Ha! Vartan Oskanian's statement (via Civilitas Foundation): “Yesterday I submitted my application for membership to the Prosperous Armenia Party [...]"
The expected happens. No surprises here. Pro-notorious-ex-president-Kocharyan Armenia ex-FM Vartan Oskanian formally joins oligarch-lead pro-Kocharyan party to participate in upcoming parliamentary (and more?) elections.
As expected. No surprises... Civilitas and Oskanian 'rock'... in a very expected direction...
I already posted why Oskanian cannot be trusted in his ‘commitment’ to”free and fair” elections. [Re: Armenia ex-FM Vartan Oskanian and “free and fair” elections]
Here is a list of some of 1 March lies that Oskanian did not clear himself off. In fact, he did not even apologize. For a start. The very least he could have done. Sorry would not be enough, but apparently even “Sorry” is a very hard word for Oskanian.
And here is a video of interview with CNN where Salpi Ghazarian, director of Civilitas Foundation (then Asst. to Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian), was effectively ‘justifying’ the use of force against protesters by putting forward the notion of “armed protestors”.
They should be ashamed of their actions. Instead, they are trying to play a democracy game.
Until they come clean re their role in 'rationalising' or 'justifying' previous election fraud (example - presidential election of 2003) and the 1 March post-election bloodshed, it will be impossible for me to believe their words and intentions re democracy, human rights, and free and fair elections.
It's pity, so many good people work for Civilitas... For example, CivilNet.TV is doing OK job in covering various important, including not so mainstream issues. However, with all these connections, I can’t help myself but wonder whether this is all part of a bigger game, and all those good guys who are currently part of Civilitas unwittingly became part of the 'game’...
If we add to the picture an introduction of the law in the Armenian parliament (adopted in its first readings) making the use of army “in case of emergency” effectively “legitimate” for internal affairs then... It is not impossible to suspect that this looks more like preparations for a version of 1-March-part-2.
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Yes, they are busily preparing for the "elections".
...and here is just one of the latest examples to 'prove' the "commitment" to "free and fair" elections:
'Sheriff' appointed head of BHK regional structure
Ex-commander of the Police forces, Grigor Grigoryan (nicknamed Sheriff) has been appointed head of the office of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) stationed in Ararat.
Grigoryan was involved in the post-election clashes following the 2008 presidential vote.
As expected, Oskanian has formally resigned from the Civilitas Foundation Board to "enter politics".
***
(statement via Civilitas)
Vartan Oskanian Resigns from Civilitas Board
In early April, 2008, I walked out of my office at the foreign ministry, up one block, and moved into the new offices of the Civilitas Foundation. I was excited, not despondent, because we had great plans. I had known for more than a year that it was time to work at the grassroots level with other organizations to bring change, and a spirit of hope and empowerment, to civil society in Armenia.
For nearly four years, that is what we at Civilitas have done. With a new vision, with a hopeful, enthusiastic, smart young team, with help and support from some very trusting and confident individuals, with program assistance and guidance from some very thoughtful international entities, Civilitas has brought new energy, new expectations, a new way of working and a new perspective on media, public discussion, rural development and serious analysis.
We did all this for a reason. I believe that institutions have a responsibility to respond to and even lead civil society in its efforts to become a serious player in societal development. No government is responsive of its own volition. Civil society institutions must expect, cooperate, hold accountable, respond, punish or reward those in government.
I also believe that each of us, as individuals, has that responsibility. The Latin word Civilitas means exactly that – Citizen’s responsibility to society. This month, I’ve decided to take my own civic activism to the next responsible step – political activism.
I have resigned from the Civilitas Foundation Board to enter politics. Civilitas has much to do still, especially in the new field of new media, and the successes we have registered in such a short time are just the beginning.
Armenian law does not mandate such resignation. But I have decided to do so in order that my political activity not restrict Civilitas’ work.
My new path is conditioned by the same attitude that I had when I entered government and when I left it – that we are each obliged to make our country match our expectations. That is sufficient reason to enter politics in every other country, and it’s time that be perceived the same, here, in our own country.
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