Robert Kocharyan: This would be the most civilized election in the
history of Armenia, if…
armradio.am
09.02.2008 13:55
President Robert Kocharyan held a meeting with the participation of the
Heads of the National Security Agency and Police, Attorney General,
Heads of the Departments of the National Security Agency and Police of
Yerevan and the Prosecutors of the marzes, President’s Press Office
reported.
Addressing those present, the President of Armenia said: `The
pre-election process is entering a crucial stage. Our objective is to
hold legitimate elections and your departments’ and personally your
roles are significant here.
Understandably, during the election period the domestic situation
becomes somewhat apprehensive. The candidates and the parties are
conducting a number of large-scale events. All your activities should
tone with the situation, and in this period your workload will
increase.’
Robert Kocharyan divided the main activities into two large groups. The
first group, according to the President, must include the issues
related to the activities carried out by the law enforcement agencies
in conformity with the Electoral Code. The task of the Police is to
verify the voter lists.
The second group of issues must deal with the discipline, as well as
the maintenance of the public order in general on the election day,
especially in the vicinity of the precincts. The law enforcement bodies
have to respond swiftly to all the signals related to the violation of
the Electoral Code. As of today, in the Prosecutor office a specialized
group has already been created, and the Police have established a `hot
line.’
Speaking about public order, President Kocharyan noted that during
recent large-scale events two incidents have already been registered.
He gave instructions to be more alert.
`Apparently, it is hard to imagine elections devoid of any incidents at
all anywhere in the world. However the number, scope, tension of the
incidents, as well as the ability to respond and prevent them quickly
depends on us,’ said Robert Kocharyan and added `along with these
duties you have many other important duties to attend to. They are not
suspended in the election period and demand persistent work. All this
requires much more work on your personnel’s side.
It is very important that the criminal situation in the country does
not deteriorate. No one should think that the election period could be
taken advantage of. It is also very important that any candidate or
political force does not consider turning the elections in an
uncontrollable process through some kind of provocation.
Stability is one of our most significant achievements; our success is
built on stability and with this regard there is no room for faltering.
Some candidates and political forces are trying to drag you into the
political process; sometime public accusations are sounded and
provocations are made. It is for everyone to know that the law
enforcement bodies and government structures as a whole are carrying
out their obligations in a decent, efficient and resolute manner.
In this period, all of us, including the candidates and political
forces, should be much more tolerant. When the situation is tense, when
accusations are exchanged, and when there is a candidate whose entire
campaign is a chain of provocations, the temptation to respond and
react is big. That is why it is important for us to be patient,
restrained and self-possessed, and to respond to all those attempts by
the force of law and within law.
You are acting on behalf of the State, you are wearing the uniform, and
you have ranks, therefore you should be more alert, restrained but at
the same time very resolute regarding these processes.’