If you people, can not recognize decency of his certain steps, then of course you hardly see difference between him and Rojik.

I think this argument about choosing between the “lesser of two evils” is not correct, and not least because which is the worst and better is subjective. On the other hand, regardless of the arguments about who is better, the main point is quite simple. The law should determine the outcome of this. Some might not believe it works, and I understand why, but the force that shows themselves able to push the system will gain the respect of many internal and external forces.

Besides, we might be surprised. Pushing the system even when everything is against you does work sometimes, and when it doesn’t, it highlights the deficiencies of the system which in effect can lend credibility and justify future actions. You may not think that matters in the Armenian scheme of things, but for how the international media covers events and how the international community response — something that is of vital importance — it does.

However, while I accept that and acknowledge it, as we’re in that situation we can now only include that aspect of the presidential election as a side note. This is what happened and this is what is upon us now. On the other hand, critics of the system would probably argue that had this election been treated more democratically, there would have been the same outcome on election day, but without the means to protest it.

I don’t know. It’s not a situation to be happy with, but that’s what we have now and I suppose that is now the most pressing issue to contend with. I also suppose there will be those who might rightfully argue that this situation was also unavoidable.

This was made into a two horse race from the beginning by both sides and the people bought it and are still buying it.

I have been following this election campaign since before official pre-eleciton season began (through this blog, family contacts, and other sources) and the one thing i noticed, was that the ARF, even with its paradoxical position as part of the coalition, truly gave the people that other, sensible, progressive, and honest choice. THey introduced democratic methods into the election that hitherto did not exist in the country. That party is the only thing close to a democracy in this country, even the TV station it controls provides coverage for everybody. SO why is it that when this Vahan Hovannesian ran and gave the people a viable option, he was ignored? and is continuously being ignored?

In my opinion the real dissapointment here is that the choices exist, but both LTP and Serzh/Kocharian have spent alot of time, energy, and money covering them up for their own personal gains.

At this moment in time, these are our choices: Kocharian/Sargsyan, or Levon.
I don’t know about you, but Levon to me is the lesser of the 2 evils BY FAR!!!

Do I wish that there was a shining new face who we could trust completely? Of course I do. Will I support this new person if/when he/she does rise out of the ashes? Absolutely!
However, at this point this is the situation. And sometimes you have to work with what you have.
Forgive me if I sound pragmatic but I don’t see another way out of this mess right now but to support the enemy of my enemy.

He published his position publicly in the paper!.. A frank and honest vision. He probably hoped for popular support against internal coup, or thought it is his obligation to tell people why is he resigning. He went home and sit there quietly for 10 years. I doubt that it was such a diabolic calculation for come back. I have not seen him going back and forth managing his accumulated abroad assets either. Or running one of the commodity importing enterprises inside the country. If you people, can not recognize decency of his certain steps, then of course you hardly see difference between him and Rojik.

Aram, typical armenian ranting. I also wish God himself came down and won Armenian elections. But he is nowhere to seen (never was). What you have now is a pair who clearly goes in direction of dictatorship, political and economical. And a guy that is so lame, that may let others (Vano, Vazgens, etc) to decide his fate.
> 2) proved they had no interest in fixing it when they were all-powerful
He never had that dictatorial power to fix everyone but himself, as Kocharian does.
But he has a talent to bring out peoples indignation. Use it. Take advantage of the moment. Otherwise republic is doomed. Today it is either him or them. Tomorrow there may be no such chance for another 20 years.

I for one am glad that a grand majority of the Armenian nation is not naive enough to follow proven-bankrupt words from a proven morally bankrupt shyster.

The fight against all the negative elements in Armenian governance (and there are many) require political will and hard work. Neither of which are being demonstrated today, unfortunately.

- Not to give these illeterate scum bags too much credit, but they are attempting to establish complete dictatorship; Kocharyan demonstrated that he owns the legal authorities, and most of the courts - granted he’s no Stalin, or a mulah, - (and I’m talking about both Kocharyan and Sargsyan combined as to me they might as well be the same person.)

I’m not a huge Levon supporter, but again, at the present moment he has the greatest chance to end their rule.
If there was another prominent figure present in Armenia today, I’d be pulling for him/her.

A lot can happen in 3 years time: more people can be murderred, treacherous agreements can be put into effect, and the county might be sold wholesale to the highest bidder. 3 years is plenty of time to cement the current rule, and ensure that no other movement has a chance to get this big.

Yes, but he did resign actually.

He resigned two years later and not because of popular demand, but because of an internal coup apparently over his position on a Karabakh solution. I think there’s a difference, especially when Vazgen Sargsyan and Kocharian were involved.

Still, the argument is that the 1996 election made him weaker, and I suppose that’s something that would be true now. That is, because of the election protests AND the 2005 constitutional amendments, the presidency is not as strong as it was in 2003.

Still, Kocharian weathered that, and Sargsyan still has an overwhelmingly loyal parliament. Personally speaking, while this situation has not yet ended, people should also be preparing for the next parliamentary election. Might seem a long way away, but actually, they’ll e on us soon enough — in 3 years time, in fact.

> None of this (save the shortcomings in the actual carrying out of the election) exists today.

Exactly, during his tenure there was an opposition. These regime does not tolerate opposition. The only reason that succession of power did not go smoothly and orchestrated is because Levon came up to the stage. His status of ex-president protected him for a while, his unpredictable move caught regime by surprise and shamanic control over the crowd keeps protests going on. The only chance that country will keep evolving towards liberal democracy is if now, using this peculiar situation, power changes. You should realize the price that comes with stability and growth promised by Serj: the country is going to be an autocratic province of Russia.

Levon falsified elections, but he never was or tried to become a dictator. He never hold all economic might of the republic concentrated in his own hands, didn’t even intended. He did not hand strategic assets of the republic to a foreign power to keep his seat. He did not sign return of land to Azerbaidjan, he merely has arisen public discussion of such possibility.

None of this (save the shortcomings in the actual carrying out of the election) exists today.

Of course there is another possibility too: the president resigns or calls for really open controllable elections. LTP has proved that he can resign, but I hardly expect it from SS.

- I have to say that as much of a feminist as I am, I really enjoyed your “babe” factor article. And I agree. It’s just good PR.

My 2 cents:
This has sort of turned into the “anybody but Bush” political landscape that we saw here in 2004. - And I really hope that the Armenian version has a better ending.

For what it’s worth, it is very moving and at least inspiring to see that Armenia is (at least partially) politically awake and alive, and is NOT just accepting an obviously fraudulent election as people did here in 2004.

I know that Levon was not a “hreshtak”, but he certainly wasn’t as corrupt as the current administration is.
So I’m pulling for him - because short of him, I don’t see any other political force alive today that has a chance of defeating Kockarian. And maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but I do believe that Levon does care about the people.

Again,
thanks for the info and the good work!
Take care.

Elin

The goal is different, the level of unity is different. But you guys have no idea how long it can go….

Even foreign journalists were mentioning to me at the beginning of the week that the crowd is getting smaller. Plus, I’ve seen enough of these marches to know that either a) less and less people are eventually going to show up or b) the patience of Kocharian and Serge will wear thin enough for them to stop all of this immediately.

Yes, assuming they have the support of the police, but you know, I see no sign of the government structure crumbling. Yes, I’m not privy to what’s happening behind the scenes, but something needs to happen or I think anywhere in the world election day becomes just a distant memory.

Anyway, can one suppose that most people attending these rallies at 3pm in the week are unemployed? Not that this means anything, but it’s not as if the 20,000 becomes 50 or 100,000 at the weekend. Something needs to keep the momentum going, and with each passing day and week, that need becomes greater still.

It’s interesting, though. In Liberty Square it’s like you’ve entered a different world of protesting against the government, but all around in the center, in the districts of Yerevan, it’s life as normal. It feels like two different worlds. Anyway, we’ll see. Like I said, it would be wrong to underestimate Levon Ter-Petrossian and for sure, the spirit of those around him seems as naturally high as it’s ever been.

There is no assuption coming from me that it is a democratic movement. Irony doesn’t across well on the internet.
I was trying to say a true democratic movement would be focuses on new, free and fair elections (though the way Sargsyan has all these state aparatuses to abuse at his disposal, as was done the first time around, how free of one can we really hope for?). It should not be focuses on crowning Levon the new president, which is what this has been all about. Such an objective is unlikely to result in a successful end.
I’m hearing a lot of differing views on who is more corrupt- Serge or Levon. I think in his time Levon was certainly bad, but I’ve heard a lot of things from people who actively do business and live in Armenia today who have made a compelling case for Serge as well. I do think that times are different and that Levon will have a harder time being- at the very least- as corrupt as he once was in a second time around, but maybe I’m too optimistic? There are a lot of people watching what they do, whomever’s in power… How on earth Levon expects to topple this government to get to that point though I don’t know.