Armenia: Peaceful Protest & Tightening the Bolts

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1. khrimian 03.30.08 / 5am

   In relation to the first Article by ArmeniaNow; “Popular Walk-Ins”

   Though I do not condone restrictions set by the government against “mass events, including public rallies, marches and demonstrations,” I can understand the reasoning and intentions behind it. We need to understand that the opposition, specifically LTP in my analysis, will take any opportunity to organize illegal and near-riot status “demonstrations” simply to push his political agenda forward. Over the last two months we have seen countless demonstrations that have resulted in violence and upheaval, on the behalf of both the government and opposition supporters, which have further pushed the post-election political atmosphere into disarray. LTP’s intentions are not to create a more democratic Armenia and Armenian government. His irresponsible tactics, statements, and accusations against the current government show that he is in pursuit of his own political power by simply overthrowing and replacing the current one with himself.

   Through all the economic development Armenia has experienced since independence, what Armenia needs is an equal amount if not more of Political Development and the emergence of more progressive and influential social forces, not a coup d’etat. Is all the progress and development that our beloved homeland has established worth jeopardizing or even throwing away simply to position a former political figure back into power?

   If those who are truly protesting for increasingly democratic elections and for government level reforms, rallying in enraged and armed mobs while chanting for violence against certain Armenians from a region of the country (Artsakh), is anything but the correct path to take. MP Sharmazanov is right when he states that further democratic development is only possible through the means of law and order, by appealing complaints and concerns to the courts and not by rallying around a former President who is responsible for the political backwardness in today’s government.

   I’m not justifying the governments strategy toward establishing political stability through public restriction, however, I can see the necessity to due so in order to avoid further violence and unrest. Had the events of March 1st and the continuing counter-productive resistance not been present, these restrictions would have been based on complete absurdity and been an irrational abuse of political power. It is blatantly obvious that if demonstrations are allowed to continue, whether they have legitimate basis or not, LTP will take advantage of the emotions of Armenian people and continue advocating for the systematic destruction of the current government, not to mention that greater public violence will emerge.

   What the Armenian people, whether it be opposition supporters, members of government, or citizens demanding further democratic development, need to understand is that democratization will not materialize through public dissidence and political suppression. The Armenian people need to step back for a moment and allow the political atmosphere to calm and the waves to pass through. Only then, once the government feels confident of its rule, can those who really are concerned about a more democratic Armenia, step up and have their voices heard. Instead of gathering in the streets, destroying private businesses, and physically confronting soldiers and security forces, concerns should be expressed through publications and public and national out-speaking. This process needs to be done under the flag of the Armenian nation and not the flag of a former political figure.
2. Onnik 03.30.08 / 12pm

   Khrimian, I saw your post in the early hours of this morning and was going to post a link later today.
3. khrimian 03.30.08 / 3pm

   Don’t let me stop you.
4. Onnik 03.30.08 / 3pm

   You won’t. In fact, I’ll probably include it in a larger post on the street demos for Global Voices Online later as well.

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