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The Australian (Australia)
February 23, 2008 Saturday
2 - All-round First Edition
Round-the-clock rallies over `shameful' Armenian election
Correspondents in Yerevan, Armenia
ARMENIAN opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian has called on tens of
thousands of supporters to keep up mass protests against presidential
election results.
Crowds of up to 25,000 demonstrated on Freedom Square in the capital,
Yerevan, against results from Tuesday's polls that gave Prime
Minister Serzh Sarkisian victory.
As night fell on Thursday, the crowd thinned but some 10,000 remained
and demonstrators set up a handful of tents for a round-the-clock
protest.
In sub-zero temperatures, demonstrators danced in circles accompanied
by traditional Armenian music, while others distributed hot pies.
``Starting from this moment, our protests will not end,'' opposition
activist Nikol Pashenian told the crowd. ``Freedom Square will be the
centre of our protests until the authorities leave.''
Mr Ter-Petrosian told the protesters that two deputy defence
ministers were in talks with senior military officials to ensure the
safety of the crowd.
``They will not let the army be used against the people,'' Mr
Ter-Petrosian said. ``All of the leaders of the military are united
with the people.''
He called on university students to boycott classes and join
protests.
But Mr Sarkisian pointed to an international appraisal of the vote as
``mostly'' in line with international standards and described the
protests as ``blackmail'' and a ``provocation''.
``I'm sure they will fail ... If they are not capable of winning an
election we are not to blame for that,'' he said.
Asked whether the authorities would use force against the protesters,
he said: ``It's difficult to say immediately ... The law enforcement
agencies will decide on the proper course.''
``We are obliged to respect the rights of the people. If they don't
disturb anyone they are free to do so ... But if they disturb others,
the law enforcement agencies will take action according to the law.''
Mr Ter-Petrosian said the demonstrations would avoid violence. ``It's
a peaceful, cheerful meeting,'' he said. ``There will be no disorder
and we will not break the law''.
Official results gave 52.9per cent of the vote to Mr Sarkisian, the
choice of President Robert Kocharian, who is obliged to step down
after his second term. Mr Ter-Petrosian trailed with 21.5per cent.
Mr Ter-Petrosian has described the conduct of the election as
``shameful,'' alleging that dozens of his activists were beaten on
election day and that ballot stuffing, multiple voting and voter
intimidation were widespread.
Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe described the election as ``mostly'' in line with
international standards. The US State Department said it was
``concerned'' at reports of problems in the count.
Mr Kocharian handpicked the Prime Minister to succeed him after Mr
Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia swept parliamentary polls
last May.
Together they have been credited with ensuring relative stability and
strong growth. But critics accuse the Government of tolerating
widespread corruption and cracking down on opponents.
Analysts predict Mr Sarkisian will follow Mr Kocharian's policies,
pursuing close ties with Moscow and a hawkish stance in relations
with neighbouring Azerbaijan and Turkey. They have cut diplomatic
ties and sealed their borders with Armenia over its support for
Armenian separatists in the rebel Azerbaijani region of Nagorny
Karabakh.
Ankara is also angered by Yerevan's campaign to have the World War
I-era mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire recognised as
genocide.
But on Thursday Turkey's President Abdullah Gul sent congratulations
to Mr Sarkisian and called for a normalisation of ties.
February 23, 2008 Saturday
2 - All-round First Edition
Round-the-clock rallies over `shameful' Armenian election
Correspondents in Yerevan, Armenia
ARMENIAN opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian has called on tens of
thousands of supporters to keep up mass protests against presidential
election results.
Crowds of up to 25,000 demonstrated on Freedom Square in the capital,
Yerevan, against results from Tuesday's polls that gave Prime
Minister Serzh Sarkisian victory.
As night fell on Thursday, the crowd thinned but some 10,000 remained
and demonstrators set up a handful of tents for a round-the-clock
protest.
In sub-zero temperatures, demonstrators danced in circles accompanied
by traditional Armenian music, while others distributed hot pies.
``Starting from this moment, our protests will not end,'' opposition
activist Nikol Pashenian told the crowd. ``Freedom Square will be the
centre of our protests until the authorities leave.''
Mr Ter-Petrosian told the protesters that two deputy defence
ministers were in talks with senior military officials to ensure the
safety of the crowd.
``They will not let the army be used against the people,'' Mr
Ter-Petrosian said. ``All of the leaders of the military are united
with the people.''
He called on university students to boycott classes and join
protests.
But Mr Sarkisian pointed to an international appraisal of the vote as
``mostly'' in line with international standards and described the
protests as ``blackmail'' and a ``provocation''.
``I'm sure they will fail ... If they are not capable of winning an
election we are not to blame for that,'' he said.
Asked whether the authorities would use force against the protesters,
he said: ``It's difficult to say immediately ... The law enforcement
agencies will decide on the proper course.''
``We are obliged to respect the rights of the people. If they don't
disturb anyone they are free to do so ... But if they disturb others,
the law enforcement agencies will take action according to the law.''
Mr Ter-Petrosian said the demonstrations would avoid violence. ``It's
a peaceful, cheerful meeting,'' he said. ``There will be no disorder
and we will not break the law''.
Official results gave 52.9per cent of the vote to Mr Sarkisian, the
choice of President Robert Kocharian, who is obliged to step down
after his second term. Mr Ter-Petrosian trailed with 21.5per cent.
Mr Ter-Petrosian has described the conduct of the election as
``shameful,'' alleging that dozens of his activists were beaten on
election day and that ballot stuffing, multiple voting and voter
intimidation were widespread.
Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe described the election as ``mostly'' in line with
international standards. The US State Department said it was
``concerned'' at reports of problems in the count.
Mr Kocharian handpicked the Prime Minister to succeed him after Mr
Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia swept parliamentary polls
last May.
Together they have been credited with ensuring relative stability and
strong growth. But critics accuse the Government of tolerating
widespread corruption and cracking down on opponents.
Analysts predict Mr Sarkisian will follow Mr Kocharian's policies,
pursuing close ties with Moscow and a hawkish stance in relations
with neighbouring Azerbaijan and Turkey. They have cut diplomatic
ties and sealed their borders with Armenia over its support for
Armenian separatists in the rebel Azerbaijani region of Nagorny
Karabakh.
Ankara is also angered by Yerevan's campaign to have the World War
I-era mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire recognised as
genocide.
But on Thursday Turkey's President Abdullah Gul sent congratulations
to Mr Sarkisian and called for a normalisation of ties.