Armenian News... A Topalian... HOW ARMENIA BECAME A PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 9 2015
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan
Armenia summed up the results of 6th of December referendum on
constitutional reforms, which means a transition from a presidential
to a parliamentary form of government. According to the CEC, 1,296,368
voters participated in the referendum, which is 50.51% of the total
number of citizens who have voting rights. 63.35% of the citizens
voted for the reform. 32.35% of the participants voted against.
Representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
assured that the referendum was held in the framework of the law and
in accordance with international standards. According to the head of
the parliamentary faction of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia,
Vahram Baghdasaryan, there was a minimum number of violations and
claims by the opposition of mass violations are unfounded.
The referendum and the results announced by the CEC caused protests
from the opposition, which accused the government of massive fraud
and abuse of administrative resources. Among the numerous violations
of the law, the 'No' front names cases of multiple voting, attempts
to steal ballots, threats and pressure against proxies and observers
from the 'No' front, ballot-stuffing, 'unexpected' blackouts, after
which the number of ballots in favor of the changes increased, and
preventing journalists from working.
The 'No' front has a huge database of materials which prove the illegal
actions of the authorities. According to the chairman of the propaganda
headquarters of the 'No' front, Levon Zurabyan, the opposition has
such a large amount of evidence of fraud during the referendum that
it will need a few days for the selection, analysis and preparation
of the materials to send them to the headquarters of the Central
Electoral Commission. In addition, the opposition plans to protest
against the results of the referendum in the Constitutional Court.
According to research conducted by the opposition on referendum day,
voter turnout couldn't have exceeded 40%. On the basis of indicators of
activity the voting results can be seen of which areas and localities
reflect the real state of affairs, and which show us the active
work of the falsification machine. For example, voter turnout in
the northern regions of the country did not even reach 40%, and
even according to official figures the majority of voters in this
region voted against the constitutional changes. But the government
failed to win not only in the second and third cities of Armenia,
Gyumri and Vanadzor, Yerevan also voted against the constitutional
changes. However, according to the opposition, the voter turnout,
which amounted to 45.93%, was raised artificially with the help of
additional fabricated lists. Meanwhile, in some cities this figure
exceeded 50% and even reached 60%, for example in Artashat.
According to the representatives of the 'No' front, if the real
activity was less than 40%, then 1.3 million people cannot have gone
to the polling stations, but only about 800 thousand could vote,
and 600 thousand of them voted against and only 150-200 thousand
approved the constitutional changes.
"Serzh Sargsyan has registered his victory by 'painting the numbers',
but he won't manage it. The authorities used all their resources
to crush the will of the people. The victory of the 'No' front is a
victory of the spirit," a representative of the 'No' front and the
Armenian National Congress, Aram Manukyan, said.
Even based on the participation of 800 thousand people in the
referendum, it's not such a bad number for a permanently impoverished
society, for a country whose citizens continue to emigrate, trying to
get a job. Many citizens showed remarkable consistency on December 6th
- even those who were taken to the polls in minibuses voted against,
and those who had promised the local authorities to vote for the
reform rejected the constitutional changes.
The discontent of the population with the Government's economic
policy and difficult social situation has created difficulties for
the authorities, they cannot operate in the usual format anymore
of buying the votes of the citizens for the payment of debts for
utilities or delivery to the polls by bus.
Another feature of the referendum held on 6th December was the
passivity of some major counterfeiters, who are mostly concentrated
in the regions. For the first time in many years, the voter turnout in
the 'advanced' Syunik region barely exceeded 50%. Such data reflected
the very essence of the problem - the referendum in the eyes of many
of the authorities is a blurred concept, which is not aimed at the
election of any political force or particular candidate.
The referendum did not receive the high ratings from the international
observers, expected by the authorities. The PACE delegation pointed
to inaccuracies in the voter lists, bribery and reports of multiple
voting. The PACE mission said that the referendum on constitutional
reform in Armenia "was not due to the needs of Armenian society,
but due to political interests, and the referendum was perceived
by many citizens as an expression of confidence in the government,
not as a vote for change."
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) representative,
Lene Wetteland, stated that the results of this referendum do not
reflect the will of the Armenian citizens, and this plebiscite cannot
be considered legitimate.
All of this suggests that the processes around the referendum and
its results will find their continuation in the protests and hearings.
RFE/RL Report
U.S., EU React To Armenian Referendum
Sargis Harutyunyan
08.12.2015
The United States and the European Union urged the Armenian
authorities on Tuesday to investigate major irregularities reported
during the weekend referendum, saying that is essential for the
legitimacy of President Serzh Sarkisian's constitutional reform.
The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan was particularly concerned about the
conduct of the referendum, describing allegations of vote rigging as
"credible."
"The credible allegations of electoral irregularities reported by both
non-partisan observers as well as Armenian political parties are of
concern, however, and need to be fully investigated to ensure that the
Armenian people can see the outcome of the referendum as credible and
legitimate," the embassy stressed in a statement.
"We urge the Electoral Commission and the Armenian government to carry
out transparent investigations of all credible reports of
irregularities," it said.
"We encourage the authorities to fully investigate fraud allegations,
for the referendum process to be credible," Piotr Switalski, the head
of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, said in written comments to RFE/RL's
Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
Switalski said at the same time that the EU "took note" of the
official referendum results indicating a "Yes" vote for Sarkisian's
controversial constitutional changes. "Is now important to implement
the new constitution, in particular the human rights chapter, the new
checks and balances and minority rights for the opposition, so that it
does not just remain on paper," he added.
Both Switalski and the U.S. Embassy said the authorities should enact
a new Electoral Code meeting democratic standards in advance of
Armenia's next parliamentary elections due in May 2017. The
authorities must also ensure that the elections are "viewed by the
Armenian people as credible, legitimate, and a true reflection of
their will," stressed the embassy statement.
The 2017 elections will determine who will govern Armenia after
President Serzh Sarkisian completes his second and final term in
2018. The constitutional amendments envisage the country's
transformation into a parliamentary republic with a largely ceremonial
president.
The U.S. and the EU have not formulated a position on those changes
throughout the constitutional reform process which Sarkisian launched
over two years ago. Nor did the EU send a monitoring mission to
Sunday's referendum marred by fraud allegations. Richard Mills, the
U.S. ambassador to Armenia, monitored voting in some polling stations
in Yerevan.
On Monday, the EU began official negotiations with Armenia on a new
agreement to deepen their political and economic relations. Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian cited the official referendum results when
he spoke at the start of the talks in Brussels. Nalbandian described
Sarkisian's amendments as "another important step" towards democratic
change in Armenia.
Armenian opposition groups insist, however, that the main purpose of
the reform is to enable Sarkisian to extend his rule beyond 2018.
RFE/RL Report
Authorities Accused Of Blocking Vote Recounts
Ruzanna Gishian ## Sisak Gabrielian
08.12.2015
The Armenian opposition on Tuesday accused the Republican (HHK),
Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Dashnaktsutyun parties of obstructing
vote recounts in many polling stations where it claims to have
witnessed serious fraud during Sunday's constitutional referendum.
Armenian law gives election commissions only three days to recount, at
the request of their members alleging vote rigging, ballots cast in
their respective precincts.
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) and Zharangutyun (Heritage), the
two opposition parties represented in those commissions, have demanded
recounts in several dozen precincts in and outside Yerevan. They say
that referendum results there were falsified through ballot box
stuffing or deliberate miscounting of votes.
It emerged that election officials representing the ruling HHK, the
BHK and Dashnaktsutyun have lodged a much larger number of recount
applications in neighboring precincts. This despite the fact that all
three parties insist that the referendum was free and fair. Their
electoral representatives in Yerevan declined to comment on these
surprise moves.
The corresponding district election commissions, each of them
overseeing several precincts, will thus struggle to carry out all
requested recounts within the three-day period. In all cases monitored
by RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am), they decided to process
the HHK, BHK and Dashnaktsutyun applications first, meaning that they
may well fail to verify the referendum results in the trouble spots
cited by the opposition.
The sequence of the recounts was purportedly decided by card draws
required by the Electoral Code. However, HAK and Zharangutyun
representatives were apparently absent from such draws. They said that
they were not informed about the procedures beforehand.
"The purpose of this is clear: to block recounts in precincts where
there were real falsifications," charged Hovsep Ghazarian, a member of
Zharangutyun's governing board.
"I see a deliberate effort," agreed Karen Tovmasian, an HAK
activist. "Representatives of the Republican Party and its allies
sitting on the commissions have received instructions to submit
numerous recount demands so that recounts in precincts that saw
serious violations have lowest priority."
Tovmasian is a member of the electoral commission in a precinct in
Yerevan's Arabkir administrative district where HAK alleged blatant
fraud. The opposition party has accused the commission's
pro-government chairman, Kolya Mosinian, of illegally adding more than
800 "Yes" votes for President Serzh Sarkisian's constitutional
changes. It claims that only 160 or so local voters backed the
changes.
The HAK has alleged similar violations in four precincts that are part
of an electoral district in the city's Nor Nork suburb. The local
district commission has decided to recount ballots cast there only
after conducting recounts in eight other precincts demanded by the
ruling HHK. Only one of those recounts was completed by Tuesday
afternoon, suggesting that the commission will hardly act on the HAK
demands before the expiry of the legal deadline.
The commission chairman denied stalling for time. "The commission is
doing its job and you should not dance to everyone's tune," he told
RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
In at least two electoral districts located in the city's western
Malatia-Sebastia suburb, post-referendum applications submitted by the
HHK, the BHK and Dashnaktsutyun likewise greatly outnumbered those of
the HAK and Zharangutyun. And the local commissions gave precedence to
the recounts sought by the proponents of the constitutional reform.
Haikazn Ghahriyan, Editor-in-Chief
09 December 2015, 21:00
For the first time since the war the Azerbaijani side fired at
the Armenian posts from a tank. This elevates the escalation to a
new level, provided the recent tension at the borders and even the
information on battles.
The RA Minister of Defense Seiran Ohanyan has announced today in
parliament that escalation has peaked.
Earlier Seiran Ohanyan had a telephone conversation with Andrzej
Kasprzyk, the personal representative of the OSCE CiO during which
he presented the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border
and the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed
forces, informed about provocations by Azerbaijan and the response
of the Armenian side.
The message on the telephone conversation also states that the Armenian
side is using force to keep the Armenian side within the framework
of the negotiation process.
What is happening and what purpose does the Azerbaijani side have?
Currently Azerbaijan is cornered, especially after the downing of the
Russian helicopter by the Turkish air force. Then there was information
that Turkey may force Azerbaijan into aggression in Karabakh, thus
causing trouble for Russia.
Instead, several serious events took place in Azerbaijan. In Nardaran,
the clashes between the Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies and the
local people caused tension with Iran. Fire in Gyunesli oil derrick
killed tens of people. The fire spread into the oil wells. This is a
serious problem for Russia the consequences of which will float later.
At the same time, it is obvious that both the West and Russia are
conducting a policy of tough "contempt", which has led to isolation
of that country. Cooperation over energy, economic, military projects
are questioned.
A lot of experts say that in this situation the Azerbaijani government
is trying to cause tension at the line of contact, thereby inviting
attention to its problem. The results will be seen in the future but
the logic of the ongoing developments in the region does not envisage
prospects for Azerbaijan.
Judging by the information flow, the time of hitting Azerbaijan has
come, and it may be "internationally demanded", as in the case of
last August. The Armenian side has received the cart blanche of the
Minsk Group co-chair countries to maintain stability in the region. As
Seiran Ohanyan said, "using force with a view to containment".
The situation causes alarm, and cornered Azerbaijan is capable of
anything. The Armenian side has published footage of destruction of
Azerbaijani military facilities a few months ago, every day information
comes on punitive actions. Apparently, serious actions are awaiting
the Armenian army in the nearest future.
RUSSIAN-TURKISH STANDOFF MAY CREATE FALLOUT FOR
Mirror Spectator
Editorial 12-12 Dec 2015
By Edmond Y. Azadian
It is the unwritten code of international relations that major
powers will take an interest in the causes of weaker nations only if
those causes can serve their interests. It took perhaps 50 years for
Armenians to understand and accept this political postulation. We have
always maintained that since the Armenian Genocide took place in full
view of the international community, Armenians are entitled to some
redress, while the most that the major powers can offer is charity or
relief assistance, which of course, do not substitute for reparations.
Finally, we have come to realize that when there is a motion in the
Israeli Knesset to recognize the Armenian Genocide, the underlying
reason is that the Israeli government has some scores to settle
with Turkey.
Similar scenarios have developed, and many may even develop in the
future, in the US Congress, the French Parliament and elsewhere. And
when the underlying causes dissipate, the interest in the Genocide
issue mysteriously disappears.
Today we are facing the same issue with our strategic ally, Russia,
in the wake of the Russian-Turkish standoff as a result of Russia's
SU-24 combat aircraft downed by the Turkish air force.
Tensions between the two countries rose to the boiling point and the
parties began considering the reactions to hurt each other.
The US came to Turkey's rescue when President Barack Obama said,
"Turkey is a NATO ally. Along with our allies, the United States
supports Turkey's right to defend itself and its airspace and its
territory. We are very much committed to Turkey's security and its
sovereignty."
But in the same statement, he added, in a more conciliatory tone,
"We discussed how Turkey and Russia can work together to de-escalate
and find a diplomatic path to resolve this issue."
Although Turkey's President Erdogan expressed "regret" at the loss
of Russian pilots, he refused to issue an official apology as Moscow
demanded.
It is not the first time that Turkey has forced NATO to reach the
brink of a full-scale conflict, relying on Article Five of NATO's
charter. But this time around, perhaps the US chided Mr. Erdogan
privately, but France and Germany were furious. Germany's Vice
Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel had harsh criticism for the "unpredictable
player" of NATO. Others even called for Turkey's expulsion from
the alliance.
President Vladimir Putin is well aware that he cannot wage war
against Turkey, whose leadership has historically sought protection
from the West in confronting Russia, and that is why he has said,
"Erdogan will regret what's been done, but Russia is not going to
engage in sable rattling with Turkey."
Russia, however, has a series of options at its disposal, which it
can use to retaliate against Turkish aggression.
Moscow can intensify -- and has already intensified -- its attack on
the Turkmen region in Syria, bordering Turkey. About 100,000-200,000
Turkmen live in Syria. They have been armed and trained by Turkey to
fight the Assad regime. Ankara was counting on its Turkmen allies to
push for a no-fly zone in their area. When the Russian air force began
cleaning up the Turkmen area, it touched a raw nerve in Ankara and
moved it to commit the reckless act of taking down the Russian combat
plane. Turkmen were involved in the illicit oil trade in Syria to
benefit ISIS. They were also the armed gangs which joined the Turkish
regular forces in massacring the Armenians in the Kessab region.
Turkey was shortsighted in the attack on the Russian plane, as the
aggression helped obliterate its strategic plan of the no-fly zone,
as the Turkmens are currently in disarray against Russian advances
in the region.
The other option that Moscow has in its arsenal is the economic boycott
of Turkey. President Putin has already ordered the implementation of
sanctions against Turkish imports, especially food and agricultural
items. He even has put on hold the Southern Stream pipeline, which
intended for Russia to bypass Ukraine and export energy to the
Balkans. Turkey is also heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies,
which may become a casualty in the process. But most damaging for
Turkey will be the ban on Russian tourism and the construction
industry, as Turkish companies have in place many construction
contracts in Russia.
Armenia's Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian has appealed to the nation's
companies to fill the vacuum left by Turkey, especially boosting
the agricultural sector's output. Since the West began implementing
sanctions against Russia, there has been a noticeable surge in Armenian
exports to Russia.
Although the Russian sanctions will impact the Turkish economy,
the latter's economy is still sturdy enough to absorb the shock even
after the last few months' slump.
What will be most effective are political and historic treaties,
where Ankara is more vulnerable.
Moscow is reinforcing the military hardware at its base in Armenia. A
new air defense system has been installed on Armenia's border with
Turkey. On the one hand, that move may be reassuring in defending
Armenia's sovereignty, but on the other hand, Armenia is being pushed
to the front of the ensuing cold war as it is located at the contact
point of NATO and CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)
forces, pitting the West versus the former Soviet Union. Russia has
been launching long-range missiles from the warships in the Caspian
Sea to the war theater in Syria. Should the Russian command decide
to use also the base in Armenia, the latter will become a party to
the Middle Eastern imbroglio.
Russia recognized the Armenian Genocide some time ago, but there has
not been any talk of criminalization for its denial. Now, it looks
like it is politically expedient to legislate the criminalization
of the denial, much like the bill pending at this writing in the
French parliament.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the Donald Trump of Russia, politician and the
founder of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia fired the first
salvo. He said that if we allow Armenians to claim their historic
lands from Turkey, they would do it gladly. He also called on Russia
to support the Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. But on more practical
grounds, Spravedliva Rossia Party submitted a bill to the parliament
to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
If the standoff continues between the two countries, Moscow can
abrogate the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in Moscow in
1921. Also, it can instigate Armenia to renounce the Treaty of Kars,
singed in October of the same year. That treaty finalized the present
borders between Turkey and the three Caucasian republics, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia. But it is on shaky grounds, since it was
signed by the Turkish Gen. Kazim Karabekir on behalf of Turkey's
Grand National Assembly, while the Ottoman Constitution was in force,
which designated the prerogative of the Sultan to sign international
treaties. Although the treaty was ratified in 1922 by Armenia,
the representative of the Armenian Republic had signed the Treaty
under duress, and not by free will. Georgia quietly and unilaterally
renounced the Kars Treaty in 2005.
The validity of the treaty came under question before. On June 7, 1945,
Soviet Foreign Minister Vyachaslav Molotov asked the Turkish ambassador
in Moscow to return the provinces of Kars, Ardahan and Artvin to USSR
in the name of Georgian and Armenian SSRs. By the autumn of the same
year, Soviet forces in the Caucasus were assembling on the border
for a possible invasion of Turkey, but Winston Churchill dangled the
threat of newly discovered atomic bomb to dissuade Stalin from going
through with his plan.
The last time the issue was raised at the UN was in 1948 by Soviet
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Vyshinsky, demanding Kars and Ardahan
again, on behalf of Armenia and Georgia, respectively.
Turkey's main motive in signing the Protocols in 2009 was to have
Armenia ratify and finalize the Treaty of Kars sealing the fate of
the current borders for the foreseeable future.
Russia and Turkey have waged 12 wars against each other over the past
400 years. Some journalists in Armenia are questioning whether the
13th war has already begun.
As the tension between Russia and Turkey continues, Armenia's destiny
will hang on the rivalry of these regional powers.
The fallout may prove to be a mix of blessings and curses.
9.12.15 | 10:53
A monument dedicated to prominent Armenian duduk players Vache
Hovsepyan (1925-1978), Jivan Gasparyan and Levon Madoyan (1909-1964)
was ceremonially unveiled in capital Yerevan on Tuesday.
The monument (in Abovyan Street) showing the three maestros standing
together was sculptured by David Minasyan and the architect of the
installation is Levon Igityan. It is called "Late Photograph".
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and
other officials and guests also attended the opening of the monument.
Maestro Gasparyan, an honorary citizen of Yerevan, was also present at
the ceremony. At age 87, he is the only one of the three living today.
The duduk is an ancient Armenian double-reed woodwind flute made
of apricot wood. Duduk players, or dudukahars, are very popular
in Armenia. The musical instrument has also gained international
popularity lately not least due to Gasparyan's performances.
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