Dear friend, if you agree with the content of the letter appearing below, please click on We Demand Justice [ http://justice.keghart.com] to add your name. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
We Demand Justice
23 November 2008, Canada
On November 17, 2008, Mr. Edik Baghdasaryan, a highly respected journalist, Chief Editor of the Armenian daily Hetq (Track) and the President of Investigative Journalists’ Association of Armenia, sustained severe head injuries after being attacked by three assailants as he was leaving his workplace; the attackers also stole Mr. Baghdasaryan's camera. This incident occurred following repeated “warnings” and "threats" received by the Hetq staff.
This assault on Mr. Baghdasaryan highlights a disturbing trend of physical and other violence on Journalists since the February 2008 presidential elections. On August 11, 2008, Ms. Lusineh Barseghian, the correspondent of the Armenian daily Haikakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times), was assaulted and also sustained head injuries outside her home. A week later, Mr. Hrach Melkumian, Acting Head of the Yerevan Office of the Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was also attacked. None of the culprits has been brought to justice. The police is unperturbed at best and appear to be intent on harassing the journalists and their staff. The circumstances related to Mr. Gagik Hovakimian, Ms. Anna Zakharian, Mr. Gagik Shamshian, and Ms. Gohar Vezirian, are all examples of police intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention. Violence against Armenian journalists and their staff seems to be a common-place occurence these days.
We strongly condemn these acts of violence and intimidation, and call upon the authorities to investigate these crimes and prosecute the assailants. The international community has also taken note of the frequent violations of basic freedoms of the press. For example, the Paris-based organization, Reporters Without Borders (RWB), has dropped Armenia from 77th to 102nd position on a list of 173 countries ranked by their press freedom. The perception of foreign observers following the beating of Edik Baghdasaryan was succinctly captured in a letter addressed to Mr. Edward Nalbandian, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Mr. Miklos Haraszti, who wrote: "Violence against journalists is not 'crime as usual', because it undermines a basic institution of democracy - the free press".
We, the undersigned, deplore any undertaking that hampers the growth of democracy. The world will be watching and expecting concrete and prompt action from the authorities in Armenia.
Ani Boghossian BA, Toronto, Canada
Antranig Bedrossian BA, B. Comm. CMA, Montreal, Canada
Aram Adamyan MSc, MBA ACCA, Toronto, Canada
Ardavast Avakian, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Arsine Attarian, Activist, Montreal, Canada
Artin Boghossian PhD, Toronto, Canada
Artur Gevorgyan MSc MD, Toronto, Canada
Avo Bedrossian MASc., P. Eng., Ottawa, Canada
Berge Minassian MD, FRCP(C), Toronto, Canada
Prof. Davit Zargarian, Ottawa, Canada
Prof. Dennis R. Papazian, USA
Dikran Abrahamian BA, MD, Penetanguishene, Canada
Edgar Manukian PhD, Toronto, Canada
Haig Baltadjian DDS MScD, Montreal, Canada
Haig Misakyan P. Eng., Toronto, Canada
Hagop Sevakian, Management Consultant, Toronto, Canada
Hasmig Kurdian MEd, Toronto, Canada
Kevin McGill, Activist, Canada
Koko Yerevanian P. Eng., California, USA
Nader Rastegar MBA, London, United Kingdom
Ohannes Hagopian PhD, Ridgewood NJ, USA
Raffi Chitilian B. Eng., Montreal, Canada
Rita Charchyan, Toronto, Canada
Ruth Cooper BSW (Hons.) RSW, Waubaushene, Canada
Shirley Fersch RPN, Penetanguishene, Canada
Unus Ali BA, Midland, Canada
Vigen Ghazarian CFA, Toronto, Canada
Viken L. Attarian P. Eng. MSc MBA, Montreal, Canada
Virginia Misakyan B. Comm., Toronto, Canada
Copies of this document will be forwarded to the Catholicosates in Etchmiadzin and Antelias, Honourable Edward Nalbandian (Foreign Minister of Armenia), Honourable Hranush Hacobyan (Minister of Diaspora), Mr. Armen Harutyunyan (the Ombudsman and Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia), PEN Canada, PEN International, Journalists for Human Rights, other Human Rights organizations, and the public at large
All those who understand that there is a campaign against people these days, all those who understand that just for disagreeing with the current administration and for having the courage to oppose, all those who are justly angry can join me in calling the General Prosecutor's office at 511-554, 511-688, and express your complaint against what is happening (without swearing), I also suggest to start sending e-mails to info(at)genproc.am. if you don't wish to have your phone tagged by the government, you can use phones that are available on the street, or call from various call booths, also please give this numbers to our friends abroad, I will also find out the number of those agents which are busy trying to open a case against our friends.
Please, do NOT be silent, tomorrow each one of us can be behind the prison doors.
To call from abroad please use the following numbers +37410 511-554, +37410 511-688. and e-mail to info(at)genproc.am
Hypocrisy Challenged: Rights come with Responsibilities
The final conclusion of the PACE meetings regarding the recent events in Armenia defied all logic. Example after example was given of fraud, restrictions of free speech and press, unlawful imprisonment and use of force in Armenia leading up to, during and after the elections. Yet the fundamental conclusions of the initial OSCE report stood. With now 10 dead and many more injured, over 100 imprisoned, and revocation of free speech, press and the right to protest, one wonders what other rights must be removed and lives destroyed to convince the impartial PACE, or any other organization for that matter, that the elections of February 19, 2008 in Armenia cannot be legitimized.
As with all Rights, the right to express an opinion which will be respected and seen as objective carries with it responsibility. This is especially true when the opinion directly contributes to violence and destruction. Weak statements in the aftermath of such violence and in the face of increasingly obvious truths are made in large part to satisfy contradictions, to maintain veneers of integrity and to satisfy consciences. Organizations move on, but peoples and nations are left in the wake of these paradoxically noxious interventions and opinions. There are two reasons that responsibility is not taken for consequences, and they are not mutually exclusive. The first is indifference. While the formation of organizations and committees to help spread and institute democracy is applauded, there is no true investment in such principles, and as such, as long as there is no direct impact of a small country being torn apart, there is no need to take any responsibility. The second is a sense of superiority, be it moral, cultural, psychological or otherwise. Giving oneself the right to interfere deleteriously, without regard to consequence, to loss of human life, is setting oneself not only apart, but above, from these realities.
Undoubtedly there are numerous challenges in contradicting an already published statement. What is the use of yet one more organization on security, cooperation, or democracy that cannot stand up for the principles on which it is founded. In light of that, those courageous individuals who have been consistent with the principles that these organizations are meant to uphold are to be commended.
One dares to hope that the outcome of the meetings this Thursday to be held in the US Congress will be more in line with the latter group.
Save Armenia Action Group
April 14, 2008
I just came from the March 21 people's event. At 3 pm there were over 25 army and police vehicles and over 1,000 military police At the Opera square. These policemen were different than the young soldiers who were doing their military service and who were planted at various locations during the state of emergency. These policemen were the rough kind of about 40-50 years old --experienced and tough.
At 3 pm pockets of people approached Opera square but they were pushed back by the police with shields and helmets. More people were gathering on the sidewalks. Many were also Security people in civil clothes watching listening and taking pictures. A larger crowd formed in front of Old Yerevan restaurant at the beginning of Hiusisain Boghota. Another crowd with pictures of political prisoners was formed around the Babajanian statue. By 4 pm the crowds were swelling. The police was trying to squeeze the people and move them from place to place in an attempt to break them apart. At one point there was a real skirmish with screams and people fighting. It did not last long. Apparently one person who refused to move was given electrical shot to the legs. In any case the people jumped over and they did not let the police take him away. After that there were no more incidents. There was no leadership just crowds standing. At one point people started to move towards the French embassy. At the same time a row of people was formed who had candles , flowers or black bands as symbol of morning for the deceased.
By 5pm there were huge crowds. I would imagine if all were at the Opera square it would have been an incredible sight. People were not afraid to stand in the row or to be photographed by military police. By 6 pm another large crowd came and together we walked towards the Miasnikian statue. At republic Square all the way to the Miasnikian statue there were rows of military police.
The people walked in calm and it was a sea of people from Hiusisain boghota all the way to Misanikian statue. They didn't let the people gather anywhere. If they were gathered there was a sea of people. However, this was considered a successful event. The people have shown that they will not be intimidated and they have not been broken or terrorized even though Armenia lives in a state of terror with no individual freedoms.
Today also the newspapers were allowed to print and the websites opened again. This was big relief. People marching were calm and happy for the turnout. Everyone was giving strength to one another. It was a time of great solidarity and resilience on the part of the people. If this much was done only through word of mouth and internet then we hope that much more will be done so that people's liberites, rights and the rule of law will return in Armenia.
I just heard that Levon's sister's son was jailed from a cafe near the Opera. Also, on Mashtots people were taken away because they were taking pictures and filming. I must say I also met many Diaspora Armenians - all supportive and along side the people.
We are hopeful and adamant for Baikar Baikar Minchev Verch!
Alexander Arzumanian has just been arrested. Mi qich araj dzerbakaletsin Alexander Arzumaninin.
March 10, 2008 19:00 Yerevan time
Nayeq ais videon minchev verch (Hatuk Jokatayinnere krakum en tsutsararneri vra). Watch this video till the end (Special Forces Opening Fire on demonstrators).
PETITION
To: UN Secretary General
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
OSCE Chairman in Office
OSCE/ODIHR Director
OSCE Ambassadors, Vienna
Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Presidency of the European Union
Secretary General of NATO
All Foreign Missions to Armenia
We undersigned, express our deep condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic events of March 1, in the aftermath of the Presidential elections of
February 19.
We also express our indignation and anguish in regard of bloody developments in Yerevan, which would have been avoided if those who possess power did not resort to violence.
We thank all Democratic Nations for their prompt reaction to the latest developments in Yerevan.
Armenia is the State Party to all major International Human Rights Instruments and Armenian authorities have been constantly declaring their dedication to deliver on their commitments and obligations according to these instruments and vis-à-vis the International Community.
Instead Armenian Authorities, which have the obligation to promote universal respect for, and observance of human rights and freedoms, have launched
unprecedented oppressive and offensive actions in response to People's peaceful demands aimed at the safeguarding their basic political and civil rights
engraved in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
While Armenian authorities are trying to justify the use of Military Force against people and large scale politically motivated arrests by accusing the
opposition in attempting to seize the power in Armenia, real reasons lie in the conduct and the results of the Presidential elections, which, as BBC has reported, "conformed completely to the old Soviet standards; votes were bought, voters intimidated, television coverage was embarrassingly skewed, big men in large cars bossed vote counters".
Notwithstanding the fact that all substantial violations that took place during the elections were documented by the International observers team, the
OSCE in its preliminary findings stated that "The 19th February presidential election in the RA was administrated mostly in line with OSCE and Council of
Europe commitments and standards", which was interpreted by the Armenian Authorities as recognition of their legitimacy and power and gave them courage to use military force against people, who, since 20th of February, have been protesting against the officially announced results of presidential elections by
organizing peaceful gatherings, rallies, hunger strikes and non-stop demonstration in Freedom Square in Yerevan.
Moreover, the authorities took the advantage of the forged situation to declare State of Emergency in Yerevan, under which the media may cite only official
sources when reporting on national politics. As a result the public in Armenia is even deprived of the possibility to be aware on numerous official statements of other states and international organization on the situation in Armenian such as US's, France's, Canada's, UN Secretary General, European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and other institutions.
We fully agree with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, as well as all other State officials and International institutions who
called on Armenian authorities to lift restrictions on independent news. The state of emergency should not be used by the government to take away the public's right to free access to information from diverse sources.
The clear proof of the seriousness of the situation is in those small but courageous pieces of truth that are documented in the official statement of Armenia's Ombudsman (attached), who was immediately criticized by President Kocharian.
Since the Judiciary of Armenia has proved to be biased and heavily dependent on executive power, it is hard to believe that the conduct of investigation of
killings and what led to them, as well as the exploration of reasons for ongoing arrests will get impartial and fair response within Armenia. Thus, in order to avoid any farther deterioration of situation we call upon all parties involved and to all relevant international organizations to conduct an unbiased independent investigation of the said events through invoking appropriate international mechanisms such as the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism.
Issues relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are of international concern, as respect for these rights and freedoms
constitutes one of the foundations of the international order and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned.
We strongly believe that only democratically and trustfully elected President can ensure internal peace and stability in Armenia and restore the shadowed image of our country.
Mr. Vladimir KARAPETYAN, former Head of Press and Information Department, Spokesperson, MFA of Armenia*,
Ms. Marta AYVAZYAN, former Head of NATO Division, MFA of Armenia*,
Ms. Karine AFRIKIAN, former Head of US and Canada Division, MFA of Armenia*,
Mr. Arakel SEMIRDJYAN. Former Advisor to European Department, MFA of Armenia*,
* Dismissed from the MFA for their civic position in
regard of post election developments.
Es link@ nayeq. Ahagin info ka.
samizdatam.blogspot.com
Shurj 2 tasnyak kanayq sev zhapavennerov aysor yert en kazmakerpel depi Myasnikyani ardzan: Yeluytner chen hnchel, haxordum a Azatutyun@: I miji aylos, Azatutyan bolor web kayqer@ Hayastanum block en arvats--yes azat serverov em mtnum nayum.
Honorable Judges of the Constitutional Court of Republic of Armenia:
I am humbly requesting that the attached letter/argument be considered by each and every Constitutional Judge of Armenia, in the cases brought forth by the People of Armenia which underscores the principals of democracy and at the end, decides the future of our country. I am confident, that the attached will be translated and considered in reviewing the cases brought before you with regard to the elections of Armenia. The Democracy of Armenia is in your hands. These are the most important issues you will be facing in your lifetime. Our people will not tolerate anything less than the Freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, which, over the years, our government has often overlooked, neglected, diminished its value and thus reduced our country into a dictatorship, rather then to a flourishing democracy. Unfortunately, these failures have become a way of life for the citizens of Armenia and the disrespect for our Constitution has led the country into believing that the officials of the Government are above the law. Those who remember me, I was the only Armenian lawyer from the United States who protested in the Kremlin against President Gorbachev for the brutal violations of civil rights of Armenians living in Sumgait in 1988. Little did I expect, that similar violations would take place in my own country perpetrated by my own "democratic, free government leaders" as against peaceful, sleeping free people of Armenia at 6:30 a.m. in the morning.....some 20 years later....
With great respect,
ANGELA BARSEGHIAN
Attorney at Law
P.S. Due to urgency of the matter, and lack of time, I have written the attached in a haphazard manner, as a letter, rather than a formal legal document.
Erexeq jan !
Qani vor sksvel el massayakan KGB tanele (im tsanotnerits arden mi qani hogu tarel en), shat depqerum irants meghadranqi himqn e handisanum sms raspechatkanere.
STOP sms, joghovurd !!! Aveli anvtang a heraxosov asele qan sms ugharkele. U im pes miamit chmtaseq te 'es ov em, vor indz lsen' - lsum en BOLORIN.
Chvaxeq bayts zgush egheq !
My dear friend,
As of yesterday, none of the Armenian news sites are working now that Yerevan is under what is in effect Marshal Law. a1plus was biased in favor of Levon, so they were probably among the first ones to get silenced. These are the signs of a desperate government, resorting to extreme measures to hold on to power. Ironically (yet not surprisingly) their efforts have not silenced people on the street. However, what began as a peaceful series of protests has now turned violent. There is a possible silver lining here, however: that the thuggish methods of Serj Sarksian and his party are not working as well as they have in the past. Even if he does retain power (which he most likely will) there is a strong possibility that he will have to, to some degree, give into the populace's demands in order to maintain a semblance of authority. This may be, however, too optimistic an outlook, but I hope for the best. The recent violence is only an outward showing of the festering discontent people have had for a while in Armenia. And if the venting of said frustrations will lead to tangible political change, even on a cosmetic level, it will be a harbinger (albeit a weak one) of good things to come in Armenia's future.
Sincerely,
Sos Bagramyan
This letter was composed in reply to the press release from Etchmiadzin
Information Services on February 29, 2008.
Father Ktrij,
It's a good thing Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi didn't pay
attention to people who expressed the same sentiments as you relayed in
your message from the Vehapar (the highest ranking religious leader of
the Armenian Church. The position is alternatively also called Catholicos)
today.
Years of evangelism have been undone by the sycophantic spinelessness of
Etchmiadzin over this past week. You have provoked animosity toward the
Armenian Church among its flock and fertilized the ground for cults and
sects by being accomplices to this unjust government. It will take
years to restore the faith that the "pious faithful" had in their Mother
Church. Shame on you!
I was ashamed to be a deacon of our Church when the Catholicos rushed to
give his congratulations to the "elected" president - even before
official results were reported. I was ashamed that no word came out of
Etchmiadzin as more and more incidents of electoral fraud and coercion
were brought to the attention of the international community. Is
Etchmiadzin blind to what was happening among its flock? It seems that
the Vehapar and his advisors have been watching too much state
controlled TV.
I was ashamed that you, Fr. Ktrich, being an Armenian-American, defended
the electoral results by citing the OSCE report in an email to Armenian
Americans. I don't know if you have read that report in full, but if
you had you would not characterize these elections as a positive step
toward democracy. These elections were not just a hiccup in the process
of democratization - they reveal a broken and corrupt government
structure. How else would you characterize widespread bribery,
coercion, media control, threats, collection of passports, and
restriction of free movement? As an American, you should be acutely
aware of the right of expatriates to participate in the electoral
process - a right taken away from million of Armenians who have left the
country in order to support their families in the fatherland. I hope
you enjoy eating your words as more information about the "mostly
democratically" held elections are examined by the international
community and found to be far, far away from being "mostly in line" with
democratic processes.
How can Etchmiadzin turn a deaf ear to the cries of justice from its
"sons and daughters" in Freedom Square? Is stability more important
than truth, more important than righteousness? If these are the canons
by which Etchmiadzin evaluates the situation, Etchmiadzin has become an
accomplice to even the worst regimes in history - those who have
protected "stability" at the expense of mercy, truth, and freedom. In
front of its flock, Etchmiadzin appears to have sold out its morals for
the sake of "stability."
The Armenian Church has not been a good shepherd to its flock throughout
this election process. It has not been willing to lay down its life.
Instead, it has run a way like the hired hand. I am ashamed. The
Church - including the Vehapar and Supreme spiritual council and all
clergy who have not stood alongside their flock, should collectively do
penance and ask forgiveness from their flock.
So that this email will not be regarded as just a rant against the
church, let me make a few practical observations and suggestions:
1. The Catholicos of All Armenians should not rush to congratulate any
secular figure. The secular figure should come to the Catholicos for
His Holiness' blessing. (Did anyone in Etchmiadzin - including you -
consider the implications of this action???)
2. In a situation where the populous is divided and in confrontation,
the Church should stand with its flock: on all sides. Not as political
agents condoning or condemning either side, but as ambassadors of Christ
to preach and promote peace and reconciliation, making sure that
negotiations take place in good faith and with high moral standards. By
"standing," I mean literally - in veghar and farajan! Not sitting in
Etchmiadzin and making press releases! Thank God Ghevond Yerets had
more guts than our Church today.
3. When tensions rise, parishes should hold vigils and prayers for
peace and wisdom - BEFORE things come to a head and blood is in the
streets! It's good that Etchmiadzin remembered that it has a duty to
pray for it's people- but not good that it remembered so late!
At this moment, the police and army are attacking the peaceful
protesters at the French embassy. The blood of innocent people is on
the hands of the Church as well as the government. Many of the flock
will be lost. Ask God for forgiveness for not being a good steward of
the flock, and repent.
Deacon Zaven Kalayjian
Things are quieter at the Shahumyan Square. There are still several thousand people standing there. They have wooden sticks and and iron rods in their hands just to protect themselves agaisnt police assualts. It is painful to see that there are not so many representatives of intelligentsia present. Probably because we truly have very few already.
A few BTRs are parked in the Republican Square. Probably there were there since the morning. Soldiers and policemen stand in front of the Government House and the Ministry of Telecommunications.
Kocharyan is declaring an extraordinary situation on TV right now. He says that the fire that was shot at the Shahumyan Square left some 8 policemen wounded, which forces him to rely on the army's force to calm the situation. He says that everybody at the Shahumyan Square are riff-raffs. He says that "we cannot be a country of Mauserists, so they have to take measures."
This is a total crap and nobody should believe it!
Now just imagine what is hapenning in Armenia: First, they rigged the elections. There were gangs of people traveling from one polling station to another and stuffing paper into ballot boxes and buying people's votes. Then police provoked a confusion and scattered the rally at the Opera Square. Now they are beating people, instead of protecting citizens. They have gone as far as to threaten people with the army force. Just imagine, army is there to protect this wretched people against the external threat, now the regime will use it against its own people.
Now think about the consequences: mass exodus, weakened economy, deteriorarting country rating, worsened business and investment environment, growing disinterest of the international community, widening gap between Armenians of Armenia and Karabagh. Do these people believe that this country has a bright future without democracy? No way!
Mar 2, 2008 0:36 AM Yerevan Time
I just spoke to 4 people in Armenia. The authorities decided to crash the opposition and attacked the rally at night when people were sleep n the tents. When word spread throughout the city, people started to gather and things started to get ugly after that. Apparently there are people killed. Police cars are burnt and turned over. Tanks are coming into the center. The crowd is getting larger. People have blocked the entry into the center with buses, trolleybuses, cars. The government propaganda machine is trying to tell the people and the world that the people at the rally are bunch of drunks and hooligans. My friends are telling me other wise. They told me for the most part it is the doctor, the engineer, the educated mass that are taking part at the rallies. A priest friend of mine told me him and other clergy were also at the rally. And if he is considered a hooligan, then so be it. My friends are absolutely angry at the two "heads" of the government. They feel they should either be imprisoned, shot or deported. The head of the interior minister was shot in the head and was killed. The interior ministries guardsman and police ran away when the people started to attack them. Obviously things are very tense and violent. People are calling Arthur Baghdassarian a traitor. The priest and my other friends said this will cause much more people to leave the country. Even the wonderful Mrs. Bakhshian, member of the Heritage party, who attended the rally in front of the French Embassy to calm down the mood and try to avoid violence, was beaten by the police.
Contrary to what many may believe, this is not an issue of Levon and Serge/Robert. Peoples rights are thrashed. Human rights and the right to disagree with the government and decent is thrashed. Imagine, people that had voted for Serge Sarkissian, are now stating he should be removed. Sad indeed.
The media in Armenia is basically shot down, except for the ones that are the mouth piece of the government. Unfortunately, it is not much different here. I turned on H1, Horizon, Armenia TV, I saw Lilit Pipoyan and other concerts. As if there is nothing going on in the homeland.
Let's see how the next disgraceful "president" is going to govern the country now. The current and the president elect just took the country back at least 20 years...............
Mar 1, 2008 7:23 PM PST
Spoke with a friend ion Yerevan, attending the opposition rally in Miasnikyan Square. Confirming some media reports (ArmeniaNow) he says this is the single largest opposition gathering since 1988, with perhaps as many as half-a-million people (the open area in front of Miasnikyan square is huge, probably twice the size of the Liberty Square). Protesters are defiant and some minor clashes with police take haven place, but police is overwhelmed and is pulling back. The protesters are also aware of several tracks full of armed soldiers within a visible distance. Everyone is waiting for Levon Ter-Petrosyan to arrive.
9:30 AM EST, 6:60 PM Yerevan time.
Just got off the phone with one of our guys in Yerevan, who is in the middle of the thing, in front of the French Embassy...He says people are gathering in thousands.....they are upset and not afraid.... but they are surrounded by police and barricades built of metal bars and buses...but more people are gathering on the other side of the policy barricades.
4:40 AM EST, 1:40 PM Yerevan time.
This is it. They attacked!
I just spoke to my brother who was at the Liberty Square until 3am Saturday morning. He said there were up to 5,000 people. The government forces attacked when the square was least populated around 6am. They attacked twice. The first time they were pushed back by the protesters, the second time they were attacked with extreme violence, burning all the tents, and beating people. Anyone who screams Levon now is likely to be beaten by the police in public.
There will be a protest at 3pm organized by the people since the leaders are under arrest. Let's hope there will be few casualties.
1:30 AM EST; 10:30 AM Yerevan time.
To Armenian Diaspora of USA
Dear Sir/Madam,
On behalf of scientists and scholars of Armenian Fulbright Fellows Association (AFFA), we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the Diaspora’s invaluable benevolence in behalf of Armenia.
Over the last few days, public Armenian TV and official press are referring to personal congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan from Diaspora, in regard to “winning” in presidential “elections”.
Wasn’t it premature to send your congrats during the “probation” period, and thus expressing your recognition of results of the falsified elections 2008?
As the matter of the fact, these “elections” 2008 were the worst since 1991 independence, meaning anti-democratic and autocratic takeover of the power in the country by the corrupt semi-criminal authorities, thus bringing the nation back to the times of authoritarian dictatorship.
With this message of appeal to the Armenian Diaspora, democratic intellectuals of the country want to urge the Diaspora, not to recognize the results of illegitimate 2008 presidential elections in Armenia, and express their solidarity to the democratic majority of the country, and protect them from anticipated political repressions.
Svetlana Aslanyan, Ph.D.
AFFA President
Vardan Tserunyan, Ph.D.
AFFA Vice-president
Armen Khachikyan, Ph.D.
AFFA Board Member
Tel. (374-91) 589689
E-mail: vtserunyan(at)yahoo.com
AFFA E-mail: affa_2005(at)yahoo.com
My heart aches when I see masses of our people, well in excess of 100,000, sleeping in make shift tents at the Opera Square (Angakhutyan Hrabarag) for around-the-clock sit-in demonstration, in the freezing cold at night .... You should see their faces .... Tired, and hungry .... They are there in the hope of a change .... A hope of a fair future .... A hope for an equal opportunity ..... A hope for a free motherland.. .... A hope of a democratic Armenia .....
Today, is the 4th day of the sit-in.
I will go there later today, to get them some hot tea ....
Amot mezi. Meghk en ays martike
Parev sireliner,
I have spoken to a couple of friends in Armenia the last 2 days about the "election". I spoke to 2 of them just now. Here is what they had to say. FYI: One had voted for Serge Sarkissian and the other for Vahan Hovanessian, so these are people who had not even voted for Levon Ter Petrossian and did not have much love for him.
There are very disturbing news coming from there. Here are a few scenarios that they witnessed themselves.
My friend's neighbor was the "person of trust" or representative for the Levon Ter Petrossian campaign. They visited his home the night of the18th (the night before the elections) and offered him $15,000 U.S. dollars in cash if he keeps his mouth shot the next day at the election place. When he disagreed and told them to leave, they threatened him and his family and told him they would break his bones. He caved in.
Several men were standing outside the election place and giving COMPLETED election ballots to the people. If the person walks in with the completed ballot, drops the pre-completed ballot in the election box and brings back a new BLANK ballot, they would give the person 5000 drams. This way they would have people vote for Serge Sarkissian and the election observers would not witness any discrepancies inside the election room.
One of the "entrusted" people of LTP was an Armenian man from France who came to Yerevan to assist in the elections. The thugs picked him up from a voting place, took him to "Harsnakar" restaurant and beat him so much they broke him down.
The election was run by criminals and "criminal dzevov" as one of them said.
About the LTP rally held yesterday:
The rally was held in the center of Yerevan in front of the Madenadaran. The crowd stretched from Madenataran and all the way to Amirian street. If you know the city, that is a very long ways. according to my source, there must have been about 200 to 300 thousand people. This, in a very cold weather. And this, even though ALL the roads from the regions to the center are blocked by the police and the army. He thinks if the roads were not closed, there may have been as much as 600-700 thousand people. The soldiers are holding machine guns in their hands. The rally started in the morning and lasted until late at night. Even though the people were asked to leave, they would not. They are furious. A lot of people had voted for Serge. But they felt their pride and souls were stepped on by the thugs.
One of my friends who is a very respected priest and has a PHD degree from Moscow university, who coincidentally had voted for Serge, took part at the rally with other priests because he is very angry and hurt at what the current hooligans did on the day of the "elections". The authorities are videoing the rallies. He knows well his career and great work he does is in jeopardy, but he says they left him no choice but to take to the streets. He feels the current regime "martu arjhanabadvutyunuh zeroyi ichetsutsin".
Even though he says he has a lot of disagreements with Levon Ter Petrossian, he feels the current regime and the people should thank Levon Ter Petrossian and be given credit for creating a real opposition in the country.
He says if after the dark initial years of the independence during LTP's regime, the people are out on the streets in hundreds of thousands, that says something about the way THIS regime has treated the people and the country.
For the first time in many years people felt empowered because of Levon Ter Petrossian's involvement and the fact that they felt they had a person who would dare to speak out loud about issues they spoke to one another every day. Now they feel their hopes are shattered once again because of the unprecedented violence and beatings of the people who were trying to run a just election.
The Yergrabahs have now for the most part switched sides and are backing LTP. (Apparently a couple of my own employees who are Yergrapahs have not reported to work because they have been "called up".) The atmosphere is explosive.
Even after all the hooliganism by the regime, Mr. Ter-Petrosian has ordered and asked the people not to instigate any violence and not to resume in any blood shed. According to my friend, all LTP had to do is give the go ahead and the people and the Yergrabahs were ready and hungry to confront the police and the military.
It is very clear now why Jirair Sefilian was imprisoned almost 2 years ago. The authorities saw this day coming.
Sireliner, these are very serious conditions and times. These opinions and views are coming from people who are very objective and intelligent.
The atmosphere is VERY VERY tense.
I am sickened to my stomach and feel very sad and angry about the way the current regime has turned the country into a dictatorship.
Our people have literally taken a physical beating. But they are not ready to enslave their souls and sell their dignity. I pray to God the current regime still has a little decency left and will not take this issue any further. Because I am afraid what is about to come may be disastrous...
Anonymous
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