Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARF LEADERS APPEAR AT HOVANNISIAN RALLY IN FREEDOM SQUARE
Sona Avagyan

17:34, February 22, 2013

Top-ranking members of the ARF shared the podium at this evening’s
rally in Freedom Square in support of Raffi Hovannisian’s bid to be
declared the legitimately elected president of Armenia.

ARF parliamentary faction leader Armen Rustamian (Photo left) appeared
on the podium after Heritage Party Vice-President Armen Martirosyan
(right) told the crowd that the ARF had heeded their call for unity
in opposing the February 18 presidential election results.

The ARF did not field a candidate of its own in the race and did not
officially support any of the other opposition contenders.

The party urged its supporters to vote for anyone but Serzh Sargsyan.

SERZH SARGSYAN RECOGNIZED RAFFI HOVANNISIAN’S LEGITIMACY
HAKOB BADALYAN

15:50 22/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

As soon as the Republicans saw people’s excitement about Raffi
Hovannisian’s poll, and Raffi Hovannisian declared himself a winner
addressing the crowd on Freedom Square, committing himself to the
people’s victory, they started showing signs of worry.

They extended hope that Raffi Hovannisian will refrain from the path
of clashes and will not cause a new March 1.

Basically, this is a hint that Levon Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.

There is no second opinion that as leader of opposition Ter-Petrosyan
has political responsibility. However, it is misleading to say that
Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.

A peaceful assembly of people demanding exercise of their rights
is not a cause of a clampdown. Ter-Petrosyan organized such rallies
without even one case of breach. March 1 was caused by the decision
of the authorities to dispel the peaceful rally followed by other
decisions passed by the RPA majority at the National Assembly. As
soon as the government lacked political arguments, it resorted to
violence to strengthen its foothold.

The Republicans are asking Raffi Hovannisian or expecting him not to
corner them so that they will have to use force.

It should be noted that with political adequacy and intellectual
potential any political force, experienced or not, may push the ruling
party into the corner of lack of arguments. The ruling force is an
entity of criminal economic groups and their proteges of opportunists
and career hunters who are totally deprived of political thought,
traditions and values.

This force is now trying to shift responsibility on the opposition
in advance. Five years ago responsibility was shifted post factum or
along with the developments. March 1 was a lesson for the authorities
so they are acting in advance.

Before Hovannisian would deprive or not deprive the RPA of arguments,
Serzh Sargsyan has already done that, including by means of the
meeting with Raffi Hovannisian.

Despite different opinions on this meeting, it was a concession on
behalf of Serzh Sargsyan because he thus recognized Raffi Hovannisian.

In addition, the recognition was followed up by the president’s
spokesman’s statement which was not noticed by many. Armen Martirosyan
said during the meeting Raffi Hovannisian supported an open format.

The president’s office first issued a video which obliged Raffi
Hovannisian and afterwards communicated a correction.

Now it is not essential what Raffi Hovannisian wanted. The fact
is important that there is a compromise on both sides. And even if
this compromise is tactical in nature for any of the parties, Serzh
Sargsyan thus legitimizes Raffi Hovannisian’s movement at least at
this stage and consequently deprives the RPA of its argument.

It is not accidental that the speaker of parliament who is known
for his aspirations to the post of prime minister stated a few hours
after Sargsyan-Hovannisian meeting that he does not want to be prime
minister, and is happy with his work in parliament.

In other words, by de facto legitimization of Raffi Hovannisian’s
movement Serzh Sargsyan uses it as a bridle for the authorities
identified with the RPA. Perhaps it is also used to bridle Hovik
Abrahamyan’s ambitions to the post of prime minister which he expected
as a reward for the “good” job.

To some extent, this bridle will be a lifebelt for Serzh Sargsyan
to tackle the “hotbeds” of resistance of the system because he will
face complicated issues during his second term to promote systemic
reforms and transfer of power. In both cases Serzh Sargsyan will be
under strong pressure and will have to take dynamic steps or translate
words to action or his second term may end up in bitter consequences.

Armenia has appeared at the front of important geopolitical
developments. The country is not fit for this role now so substantial
change has a strategic important not only for the nation and its
citizens but the geopolitical centers.

This is a historical chance for Armenia and its society. While the
level of self-organization of citizens is not enough to put pressure on
the ruling system, this pressure is not a problem for the geopolitical
centers. This opens up opportunities for Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan cannot discard the reality which is beyond him and
is here to stay. So, he will have to seek for his legitimacy in
the legitimacy of the opposite side. Meanwhile, the problem is not
recognition of legitimacy of a force or its leader but the situation.

A. HOVHANNISYAN: “AZERBAIJANIS TRY TO PRESENT THEIR WILL AS REALITY”

Today – 17:06

Azerbaijani 1news.az news web-site has spread information according
which Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan applied Azerbaijani
Minister of Defense in Brussels during the NATO ministerial meeting
and asked “to stop the fire because of the great Armenian losses”.

Speaker of Armenian Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan told
Times.am news agency that Azerbaijan spread the next disinformation
and tried to present their will as reality.

“Indeed, our Minister always makes such announcements. S. Ohanyan just
called on to deny the provocations in order to prevent the victims
from both sides”, A. Hovhannisyan underlined.

LET’S HELP THE CHILDREN FROM GYUMRI

2013-02-22 14:07:11

Dear readers, Lurer.com organizes help for children from Gyumri,
who are represented in the photo. Those who want to help and assist
can call 094 943-538 or 010 57-22-47 until March 9.

Do not be indifferent, as these children are also the future of
our country.

WE WILL HAVE NEW SITUATION

15:29 22/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

ACNIS expert Edgar Vardanyan thinks that Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation
and new elections or the fight for his resignation will cause fresh
enthusiasm in people. Meanwhile, the government of national consensus
may create fresh enthusiasm only under certain conditions, such as
a) clear deadline for new elections up to one year, b) appointment
of opposition representatives to key positions, c) guarantees for
implementation of the fundamental points of the opposition’s program
etc.

The confidence referendum, according to the expert, may be acceptable
if it is held soon but it won’t cause a lot of enthusiasm at the
moment.

As to the possibility of a completely new, unexpected situation, Edgar
Vardanyan noted that there will be a new situation. He also said that
part of the society will not approve a national consensus government.

He noted that the request to the Constitutional Court is not ruled
out either, and only after the negative decision of the court new
elections or a vote of confidence referendum will be demanded, but
this option is the modified version of the previous two.

KARABAKH WAR HERO CALLS ON NOT TO CONCEAL FORMER POLICY

TERT.AM
14:15 ~U 22.02.13

Karabakh war hero, General-Mayor Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan referred today
to the statements he made about war.

The further comments come in response to the claims of former member
of Karabakh committee Ashot Manucharyan who says Commandos is being
used for destructive activities.

“The former authorities were against implementation of wide-scale
operations. They were impeding us in every way. They should confess
their mistakes,” he told at a news conference on Friday.

“I am not voicing political issues, I am not a political figure. It
was their policy why they do not accept it now,” he said, noting that
time paper exists and shows their anger over Shushi’s liberation.

Ter-Tadevosyan said Manucharyan was a figure who was elaborating
political activity and he should not conceal that time’s policy.

Ashot Manucharyan referred to the statement made by Commandos on the
occasion of 25th anniversary of Karabakh movement stating that the
then authorities headed by President Levon Ter-Petrosyan were against
the implementation of the main part of operations they have carried
out. Manucharyan considered the voiced statements as destructive and
said the hero [Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan] is being used which is very
dangerous for the state.

Commenting on the claims that his statement is an order, Arkady
Ter-Tadevosyan said, “I have never told anything to anyone and I have
never met anyone. I have much experience to understand who my friends
are and who are not. I am not being offended by Manucharyan but he is.”

Ashot Manucharyan has refused to join Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan in the
news conference.

FORCE WON’T BE USED IN COLLISION BETWEEN ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES AND HOVANNISIAN, EXPERT SAYS

YEREVAN, February 22. /ARKA/. There will be no forceful conflict
between the authorities and the supporters of Raffi Hovannisian,
Director of Caucasus Institute, political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan
said as quoted by Novosti-Armenia.

According to the expert, the 2008 situation will not re-occur.

“Levon Ter-Petrosyan (the first president of Armenia) was not visiting
Serzh Sargsyan on February 21, 2008, and not one, two or five thousand,
but a hundred thousand were standing on the streets at that time”,
the political analyst said in his interview to Novosti-Armenia.

“I think that Mr Hovannisian has no potential of promoting to a scale
of rallies like the one led to March 1, 2008”, Iskandaryan said.

The expert also said he expected protests would be held after the
elections. Yet, he would not call them “mass protests”, he said.

“We had, as you remember, “president-elect” Vazgen Manukyan,
“president-elect” Karen Demirchyan, in 2008 we had “president-elect”
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, now we have “president-elect” Raffi Hovannisian.

It’s OK, it is a part of political tradition in Armenia – the defeated
candidate does calls the elections “rigged” and declares himself a
winner”, Iskandaryan said.

Opposition candidate Raffi Hovannisian, who officially was the
runner-up in the February 18 presidential elections in Armenia, dispute
the outcome of the vote and will be holding a protest meeting At the
Liberty Square Friday, 17:00.

According to preliminary results of the elections, Armenia’s incumbent
president Serzh Sargsyan won re-election Monday with 861,378 votes
or 58.64%. His main challenger Raffi Hovannisian polled 36.74% or
539,674 votes. -0-

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY PROHIBITS HERITAGE PARTY TO CONDUCT RALLIES IN LIBERTY SQUARE

ARMINFO
Friday, February 22, 11:05

The Yerevan Municipality dismissed on Thursday the request by the
leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisian to allow to him conduct
rallies in Liberty Square on Feb 23-25.

The Municipality’s argument was that such a request should be submitted
no later than seven days before the rally.

HOTEL ROOM GAS POISONING LEAVES 4 DEAD IN ARMENIA’S LORI REGION

TERT.AM
10:51 ~U 22.02.13

Monoxide gas poisoning has caused the death of four individuals in
one of the hotels of the Stepanavan (Lori region).

The hotel’s director, who reported the police on the incident, said
the four people – Grisha Zalinyan (31), Sargis Ghukasyan (33), Elmira
Stepanyan (43) and Armen Revazyan – were found dead in a hotel room
on Thursday morning.

A further probe found that the incident occurred between 1:00 am to
10:30 am.

The hotel’s director has been detained. The inquest continues.

THERE CANNOT BE MILITARY SOLUTION TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: NULAND

10:44, 22 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. The United States remain firmly
committed to working with the sides towards the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. As reports “Armenpress” citing the official
website of the United States Department of State, the spokesperson
for the United States Department of State Victoria Nuland stated this
during the briefing. Among other things she noted that the tragic loss
of life in the war reminds that there cannot be a military solution
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The spokesperson for the United
States Department of State underscored: “Only a lasting and peaceful
settlement can bring about stability, prosperity, and reconciliation
in the region. As co-chairs of the Minsk Group, we remain firmly
committed to working with the sides towards that.”