Inauguration: Remembrance and celebrations

9 April 2008, Yerevan, Armenia

*photos via IA Regnum and ArmeniaNow

"We wish you US 2008 elections mostly in line with Armenia 2008 standards"

9 April 2008, Yerevan, Armenia


Near US embassy in Yerevan. One of 8 simultaneous picket actions in Armenia's capital.


*photo via I.S.

A Meeting Between Serj Sargsyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan Is Inevitable (Hetq Online)

Very sensible article by Edik Baghdasaryan of Hetq Online. Recommend it. Edik Baghdasaryan discusses challenges faced by Serj Sargsyan and the only possible way out of this situation. I mainly share his views.
***

What will happen after Serzh Sargsyan takes the oath of the presidency on April 9th? Everyone is waiting with bated breath. In reality, the country’s future doesn’t interest the four political parties who signed the coalition government agreement. They are only interested to see what ministerial posts they can get their hands on. [...]

In these conditions, Serzh Sargsyan will not be able to govern the country. However adamantly the authorities maintain that all is normal, they will not be able to achieve this reality. Nothing can ever be normal here. The entire state structure is in a state of paralysis and limbo. The first stage commences on April 9th when President Kocharyan will no longer be able to issue commands.

On April 4th President Robert Kocharyan stated that, “The calling of special Parliamentary elections as a method to achieve dialogue is the most absurd idea ever proposed.” In reality, special elections are quite effective and probably the only legal means available to extricate the nation from the present situation. Kocharyan was absolutely against any negotiations with Levon Ter-Petrosyan. No one can state for sure whether Sargsyan agreed with Kocharyan on this stance or not. Contrary to Kocharyan, Sargsyan’s nature is to avoid conflict. The present President has always desired the presence of conflict. He feels comfortable operating in emergency situations, where he is able to make snap decisions on his own. He feels uncomfortable conferring with others, in hearing alternate opinions and discussing issues. In fact, Sargsyan shied away from entering into a debate with Kocharyan after the elections, preferring to leave Sargsyan to make decisions on his own till the very end of his term on April 9th. Those who know Sargsyan assert that he cannot last long in this state of affairs, as he prefers tranquility. The structures he has governed have always been in such periods of relative normalcy. He has always been able to smooth things over, to convince people to do the same. If the domestic political situation remains tense Sargsyan will be forced to voluntarily hand in his resignation. Physiologically, he won’t be able to withstand the pressure. [...]

Serzh Sargsyan is caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand he realizes that the country, especially the middle-class, expect him to push-through a series of core changes. On the other hand, however, Sargsyan understands that he won’t be able to make good on his promises since on one in the circle around him will support such changes. This circle is like a spider web where everyone is connected to one another by a series of threads. Sargsyan is not in a position to sever those threads. In official circles, the person mentioned as the most likely candidate to become the next Prime Minister is an individual who enjoys no confidence in the society. Of course, the choice of individual to become the next Prime Minister could go a long way to mollify domestic political tensions. The names of the one or two such candidates residing out side of Armenia whose selection might have achieved such a result were quickly ruled out. And there is little doubt that these potential candidates for the post were ruled out by individuals in Sargsyan’s camp.

The only alternative left for the next president to extricate the nation from the current situation would be for him to issue a halt to the political witch-hunts immediately after taking the oath office. The presidential directive should be entitled accordingly - the directive to halt politically motivated witch-hunts. Those responsible for the events of March 1st must be held accountable for their actions. What transpired at the Opera that morning must be thoroughly investigated? Who organized the operation? What exactly took place that resulted in the death of seven civilians and one policeman? Our society hasn’t been presented with the truth. No one, not even the rank and file policemen, know the circumstances in which one of their own was killed.

After releasing the members of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s campaign headquarters from prison, the President must meet with Ter-Petrosyan and discuss the possibility of holding special Parliamentary elections. The most logical scenario would be to hold such elections a year from now. This would present all sides the opportunity to prepare.

Serzh Sargsyan would thus be allowed ample time to implement the core changes he’s promised and if he wins over the confidence of the people the party he leads will once again win a majority of seats in the National Assembly. In this scenario he would have to emerge as the guarantor of truly free elections. For his part, Levon Ter-Petrosyan would be able to set-up the necessary structures and create a united front to ensure an election result allowing him to be a player in the Parliament’s decision-making process. Ter-Petrosyan would also be in a position to prepare for the next round of presidential elections.

Many might view this scenario as a bit overly romantic. Perhaps, I just don’t know. But all of us, without exception, understand that Armenia is neither the private property of either Serzh Sargsyan or Levon Ter-Petrosyan. If both these politicians truly care about Armenia they will do all in their power to halt the current process daily weakening the nation.

*picture - by Hetq Online

As if military parade was not enough…

...there will be an “air balloon show” on 9 April conveniently “sponsored” by a “private company”. And all these 'celebrations' - on the day of remembrance for those killed during 1 March events in Yerevan (by Armenian tradition on the 40th day the souls of the deceased are remembered).

ArmeniaNow reports:

“While it also has been announced that a private company-sponsored air balloon show is scheduled to take place in Yerevan’s Republic Square on April 9 evening, the detainees call on people to turn off the lights at their homes at 9.00 pm, April 9, for one to eight minutes in order to pay nationwide homage to the memory of the dead.”

Incredible!

Alternative Women Day events in Armenia

Motherhood and Beauty Day, or simply Women Day, is celebrated on 7 April in Armenia. “Motherhood and Beauty day is the second official holiday dedicated to women. While March 8 celebrates all women, April 7 is mother’s day. Everyone gives presents to his or her mother. In fact, Armenians note that they have a whole month of holidays from March 8 to April 7 dedicated to women.”

However, due to recent events in Yerevan, many Armenian women will not celebrate this Day the usual way, but rather turn this opportunity to protest against the current state of affairs in Armenia.

“National awakening” coalition of NGOs is organising a special Women Day related "popular walks" in the Northern Avenue: men will present flowers to women there this Monday 7 April.

Armenian Women Movement NGO joins this call and further asks women to gather at 3pm in front of the General Prosecutor office in Yerevan to demand from the authorities an immediate release of all political prisoners. They will thereafter join the “popular walks” in the Northern Avenue.

For alternative art events, check out an exhibition of feminist art “Gender Trouble” which will be held in “Academia” Gallery on 24 Baghramyan st in Yerevan. For details of the exhibition, see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

“Union with Russia”? What’s the F* is going on?

I could hardly resist myself for not using the ‘F’ word in full. Was pretty pissed off (vulgar slang, I know, but pretty routine in Britain) this morning after read the news on a ‘proposal’ by Russian Duma’s Vice Speaker that “Russia and Armenia should form a union state”.

And when Ani made her comment under the different post, and then 2 more comments followed (including mine), I thought this warrant a special post.

Below I copy our relevant discussion so far. If anyone wants to contribute, please use the comments section below.

Re commenting on Unzipped: Dear readers, as a reminder, all comments are currently under moderation, which means they will appear here only after the approval by the administrator of this blog (and it may take time). As there is no possibility on a Blogger platform to edit comments during the moderation (either ‘publish’ or ‘reject’ options) please follow the norms of civilised discussions, as comments containing hateful remarks and inappropriate wordings will not be accepted even if otherwise have valuable input. I know, sometimes it is difficult to contain our outrage and disagreement (see above) within the civilised limits, but that’s the only way forward. Thank you for your understanding. I value your input very much!

Back to the topic:

Ani said...
As to Nazarian's comment (go where, Armenia?), this article on PanArmenian.net today gives pause as to just what Sargsyan promised when he was in Moscow:"RF Duma Vice Speaker: Russia, Armenia should form union state""Russia and Armenia should form a union state, said Vice Speaker of the Russian State Duma. If formation of a union with Belarus has slowed down, Russia should take up another direction. We should unite with Armenia, for example, or with any other friendly state,” said Lyubov Sliska, Duma Vice Speaker and member of United Russia faction, Regions.ru reports."
03 April 2008 19:46

artmika said...
Ani, although it's off-topic but very important - the only fact that the idea of a "union state" with Russia has been voiced on such a high level is very worrying, indeed. I felt disgusted when read about it this morning. First - economy, then - everything else... I really worry that if current direction continues Armenia's existence as independent state will be at stake (if not already)...
03 April 2008 21:15

Anonymous said...
artmika, with Russia controlling all of the strategic sectors of our economy (railways, construction, telecommunications, the Iran-Armenia pipeline, a great number of our natural resources factories and the list sadly goes on), we are effectively nothing more than a Russian province, and a backwards one at that. We are NOT an independent country; all our policy decisions are based on what Russia says we should do. I shudder to think what would happen if Armenia dared to contradict Russia...For everyone making baseless accusations about LTP selling off national assets to foreigners when he was president or planning to do so if he comes back, this is what selling off looks like. sorry to get off topic...
04 April 2008 00:07

Blood, Oil, and Borat in Azerbaijan

Thanks to Tablaqueen, I came across this article on Azerbaijan from The Exile:


There Will Be Krov: Oil-soaked Travels Through Azerbaijan

BLOOD, OIL, AND BORAT IN AZERBAIJAN

By Alexander Zaitchik


Below I provide with only 3 extracts from the article, but I highly recommend reading it in full.

***
If there’s one other thing people might know about Azerbaijan, it is the face of its president, Ilham Aliyev, the ultimate Borat president. He’s also the actual Borat president. In the Sacha Ben Cohen film, it is Aliyev’s portrait that appears during the credits as a stand-in for Nursultan Nazarbayev, the real president of Kazakhstan.

***
In 1999, while still alive, Heydar built a museum in honor of himself. It will soon be joined by a futuristic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in downtown Baku. Designed by trendy all-star London architect Zaha Hadid, the building is scheduled to open in 2009 featuring a concert hall, a library, an Aliyev family museum and—in a classic Azeri touch—underground parking for no less than 1,350 cars. (Traffic-choked Baku was a pioneer of car culture during the first oil boom; today Azeri kids drive around in mechanized toy cars in Baku’s few open spaces.) The announcement of the tender for this Cult of Personality palace led architecture critic Hrag Vartanian to ask, “Is Zaha Hadid the new Leni Riefenstahl?”

***
“Slowly, the power of Azerbaijan’s oligarchs is increasing,” says Emin Huseynov, Chairman of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety in Baku. “Soon they will fear no one.” [Unzipped - Sounds familiar, eh?]



"Just what it looks like. On the streets of Sumgayit."

*all photos by Alexander Zaitchik, The Exile

Election outcomes: When voters settle nothing (The Economist)

Interesting article from The Economist reviewing the cases and the causes of disputed elections worldwide, including recent presidential election in Armenia.

Why more and more ballots are inconclusive

[...] Recent months have seen an increasing number of elections in which the vote itself is only a small factor in the eventual outcome. The Kenyan poll in December 2007 is the best case. There was a vote and, in principle, a new government. But the link between the two was tenuous. Tribal violence, internationally sponsored power-sharing talks and constitutional amendments had as much to do with the shape of the deal as the election did.

This was an extreme case, but not a unique one. Two recent polls in the Caucasus failed to bring stability: after Georgia's presidential race in January, the opposition staged a hunger strike to contest the results. A far bloodier outcome followed Armenia's ballot in February: eight people were killed when the police laid into supporters of an aggrieved opposition.

[...] of 21 countries which have elected new governments in the past four months, the result of the vote itself was less than decisive in at least six.

The number seems to be rising. In 2006, four or possibly five elections fell into the “inconclusive” category: parliamentary votes in Thailand and Fiji were both overridden by the army; a general election in the Czech Republic produced a long stalemate; the presidential election in the Congo was disputed, though eventually accepted. The loser also disputed Mexico's presidential result and staged street protests, though the Federal Electoral Tribunal confirmed the outcome. There were 70 national votes for president or parliament that year (excluding referendums).

The year 2000 saw roughly the same number: the American presidential election, plus five other such votes, out of 64 in total (the others were in Thailand again, Peru, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia and Serbia). Going back further, all but three of the 48 national elections held in 1990 had clear, accepted results (exceptions were Myanmar, Grenada and Suriname). In 1980, all the national elections were decisive.

So the number of inconclusive elections seems to be rising. Why? One simple answer is that there are more elections now, and that some go off at half-cock. According to Freedom House, an American think-tank, the number of electoral democracies has risen from fewer than 70 in the 1980s to almost 100 in 1992 and to 121 in 2007. Many recent polls took place in new democracies where those in power are reluctant to step down (because ceding power risks losing everything) and opponents balk at accepting the result because they (rightly) mistrust their rulers.

Another factor: the prevalence of election monitors may have changed the way elections are rigged. Instead of claiming to have won by 99% before lunch, new democracies put on a show of sophistication and claim modest victories by, say, 53% to 47%. (Sceptics note that 53% was the winning share claimed in both Armenia and Georgia; but in the Georgian case observers did agree that the incumbent, Mikheil Saakashvili, had clearly topped the poll.)

When the margin is slim, counting disputes increase and challenges are more likely. Sometimes this produces dramatic outcomes: the uprisings in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan in 2003-05 all sprang from disputed polls. And sometimes it merely prolongs political machinations.

Elections, in fact, are just one part of the network of institutions (like honest courts) that need to be in place for democracy to work properly. Without those institutions, voting sometimes seems, at least in the short term, to make things worse.

*/emphasis mine/

Sargis Hatspanian: “This year spring did not come to Armenia” (eyewitness account - 1 March, Liberty sq, Yerevan)

I received Sargis Hatspanian diary via email from a reader of this blog. I was assured and various signs suggest that this diary is genuine and does belong to Sargis. In there he describes his ordeal and provides detailed eyewitness account of police violent crackdown on peaceful protesters - many of them still asleep in their tents - early morning 1 March in Liberty sq.

Sargis Hatspanian was born in Turkey. He is a French citizen and has been living in Armenia since the early 90s. He is a Karabakh war veteran. He voiced his support for Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and has been an active participant of opposition movement evolved in Yerevan Liberty sq.

On 27 February 2008 police representatives tried to take him to a police station for questioning, supposedly for “for his interference in Armenia’s political life”. However, their attempt was unsuccessful due to intervention by opposition and human rights activists, as well as his refusal based on foreign citizenship. Noyan Tapan reports that “he made a speech in front of the supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian and participants of opposition movement gathered in Liberty sq before that and introduced his motivations for joining the movement. He also stated that he has become aware of the fact that the RA Police has planed his detention. In this respect Sargis Hatspanian declared that he "was put into prison in France, Germany, Turkey" for his position devoted to his nation "and is now ready to be put to prison for the same position in Armenia as well."

As Sargis Hatspanian mentioned in “Introduction”, his actual diaries chronicling daily events in Liberty sq (20 February – 1 March) were lost/burnt down or got confiscated by police during the dispersal. In this new diary written on 5 March 2008, he describes police brutality in such an emotional way that only a person been there could express, and only a person who is devoted to his motherland could express.

What makes this eyewitness account remarkable is not just persona of Sargis Hatspanian, Karabakh war veteran and well known public figure in Armenia and Diaspora, but the readiness expressed by the author to testify before an independent inquiry (if that ever happens).

He is in hiding now.

I am publishing below those pages from his diary which relate directly to the early morning events of 1 March 2008, Liberty sq, Yerevan. Diary is handwritten in Armenian. Click on pages to read (English titles of pages – mine, based on their content).

Page 1 – “Intro”



Page 11 – “Alarming call and disbelief”



Page 12 – “Wake-up, Sargis…”



Pages 13, 14 – “Police brutality” – “Ready to testify”



Pages 15, 16 – “I thought Ter-Petrosyan was killed” – “The end”



Page 17, last page – “This year spring did not come to Armenia”



*photo of Sargis Hatspanian - by Onnik Krikorian/Oneworld Multimedia 2008

A1+: 6 years off air...

In one of my first posts after I set up this blog - almost a year ago, on 5 April 2007 - I wrote about A1+ (27 April 2007):

"(for years) They tried to ban A1+ TV, they sort of succeeded, but they was not able to ban A1+, for me - the symbol of free speech in Armenia. A1+ continued its live online. And today they announced the launch of A1+ blog - another step from A1+ journalists to promote free speech in Armenia. [I would also add A1+ YouTube channel - established on 17 January 2008, it became one of the most viewed channels in the whole YouTube!] If one day I switch on TV and see A1+ station live, I will understand that I probably live in different Armenia, in better Armenia, in Armenia which can be transformed to a country where I would prefer live in..."

Today, it's 6 years since A1+ is off air... but still on...

Video evidence from 1 March in Yerevan: Allegedly police car run protester over

Another video evidence from 1 March in Yerevan. Another need for independent inquiry. Video shows how allegedly police car run one protester over on Paronyan street in central Yerevan. Video via A1+

European monitoring Ago group outlines its 6-point proposal to defuse political crisis in Armenia

As you may notice, while in line with the general tone and overall recommendations made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Ago group proposal contains some important differences and is much more critical to the authorities.

Lragir.am reports:

The CoE Ago group arrived in Armenia on March 29 with an unprecedented delegation, which includes the delegates of 9 members of the Council of Europe. Since 2005 when it was set up the Ago Group has not visited Armenia with such a big delegation. This was stated by Per Sjogren on March 31 who held a news conference together with the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan. [...]

The recommendations of the Ago Group consisting of 6 points are directed at this. The first point is on the persons now kept at the penitentiary of the Center who were arrested in the post-election period or after March 1 and their families are not allowed to visit them. The group learned about this during their visit to the Center penitentiary. They have brought up this issue with the minister of justice and according to Per Sjogren, were assured that today the relevant agencies will solve this humanitarian issue.

The next point of the recommendations is that they endorse the calls of all the international organization to release the persons arrested for political reasons. Per Sjogren says Armenia is a member of the CoE, and a member of the CoE cannot have prisoners for political dissent. The European diplomat says it violates the commitments assumed on CoE membership and the European conventions.

The third recommendation of the Ago group is to the ministry of justice to regularly inform them about the release of prisoners and the procedures of trial of the arrested. Generally, with regard to the political prisoners the head of the Ago Group says it is a call, and a strong call and it is clear that this issue should be addressed urgently. The European diplomat says in Armenia they were at least assured that they will make necessary moves although the details were not discussed.

The fourth recommendation is an endorsement of an impartial, national investigation of the events of March 1. Per Sjogren says the details of the investigation is not their business but says it should not be carried out by one body, such as the office of prosecutor general but should be a national, comprehensive investigation which enjoys wide confidence.

The fifth recommendation of the Ago Group is on the amendments to the law on marches, demonstrations, rallies the National Assembly passed under the emergency rule, which actually prohibit marches, demonstrations, rallies in Armenia. The head of the Ago Group regrets that the bill was passed without consulting the Venice Commission. He said, however, that the Venice Commission has studied the law and has critical assessments which they have presented to the ministry of justice. The Ago Group was assured that the government will extend those assessments to the National Assembly.

Finally, the sixth recommendation of the Ago Group is a dialogue between the government and the opposition without preconditions.

The reporters noted that earlier the CoE had advised the opposition to accept the decision of the Constitutional Court which recognized the outcome of the presidential vote. They asked the head of the Ago Group why the six recommendations do not mention anything about it. Has the approach of the CoE regarding the Constitutional Court changed, or is the absence a misunderstanding? Per Sjogren said in this connection that dialogue is important because with regard to the point mentioned by the reporters it is important to launch a dialogue. The head of the Ago Group said their recommendations should be viewed in a long-term prospect.

*/emphasis mine/

'Sensations' of the day: Prosecutor General ‘joins’ popular/political walks in Yerevan, and there were no detained today

'Sensation No. 1': For the first time since the start of “popular walks”, there were no detained today. Perhaps, the reason for that was 'Sensation No. 2': Aghvan Hovsepyan, Prosecutor General of Armenia, ‘joined’ “popular walks” today. Well, he was seen there.

“I born in 1953, and, believe me, I walked in this city more than you,” – justified his presence in the Northern Avenue Aghvan Hovsepyan, A1+ reports. “Why, is walking prohibited? I am going home from work. Don’t I have a right to walk?”

Ironically, that’s exactly the type of questions that hundreds of people, including dozens detained during the “walks” (all later released), ask too.

*photo by A1+

Military parade in Yerevan confirmed - no, it's not a bad joke!

The news that Armenian authorities decided to stage a ‘military parade’ in Yerevan on 9 April may have seemed unbelievable - no one in his rational mind would have even thought about such possibility after what happened in Yerevan.

But this was confirmed yesterday by Seyran Shahsuvaryan, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. He also states that no tanks will be seen during the parade, only soldiers, as if it makes the whole idea looking more acceptable.

And to confirm this news further, InfoArmenia publishes today a copy of decree on ‘military parade’ by Defence Minister (below). Interestingly, this decree was signed on the last day of ‘state of emergency’ - 20 March 2008.

Everything is wrong with this so called ‘military parade’. The idea is wrong, the place is wrong, the day is wrong. I am not discussing here the legitimacy of Serj Sargsyan presidency, let’s put that issue on side for a moment. But parade? Military parade? In Liberty sq? (which is completely inappropriate place for holding military parades under any circumstances). But come on, Armenian authorities. Do you really have much to celebrate after what you did on 1 March? I’d love to know who is the ‘beautiful mind’ behind that idea. Actually, that does not even matter now. How cynical one may be to stage a parade on the 40th day of government crackdown on opposition movement which left 8 people dead (by Armenian tradition on the 40th day the souls of the deceased are remembered). OK, the day of ‘inauguration’ coincides with that tragic date, and the authorities have to go with it ‘according to the law’. But can’t they show just a bit of modesty and tact? Can’t they see the whole inappropriateness of the ‘military parade’ thing and the ridiculousness which they put themselves in? Unbelievable!

Human Rights Watch urges Armenian government to lift ban on peaceful protest

Opposition Demonstrators Detained Under New Restrictions

(New York, March 27, 2008) – The Armenian government should lift new restrictions on freedom of assembly and cease detaining opposition supporters participating in peaceful protests, Human Rights Watch said today.

On March 25 and 26, 2008 police detained at least 60 opposition supporters in Yerevan who were peacefully demonstrating against restrictions imposed last week on public assemblies following violent clashes on March 1 between police and opposition protesters. All were released after several hours in detention, but on March 27, another 21 opposition supporters were detained and their fate remains unknown.

“The Armenian government should allow peaceful demonstrations, not ban them,” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The new restrictions effectively punish peaceful demonstrators for the violence that took place on March 1.”

The Armenian National Assembly passed amendments on March 18 which allow for extensive restrictions on public gatherings following “disturbances leading to the loss of human life.” The wording is a clear reference to the events of March 1, when violence erupted between security forces and protesters after police had earlier used force to disperse demonstrators protesting alleged fraud during the February 19 presidential elections. At least eight people were killed and more than 130 injured. The restrictions on public assembly are indefinite, remaining in place until the completion of an investigation into alleged crimes committed during the disturbance.

Every evening since a three-week state of emergency was lifted on March 21, several hundred opposition activists and supporters have been organizing what they call “public walks” on Northern Avenue, a pedestrian street in the capital’s downtown. They quietly protest against the government’s new restrictions on assembly. At these “public walks,” people walk around, chat with one another, sit on public benches, and play chess or read books. On March 25, police began detaining dozens of those participating in the “public walks.”

The new amendments violate Armenia’s obligation to respect peaceful assembly. The European Convention on Human Rights, to which Armenia is a party, guarantees freedom of assembly, and governments may not place unreasonable restrictions on this right. The European Court of Human Rights has described the right to assemble peacefully as “one of the foundations of a democratic society” and has made clear on a number of occasions that individuals cannot lose their right to peaceful assembly as a result of punishable acts committed by others in the course of a demonstration.

Authorities have used the changes to the law to deny at least six requests from opposition parties to hold demonstrations at Freedom Square in downtown Yerevan. The government justifies the denials by claiming that participants in the March 1 violence may seek to participate in future demonstrations as well.

Human Rights Watch spoke with four opposition supporters detained on March 26. One said: “I was sitting on a bench on Northern Avenue and reading a book, when two uniformed police officers approached me, asking me to go with them. When I asked why, they advised me not to ask questions and to just follow them if I wanted to avoid problems. I obeyed. There were others who did not obey this command, and the police twisted their arms behind their backs and stuffed them into a car.”

Opposition supporters were taken to the Kentron police station, photographed and asked for their names and addresses. Two hours later, they were transferred to Yerevan district police stations near their homes. After several hours, detainees were taken individually to the police department chief for a brief interrogation and then released. No official charges were brought against any of the detainees.

Police officials told Larisa Alaverdian, the former Ombudsperson of Armenia and now an opposition parliamentarian from the opposition Heritage Party, that the detentions of people participating in the “public walks” are done in order to question suspected opposition party activists as part of the criminal investigation into the March 1 events. However, one released detainee told Human Rights Watch that the police chief was trying to talk him out of participating in the “public walks” on Northern Avenue.

*/emphasis mine/

Troubled Armenia (The Economist)

Protests continued

Mar 27th 2008 YEREVAN
From The Economist print edition

Armenia is still teetering, and war clouds are gathering

IN HIS Easter service Karekin II, spiritual leader of Armenian Christians, exhorted his congregation to be “one flock, with one shepherd”. For diplomats present the prelate's words were laced with meaning. Might he be urging Armenians to rally behind the president-elect, Serzh Sarkisian?

Over a month after Mr Sarkisian, the prime minister, declared victory in the February 19th presidential election, his future is uncertain. Trouble began when thousands of protesters led by his rival, Levon Ter-Petrosian, took to the streets, claiming that Mr Sarkisian stole the vote. The protests turned bloody when eight people were killed on March 1st. Emergency rule was imposed, although it was lifted as promised on March 21st. But later that day hundreds of riot police intervened when a largely female crowd tried to hold a vigil in memory of the dead.

Opposition supporters are being arrested in droves. One activist alleged that his car was torched because he backed a pro-opposition news channel, Gala. A hastily crafted law to bar political gatherings has been approved by parliament. Such tactics are calculated to stifle opposition for good. But can they?

Some Western diplomats fret that Armenia's strife might tempt a bellicose Azerbaijan to try and regain control of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azeris are said to be spooked by Kosovo's successful campaign for independence and fear that Nagorno-Karabakh might win international recognition. Ominously, Azerbaijan threatened to pull out of international peace talks after America, Russia and France voted against a UN resolution calling for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding region. This follows some of the deadliest border skirmishes between Azeri and Armenian forces in years.

Mr Sarkisian is due to be sworn in on April 9th. He “needs to win the confidence of the Armenian people, so that we may unite before this threat [from Azerbaijan],” says one official. The surest way to do that would be to order an independent investigation of the March 1st events, declare an amnesty for recent political detainees, and form a cabinet untainted by graft, suggests Anahit Bakshian, an opposition member of parliament.

The Americans are threatening to freeze millions of dollars in aid. Armenia should “pull itself together and get back on a democratic path,” says Dan Fried, of the State Department. Or Armenia “may go the Belarus way,” says Mrs Bakshian. Yet few believe that this is what Mr Sarkisian would choose. Although a nationalist and no liberal, he has presided over record growth and a sharp reduction in poverty. A chess player and veteran of the Karabakh war in the 1990s, Mr Sarkisian has kept close ties with Russia even as he has courted the West.

Mikhail Baghdassarov, a businessman and ally of Mr Sarkisian, believes he will usher in young Western-trained technocrats and make the market-friendly governor of the central bank, Tigran Sarkisian, prime minister. Mr Ter-Petrosian vows to keep his supporters on the streets until the election is overturned. There is a whiff of revenge about his campaign, but his fiery talk of justice and freedom has inspired Armenians. “Until this election I wasn't interested in politics. Levon gave us the feeling that we can shape our own destiny,” says a young Armenian painter. “No amount of repression can take that feeling away.”

Armenia 2008: Return to Stalinism (statement of NGOs)

27 March, 2008

For Immediate Release

Democratic reforms in Armenia resulted in constituting state terror.

In the wake of the lifting of state of emergency the Armenian authorities unleashed a new wave of violence and intimidations. Having adopted Soviet KGB methods, the Armenian police and National Security Service subject unprotected people to organized repressions.

Without any grounding or explanation, citizens are detained in broad daylight and forcibly taken to police stations, thus any occasional person walking by may fall a victim to such violence. Only in the police station is their identity revealed, their participation in March 1 rally attempted to be clarified, they are subjected to psychological pressure and intimidation.

The scale of such violence increases day by day. The Armenian authorities arbitrarily violate constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms of the people.

We urge to immediately cease terror against the people of Armenia

1. "Youth for Democracy" NGO
2. Transparency International Anti-corruption Center NGO
3. "Asparez" Journalists' Club
4. "Krtutyan Asparez" NGO
5. Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Armenian Committee NGO
6. Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office
7. "Huys" NGO
8. "We Plus" NGO
9. "Victims of State Needs" NGO
10. Sksela Youth Movement

Armenian Consulate in LA: Too lazy to write a speech on Genocide?

It sounds like a good idea that Armenian Consulate in LA decided to involve University students in writing speeches on Armenian Genocide. However, as one of the recipients of their letter suggested in an email message I received today, the real reason for that may be laziness:

The Consul General of Los Angeles and staff are too lazy to write their own speeches, they are soliciting speech from University students. Here is what they are sending out.


Subject: Speech Writer Needed for Armenian Consulate

The Armenian Consulate is currently looking for an Armenian volunteer who will be able to write a speech on Genocide for the Consul General Armen Liloyan. His speech is expected to be within 5 pages and completed within 2 weeks (by April 9, 2008). If your speech is chosen you guys will get a letter of recommendation for your work.

If you are interested please contact Sahak Sargsyan.

Sahak Sargsyan
Vice-Consul
Consulate General of Armenia in LA
Email: s.sahak@mfa.am
Tel: 310-657-6102x225
Cell: 818-383-3234

Arthur Meschian - Tarorinak Mard

lyrics... audience...

Why Dashnaktsutyun joined the coalition government?

*Thanks to N.H.!