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1. GT 02.16.08 / 4am

   I may not like some of the tricks employed by LTP, but must admit that they are more likely to bear result than what you suggest. On the background of economic progress achieved during RK tenure, insisting that you will create more jobs or increase salaries can be considered either as populism or not significant promise to win over current PM. Fighting corruption might be more important topic with electorate, but convincing population in Armenia is not easy task, particularly for LTP, who once run corrupt government. So the main issues remains Kharabakh peace process. In that light bringing up Meghri issue is pretty wise, because it allows to defend himself against accusation of treason and demonstrate that he want to reach compromise but not at any rate. Second, links it with unsolved crime that is very emotional issue. Yes it might be extreme approach, but how one can otherwise fight against huge administrative resource employed by SS.
2. Onnik 02.16.08 / 12pm

   So any candidate can now make accusations against the other, accuse them of murder, of treason, and everything else to come to power?

   Basically, Serge and Kocharian were ready to settle Karabakh by ceding Meghri. Karen Demirchian and Vazgen refused, so they were killed.

   Okay, got that bit.

   Then, without Demirchian and Vazgen, Segre and Kocharian could finally do what they planned — ceding Meghri in exchange for…

   Oh, wait a minute, they didn’t. Nothing happened.

   Jesus, the level of political culture in this country is pitiful, and even from someone like Ter-Petrossian who should know better.

   Oskanian has said that Meghri was discussed by both Ter-Petrossian and Kocharian. both rejected the idea.

   Ter-Petrossian is just trying to score cheap points.
3. GT 02.16.08 / 12pm

   well, thats what I am saying, he is trying to score points. Points that matter with electorate. Call it cheap if you want. Again I don’t like it either. But also do not make innocent look and claim it is political culture of only this country. Politics is a dirty business everywhere. Bush accused Kerry of lying about boat incident, Spanish prime minister was trying to blame basques for Madrid train bombing without any evidence and your own British prime minister was ready to say anything about Saddam Hussain WMD program, just to list a few from international arena.
4. GT 02.16.08 / 12pm

   As for murder. The top officials of the country were murdered in the Parliament building. The only direct benefactor of the murder was RK. SS was in charge not to let it happen and solve the crime. Instead he was busy promoting ARMENICUM. (and this guy wants to be a President!!!)
   The real reason of the murder was never discovered (disclosed). So I think it is legitimate to speculate on reasons of that tragedy.
5. Onnik 02.16.08 / 12pm

   Dirty, yes, but all Ter-Petrossian is managing to achieve is to turn Armenian against Armenian and encourage an atmosphere of hatred. Meanwhile, anyone who doesn’t support him is accused of being a spy or in the pay of the authorities. So much for democracy.
6. GT 02.16.08 / 3pm

   Onnik, I am not LTP, and I am far from accusing you, but look what happens. You witnessed how from multi-polar society (calling all groups in Armenia parties would be a stretch) in a matter of 10 years RK created an autocracy (Russian style). As a result there was no opposition left in Armenia, who had a slightest chance to compete with him and his successor just a few months ago. LTP entered the race to change that desperate situation. He had no serious political party to support him, very a few and insignificant allies among other opposition candidates, no much resource, only political baggage which is not always to his advantage. But his resurrection opened a window, gave a breath, inspired hope, eliminated fear. Other, even hopelessly marginal opposition leaders suddenly gained weight and significance as a result of that. LTP now not only have to fight back a huge government media and other means of pressure. but also fellow envious oppositioners. You consider him barely popular, behind AB and VH in polls and far behind SS, yet you among others are hotly contesting his every move and election trick, that might be not so democratic in ideal democratic country. Well, that leaves an impression that you would prefer for things to stay as they were before LTP came out. Unfortunately it equates you and others to a SS supporter.
7. Onnik 02.16.08 / 7pm

   Unfortunately it equates you and others to a SS supporter.

   You make one more accusation on this blog and you’re banned, plain and simple. Unfortunately, what makes Ter-Petrossian’s team the most undemocratic in this election is quite simple. Anyone who doesn’t tow the pro-Ter-Petrossian line is accused of treason, of working for the authorities, or whatever.

   For me it shows how low Ter-Petrossian’s team have sunk. Lower even than pro-government propaganda. As for entering the race, for sure he changed a lot of things, including making this election the dirtiest in terms of accusations and games. Ultimately, however, if your logic is that those who don’t support Levon therefore supports Serge I’m sorry for you.

   You’ve shown yourself to be less tolerant than even Serge or Kocharian. This I think is the most unfortunate aspect of Ter-Petrossian’s return. That is, the inability of his supporters to show tolerance of the rights of others to speak their minds, have their own opinions, and to express themselves freely.

   For you and them, your logic is simplistic. It’s very black and white, and almost bordering on the fascist. That is, if you don’t agree with what we say you’re a traitor and serve the authorities. Strange concept of democracy you guys have.
8. Onnik 02.16.08 / 9pm

   “IF YOU ARE NOT WITH US, YOU ARE NOT GOOD” APPROACH IS CHARACTERISTIC OF CRIMINAL WORLD,” HRANT MARGARIAN SAYS

   Noyan Tapan
   Feb 15, 2008

   YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, NOYAN TAPAN. Hrant Margarian, the representative of the ARF Bureau, considers the thought voiced by Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first President of the Republic of Armenia and a candidate running for the post of the RA President, in Meghri on February 14, according to which all the other candidates, who do not join him “are harnessed” to the “cart” of Serge Sargsian, the candidate of the authorities, as inadmissible. As Hrant Margarian stated at the press conference held on February 15, there are people today, who “having fat necks and arms”, believe that they can impose opinion on everybody by threatening: “if you are not with us, you are not good.” Such an approach, according to the representative of the ARF Bureau, is an approach characteristic of the criminal world. “According to him (Levon Ter-Petrosian - NT), Arthur Baghdasarian is good if he is with him and a traitor, if he is not. If an oligarch is in the camp of the rival, he is a criminal, if he is in his camp, he is good, even if he does not pay taxes,” Hrant Margarian said.

   […]

   However, today the latter declares that all the candidates are working for Serge Sargsian. In the conviction of Hrant Margarian, Levon Ter-Petrosian is going the wrong way by speaking with the political figures in the language of blackmail. “That political force is against our country, our people and we will not allow it to come to life,” the Leader of Dashnaktsutiun declared. At the same time, he mentioned that the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, not excluding post-electoral clashes, calls to everybody for being quiet and sober.

   No kidding and perhaps the most undemocratic feature of this election from a candidate who says he represents change. Sad, and very alarming in fact.
9. Paul 02.16.08 / 10pm

   This is quite distressing. I was for LTP because I wanted a change, but he’s proven himself to be nothing but a bully. He’s sore about losing his office to someone he brought in himself and wants history to not paint him a loser by having the last laugh and getting the office back from them. Out of the two candidates, SS has acted less horribly and even though I don’t want him as president I feel like we are with almost no choice. At least Baghdassarian is young and there’ll be more time for him but what a disappointment it’ll be if SS wins in the first round when perhaps more people supporting him instead of LTP might have made things more competitive.
10. GT 02.16.08 / 11pm

    the democracy can not be one sided. It can’t. Opposition can not democratically change things, when the power party has all the mechanisms and instruments to falsify, buy and intimidate elections. What LTP’s bullying is worth? just words? becoming hysterical from desperation? In absence of color rvolution, i.e absence of clear support from abroad, opposition in an undemocratic country like Armenia has almost no chance of winning, unless all opposition is united, works in unison and has huge undivided popular support behind it. I am not insisting that it unites behind or under LTP. I wish there was a new leader who could do that. However, time and events (last 10 years more precisely) has shown that Stepan Demirchian, Aram Sarkisian, Arthur Bagdasaryan, Vazgen Manukyan, Gegham were not able to built popular support and withstand RK regime. LTP has changed the situation. Now lets go back to the first thesis: Anyone interested in change of the regime in undemocratic country has to back a single opposition candidate, if they failed to do so, it means they play on hands of the party of power. Simple as that. I am not saying LTP is a democrat or uses democratic methods. No he does not, he is not participating in the elections of the president of Norway. He has no team of experts who will govern this country significantly better, he has little chance to accomplish what he wants to: signing a peace treaty with turks. But he tries. If you stand for a change in Armenia, today you have to support the person who brought that change, if you happy with what is going on, then simply ignore this message. May be you will feel better that RK imposed democracy won accompanied by singers of pop.
11. Onnik 02.16.08 / 11pm

    Anyone interested in change of the regime in undemocratic country has to back a single opposition candidate, if they failed to do so, it means they play on hands of the party of power. Simple as that.

    No, not as simple as that because what you’re saying is that this rule only applies to the candidate you prefer.

    May be you will feel better that RK imposed democracy won accompanied by singers of pop.

    No, I will be happy if the vote is conducted properly or at least significantly better than in the past and the candidate who gains the most votes becomes president.

    And yes, in this context, if that is Serge Sargsyan then so be it. Same goes for Levon as well. That’s what I believe in and that’s what should happen.

    If it doesn’t, and the president turns out to be the one who either steals the most votes or who doesn’t attract enough but takes power through violence and street protest then this country is in real trouble.

    Besides, what is needed is unity, but this backwards provincial asian mentality of “if you’re not with us you’re against us and actually working for the authorities” is something so low in the gutter that I don’t think even Kocharian or Serge would sink to such depths.

    This is what alarms me most about Ter-Petrossian’s rhetoric. It is the language of someone with dictatorial tendencies and breathtaking arrogance as well as being a language of hate.

    In fact, he seems to have taken a leaf out of George W. Bush’s book and then some.

    What I’m concerned about most however, is that democracy is furthest from the mind of Ter-Petrossian. It’s about getting back into power and the end justifies the means even if that means chaos and violence on 20 February.

    Actually, Ter-Petrossian isn’t fighting an election. He’s planning a coup, but I really hope I’m wrong. Time will tell.
12. GT 02.16.08 / 11pm

    I do not think that Raffi H. suddenly fell in love with LTP. But he did not loose ability of reasoning, May be because his ego was deprived of becoming a president. But he took sides, because he recognizes that LTP is lesser of evils. He could look better off today just by urging people to vote for the one they consider the best. That would be democratic. But he realizes that it will give all cards in SS hands, and men this guy loves to play cards. He will easily falsify outcome of the elections. Arthur Baghdasarians ego is unrestrained. He could not even make it to the Parliament half a year ago, yet believes that he is the strongest among the opposition candidates. Vazgen Manukians ego, lives in dreams since 1996. I am not against these people, I wish they were such a strong opposition, wise politicians, that LTP never spoke publicly again. I wish they worried about history, not their place in history.
13. GT 02.16.08 / 11pm

    “No, I will be happy if the vote is conducted properly or at least significantly better than in the past and the candidate who gains the most votes becomes president.

    And yes, in this context, if that is Serge Sargsyan then so be it. Same goes for Levon as well. That’s what I believe in and that’s what should happen.”

    Agreed. 100%. Please let me know that the vote was conducted properly on Feb 20th.
14. Onnik 02.17.08 / 12am

    Actually, it wasn’t Raffi’s decision. It was Heritage’s and it wasn’t unanimous. Interestingly, Raffi can be seen or heard nowhere in relation to endorsing Levon. On the other hand, whether he was in favor or not, it should always have been a democratic decision by Heritage rather than an individual and it was so kudos for that. However, nobody has ANY right to condemn anyone who chooses to vote or support the candidate of their choice.

    As for the election on 20 February, will do, but two questions.

    i) Is Serge prepared to lose?

    ii) Is Levon?

    This is what worries me most.
15. Paul 02.17.08 / 1am

    It seems like neither are prepared to lose. LTP came back from totaly obscurity and silence for 10 years, that shows real determination. He did not come out of self-imposed exile for nothing or to lose. Meanwhile SS has long been the assumed winner and part of a party which has dominated for 10 years now. He’s not going to just back off because some old president long disposed of decided he needs to be president again and bullies anyone who thinks otherwise. LTP’s harsh rhetoric won’t just stop whether he’s soundly defeated or not, no idea what will happen from there and what the next step will be but I don’t hink a second round is in the works.

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