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USA-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ARA K. MANOOGIAN SENDS OPEN LETTER TO US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/03/13/manoogian-obama-open-letter/
11:00 ~U 13.03.13
USA-based Ara K. Manoogian, a human rights activist, an investigative
journalist sent an open letter to US President Barack Obama which
runs as follows:
"Dear Mr. President, I would like to express my concern about your
congratulatory message to Serzh Sargsyan, the acting President of the
Republic of Armenia, on his re-election. Your message came 12 days
after the Presidential Election, which was marred with considerable
election fraud. What I would like to ask you is: what changed between
February 18 and March 2, to convince you that the official election
results are reliable?
Your note of congratulation came amid numerous reports on election
fraud, including ballot stuffing, voter bribing, voting on behalf
of emigres and deceased individuals, and multiple voting. The public
outcry over these falsified official election results has escalated,
with massive rallies held throughout Armenia and in other Armenian
communities all around the world. Receipt of your congratulatory note
also coincided with the day that OSCE/ODIHR revised its initial,
generally positive assessment of the election, acknowledging the
sensibility of public distrust in the official election results,
and indicating facts that amount to election tampering.
I have always had respect for your adherence to democratic values and
rule of law. However, I believe that your congratulatory message to
Serzh Sargsyan on March 2, 2013, was a disappointing departure from
your core principles.
Congratulations from such significant world powers as the United States
simply legitimize election fraud and are being used by Serzh Sargsyan
and the ruling elite to cement the travesty of their re-election
as acceptable.
On March 4, 2013, U.S.-born Raffi Hovannisian, the presidential
runner-up according to the official election results, filed a petition
with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, seeking to
annul the official results of the February 18 presidential election
and certify Raffi Hovannisian as President-elect.
He declared a hunger strike on March 10, 2013, until either the
Constitutional Court admits that the official election results were
skewed in favor of Serzh Sargsyan or the latter admits to election
fraud and steps down. Raffi Hovannisian has also declared he would
concede to a runoff to confirm the validity of the outcome.
Lack of response or refusal to withdraw your congratulations will
result in my declaration of a hunger strike. I would humbly ask that
you respect the vote and the will of the Armenian people and the
independence of our Constitutional Court by retracting your untimely
congratulations until the Armenian citizens themselves resolve the
current political crisis.
Most respectfully yours, Ara K. Manoogian"
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/03/13/manoogian-obama-open-letter/
11:00 ~U 13.03.13
USA-based Ara K. Manoogian, a human rights activist, an investigative
journalist sent an open letter to US President Barack Obama which
runs as follows:
"Dear Mr. President, I would like to express my concern about your
congratulatory message to Serzh Sargsyan, the acting President of the
Republic of Armenia, on his re-election. Your message came 12 days
after the Presidential Election, which was marred with considerable
election fraud. What I would like to ask you is: what changed between
February 18 and March 2, to convince you that the official election
results are reliable?
Your note of congratulation came amid numerous reports on election
fraud, including ballot stuffing, voter bribing, voting on behalf
of emigres and deceased individuals, and multiple voting. The public
outcry over these falsified official election results has escalated,
with massive rallies held throughout Armenia and in other Armenian
communities all around the world. Receipt of your congratulatory note
also coincided with the day that OSCE/ODIHR revised its initial,
generally positive assessment of the election, acknowledging the
sensibility of public distrust in the official election results,
and indicating facts that amount to election tampering.
I have always had respect for your adherence to democratic values and
rule of law. However, I believe that your congratulatory message to
Serzh Sargsyan on March 2, 2013, was a disappointing departure from
your core principles.
Congratulations from such significant world powers as the United States
simply legitimize election fraud and are being used by Serzh Sargsyan
and the ruling elite to cement the travesty of their re-election
as acceptable.
On March 4, 2013, U.S.-born Raffi Hovannisian, the presidential
runner-up according to the official election results, filed a petition
with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, seeking to
annul the official results of the February 18 presidential election
and certify Raffi Hovannisian as President-elect.
He declared a hunger strike on March 10, 2013, until either the
Constitutional Court admits that the official election results were
skewed in favor of Serzh Sargsyan or the latter admits to election
fraud and steps down. Raffi Hovannisian has also declared he would
concede to a runoff to confirm the validity of the outcome.
Lack of response or refusal to withdraw your congratulations will
result in my declaration of a hunger strike. I would humbly ask that
you respect the vote and the will of the Armenian people and the
independence of our Constitutional Court by retracting your untimely
congratulations until the Armenian citizens themselves resolve the
current political crisis.
Most respectfully yours, Ara K. Manoogian"