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Sarkisian Continues Government-Backed Rallies

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  • Sarkisian Continues Government-Backed Rallies

    SARKISIAN CONTINUES GOVERNMENT-BACKED RALLIES
    By Karine Simonian and Ruzanna Stepanian

    Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
    Feb 7 2008

    Authorities in Armenia's third largest city of Vanadzor provided for
    free public transportation, cancelled classes and suspended the work
    of other public institutions in an apparent effort to ensure high
    turnout at Prime Sarkisian's campaign rally there on Thursday.

    The effort clearly paid off, with thousands of people gathering in
    the main town square early in the afternoon to hear Sarkisian speak
    mid-way through a concert of Armenian pop singers supporting his
    presidential bid.

    Vanadzor Mayor Samvel Darpinian could be seen there already in the
    morning, overseeing preparations for the rally. He visibly counted
    the number of people in attendance moments before the start of the
    high-profile event.

    "We have no attendance targets," Darpinian told RFE/RL. "If people
    want to come here, they will. If not, they won't come." The mayor
    also said that the municipality has nothing to do with the fact that
    public transportation in Vanadzor was free of charge on Wednesday.

    But bus drivers claimed the opposite. "The municipality is sponsoring
    us today," one of them told RFE/RL. "The owner of the bus route gave
    me money and said that I will be driving free of charge today."

    By noon classes in local schools, colleges and even kindergartens
    ground to a halt, with teachers and lecturers flocking to the square
    along with their students. "This was not done for the rally," said
    Edita Vartanian, principal of the Vanadzor School No. 9. "It's just
    that first-rate bands will be arriving from the capital. We just
    wanted to expose the kids to the spirit of the capital a little."

    The administrative measures followed what appears to have a become
    pattern in Sarkisian's government-backed election campaign. Teenage
    students, teachers and other public sector employees have been a
    fixture in the prime minister's other campaign rallies in Yerevan
    and other parts of the country.

    Sarkisian began his speech in the capital of the northern Lori region
    by attacking unspecified presidential candidates who are "filled with
    malice" and "throw mud at what is being created." He also assured local
    residents that if elected president he will complete the protracted
    reconstruction of Lori and other Armenian regions devastated by the
    1988 earthquake.

    Sarkisian gave similar promises in Spitak, another Lori town which
    was razed by the calamity. "Without your assistance, your active
    participation we will not be able to build a just society," he told
    a rally there. "Without your active involvement we will not be able
    to fight against corruption."

    "So those who think that by voting for Serzh Sarkisian they will vote
    for easy life are wrong. Those who vote for Serzh Sarkisian, vote for
    hard work, prosperity and a decent life," added the election favorite.

    Incidentally, Sarkisian's most formidable challenger, former President
    Levon Ter-Petrosian, visited Spitak earlier in the day and pulled
    a much smaller crowd. Ter-Petrosian accused local authorities of
    bullying people not to attend his meetings

    "Remove that fear from yourself," he told local residents. "Rest
    assured that there is nothing these authorities can do to you. They
    are weak and petty. Straighten your backs, and a lot will change in
    your lives."

    Campaigning in nearby villages still reeling from the effects of
    the devastating quake, Ter-Petrosian deliberately stood next to
    Sarkisian's ubiquitous campaign banners to address small crowds. Many
    local residents complained about their poor housing conditions. One
    man in the village of Gyulagarak wondered how much the ex-president
    would pay for his vote. The father of eight explained that he wants to
    sell his vote to the highest bidder because he needs money to repair
    the leaking roof of his shack.

    "I don't need your vote for money," responded Ter-Petrosian. "Give
    your vote to Serzh."
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