ARMENIAN EX-PRESIDENT TELLS VILLAGERS ELECTION COULD CHANGE LIVES
by Naira Mamikonyan

Aravot
Feb 8 2008
Armenia

"Down with fear in you!"

"We have already won," this is what the first president of the Republic
of Armenia was telling to residents of Lori Region.

Yesterday [7 February] the first president of the Republic of Armenia
and presidential candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, visited Lori Region
for the second time within the framework of his election campaign.

His meetings in the towns of Spitak and Stepanavan, villages of
Jrashen, Shirakamut and Kurtan have been planned.

Ter-Petrosyan’s first stop was at Jrashen village. The election
headquarters of Serzh Sargsyan, the candidate from the Republican
Party of Armenia [and prime minister], is precisely in the beginning
[of the village]. At first people met Ter-Petrosyan in a somewhat
fearful manner, but later they saw him off with great inspiration.

Ter-Petrosyan told the rural residents who came to meet him: "I came to
ask you – do you want to change something in your life?" Having heard
"yes" in response, the Armenian presidential candidate continued:
"You have this opportunity on 19 February [date of the presidential
election]. You see what has been done during 10 years.

If you are okay – I have no problem, so let these authorities stay
[in power]."

He introduced to the Jrashen residents the team which will come to
power emphasizing that "we will come also with support of Yerkrapah
[Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers] – they are all with us." "Issues
have already been solved in Yerevan. In Yerevan, the authorities
have already lost their power. They pin hopes on villages. They
think – you are remote, a little bit unaware, a little bit afraid,
and thus they can cheat people exerting pressure, through violence
and election bribes. You are the ones to decide. If you want to be
cheated – be cheated. The most important is – realize the importance
of 19 February. It depends on you. It is your business how you vote,
but if nothing changes in your lives, nothing improves after you
vote, do not accuse anyone. I just ask do not surrender to pressure,
do not be cheated."