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ARMENIA: NO CHANGE IN ELECTION DATE, BUT PLENTY OF SPECULATION ABOUT THE REASON WHY
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66509
February 5, 2013 - 2:31pm,
by Marianna Grigoryan
In 1998, Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian ran for
office with the slogan "Let's not lose an historic moment." Fifteen
years later, he has a similar one: "The historic moment has come." But
many Armenian observers believe that, by not requesting an election
delay after suffering from gunshot wounds, 63-year-old Hayrikian has
lost his chance for "an historic moment."
Hayrikian, who was shot twice and wounded on January 31 by an unknown
gunman in Yerevan, earlier had indicated that he would probably apply
to the Constitutional Court for a two-week postponement in the vote;
his right under Armenia's constitution.
But, when push came to shove, it was not to be.
"[N]o act of terrorism should hold the power of disrupting the natural
flow of political realities," he commented, in a surprise appearance
at a February 5 press-conference in Yerevan. "I have come simply to
show my presence," he said to explain his hospital exit.
The candidate's statement was echoed by Karo Yeghnukyan, a
representative of his campaign team, who told reporters that if
Hayrikian had "exercised his right,"it might mean that he was "taking
advantage of the situation."
Now, some Armenians claim that it is the government itself which is doing that.
Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian
and other high-profile officials visited Hayrikian in the hospital and
condemned the assault, investigated as an assassination attempt, as
intended to "disrupt the elections" and aimed against Armenia itself.
But the memory of Hayrikian's earlier comments lingers on.
"He suffered a serious injury, and it would be natural if he took
advantage of two weeks' delay," argued fellow presidential candidate
Arman Melikian. "If he doesn't do so, it means he was exposed to
pressure from intruders protecting the interests of the authorities."
But Hayrikian, who earlier had blamed Russian security services for
the attack, dismissed such claims as blather.
"I'm telling all these candidates to consider their own age and think
about what Hayrikian was doing at their age before saying such foolish
things," he said, referring to his past as one of the Soviet-era
leaders of the Armenian independence movement.
Some analysts, though, doubt that Hayrikian's decision to see the
election through will make much difference one way or another for the
eight-candidate vote, largely viewed as a shoe-in for President
Sargsyan.
"It is still as boring as it was before the assassination attempt
against Hayrkikian . . ." commented political analyst Armen Badalian.
"As for the results of the vote, they are already obvious. Nothing
will change."
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66509
February 5, 2013 - 2:31pm,
by Marianna Grigoryan
In 1998, Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian ran for
office with the slogan "Let's not lose an historic moment." Fifteen
years later, he has a similar one: "The historic moment has come." But
many Armenian observers believe that, by not requesting an election
delay after suffering from gunshot wounds, 63-year-old Hayrikian has
lost his chance for "an historic moment."
Hayrikian, who was shot twice and wounded on January 31 by an unknown
gunman in Yerevan, earlier had indicated that he would probably apply
to the Constitutional Court for a two-week postponement in the vote;
his right under Armenia's constitution.
But, when push came to shove, it was not to be.
"[N]o act of terrorism should hold the power of disrupting the natural
flow of political realities," he commented, in a surprise appearance
at a February 5 press-conference in Yerevan. "I have come simply to
show my presence," he said to explain his hospital exit.
The candidate's statement was echoed by Karo Yeghnukyan, a
representative of his campaign team, who told reporters that if
Hayrikian had "exercised his right,"it might mean that he was "taking
advantage of the situation."
Now, some Armenians claim that it is the government itself which is doing that.
Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian
and other high-profile officials visited Hayrikian in the hospital and
condemned the assault, investigated as an assassination attempt, as
intended to "disrupt the elections" and aimed against Armenia itself.
But the memory of Hayrikian's earlier comments lingers on.
"He suffered a serious injury, and it would be natural if he took
advantage of two weeks' delay," argued fellow presidential candidate
Arman Melikian. "If he doesn't do so, it means he was exposed to
pressure from intruders protecting the interests of the authorities."
But Hayrikian, who earlier had blamed Russian security services for
the attack, dismissed such claims as blather.
"I'm telling all these candidates to consider their own age and think
about what Hayrikian was doing at their age before saying such foolish
things," he said, referring to his past as one of the Soviet-era
leaders of the Armenian independence movement.
Some analysts, though, doubt that Hayrikian's decision to see the
election through will make much difference one way or another for the
eight-candidate vote, largely viewed as a shoe-in for President
Sargsyan.
"It is still as boring as it was before the assassination attempt
against Hayrkikian . . ." commented political analyst Armen Badalian.
"As for the results of the vote, they are already obvious. Nothing
will change."