Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

SCENARIOS OF HOW APRICOT-COLORED STORM BIRD MAY APPEAR IN ARMENIA
by David Stepanyan

ARMINFO
Monday, February 25, 23:32

Judging from what is going on after Feb 18, the past presidential
election may well become a kind of a storm bird heralding something
the supporters of runner-off Raffi Hovannisian have already called
“an apricot revolution.” Hovannisian has already urged the Central
Electoral Commission to cancel the results of the voting in several
dozens of electoral districts, but the CEC has already recognized
the victory of Serzh Sargsyan, so, it is for Hovannisian to say the
final say here…

The storm of indignation that covered Armenia’s second biggest city,
Gyumri, following Sargsyan’s victory implies that the post-election
period will hardly be peaceful.

Hovannisian must be perfectly aware of this: it took him just an hour
to respond to the CEC’s final results with a declaration of commitment
to continue his “revolution of greetings” all over Armenia. One more
argument that “the apricot revolution” is possible is the number of
protesters – from 7,000 to 15,000, according to different sources.

Liberty Square has not seen so many people together since Mar 1 2008.

And the regime has no guarantees that this number will not grow to a
level that will enable Hovannisian to dictate terms to those inside
the presidential residence. If supported by the ARFD and certain
anti-governmental politicians, this force may become a decisive factor.

Judging from the official results, the Republicans have achieved
their key goal – to avoid a run-off election without using “extra”
votes and thereby to restore Sargsyan’s legitimacy in the eyes of
the world community. As many as 632 observers from 12 international
organizations have said that the violations registered during the
voting were not significant and had no influence on the outcome.

Sargsyan has received congratulations from lots of colleagues already.

So, quite a lot of external forces, including Russia and the United
States, appear to be willing to see Sargsyan as Armenia’s President
in the next five years. The only unwilling are… the Armenian people
and they have reasons for this. They in Heritage Party are sure that
the violations registered during the voting were orchestrated from
one center.

Those supporting the local oligarchs did their best to prevent the
people from expressing their will. So, we can say that had the voting
been fair, Raffi Hovannisian might have won the race or at least
might have booked a place in the run-off. The crowd that is coming
to Liberty Square to support Hovannisian is the best proof that the
people are no longer willing to stand the regime’s tyranny.

So, there are three possible ways for the things to develop. The
first scenario is called “Apricot Revolution”: Hovannisian inspires
wide masses with his handshakes and messages and they will make
a resolution.

In Armenia there has been no alternative to the regime since 1991. On
Feb 18 it appeared. Quite helpful in the matter were the refusals
of the Armenian National Congress, ARFD and Prosperous Armenia to
run for presidency. And the “official” votes of 37% of the Armenian
voters are the best proof of this.

Whether this scenario is possible or not depends mostly on
Hovannisian’s firmness and integrity in seeking power.

The second scenario is imitative. Given Serzh Sargsyan’s firm
commitment to implementation of any scenarios directed against the
real political opponents, one could suppose that the RPA decided
to use Hovannisian in order to distract the public attention from
more serious political rivals for the authorities. A similar thing
happened in Jan-Feb 2011, when Leader of the People’s Party Tigran
Karapetyan unexpectedly gathered several thousands of people near
Matenadaran, who demanded change of power. The “incorrupt” leader of
the People’s Party managed to achieve the final fragmentation of the
ANC electorate, as his “rallies” were held almost simultaneously with
the rallies of Levon Ter-Petrosyan. However, considering the option
of the authorities’ “appointing” Hovannisian as the opposition leader,
one should not forget that he has no alternative at the moment. Neither
Prosperous Armenia nor the ANC or the ARFD leads the opposition. Today
it is Hovannisian that has obtained the protesting votes of the
society. Therefore, it is rather hard to imagine the reasons why the
incumbent president might blow up the bubble called “Raffi”.

Given the flexibility of chess player Sargsyan and the extreme
inconsistency of diplomat Hovannisian, one should not ignore provision
of high posts to the latter or to the representatives of his team,
though the President’s motivation also causes questions. In particular,
it is not clear why the authorities needed to artificially nurture
Hovannisian to buy him off later.

The third possible scenario is also imitative. Actually, the
authorities might use the protest movement led by Hovannisian in order
to imitate the prospects for an “orange” revolution in Armenia in the
Kremlin’s eyes. Californian Hovannisian as president of Armenia would
have become a real nightmare for Moscow, given that this would have
inevitably led to the loss of the country considered by the Kremlin
as the last outpost beyond the Caucasian Mountain Range. Therefore,
Serzh Sargsyan is an example of loyalty for the Kremlin, especially
as compared with Raffi Hovannisian.

In this context, the Western observers’ unanimous recognition of
the election results causes bewilderment. For Europe and the USA,
pro-Western Raffi Hovannisian would have looked much more attractive
than “homo sovieticus” Serzh Sargsyan. However, to all appearances, the
numerous meetings of the Heritage leader with the diplomats accredited
in Armenia failed to inspire him such confidence. In the meantime, it
is early to rule out the use of the Heritage leader for implementation
of certain Western projects. Thus, only time will help estimate
the real chances of the arrival of an apricot-colored storm bird to
Armenia and to analyze its possible, even negative consequences.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA POLLS FREE OF VIOLATIONS: ELECTION COMMISSION

Global Post
Feb 25 2013

Armenia’s election authority said Monday there were no serious
violations in polls last week that re-elected President Serzh
Sarkisian, but the defeated candidate said he was considering legal
action to challenge the result.

“Serzh Azatovich Sarkisian has been elected President of the Republic
of Armenia,” announced the head of the Central Elections Commission,
Tigran Mukuchyan.

Sarkisian took 58.64 percent of the votes, against 36.74 percent to
his main challenger, Raffi Hovannisian.

Hovannisian has refused to recognise the result and over the past
few days several thousand opposition activists have rallied to demand
the overturn of the outcome.

“In the course of the electoral campaign and the vote, there were
no violations that could have affected the elections result,”
Mukuchyan said.

Hovannisian’s camp has alleged a range of sometimes bizarre electoral
violations, including the use of “disappearing ink” to allow multiple
voting.

The United States has said it was concerned over “serious violations”
in the electoral process in the ex-Soviet state, where 10 people were
killed in clashes in the 2008 vote that brought Sarkisian to power.

Observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly said the February 18
election was an improvement on past polls but lacked real competition
after two leading candidates pulled out late last year.

The Armenian authorities had hoped the orderly conduct of last week’s
vote would improve the country’s chances of joining Europe after the
violence in the 2008 election.

But the election was undermined by a lack of strong opposition and a
mysterious attempt to assassinate against one candidate, Soviet-era
dissident Paruyr Hayrikyan.

After the publication of the preliminary results, Hovannisian, the
former foreign minister, claimed that he was the true winner and
denounced the vote as “not fair”.

On Monday he said he could formally contest the result.

“I do not rule out turning to the Constitutional Court in the near
future,” he told reporters. “By law, we have five days to do it.”

Hovannisian described the streets protests of the past few days as
“an eruption from below” but said he would not allow them to spill
over into street unrest.

“Even if it costs me my life, I will not allow a single drop of blood
to be shed,” he said.

Turnout in the poll was 60.18 percent, authorities said.

mkh-as/am/br

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LEADER MAY CHALLENGE PRESIDENT’S REELECTION

Reuters
Feb 25 2013

* Opposition says has five days to appeal outcome
* International monitors say vote lacked real competition

By Hasmik Lazarian

YEREVAN, Feb 25 (Reuters) – The runner-up in Armenia’s presidential
election said on Monday he might challenge the official result that
gave Serzh Sarksyan a new five-year term and triggered street protests.

Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian got 37 percent of votes cast in
the Feb. 18 election in the nation of 3.2 million, Moscow’s closest
ally in the south Caucasus, nestled between Russia, Turkey, Iran and
energy-rich Central Asia.

Hovannisian and his Heritage Party say the vote was rigged in favour
of Sarksyan, who won 58.6 percent. The opposition have twice held
protests drawing several thousand people in the capital Yerevan since
the election.

“As of today we have five days to challenge the clearly illegal and
anti-Armenian result of this election,” Hovannisian, a U.S.-born
former foreign minister of the landlocked ex-Soviet republic, told
a news conference.

“Many say it’s not worth it. We will discuss it. I do not rule out
that by March 2 we will turn to the Constitutional Court,” Hovannisian
said, referring to an official challenge. He repeated that he considers
himself the real winner of the race.

Armenia’s election commission also said on Monday there were no legal
violations during the vote that could impact results.

The protests on Wednesday and Friday were peaceful. Foreign governments
and investors worry about signs of instability in Armenia, where 10
people were killed in violence that followed Sarksyan’s first election
victory in 2008.

International election monitors said last week’s poll was an
improvement from previous ones but it still lacked real competition
after some of Sarksyan’s adversaries decided not to run, fearing the
results would be skewed.

Armenia, which hosts one of Russia’s few foreign military bases
and is part of a post-Soviet security alliance dominated by Moscow,
is locked in a deadly dispute with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the
mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnic Armenian-majority enclave inside
Azerbaijan, which Armenia-backed rebels wrested from Azeri troops in a
war that killed some 30,000 people before a 1994 ceasefire. Skirmishes
still kill troops on both sides. (Reporting by Hasmik Mkrtychan,
Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Steve Gutterman and Michael
Roddy)

From: Baghdasarian

DECISION 2013: OPPOSITION LEADER REJECTS FINAL ELECTION RESULTS, SET TO CONTINUE BAREVOLUTION CAMPAIGN

VOTE 2013 | 25.02.13 | 21:24

Photolure

By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN ArmeniaNow reporter

Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian has rejected the final results of
the February 18 presidential election published on Monday to certify
that President Serzh Sargsyan’s has been reelected with more than 58
percent of the vote.

Hovannisian, who according to the Central Election Commission (CEC),
polled nearly 37 percent of the vote, believes victory has been stolen
from him. He has held public rallies in recent days to press Sargsyan
to accept “the victory of the people” and step down.

Enlarge Photo

“CEC members must be brought to responsibility in the strictest way
for their clearly unlawful and antidemocratic behavior. Possessing
the entire information, they have done nothing, and, therefore, they
must bear responsibility for that,” emphasized Hovannisian at a press
conference held shortly after the announcement by the election body.

Hovannisian did not exclude that he would appeal the final election
outcome at the Constitutional Court to where he is eligible to apply
until March 2.

The opposition leader said he was also angered by ruling Republican
Party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov’s warning that if he, Hovannisian,
“continues like them” they will have to publish details of his
conversation with President Sargsyan that took place last Thursday.

“Shame on those who are trying to threaten me with publishing some
recordings. I am demanding now, let them publish this video in full,”
said Hovannisian, banging his fist on the table. He demanded that
the state authorities also publish recordings of all riggings and
violations during the past elections.

Presenting certain details of the conversation, Hovannisian said that
he was offered to fight for a political majority and presidency in
2017-18, which he said he rejected.

“It was a very friendly meeting held in an atmosphere of mutual
respect, I told Sargsyan that he did not win, but that he also had a
great contribution to the Artsakh (Karabakh) war, and I told him that
he drank a champagne a little too soon,” said Hovannisian, repeating
that all of his offers of compromise, including the possibility of
holding a repeat presidential election or snap parliamentary elections
based solely on a party representation principle, had been rejected by
Sargsyan and that neither he nor the president came up with proposals
regarding political posts.

The opposition leader also said that he will resume his visits to
the regions tomorrow “to say hello to the people and express his
gratitude to them for their being masters of their rights.”

Last week Hovannisian announced the launch of a peaceful campaign
that he termed BAREVolution, a blend Armenian/English word meaning
the revolution of greetings, which is takeoff on the opposition
candidate’s campaigning methods, as he spent the campaign walking
door-to-door to businesses and greeting people in the streets.

From: Baghdasarian

FREE DEMOCRATS PARTY WELCOME HIGH CIVIC AWARENESS OF ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND ITS STRONG WILL

ARMINFO
Monday, February 25, 11:57

Free Democrats Party welcomes high civic awareness of the Armenian
people and its strong will on the way to freedom, says the Party’s
statement on the presidential election outcome and post-election
processes.

The statement reads that the Armenian people’s right to choice had
been misappropriated by the Armenian authorities for long years, which
has resulted in degeneration of the system and election institutes.

“The February 18 2013 presidential election in Armenia was a peculiar
referendum for the incumbent authorities and failed, while the people
once again said ‘no’ to their policy. We declare out commitment and
consistent fight for establishment of freedom, justice and democracy
in our country,” the statement reads.

To recall, Raffi Hovannisian received 36.75% of votes and lost the Feb
18 presidential election to the incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan,
who received 58.64% of votes. However, oppositional forces consider the
election rigged. They believe that Raffi Hovannisian won theelection.

From: Baghdasarian

Review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center delivers Tour de force
show at St. Celia Music Center

The Grand Rapids Press (Michigan)
MLive.com
February 08, 2013

By John Phipps

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Mother Nature dumped heavy, wringing-wet snow on
West Michigan in a show of force Thursday night, but seven traveling
members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York
responded with a tour de force.

It was game-set-and-match to the society.

Playing heart-and-soul before a hardy band of 230 appreciative
concert-goers in St. Cecilia Music Center, the collection of virtuosos
(including two well-known native daughters of Michigan, Ani and Ida
Kavafian) presented the second of three concerts in a new partnership
between the renowned Lincoln Center and St. Cecilia.

The series debuted in November, and if the first two outings are any
indication, the April 11 return visit by CMS bearing treats from
Kodaly, Weber and Dvorak should be a must-attend event.

Thursday’s concert was titled `Grand Statements,’ and it fully lived
up to its name. Each of the three works on the program was some sort
of statement , and the performers brought out the best in them, as
well as in each other.

Indeed, one could stay home by the fireplace on a wicked night such as
Thursday and listen to Strauss, Franck and Rorem on CDs or YouTube.

But one would miss the magic of live performance, with the nuances of
tonal shadings, the visceral effect of real acoustics, the power of
full physical involvement by committed players. And one wouldn’t share
vignettes of a wink between violinists during a one-measure rest, the
intense, message-passing eye contact between violist and cellist in a
demanding passage, the unrepressed smile of the pianist’s page-turner
who delighted in being engulfed in world-class sound.

The magic was evident from the passionate opening rendition of Richard
Strauss’ Sonata in E-flat major for Violin and Piano by Ida Kavafian
and substitute pianist Gloria Chien. Last seen here with David Shifrin
several years ago, Chien filled in for scheduled pianist Anne-Marie
McDermott, who had to attend to a family emergency. The pairing was a
solid winner, and their sensitive, breathtakingly emotional second
movement – the improvisation – was transcendent, fully worth the trip
and price of admission by itself.

Singer Randall Scarlata followed with a ringing, clear baritone of
broad range in the song cycle `Aftermath,’ by Ned Rorem. Though not
atonal, its drastic intervals, eccentric timing and alternating
vocal-instrumental breaks make this modern anthology, wrung from the
angst of 9/11, call for a vocalist with power, flexibility and a
centered, secure sense of place in the composition. Scarlata displayed
it all, speaking as if in recitative, singing lyrically here,
declaring robustly there, crying for the dead and dying in all
wars. Among his best moments was the poignant, high head tone in the
song `Losses,’ a startlingly plaintive question, `Why are you dying?
We are satisfied, if you are; but why did I die?’ followed in kind by
a searching violin line fading from high register to low to silence.

Young and old were well represented in the concert, two youthful
players in cellist Mihai Marica, who proved his worth with a big, warm
sound and a facile way of coming to the fore when called to the
spotlight but blending seamlessly into the whole when the light moved
on. So, too, did violist Richard O’Neill, whose rich mid-range was
complemented by a flawless transition into violin territory when
required, and who teamed beautifully with Marica. Pianist Gilbert
Kalish, a longtime performer and instructor, flashed power to spare
and sprightly interplay with the Kavafians, whose sibling simpatico
brought even more richness to a deep, shared talent.

The Cesar Franck Quintet in F Minor thus received the full brunt of
all this ability, resounding throughout the wonderful hall of Royce
Auditorium with an almost orchestral presence. The audience leaped to
its feet at the conclusion and issued a lengthy call for three bows
from the players.

Though they left to more snow in the air, it was clear Mother Nature
had no effective response.

4 OUT OF 4 STARS

CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

What: `Grand Statements,’ works by Strauss, Franck and Rorem,
performed by CMS musicians in the second in a series of three concerts
in partnership with St. Cecilia Music Center

When: Thursday evening

Where: Royce Auditorium

From: Baghdasarian

Mediamax, Armenia
Feb 21 2013

Vigen Sargsyan: `The struggle on the square leads to marginalization’

Thursday 21 February 2013 09:03

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The head of Armenian President’s Administration,
Vigen Sargsyan, said that the struggle on the square is a “path to
marginalization’.

Speaking on the air of ArmNews TV’s Banadzev program on February 20,
Vigen Sargsyan said that `if the politician, who has over half a
million votes and a parliamentary faction decides to become a
marginal, I don’t understand how he imagines the ending of the
political process.’

`At 2003 and 2008 elections, the watershed was very deep for the
defeated candidates, as they lacked any other platform but the square
for political activity. It’s quite the opposite when you have a
parliamentary faction and hundreds of thousands of votes cast in your
favor. Politics is not only power, but an opposition whose
responsibility burden is as big as the government’s. If there is no
such an approach, it means that our political cycle will be from one
election to another, and every time it will become a life-and-death
issue,’ said Vigen Sargsyan.

From: Baghdasarian

`Barev Revolution’ Leader outlines plans for the week

YEREVAN (A.W.) – Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian addressed a large
crowd gathered at Freedom Square on Feb. 24, saying that a new flood
surges in Armenia today to cleanse the country.

Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian addressed a large crowd gathered
at Freedom Square on Feb. 24, saying that a new flood surges in
Armenia today to cleanse the country. (Photo by Khatchig Mouradian)
`Today in the Ararat plain, in Noah’s world, surges a new flood – clear
and clean, and – at the same time – powerful, historic, and
forward-looking,’ said Hovannisian. `It comes to cleanse our country
of all its impurities and lies. And under the waves of which will
drown fear, hatred, evil, envy, and timidity.’

The breath of 1988, and the spirit of 2008 is here with us today,
Hovannisian said, noting that `this square does not recognize
political parties any longer. It is, first and foremost, the citizens
of Armenia that stand here.’

`This is not the Ottoman Empire, this is not the Soviet Union, and
it’s crystal clear, that those who betrayed the trust of the people
will be dethroned, and the Armenian people will ascend to the throne,’
Hovannisian noted.

A scene from the gathering at Freedom Square on Feb. 24 (Photo by
Khatchig Mouradian)
Hovannisian called on the police to avoid intimidating the public
during meetings and rallies. `They’re saying gatherings were illegal.
Let them look elsewhere for illegal acts,’ he said. `The Armenian
citizen is not afraid anymore. We have finally realized that our time
has come, and that we are finally becoming a nation, a state, a
republic!’

`Those who block roads [to prevent people from attending rallies and
meetings] will be held accountable,’ Hovannisian noted.

The week ahead

The opposition leader then outlined his plans for the week. He
announced that he will give a press conference on Feb. 25, an hour
after the Central Electoral Commission releases the final results of
the presidential election.

Hovannisian addresses the crowd (Photo by Khatchig Mouradian)
On Feb. 26, Hovannisian will visit Armavir, Medzamor, Etchmiadzin,
Masis, Ardashad, Ararad, Surenavan, Areni, Yeghegnadzor, and Dayk.

On Feb. 27, he will visit Akarag, Meghri, Kajaran, Ghapan, Goris, and Sisian.

On Feb. 28, he will visit Charentsavan, Byureghavan, Nor Hadjin, and
Abovyan. On the same day, at 5p.m., a rally will be held at Freedom
Square in Yerevan, featuring speeches by opposition leaders and
activists.

From: Baghdasarian

Congressman Pallone reaffirms commitment to stand with Artsakh

February 24, 2013 – 17:57 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Congressman Frank Pallone, U.S. Representative for
New Jersey’s 6th congressional district, issued a congratulatory
address to Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan on the 25th
anniversary of Artsakh national liberation movement.
“Dear Mr. President,
I am writing to congratulate you, the people and government of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh on the 25th anniversary of the
national liberation movement. During these several days 25 years ago
your people raised their voice for freedom and dignity and in
opposition to any government that rules by despotism.
Artsakh’s path was challenged by various ordeals and your nation
refused to allow these obstacles to break your will and determination.
The tragedy of Sumgayit and the violence that occurred in other
Azerbaijani cities 25 years ago proved the virtue of Nagorno
Karabakh’s choice to preserve its people’s unique identity by
establishing a sovereign democracy.
I offer my sincere congratulations and praise to the republic as you
continue your efforts to strengthen your democratic system of
governance. I also reaffirm my commitment to stand with the people of
Artsakh in their struggle towards international recognition. I look
forward to the day when Artsakh will take its deserved place in the
community of nations,’ Congressman Pallone’s address reads.

From: Baghdasarian

Raffi Hovannisian: the new flood will wipe away fears and forgery

February 24, 2013 – 16:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Unification is the sole salvation of Armenian
people, former presidential candidate, Heritage party leader Raffi
Hovannisian said.
As he noted in his speech during Feb 24 rally in Yerevan’s Liberty
Square, a new process for freedom, peace, dignity and legitimacy has
already started.
`The Noah’s world is getting ready for a new pure and powerful flood
that will wipe away fears, hatred and forgery. This is not the Soviet
Union, this is the Republic of Armenia. We celebrated our victories in
Ashtarak, Aparan, Spitak, Vanadzor and Gyumri,’ Mr Hovannisian said,
denying the rumors, describing the rally as unauthorized.
He further briefed his supporters on the schedule of Feb 26-28 visits
to provinces, adding that Feb 25 rally will be followed by a visit to
military pantheon Yerablur.
`We are on our way to truth. Lies and forgery are unable to win the
truth,’ the former candidate said, called on those willing to join
him.

From: Baghdasarian