DEMOCRACY IN POST-SOVIET SPACE AND ELECTIONS IN KARABAKH
Naira Hayrumyan

KarabakhOpen
27-04-2007 11:12:09

Boris Yeltzin died, and the signs of democracy vanished from
the post-Soviet space together with him. On these days many say
under Yeltzin Russia for the first time breathed in the air of
freedom. However, it appeared in a non-free atmosphere again before
it could take the second breath.

"The inflow of money from abroad grows, which is used for direct
interference with out internal affairs," said the Russian president
Vladimir Putin in his annual address on April 26, whose office was
marked by re-registration and proscription of NGOs financed from
abroad.

And a few days ago an Armenian newspaper revealed the wiretapped talk
of the leader of the opposition Orinats Yerkir Party. Strangely,
the accent was not on the fact that in a free country the talks of
persons are wiretapped but on the fact that the leader of the party
Arthur Baghdasaryan called the official of the British embassy to
attend to irregularities in the election more actively. The impression
is that you are under surveillance. The feeling that everything is
"under control" may make anyone become a dissident.

In Karabakh the nomination of candidates continues. The initiative
groups of Bako Sahakyan, head of the National Security Service, the
professor of Artsakh State Vania Avanesyan and the first secretary
of the Communist Party Hrant Melkumyan were registered.

At least another nomination is expected – the deputy minister of
foreign affairs Masis Mayilyan. There are rumors that the majority
Democratic Party will name Ashot Ghulyan, speaker of the National
Assembly. Besides, the former assistant commander of rear Armen
Abgaryan is also pointed to.

We talked to many people who are not indifferent who will be ruling
the country over the upcoming 5 years. Without mentioning the
candidates, most people says the country needs someone who would be
able to keep the internal affairs under control and tackle diplomatic
problems. Almost none of the people we talked to said the president
should establish the rule of law in the country.

Perhaps people are tired of endless assertions about equal
opportunities for everyone, and no longer believe in a country
of law. However, since stability, security and human rights are
necessary to everyone, people are looking for someone who would
guarantee their rights.

One of them compared with some countries where there are problems
with legality – Kadirov, Ahmadinejad… It is known that the idea of
a strong fist was preferred there.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress