PRESIDENT GHUKASSIAN’S MESSAGE ON THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
20 June 05
Dear fellow countrymen, On June 19th the election to the National
Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will take place. I believe that
the worthy candidates will be elected members of parliament. Today the
election campaign ends, which passed positively and proved to be
another progressive step on the way of democratization of the state
and the society. The vast majority of the candidates of political
parties and independent candidates conducted the election campaign in
accordance with the existing legislature. At the same time, I have to
confess that certain candidates, forgetting about the rules of ethics,
have set but one aim before themselves ` to use all methods, including
unacceptable ones, to discredit the authorities and their opponents,
not considering it necessary to present their legislative programmes
to the voters. Whereas, the election to the supreme legislative body
of the country is concerned. It is particularly disturbing that on the
pre-election days they resort to insult and slander. In particular,
false rumours are circulating that the authorities put pressure on the
voters, scare people, forbid the voters to meet with the candidates of
this or that political organization. With all responsibility I assure
that no such things have and could have taken place. It is another
thing that certain candidates who realized during meetings with voters
that their victory in the election is doubtful, try to find
justification by discrediting the authorities. Throughout the election
campaign 6 complaint letters addressed to the president were received,
three from the Democratic Party of Artsakh and one from the alliance
ARF ` Movement 88, the political parties Azat Hayrenik and Social
Justice each. I instructed to take measures for all the complaints if
these corresponded to the reality. During the election campaign we
came across speeches which could result in division of our society and
irreversible damage to the interests of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. However, being the president of the country and the
guarantor of observance of the laws, I considered it unacceptable to
interfere with the election campaign, regarding these unacceptable
phenomena as negative manifestations in the process of development of
democracy in our society. Freedom of speech is above all. And all the
incompetent words, all the cheap word stock sounded by certain
candidates and political party functionaries during the election
campaign will be on their conscience. Our people have long been able
to distinguish empty words, populism and abstract nihilism from
constructive criticism. Of course, every point of view has the right
to exist. However, only people may decide which one of these is
acceptable for the society and the state. This decision will be made
on June 19th through fair and transparent polls. As the president of
the country I guarantee this. I assure that any violations, as well as
any attempt of destabilizing the situation after the election whoever
it is made by will get a corresponding response. Those who will
undertake and carry out such a thing will be punished by law. Besides,
authoritative international observers will monitor polls. Dear fellow
countrymen, The upcoming election is of great international importance
for Nagorno Karabakh. We must show to the world with our attitude
toward elections that the democratic development in the country is
irreversible, and promote the international recognition of NKR. If the
upcoming polls do not correspond to the European standards, the
rating, the international authority of our state will suffer greatly,
which, in its turn, may have a negative impact on the peace talks for
the resolution of the conflict with Azerbaijan. In other words, the
fate of Artsakh, the fate of our achievements is at stake. I call you
to take part in the polls actively and give your vote to those
candidates and political forces which you consider to be worthy. I
also call all the candidates to parliament, all the political forces,
all the people involved in the election to show civic and political
matur ity, feel responsible for the future of the country and leave
the people to make the deciding vote. Certainly, some people will be
happy with the results of the polls, others will be disappointed. And
this is natural. However, the upcoming election is not the
end. Therefore, I call all the political forces and candidates to
parliament to respect the choice of the people and continue building
our state together to achieve international recognition and
welfare. Good luck and all the best to you, dear fellow countrymen.
AA.
20-06-2005