Ter-Petrossian Claims Military Support

EurasiaNet reports on Ter-Petrossian’s claims that key members of the Armenian military support the former president after Tuesday’s presidential election which international and domestic observers report was conducted mainly in accordance with the law in the majority of polling stations monitored. Given Sargsyan just squeezing past the threshold to win outright, however, the problems might suggest that a second round should have been called.

Citing an unnamed source, the notorious General Manvel Grigorian, otherwise usually reported for acts of unbridled violence and corruption in his native fiefdom of Armavir, is said to be “with the people.” Cynics would argue that if true, such news would make a change. Nevertheless, even before the election, Ter-Petrossian supporters alleged Grigorian was “arming his people” for such an eventuality.

However, the prime minister’s Republican party make an arguably valid point about the level of misinformation constantly spread by Ter-Petrossian and his supporters in the local pro-opposition media as well as through channels controlled by civil society.

“If the people are with Levon, he is with the people,” the associate, who asked not to be named, said in reference to Grigorian. “The general has always taken the side of the people.”

The source has told EurasiaNet that the two generals plan to address the opposition rally on February 22.

[…]

For now, neither the government nor the ruling Republican Party of Armenia is giving any public sign of disturbance at the announcement about the deputy defense ministers’ reported decision. As has the defense ministry, a traditional Sarkisian stronghold, the prime minister’s Republican Party of Armenia has dismissed the claims.

“As he has before, now as well Mr Ter-Petrosian bases his campaign and actions on spreading misinformation,” commented senior Republican Party of Armenia member Armen Ashotian. “These statements have no prospect and are made solely to stir people’s emotions. There is no logic in what the opposition has been doing.”

Anyway, if true, the move is one of great concern. Despite arguing that the military will not involve itself in the internal politics of the country as the constitution dictates, if war veterans do take sides this then becomes something similar to attempting to stage a military-backed coup d’etat. However, sources close to the government told me earlier that Yerkrapah is split in its support for the government and opposition. This was also the case during the 2003 presidential election.

For now, it would appear that Ter-Petrossian is playing a very clever game much as he did at the end of the Soviet Union in an attempt to destabilize the situation in the country. Still, you have to hand it to him. While the game Ter-Petrossian is playing is very dangerous, it’s also very clever, although hardly something that can be considered “democratic” by any stretch of the imagination.