Sunday 11 November 2007
November 16: time to come clean?
Friends report from Yerevan that there are leaflets all over the capital inviting people for a (second) mass rally by ex-President and presidential hopeful Levon Ter-Petrosyan on 16 November. The main expectation of people who plan to go to the rally is that Levon at last will answer to the criticism over his period of presidency. They hope to hear his reflection over such issues as corruption, 1996 presidential elections (which many consider was a green light to all subsequent election frauds), Karabakh and so on. People expect and hope. Will Ter-Petrosyan deliver? We have to wait and see.
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5 comments:
True enough, although in my area they're less in number than the posted flyers for the last meeting. I was meaning to photograph them this weekend, but didn't get round to it. Tomorrow maybe. Interestingly, from first glance at least, it seems like a Ter Petrosian event.
The last one was as well, of course, although it was technically a joint meeting of LTP, Sarkisian and Demirchian. As you say, many of us are waiting for him to deliver on word that he will address many outstanding points about his rule. Will he, and more importantly will he be humble or arrogant, we'll see.
It certainly is his event. And yes, his arrogance is just killing. He has to do something with it if he wants to have any chance of success.
Interestingly, instead of Levon Ter Petrosian answering his critics, Hetq Online appears to be taking on that role:
A large number of people who have reservations about the candidacy of the founding President of the Republic say that in order to return to politics and receive the vote of the people, Levon Ter-Petrosyan must ask for forgiveness.
This is one of the prevailing clichés that people repeat constantly - often without entertaining any doubt as to the correctness and fairness of what they say. In other words, those who hold this view want Ter-Petrosyan to admit the dubious facts that have been circulated by his political opponents over the last fifteen years without lifting a finger to determine their objective and subjective sides.
It should be pointed out, of course, that the English language editor of Hetq Online is Alexander Arzoumanian's wife, but even so...
A disappointing writing from Tigran Paskevichyan whom I consider good journalist. More like a ‘propaganda’ piece than proper analysis. I hope that Levon will be able to provide more solid answers.
Another interesting thought. Did you notice that neither Levon, nor Robert/Serj & co do not mention one of the most serious allegations against Levon presidency – 1996 elections. I do not really expect Levon to admit any fraud because it would be a criminal offence, but he has to provide some kind of explanations. But what is more interesting is that our authorities in their all anti-Levon hysteria do not mention this either, but rather concentrate on populist statements on dark days etc. Why would they – Serj was the Minister of the National Security back then...
Well, and I also guess that they could hardly talk about falsified elections themselves...
Still, I don't watch TV here, but if they haven't already I'd expect them to show footage of the tanks on the streets sooner or later.
Interestingly, Paskevichian also doesn't mention the 1996 election even if only to excuse it. There's also no mention of closing down political parties or newspapers, or raiding human rights libraries.
Ironically, as you say, we're in a weird situation with both representatives of the former and current authorities implicated in all of that -- including the late brother of radical opposition leader Aram Sarkisian.
No wonder most of the population are sick and tired of everything.
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