, it’s the same as me saying, well, sure, you were living well on juicy contracts under LTP, but now you can’t do World Bank work under Kocharian isn’t it? Or me wondering if your wife’s family aren’t somehow linked to the former regime or something.

    As for hounding LTP, not at all. I merely reflect the reality for now which is that most people I speak to despise him and this myth is being created around him. I am merely putting it all into context although for sure, I would admit that on the one hand, I would consider voting for him to finally resolve the Karabakh conflict and normalize ties with Turkey.

    On the other hand, domestically, I understand that his new regime would be as crooked as the one it replaced. Anyway, the personal disagreement has nothing to do with me fighting against the misinformation coming out of Armenia. And I’ve already told you, and my past record shows, that when that’s necessary for Serge, I will do the same. However, I have yet to cover his campaign.

    Meanwhile, some pro-LTP media is reporting 50,000 were in Liberty Square yesterday. Actually, it was not more than 10,000.

    Is saying that anti-Levon or just saying it how it is? Also, please note that to date most of the people commenting on this blog are pro-Levon and I’m not censoring any of you. By all means counter my arguments, but I warn you, do not also make it personal as you did in the email you sent the other day accusing me of “going to the dark side” and asking if I should be ashamed of myself.

    How dare you. Any more attempts to do the same on this blog will not be permitted, but you are more than welcome to counter some of what I write with fact and argument. In fact, like I told you in my response to your email accusing me of selling my soul to Serge, you are encouraged to do so.
18. Onnik 01.24.08 / 1am

    Contrary to SS’s supporters, who are pressured into traveling to his meetings,

    Firstly, while I don’t deny that there are many people pressured or bribed into attending such meetings, it is wron to say Serge does not have support. In fact, I have been surprised at the number of people — especially youth — who say they will vote for Serge, and even Heritage supporters who say they will vote for him if it means stopping Levon from coming to power.

    As I see it, from speaking to some more neutral journalists recently, Serge has about 30 percent support in the country. Maybe it’s reluctant because of having no alternative, I don’t know, but anyway. The point is that Levon has, let’s say 10-15 percent although I would say more 10 percent.

    However, the point these journalists were making is that Serge can not get more than that 30 percent genuine support while Levon’s rating can go up.

    So, what Levon is trying to do is to overturn his negative image and attract the rest. We know that because he has made it quite clear he needs the support of the other main opposition parties to achieve victory at the ballot box. In particular, this means Orinats Yerkir and Heritage which can count on perhaps as much as 30 percent support.
19. nazarian 01.24.08 / 9am

    re: Nazarian, I don’t consider this anti-LTP coverage.

    I don’t know… C/hUzogh has started becoming an admirer of your posts about LTP - that can’t be a good sign.
20. Onnik 01.24.08 / 10am

    Well, you know, I don’t actually think in terms of who is an admirer of my posts and who is not. Until recently, LTP supporters were. Now they’re not. When I get to cover some of the other issues, maybe Uzogh will change his mind.

    Basically, it’s an area where nobody can win. You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time and all that. Actually, I usually find myself in the situation where anyone with a specific political orientation dislikes my blog or articles.

    On Karabakh, for example, nationalist Armenians would accuse me of being anti-Armenia, and nationalist Azeris would accuse me of being pro-Armenia. It’s impossible to win, so I’m sorry, I don’t really mind who likes or dislikes my work.
21. Bruce Tasker 01.24.08 / 10am

    Onnik:

    In support of my statement “Contrary to SS’s supporters, who are pressured into traveling to his meetings”; apart from generally available information, through the New Year I spent a very pleasant day with a friend who manages a minibus park on the outskirts of the city. In the run-up to the Parliamentary elections he was pressured by the authorities to fill all his buses with passengers and send them ‘free-of-charge’ to pro-government rallies in Yerevan.

    In reply to your point about the youth supporting SAS; that is an unfortunate product of the past 10 years of increasing autocracy, admittedly built on the former transitional years under LTP. Through that time Armenia’s youth has come to accept life in Armenia as being the norm, comparable to Europe and other developed regions. They believe that the Armenian government has the same right as all others and having been elected, it can do exactly as it pleases, which means in essence filling the coffers of its officials at the expense of the electorate. That, of course is very far from the truth, the Government is elected to serve the people, and that is the very last thing the present authorities do.

    BTW, where did you find your ‘More neutral journalists’, you used to say there were not any?

    Nazarian - Onnik and I go back some way, and he knows very well the problems that lie ahead for the people of Armenia under SAS. It is time that others understood - before it is too late!

    And as we have become involved in this debate, you and your readers may be interested to know that the World Bank’s watchdog organization, the Department of Institutional Integrity (INT), after nearly a year of our persistent pressure, here and in Washington, has eventually initiated an investigation into my claims of fraud and corruption in Armenian World Bank projects, under my ‘Blowing the World Bank Whistle’ campaign, which involves hundreds of millions of dollars, but the details of which you disappointingly no longer post on your blogs.

    You may wish to read today’s Armenia Times for an update
22. Onnik 01.24.08 / 11am

    In the run-up to the Parliamentary elections he was pressured by the authorities to fill all his buses with passengers and send them ‘free-of-charge’ to pro-government rallies in Yerevan.

    Fine. I’ve already blogged about people being bussed in to polling stations on election day as well. However, that is then. This is now. When reports of the same are around and validated, they will be posted here too. Just as I have already posted about lecturers being offered a month’s salary to vote for Sargsyan next month. That too came up in a conversation I had with someone and when there is more, that too will be reported on.

    For example, when Blogian posted about doctors campaigning for Serge, I posted that.

    However, I say again, what is surprising me — and this has a lot to do with the issue of Ter-Petrossian’s return — is that there are many people who say they will vote for Serge, often reluctantly because they see no alternative or want continuity/stability. This has been a warning made by others too. Time will tell, but it is the most pressing issue that the opposition will have to deal with.

    Meanwhile, the problem is that you want anti-Serge and pro-Levon propaganda. Sorry, no can do. You have Haykakan Zhamanak, Zhamanak Yerevan, A1 Plus, and even RFE/RL etc for that.

    the details of which you disappointingly no longer post on your blogs.

    Disappointingly? Why should I link to your site and post your claims? I’ve done so enough already and also wrote an article for an international magazine. Since then, I see no reason to write anything more as you have exposure in the local media. Even RFE/RL, who ignored my recommendation to talk to you and who even refused to accept your claims when I passed on details, covered the story once or twice.

    Moreover, often you post reports which are not blog posts and which I see no reason to post. However, when you recently made an original post it went out on Global Voices so your accusation is incorrect anyway. Global Voices or Oneworld Multimedia, it doesn’t matter. I linked to your last post. Moreover, given that one other international publication was interested in a story although they were worried about your claims being one-sided, despite telling me otherwise, you neglected to inform me of press conferences with Beatrice Edwards when she was here.

    Given that I was the only one giving your blog exposure up to a month before, it was obvious that there was no point in covering this anymore. Without that access to ask her questions directly, it was impossible to do more. Anyway, local journalists were covering it, and I suppose you couldn’t be bothered to invite me to the press conference. Moreover, you expected partisan coverage and you also expect everyone to hang on your every word which I am not willing to do, especially as you have sent me two hostile emails to date effectively demanding that.

    Besides, there are other topics to cover, and I covered you when nobody else did. Time to move on, I’m afraid, and not least because you have your own blog, and also because you prevented me from having access to Edwards when she was here despite offering it to me. As a result, I had to cancel the article I was meant to write for IWPR on your claims.

    Since then, your demands and accusations are too much although as I said, when there is something original rather than just posted verbatim as a report, I do link from Global Voices Online. The most recent was on 13 January — two weeks ago.

    http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/01/13/armenia-frozen-water/

    However, I am under no obligation to link to your site from mine, especially when I have enough to do already and your blog has gone down on my list of priorities since the local media has started to cover it, and especially since despite giving you extensive coverage when everybody else ignored you, I was not even afforded the decency of information about Beatrice Edward’s press conference despite the article I was meant to do for IWPR.

    So, when you talk about disappointment, let’s face facts. You want partisan coverage when you demand it, and I will not play that game. The same is true when it comes to your desire to have pro-LTP propaganda on this site. On the other hand, if you write some post on the elections and it is original, it will be linked to from here. As it is, I linked to YOUR LAST post from Global Voices so how dare you accuse me of not doing so.

    There was nothing else to link to since, I would not anyway if you were merely posting reports, press releases and newspaper articles without commentary, and I am not obliged to. Moreover, YOU ARE WRONG because your last post was linked to yet you accuse me of disappointing you? How so? You’ve posted nothing since yet you accuse me of effectively ignoring you. I think an apology for your incorrect accusation is now in order.
23. Bruce Tasker 01.24.08 / 1pm

    Onnik:

    That’s good stuff, and although I could write reams, I don’t think I should stay with you all the way to the election.

    I apologize for writing that you were no longer following my campaign; I did not know you had linked that story on frozen water. Thanks for that.

    But please do not go on about you not being informed about Beatrice Edwards’ visit to Armenia. I gave you all her traveling details and even invited you to take photos at the airport on her arrival. I also wrote to you and explained that I did not invite you personally to the press conference because it was arranged very hurriedly by the staff of the 168 Hours newspaper on the morning of the conference, whilst Beatrice and I were at the meeting with Varoudakis.

    BTW - Neither I, nor any of my family received any privileges under LTP, nor for that matter under SAS. We do not ask privileges, we ask to be given the right to conduct honest business in Armenia, which was possible under LTP, but unfortunately is not possible under the present regime.
24. GT 01.24.08 / 1pm

    Onnik, i think you follow the steps of you favored politician RH. The guy keeps talking about uniting the opposition, yet can not decide on sides. So, whom is he doing a favor? I guess SS is benefitting from the position of RH. Never mind you “objectively” lower number of demonstrators reported by LTP team, but can not you and Raffi see that he is the only person who can bring out onto the streets 10,000 people. Should not Raffi support the strongest opposition candidate, if he really wants to unite opposition and get rid of SS? Should not Raffi serve as a bridge/mediator between LTP and VM, to unite the opposition? What is he waiting for? Come on, do not tell me it is about ideology, there is no ideology in Armenian elections. Only ARF is different from major parties by its ultra-nationalist approach.
    LTP committed myriad errors during his days in power. I still hope he will come up with some sort of evaluation of Vano’s role. But those were errors largely due to lack of prepared professionals and lack of experience in general.
    The problem persists, and there is no guarantee that corruption will disappear miraculously or there would not be unfair business practices. But LTP never sold out country for self enrichment and preservation of his chair. Since RK came to power, country lost its all strategic assets to Russia (government, not individual russian businessmen!), and a few families known as oligarchs live off importing fuel, sugar and other commodities.
    As I stated in many other my postings, I truly wish it was not LTP, who leads the opposition, but a new face. Well, the problem is that if LTP came out of his seclusion because there are no such candidates. The party of power bought, destroyed, harassed, exiled whoever could rise to be a real opposition. And if LTP looses, there will be no new face anymore, RK&SS know very well how to demolish them, and Russia gives a very good example how the country should be governed.
25. Onnik 01.24.08 / 1pm

    GT, Levon is not the only one who can bring 10,000 people onto the streets. I’ve seen it — and with more people — in 2003 (45,000 with Demirchian) and 2004 (15,000 with Sarkisian, Geghamian, Demirchian). So, that doesn’t just add up. Besides, it’s mainly the same middle aged and pensioners or Republic party activists that form the main body of his audience. It’s the same crowd that marched once last year with Impeachment and Republic (Pashinian, Sarkisian, Karapetian).

    Again, you’re creating a myth, a legend, something far detached from the reality.

    As for Raffi, well, who’s to say it is Levon Ter-Petrossian who can do this? Really? There’s no evidence and like I said, anyone would wait and see. As it is, all indications from people not supporting or directly involved in Levon’s team is that there is not enough support in society for him. Still, you’re entitled to your opinion, and all that might change.

    When it does, it will be reflected here. If it doesn’t, it won’t be, and arguments suggesting that Levon should be supported and promoted because a, b, c, are not good enough reason. For now, I see the same crowd as in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. They failed then because they represented the most disenfranchised in the country.

    If that situation changes here, it’ll be written. For now, I’m pointing out what other people not aligned with Levon are saying. It’s not easy to find someone who will vote for Levon in Yerevan and it’s not easy to find someone who genuinely wants to vote for Serge because they believe in him.

    Actually, most Armenians dislike both of them. Even LTP’s own campaign team (ie Aramazd) wrote on another blog that Levon has 22 percent support in Yerevan while Serge has 17 percent. Seeing as those figures come from Levon’s side we should treat them with some caution and consider that his vote is somewhat inflated, just as Serge’s team says their candidate will win with 65 percent.

    I’ve had other estimates of Serge’s rating at 30-55 percent nationwide, although i stress, as much as 25 percent of that could be vote bribes or pressure from state employers. Levon’s rating, however, is not higher than 15 percent nationwide (for now, I admit. It could all change).

    Either way, it is not yet right to say Levon is the main challenger. You might want him to be, you might think he will be, and he may well and truly become so, but for now we are talking about a pre-election campaign where Levon has to do a lot of explaining to a lot of people.

    People from the regions at Monday’s rallies or villagers slaughtering sheep at his feet is not very convincing evidence. But, if that changes, then it will be covered and reflected here. Until then, it’s time to look at the other candidates and not least because most Armenians don’t want Serge particularly, but for now, they don’t want Levon either.

    As for Raffi, he reflects the mood among most Armenians. It’s just Day 4 of the pre-election campaign and people are considering their options based on the candidates. Only someone truly against the democratic process could be against the right of individuals and citizens to do that. There are nearly 3.5 more weeks to go. Nobody can say what will happen.

    Still, thanks for your comment.
26. Onnik 01.24.08 / 2pm

    But please do not go on about you not being informed about Beatrice Edwards’ visit to Armenia. I gave you all her traveling details and even invited you to take photos at the airport on her arrival. I also wrote to you and explained that I did not invite you personally to the press conference because it was arranged very hurriedly by the staff of the 168 Hours newspaper on the morning of the conference, whilst Beatrice and I were at the meeting with Varoudakis.

    Not true, but anyway, it’s not connected to this presidential election blog, so whatever. As for not wanting to read my blog, your choice. If it means I don’t get any more emails from you insulting me, I don’t actually care.
27. GT 01.24.08 / 3pm

    thats what i am saying. it is 2008, not 2004. and they succeed to destroy any really threatening opposition (although i never believed in Demirchian, Gagamian or Sarkisian to be serious opposition). As of today, these same people will not be able to do that. And I do accept living standards are better now and certain layer of society prefers russian domination and full stomach to marching on cold. But do not rely too much on polls and even self interviews. Its almost middle east, not UK, people are capable of saying or even thinking one thing, but acting quite opposite.
28. Onnik 01.24.08 / 3pm

    GT, as I’ve said from day one, because of this unpredictability we should wait until closer to polling day before determining what the situation is.

    Until then, all I can go on is what I see, hear and experience. Even then, that will change, but generally reflect the undercurrent in the country or at least the capital.

    As I’ve said before, this pre-election campaign period is crucial for everyone and that includes Ter-Petrossian as well as Sargsyan and also the other candidates as well in terms of who they will support if they pull out, for example.

    Otherwise, it’s just the fourth day of the pre-election campaign and I suspect that a lot more will be clearer in the next two weeks.
29. Bruce Tasker 01.24.08 / 3pm

    [DELETED BY ADMINISTRATOR]

    Off-topic and misleading pasting of emails that showed Tasker contacted me asking me if I would cover Edwards visit, but even though I said yes, he never contacted me to give me specifics or inform me about press opportunities. Because Tasker has sent two insulting emails to me in the past, and because he tried to make this personal again on this post, he is now on moderation.

    Administrator,
    http://blog.oneworld.am
30. Haik 01.24.08 / 4pm

    [DELETED BY ADMINISTRATOR]

    Haik, you are off topic. You know full well I gave you permission after raising the issue of copyright when I noticed. Moreover, you are not an official campaign site trying to raise money online or who have a pre-election campaign fund as well as a businessman who owns a bank and was arguably the most corrupt businessman in Armenia when I arrived in the country in 1998 as your Yerevan campaign manager.

    You were also not approached once about copyright infringement and then proceeded to do it again x10. This is what they did. You are just a normal guy in the street. They are a huge money-making political force.

    Moreover, keep your comments on topic or you will be put on moderation. There are other posts on this blog for you to raise these issues. Meanwhile, at least I know I’m ruffling a few feathers considering the amount of shit I’ve had to take from Levon’s people. It’s almost a sign of panic, in fact, and definitely a sign of weakness.

    This comments section is now closed due to Levon Ter-Petrossian’s supporters making this a) personal and b) constantly avoiding the issues at hand and trying to divert the conversation.

    Administrator,
    http://blog.oneworld.am
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    […] down are improperly captioned. In the first Nazarian writes that the police kept an eye on the unsanctioned march through central Yerevan whereas I saw just one. In the second, Nazarian alleges that one man with a video camera who had […]
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