Sargsyan Visits Moscow

SARGSYAN VISITS MOSCOW

Vestnik Kavkaza
March 12 2013
Russia

12 March 2013 – 8:13am

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Today a meeting between President of Armenia Serge Sargsyan and
President of Russia Vladimir Putin will take place in Moscow. It is
the first official visit abroad by the Armenian President after the
elections of February 18. During the meeting the leaders of the two
states will discuss Russian-Armenian relations, including cooperation
in the economic, political, and humanitarian spheres. It is expected
that the opening of the airport in Khojaly will be discussed. It
could heat the atmosphere of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations even more.

Ahead of the visit Vestnik Kavkaza decided to ask Russian experts
about their views on the issue.

Andrei Areshev, scientist of the Political and Scientific Studies
Institute of the Black-and-Caspian Seas Region, noted that the
presidents of the two countries have always a lot to discuss. ~SThe
Republic of Armenia is situated in a difficult situation at the
moment. In addition to the difficult socio-economic situation, there
are protests headed by Raffi Hovannisyan, the silver medallist of the
presidential elections. However, they are fading away. The foreign
political agenda is significantly represented in the Russian-Armenian
dialogue. We know that a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is a priority for Armenian diplomacy and a difficult task. This
task cannot be resolved without close ties with Russia and the other
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.~T

Areshev doesn~Rt think a possible revival of using the airport
in Nagorno-Karabakh will be discussed directly in the bilateral
negotiations, ~Sbecause it is a specific issue. However, this issue
is a significant one, because we can see a serious escalation of
tension, first of all, by Azerbaijan. I think that Russia can state
its position on a possible revival of flights between Yerevan and
Stepanakert, but the rumours and guesses by the mass media are far
from truthful, I think. These questions are much more complicated,
as the whole set of issues is connected with a settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia~Rs opinion plays a significant
role in this process. At the same time, there are other factors which
influence the dynamics of events in the South Caucasus.~T

Alexei Vlasov, general director of the political scientific center
North-South, thinks that ~Smany Armenian experts expect serious
results from the point of view of economic cooperation between
Russia and Armenia and in the context of the new reality of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Regarding the economy, there are clear
signs ~V Armenia will ask for a gas discount, while Russia will
touch on cooperation between Yerevan and the Eurasian integration
project. It is difficult to predict results, but major Armenian mass
media are discussing that the gas discount question will depend on
a composition of the future government of Armenia ~V whether Tigran
Sarkisyan remains in the Premier~Rs chair or not. The rumours which
often appear in the Armenian information field won’t be found true
or false after the end of the talks, but after a Cabinet is formed.~T

~SAs for security, some Armenian editorials expect that Vladimir
Putin will state his position on the opening of an international
airport in Khojaly. This aspect disturbs Baku of course, as well as
the mediators, who have stated many times that the international
airport issue is not a problem which can be resolved by one side
only. Even though this issue is not clear, Serge Sargsyan can speak
about Khojaly at the negotiations with his Russian partner. I believe
that Vladimir Putin is hardly likely to state the Russian position on
the international airport in Khojaly, at least not one that Armenian
officials want to hear. The peace is too fragile, the issue is too
acute, and Russia, which is one of Karabakh mediators, is unlikely
to shift its responsibility from one pan to another. It will try to
maintain a balanced position. In a few hours we will see the first
details of the talks between Vladimir Putin and Serge Sargsyan. This
time they attracted great attention,~T Vlasov said. .

MP Of Azerbaijani Ruling Party Threatens Armenians With Reprisal On

MP OF AZERBAIJANI RULING PARTY THREATENS ARMENIANS WITH REPRISAL ON TWITTER

17:54 12/03/2013 ” SOCIETY

Chairman of the Youth Association of Azerbaijan’s ruling party “Yeni
Azerbaijan” (NAP) Aygun Aliyeva (@ Aliyeva_Aygun) voiced threats
against the Armenians in the social network Twitter.

Replying on Twitter to the record of Onik Krikorian, the editor of
the international community in the Caucasus “Global Voices Online”
(@onewmphoto) which said, “Rubber bullets were used to disperse
protesters in Azerbaijan”, Aygun Aliyeva said: “We will use real
bullets against you, Mr. Krikorian, do not worry.”

Krikorian fixed the attention of the British Embassy in Azerbaijan
on the fact that the Azerbaijani MP threatens the citizen of the
United Kingdom, after which the British Embassy (@ukinazerbaijan)
left the following comment: “Thanks for the information, Onik.”

The other users, including the Azerbaijanis and Turks, expressed
surprise over the incident, noting that the threat of the ruling New
Azerbaijan Party contradict the rules of Twitter and talk about the
incompetence of the deputy. One of the comment writers called Aliyev
a racist.

On March 10, in Baku, a mass protest against the deaths of soldiers
in the army in non-combat situation was held. The rally was dispersed
by the police; at least 60 people were detained. According to the
opposition party “Musavat”, detainees were beaten and gassed in the
bus. Baku police also detained a number of parents of soldiers who
were dragged on the asphalt. On the eve news agency “Turan” provided
information that the authorities were going to use LRAD (Long Range
Acoustic Device) during Sunday’s protest in order to disperse the
demonstrators.

Source: Panorama.am

Arshaluys Tahverdyan Was Elected Rector Of Armenian National Agraria

ARSHALUYS TAHVERDYAN WAS ELECTED RECTOR OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY

15:21, 12 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. Arshaluys Tahverdyan has been elected
the rector of Armenian National Agrarian University. As reports
“Armenpress” the Minister of Education and Sciences of the Republic
of Armenia Armen Ashotyan posted this on his facebook profile. Armen
Ashotyan stated: “The session of the Board of Trustees of the “Armenian
National Agrarian University” fund was held today. 25 members out of 28
participated in the session. The vacant position of the rector was also
included in the agenda. Secret voting has been organized in accordance
with the law and Prof. Arshaluys Tahverdyan has been elected the
rector of Armenian National Agrarian University for five-year term.”

The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
Armen Ashotyan, The Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, the Minster
of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia Sergo Karapetyan and a
number of other officials participated in the session of the board
of trustees of the Armenian National Agrarian University.

Arshaluys Tahverdyan was born in 1945, October 15, in Vayots Dzor
region (former Eghegnadzor), village Elpin. In 1962 finished secondary
school with medal.

In 1963Õ© entered Armenian Agricultural Institute, Faculty of Farm
Mechanization, Department of Transportation. In October of 1968, after
graduating the Institute with Honorary Diploma, was appointed as an
engineer of Technical Department in Auto Transportation Ministry in
Armenian SSR. In 1969 was enlisted in the army. After demobilizing from
the army in May of 1970 , continued working in the Ministry of Auto
Transportation. In September of 1971 was transferred to the former
Agricultural Institute and was appointed as a head of laboratory in
the Chair of Material Resistance. In 1977 was elected as an assistant
in the same chair, in 1979 defended candidate dissertation and in
1983 was granted with scientific degree of Docent.

In 1997 defended doctoral dissertation and in 2002 was granted with
scientific degree of Professor. In 1980 was appointed as а head of
Preparatory Department in the former Agricultural Institute. In 1994,
after Armenian Agricultural Academy was formed, was appointed as a
Dean of Distance Learning, and in 1997-head of the Department with
the status of Vice-rector.

In June of 1998 was appointed as a Rector of Armenian Agricultural
Academy (now Armenian State Agrarian University), in July of 2007 was
re-elected in the same position. Since 2006 is corresponding member
of National Academy of Sciences of the RA.

Asa Announces ‘Arthur Halvajian Memorial’ Poetry Winners

ASA ANNOUNCES ‘ARTHUR HALVAJIAN MEMORIAL’ POETRY WINNERS

March 12, 2013

WARWICK, R.I.–The Armenian Students’ Association, Inc. (ASA Inc.)
recently congratulated Shahe Mankerian of Pasadena, Calif., Sarah
Abigail Stites of Grove City College in Reston, Va., and Rachel Megan
Maclean of Northside High School in Roanoke, Va., who were the winners
of the 2012 “Arthur Halvajian Memorial” Armenian Poetry Competition.

The competition was sponsored by the ASA Inc. in partnership with
the Armenian Poetry Project.

Led by Lola Koundakjian, the Armenian Poetry Project is a research
and documentation site of 19th-21st-century Armenian poets and poetry.

Koundakjian led a selection team comprised of Christopher Janigian,
a student at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and Garen Kazanc,
a student at California State University, Los Angeles. Alice Movsesian,
a member of the ASA Inc. board of trustees served as the liaison to
the selection committee.

“We want to extend our heartfelt best wishes to the winners,
as well as thank Ms. Koundakjian, Mr. Janigian, and Mr. Kazanc,”
said Movsesian. “Connecting students and established professionals
to preserve and promote Armenian culture across campuses nationwide
is part of our mission and Arthur Halvajian’s enduring spirit. We
are happy to see it reflected in our continued partnership with the
Armenian Poetry Project,” she added.

Mankerian won the $250 adult category prize for his entry, “Turkish
Coffee with Mrs. Hovsepian.” He is the principal of the Saint Gregory’s
Hovsepian School in Pasadena. Stites won $100 in the college age
category for her entry, “My Baby Sister,” and was joined by fellow
Virginian Megan Maclean who won $50 in the youth (ages 12-17) category
for her poem entitled “On the Mount.” â~@¨Receiving honorable mentions
were three additional poets from the youth category, Shant Dikran (for
“Summer”), Julien Ghouliance (“Words”), and Hovig Manoyan (“Sickly”).

All three are students at Saint Gregory’s Hovsepian School in
Pasadena. The winners and honorable mentions received certificates
from the ASA Inc. board of trustees.

For more information on the Armenian Poetry Project, visit
Winning entries from the 2012
competition, as well as those from previous years, can be viewed online
by visiting the “ASA-APP Poetry” section of the ASA Inc.’s website,
Armenian Students’ Association, Inc.

encourages educational pursuits by Armenians in America and the
raising of their intellectual standards, provides financial assistance
in the form of scholarships to deserving Armenian students, develops
fellowship among them, cultivates in them the spirit of service in the
public interest, and acquaints them and the entire American community
with Armenian culture.

http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/03/12/asa-announces-arthur-halvajian-memorial-poetry-winners/
http://armenian-poetry.blogspot.com.
www.asainc.org.The

Arshak Sadoyan Proposes Amending Constitution

ARSHAK SADOYAN PROPOSES AMENDING CONSTITUTION

16:43 12/03/2013 ” POLITICS

We face a tough domestic political situation. In order to mitigate
this situation, we propose amending the Constitution, leader of the
Union of National Democrats Arshak Sadoyan told a news conference
today.

First of all, we should create a parliament including representatives
of Armenian Diaspora, Sadoyan said.

“We propose amending the Constitution, making the Armenian parliament
a two-chamber body. One chamber will be composed of MPs elected by
proportional system, the other will have 30 seats held by MPs from
Armenian provinces elected by majoritarian system, plus a little more
than 30 seats for Diaspora representatives,” the politician said.

We can come out of this situation if Raffi Hovannisian and Serzh
Sargsyan accept this proposal, Sadoyan added.

Source: Panorama.am

The Ancient Armenian City Of Ani Attracts More Visitors

THE ANCIENT ARMENIAN CITY OF ANI ATTRACTS MORE VISITORS

15:23 12.03.2013

The ancient Armenian city of Ani in the eastern province of Kars
continues to attract more tourists each year. In 2012, a total of
43,657 people visited the site close to a third of the visitors are
from foreign countries, according to tourism officials, the Hurriyet
Daily News reports, noting that “Ani has long been regarded as one
of Turkey’s most impressive tourist sites.”

Speaking to Anatolia news agency, Kars Culture and Tourism Manager
Hakan Doganay said there were a total of 21 main cultural treasures
in Ani. “In fact, we call Ani an iceberg because we know there is a
lot to discover and excavate at Ani.”

Experts know that Ani was a trade center in the past, said Doganay,
adding that the ancient city was a cultural mosaic. The cultural
manager further said that if excavations were completed at the site,
it could become one of the country’s leading tourism sites.

The planned excavation work will involve creating a detailed map of
the site, which was once the center of a powerful Armenian empire and
possessed a population of between 100,000 and 200,000 over a millennium
ago, making it one of the biggest cities in the world at the time.

The Hurriyet daily News reminds that Ani was once the capital of a
medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present-day Armenia
and eastern Turkey.

Dubbed the “City of 1,001 Churches,” Ani stood on various trade routes,
and its many religious buildings, palaces, and fortifications were
among the most technically and artistically advanced structures in
the world at the time, according to specialists.

The site occupied 78 hectares of land and was surrounded by
4,500-meter-long ramparts. In addition to its numerous churches, the
site also features the remains of an inn, a public bath, one of the
first mosques in Anatolia and other buildings. The site was located
on the historic Silk Road and formed the first gate connecting the
Caucasus to Anatolia before a sea route was discovered.

“Ani is a city of universal religions. We call it a world city
since people from all nations, cultures, and races live there,” he
said. “It is essential to bring this world city to light and give it
to the world as soon as possible. Our work is ongoing in a planned
and systematic way.”

http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/12/the-ancient-armenian-city-of-ani-attracts-more-visitors/

At Constitutional Court Activist Calls Not To Interview "Criminal Mu

AT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ACTIVIST CALLS NOT TO INTERVIEW “CRIMINAL MUKUCHYAN”

14:56 12/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

An incident took place during today’s sitting of the Constitutional
Court on the results of the presidential election, tert.am informs.

While the CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan was answering the question
of a journalist, activist Karen Harutiunyan shouted: “Don’t interview
a criminal.”

The security guards tried to take the activist out who kept repeating
that Tigran Mukuchyan has rigged the elections.

http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/29251

Gagik Harutiunyan Forever

GAGIK HARUTIUNYAN FOREVER
Haik Aramyan

14:49 12/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Some presidential candidates dispute the electoral process at the
Constitutional Court to. The Constitutional Court is reviewing these
applications and will dismiss them referring to lack of evidence.

This is the scenario of all the previous elections since the
establishment of the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court was
established in 1995 after the adoption of the Constitution during Levon
Ter-Petrosyan~Rs tenure. Gagik Harutiunyan was appointed president
of the Constitutional Court. Earlier he used to be prime minister.

The first test for the court was the presidential election 1996 when
Vazgen Manukyan disputed the results of voting. The decision of the
Constitutional Court was a legal masterpiece. It sent the government
and the opposition into a deep confusion and despair as they were
unable to understand what was written there.

Later the Constitutional Court ~Slegalized~T a number of elections
and one coup d~Retat although the originality of its decisions
diminished from election to election. They became as boring as the
lengthy speeches by Gagik Harutiunyan.

Maybe the reason is that the government of Armenia is becoming coarser
and harsher. Or maybe Gagik Harutiunyan is bored and disappointed
with the monotony and results of elections. It is hard to tell.

Nevertheless, he is gradually coalescing with the government. The
government bought him an apartment and provided him with financial
assistance, his friends and relatives got high positions, recently
he has become Serzh Sargsyan~Rs in-law. Everything takes place in
accordance with the law.

Gagik Harutiunyan is an interesting official and an asked-for one.

Nobody else can do everything and remain unnoticed and avoid scandals.

Deprived of charisma and ambitions, Gagik Harutiunyan is irreplaceable,
and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan have appreciated
this in him.

The Constitutional Court is almost Holy See, and Gagik Harutiunyan
is almost a secular catholicos, and both ~Slegalize~T the government
before God and law.

http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29250

Le Comite National Des Recettes Va Verser 180 Millions De Drams De B

Le Comite National Des Recettes Va Verser 180 Millions De Drams De Bonus A Son Personnel

Le Gouvernement armenien a alloue 180 millions de drams de son fonds
de reserve pour les primes devant etre versees au personnel du Comite
d’Etat des Recettes.

En outre, 20 millions de drams ont ete alloues pour les depenses de
securite sociale. Les bonus seront payes en fonction de la performance
du comite en 2012.

mardi 12 mars 2013, Stephane ©armenews.com

Lettre Ouverte A Seda Mavian

LETTRE OUVERTE A SEDA MAVIAN

Suite a la prise de position de Seda Mavian dans le conflit qui oppose
actuellement Raffi Hovhannissian au president Sarkissian, nous ne
pouvons rester indifferents. Notre mouvement ne soutient en aucun
cas un camp ou l’autre. Qu’il y ait eu des fraudes est ” possible “,
mais nous n’avons ni les preuves ni les moyens de les confirmer.

L’abstention de nombreux partis a presenter un candidat a
cette election, a savoir notamment le CNA (Ter Petrossian), la
FRA-Dachnaktsoutioun et le parti communiste avait reduit le choix
des electeurs. Les observateurs etrangers en ont d’ailleurs fait la
remarque. Il faut noter que la participation electorale n’a pas fait
le plein (60% environ).

Cela semble bien reveler une desaffection des Armeniens pour ce
scrutin.

Aujourd’hui, profitant de la contestation, les opposants restes dans
l’abstention lors du scrutin viennent opportunement soutenir Raffi
Hovhannissian. Si celui-ci incarnait a ce point la renaissance, on ne
comprend pas pourquoi ces dits partis (CNA, FRA et autres…) n’ont
pas officiellement pris position pour le candidat le mieux place
contre le president sortant, a savoir Raffi Hovhannissian.

Sans rentrer dans la politique fiction, il semble probable que le
resultat aurait ete different. Cela rappelle un peu les generaux
planques a l’arrière qui envoient le soldat Hovhannissianen première
ligne.

Et pour se refaire une virginite, ces opportunistes accourent soutenir
le candidat malheureux. Comme courage politique on fait mieux. Le tout
se joue sur le dos du peuple armenien que Seda Mavian cite a plusieurs
reprises. S’abriter derrière un peuple, encercle de toutes parts par
des ennemis prets a l’abattre, ne pouvant beneficier que du soutien
reel de la Russie, c’est une imposture. Et pretendre transformer,
dans les circonstances actuelles, l’Armenie en un Danemark ou une
Confederation helvetique est irrealiste, car demuni de tout fondement.

Patrie des droits de l’Homme, la France, a mis presque 100 ans pour
instaurer une democratie digne de ce nom.

Il faut savoir tirer les lecons de son passe, faire sa propre
autocritique et etre realiste avant de se laisser emballer par ses
sentiments. On s’etonne que l’on trouve a redire sur les fameux
protocoles signes sans prealable entre la Turquie et l’Armenie. On
aurait pu se feliciter de la finesse et l’intelligence de la diplomatie
armenienne qui a su pieger celle de la Turquie. En France, seul le
MAFP a eu cette clairvoyance.

Si Raffi Hovhannissian avait, et nous l’esperons, une veritable
maturite politique et un amour sans faille pour son peuple et son
pays, il aurait ete plus intelligent et responsable de negocier sa
participation a un gouvernement d’union nationale comprenant toutes
les composantes politiques armeniennes. Cela l’aurait grandi, et par
la-meme tous les partis d’opposition. La critique est toujours plus
aisee quand on n’exerce aucune responsabilite a quelque niveau que
ce soit.

Raffi Hovhannissian aurait pu egalement profiter de son assise pour
developper dans le pays une action positive dirigee au profit des
plus faibles, cette masse silencieuse qui vit au-dessous du seuil de
la pauvrete. N’est pas Waleza qui veut. Aimer son pays, ce n’est pas
uniquement pretendre a le diriger ou a y exercer des responsabilites
electives.

La critique par une certaine intelligentsia armenienne des
personnalites telles que Charles Aznavour devient une habitude et
tient de l’ingratitude quand on sait ce que l’homme comme l’artiste
a donne a l’Armenie. Face aux defis que doit relever l’Armenie quel
que soient ses dirigeants, il est plus que necessaire de se fondre
dans l’union et non la division. Et si la diaspora a un rôle est-ce
celui de s’immiscer dans les affaires internes de l’Armenie, alors
qu’elle est confortablement assise dans son fauteuil et regarde les
evenements de loin ?

Nous ne nions pas l’importance de la diaspora pour l’Armenie, mais
il faut que chacun sache rester a sa place.

S’engager pour l’Armenie, c’est la soutenir financièrement,
humanitairement, economiquement. Politiquement parlant, mieux vaut
aller vivre en Armenie et s’y impliquer avec courage et integrite.

La renaissance armenienne est a ce prix.

MAFP – 9 mars 2013

Seda Mavian, correspondante de NAM a Erevan, a adresse le 8 mars
une lettre au CCAF, qu’elle a mise en copie a un certain nombre
d’organisations armeniennes et de personnalites. C’est a cet appel
publie ci-dessous que le MAFP a repondu. Il est egalement a noter que
cette initiative “personnelle” de Seda Mavian ne saurait en aucune
manière ni en quoi que ce soit impliquer la redaction NAM qui est
plurielle, ni engager sa ligne editoriale fondee sur la liberte et
l’independance envers tous les acteurs politiques, y compris Monsieur
Raffi Hovannisian.A.T.

Cher amis,

Mon initiative vous etonnera peut-etre et croyez bien qu’elle est
totalement personnelle, provoquee par l’obligation morale que je
ressens a vous faire part de mes sentiments sur les evènements
capitaux qui se deroulent en ce moment en Armenie, et a susciter
votre reaction et votre engagement a leur egard. Car enfin, la
diaspora ne doit-elle s’exprimer que lorsqu’il s’agit de la Turquie,
de la Georgie, de l’Azerbaïdjan, et rester muette dès qu’il s’agit de
l’Armenie ? En refusant d’operer la distinction entre regime et Etat,
doit-elle absoudre le premier de miner le second ?

Si je me permets aujourd’hui de sortir de ma reserve de journaliste
vivant dans le pays depuis vingt et un ans (depuis le printemps
1992) et travaillant comme correspondante pour les NAMs depuis onze
ans (depuis 2002), c’est que je pense que la diaspora a le devoir
d’aider le peuple armenien dans ses efforts desesperes pour acceder
a la democratie. Or comme beaucoup en Armenie, je considère que le
mouvement democratique issu de l’election truquee du 18 fevrier dernier
est une chance inesperee (la dernière, dit-on ici) de se liberer d’un
pouvoir unanimement considere comme feodal et clanique, nepotique,
corrompu, et criminel, dont la reconduction pour cinq ans aurait des
consequences desastreuses pour le pays et le devenir de la nation.

Comme vous le savez, officiellement Serge Sarkissian a ete elu avec
58% des voix. Mais personne en Armenie n’accorde le moindre credit
a ce chiffre, non seulement parce que tout chiffre officiel y est
par principe sujet a caution, mais parce qu’il est desormais etabli
que les elections ont ete truquees. Les denegations du pouvoir qui
s’appuie sur le premier rapport preleminaire des observateurs de
l’OSCE-ODIHR (le 19 fevrier) et sur les telegrammes de felicitations
qui ont commence a tomber avant meme l’enonce des resultats officiels
du scrutin par la Commission centrale electorale, ne change rien a
cette verite que les elections ont ete truquees.

Dans quelle proportion ? Nous l’ignorons. Mais la fraude semble avoir
ete significative au point d’avoir transforme un vote de sanction
envers Serge Sarkissian en un vote de confiance, chose qui est apparue
petit a petit au lendemain du scrutin et dont le 3ème rapport officiel
des observateurs de l’OSCE-ODIHR publie debut mars fait foi. Aussi,
s’il est impossible de savoir si Serge Sarkissian a vraiment gagne dès
le premier tour ou si c’est au contraire Raffi Hovhannisian qui l’a
emporte (ce dont ses partisans sont persuades), ou bien encore s’il
aurait dû y avoir un second tour du fait que Serge Sarkissian n’aurait
en realite obtenu qu’une majorite relative, une chose est certaine :
Serge Sarkissian s’etant hautement prevalu de son engagement a ce que
l’election soit d’une parfaite legalite au point d’avoir publiquement
repete durant la campagne electorale que la tenue de ” bonnes elections
” etait son principal souci, on aurait ete en droit d’attendre qu’il
ne puisse tolerer l’existence du moindre doute sur la legitimite de
sa reelection en remettant sa demission, d’esperer que la Commission
centrale electorale prononce l’invalidite de l’election, et de prevoir
que la Cour Constitutionnelle fasse de meme en decidant l’organisation
de nouvelles elections presidentielles. Or loin de demissionner,
Serge Sarkissian a fait etat de sa ” fierte ” dès le 18 fevrier au
soir, tandis que la Commission centrale electorale a confirme les
resultats officiels le 25 fevrier, et que la Cour constitutionnelle
fera sans doute de meme le 11 mars, l’une et l’autre etant totalement
infeodees au pouvoir.

Dans ces conditions, que restait-il a faire pour Raffi Hovhannisian
et les milliers d’electeurs spolies de leur vote ? Accepter sans mot
dire une election truquee et un president illegitime ? Encore une fois
” passer outre ” ? C’est ce a quoi on aurait pu s’attendre en effet,
nous qui avons beau jeu de reprocher au peuple armenien sa passivite,
son apathie et sa soumission. Mais avec une energie qui est l’energie
du desespoir, ce peuple a choisi de reagir en remettant en cause
les resultats officiels, en rejetant le verdict de la Commission
centrale electorale, et en niant toute validite aux reconnaissances
emanant des pays etrangers et autres organisations ou personnalites
(notons que par egard pour Aznavour, les medias locaux ont prefere
taire son deplorable telegramme de felicitations), bref a s’insurger
contre l’injustice de l’ordre etabli. L’en blâmera-t-on ?

Chers amis, comprenez qu’en disant ” Non ” a l’election truquee du18
fevrier et en ayant decide de maintenir ce ” Non ” envers et contre
tout au-dela du18 fevrier, le peuple armenien profère un ultime rejet
de la vassalisation auquel il est si ferocement soumis depuis plus
de quinze ans, et que ce rejet est largement majoritaire. J’en veux
pour preuve indirecte que l’annonce du resultat de Serge Sarkissian
n’a ete suivie d’aucune ceremonie officielle de celebration, d’aucun
bain de foule, d’aucun meeting, d’aucun discours a la nation, ni
d’aucune manifestation d’aucune sorte qui risquerait de tourner au
fiasco pour lui et le parti Republicain qu’il dirige.

Je pourrais m’en ternir la, mais pour prevenir quelques objections et
vaincre quelques reticences a prendre l’engagement que je me permets
de preconiser, je voudrais dire quelques mots -quelques mots seulement-
sur Raffi Hovhannisian, ainsi que sur le danger que lui et la situation
actuelle feraient soit-disant encourir au pays du point de vue de la
securite nationale.

Raffi Hovhannisian : quoi qu’on pense de lui, c’est lui qui, depuis
le 18 fevrier 2013, porte l’espoir du peuple d’Armenie de se degager
de la tutelle du regime actuel et de s’engager sur la voie de la
democratie, du respect de la loi, du droit, et de la constitution. En
depit d’un parcours politique qui a pu parfois derouter ou decevoir,
sa reputation n’est pas entachee de turpitudes liees a l’exercice du
pouvoir ou d’autres activites ; il a une experience ministerielle et
de depute tout en etant un ” homme nouveau “, non petri du sovietisme
commun a l’ensemble du personnel politique d’Armenie de sa generation
; par ailleurs, il est entoure de cadres ayant deja fait la preuve
de leurs competences ; son soutien par l’Armenie profonde, par la
plupart des partis d’opposition (dont l’appui sans reserve de la
FRA-Dachnaktsoutioun) et certaines individualites notables, ainsi que
par de multiples groupements d’action citoyenne generalement animes
par des jeunes d’une maturite etonnante, sont des atouts qu’il convient
de prendre en compte. Enfin, il faut admettre que Raffi Hovhannisian,
outre que c’est lui qui a ete choisi par le peuple d’Armenie pour
incarner sa renaissance parmi tous les candidats d’opposition de
l’election presidentielle, semble s’etre metamorphose en faisant
preuve d’une envergure politique que l’on ne soupconnait pas.

Defense et securite : le pouvoir a beau jeu de faire valoir les
dangers inherents a la venue au pouvoir d’un homme nouveau, qui plus
est d’origine americaine (notemment pour le devenir des relations
armeno-russes), ainsi que les risques d’une agression militaire suite
a l’instabilite interne issue du developpement du mouvement national.

Car ses carences en politique etrangère et sur le front du Karabagh
sont enormes, bien que mal connues. Par quel renversement Serge
Sarkissian reussit-il a apparaître aux yeux d’un certain nombre,
surtout en diaspora, comme comme le garant de la securite du pays
face aux ennemis de l’Armenie, voila qui echappe au bon sens et
a l’analyse objective des faits. Je pourrais le demontrer mais je
m’abstiendrai de developper ici ce chapître sous peine de me lancer
dans un veritable article sur le bilan globalement negatif de la
politique etrangère et concernant l’Artsakh, de Serge Sarkissian, ce
qui est hors propos. Je me contenterai ici d’affirmer que contrairement
aux apparences, c’est le maintien de l’equipe en place et non son
remplacement, qui met en danger la securite de l’Etat, et de poser la
question suivante : ne croyez-vous pas que Raffi Hovhannisian et les
manifestants de la place de la Liberte sont au moins aussi conscients
de la responsabilite de leurs actes en tant que citoyens d’Armenie,
que les citoyens francais d’origine armenienne habitant a Paris,
Lyon, ou Marseille, qui tremblent sincèrement pour l’Amenie, certes,
mais de loin ? Et ne pensez-vous pas que le soutien de la FRA et d’un
mouvement tel que Sardarapat, dirige par un Jiraïr Sefilian, sont
des assurances suffisantes que le nouveau mouvement democratique ne
met pas en peril la securite de l’Armenie ? Ne nous faisons donc pas
peur avec l’argument securitaire, cet epouvantail traditionnellement
agite par le pouvoir pour justifier son maintien et sa reconduction
par tous les moyens.

Conclusion : cher amis, le peuple d’Armenie est engage depuis dix-huit
jours dans une direction nouvelle “sans retour possible”. Plus qu’une
revolution politique, c’est une veritable revolution culturelle qu’il
est en train de vivre. Si effectivement la diaspora est aux côtes
de l’Armenie dans cet immense effort vers un changement salutaire de
regime, l’occasion est propice de le montrer. On sait qu’elle sait se
mobiliser pour elle au plan humanitaire et financier lorsqu’il s’agit
de soulager des lendemains catastrophiques (cf seisme du 7 decembre
1988) ou de soutenir financièrement les combats (guerre du Karabagh
jusqu’en 1994), ainsi qu’au plan diplomatique lorsqu’il s’agit de
denoncer des Protocoles douteux. Mais il lui reste a se prononcer
sur le plan politique en faveur de la cause democratique.

Osons prendre position. Accordons notre soutien a ceux qui se battent
concrètement sur le terrain pour que l’Armenie dont nous revons ait
enfin une chance de se bâtir et que la realisation de ce reve ne
soit pas renvoyee aux calendes grecques. Vainquons nos resistances
en veuillant bien comprendre que Raffi Hovhannisian represente la
corde de ceux qui se trouvent au fond du puits et a laquelle ils
s’accrochent actuellement de toutes leurs forces pour s’en tirer.

C’etaient a eux d’agir. Ils l’ont fait le 18 fevrier. Ils continuent
de le faire depuis. Et nous, qu’avons-nous a faire d’autre que les
aider moralement ?

S’il vous paraît qu’un soutien ouvert au mouvement democratique
incarne par Raffi Hovhannisian est trop audacieux eu egard a telle ou
telle consideration, peut-on du moins esperer un soutien indirect,
sous la forme d’une nette denonciation de la fraude qui entache
la legitimite de l’election du 18 fevrier, de la preconisation de
nouvelles elections presidentielles, et contre l’eventualite de toute
violence ou repression de ce mouvement par le pouvoir ?

Si cela etait, il serait souhaitable qu’un tel communique soit
emis avant la decision de la Cour Constitutionnelle du 11 mars
qui a ete saisie, comme vous le savez, par deux des candidats
a la presidentielle, Raffi Hovhannisian et Andreas Ghoukassian,
c’est-a-dire si possible avant le 10 mars, afin que sa nouvelle puisse
etre diffusee.

Esperant que mon initiative ne sera pas percue autrement que comme
le desir ardent d’aider autant que faire se peut ceux qui sont en
première ligne dans le combat, devenu vital, pour que notre peuple
accède a cette liberation nationale dont il reste prive vingt-deux
ans après l’accès de l’Armenie a l’independance, je vous adresse,
chers amis, l’expression de ma haute consideration,

Sèda Mavian 8 mars, Erevan.

mardi 12 mars 2013, Ara ©armenews.com

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