Caucaz.com, Georgia
March 7 2008
Armenia: Government declares emergency rule after deadly clashes
Article published in 07/03/2008 Issue
By Haroutiun KHACHATRIAN in Yerevan
Armenia’s Prime Minister Serge Sargsian has officially been declared
winner of the February 19 presidential elections. Last week,
Sargsian’s main rival Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first president of
independent Armenia, attempted to rally popular support to annul the
results of the election, claiming it was rigged. Ter-Petrosian
managed to assemble more than 10,000 demonstrators in central Yerevan
where on Saturday March 1, clashes broke out between demonstrators
and the police, resulting in eight deaths and the declaration of a
state of emergency. What will be the outcome of this political
crisis?
Late on February 24, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission declared
the final results of the February 19 presidential election. Prime
Minister Serge Sargsian, leader of the ruling Republican party, beat
out his eight competitors to win the presidency with 52.8% of the
vote. His main rival, former president Levon Ter-Petrosian, lagged
well behind with only 21.5% of votes, while former Chairman of the
National Assembly and leader of the Orinats Yerkir (`Country of Law’)
party Artur Baghdasarian came in third with 16.67%. Baghdasarian has
since abandoned his radical opposition and signed a coalition
agreement with Serge Sargsian.
The OSCE’s mission of international observers presented its report
the day after the election, noting that it was `mostly in line’ with
OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards.
That assertion caused vivid reactions both in Armenia and abroad. The
report notes that challenges remain including `the absence of a clear
separation between State and party functions, the lack of public
confidence in the electoral process and ensuring equal treatment of
election contestants.’ In particular, the report notes that one
candidate received extensive negative media coverage. That candidate
– Ter-Petrosian – had to face Prime Minister Serge Sargsian, who held
the advantage of being in office throughout his campaign.
The Armenian authorities referred to the OSCE’s assessment that
elections were `mostly in line’ and heralded foreign leaders’
congratulations of Serge Sargsian as an indication that the election
results are valid. However, Armenia’s opposition and several
observers in the country point to irregularities in electoral
campaign.
The opposition says the authorities used their administrative
resources and sway over the media to hinder Ter-Petrosian’s campaign.
Opponents also allege irregularities in the voting and counting
process, vote-buying and intimidation of voters. The exact number of
ballots cast is also disputed. Although they are unable to back up
their claims, the opposition asserts that the number of ballots for
Sargsian (officially, some 843,000) was inflated by at least 500,000.
Demonstrations in central Yerevan
Ter-Petrosian is challenging the election results. Behind their
public optimism, the Armenian authorities appeared anxious last week,
as a significant part of the population appears ready to support
Ter-Petrosian. The former president based his campaign primarily on a
promise to dismantle the `pyramid of corruption’ in the country. He
has shown his readiness to confront the authorities and challenge
their tight grip on power.
As early as February 20, when results were only preliminary, the
Ter-Petrosian declared himself the winner and initiated a permanent
series of rallies and marches in the center of Yerevan. His crowd of
supporters sometimes swelled to more than 70,000. Usually, however,
at any given time of day, some 20,000 people stood in Liberty Square
near the opera house. At least 5,000 stayed on through the nights in
tents. At first, it appeared that the permanent presence of such a
large number of people prevented the police from intervening and
blockading the square.
Having no legal basis to ban the rallies in Liberty Square, the
authorities initially focused their efforts against the movement’s
activists. Deputy Prosecutor General Gagik Jhangirian was arrested on
suspicion of possessing an illegal weapon shortly after he declared
his support for Ter-Petrosian.
Throughout last week, Ter-Petrosian’s supporters maintained their
numbers as if a large festivity were taking place in central Yerevan.
On February 26, a group of officialy organized Sargsian supporters,
including teachers and students who had been "recommended" to support
the president-elect, came to Liberty Square. The opposition maintains
that these were not genuine supporters of Sargsian. Evidence
supporting this claim includes the fact that the group ended up
showing support for Ter-Petrosian’s followers by throwing their flags
from the incumbent Republican party onto the square.
Violent clashes
The situation changed rapidly on Saturday, March 1. At 7 AM the
police violently dispersed the demonstrators sleeping on Liberty
Square. The authorities claimed to have information that previously
peaceful rally participants had collected weapons and were preparing
violent actions. The police blockaded the square and security
services reportedly escorted Ter-Petrosian to his home, under the
pretext that his bodyguard detail could no longer guarantee the
former president’s safety.
Afterwards, Ter-Petrosian’s supporters gathered on another square,
near the French Embassy. Because the former president was unable to
attend, the rally became increasingly angry and aggressive.
Provocateurs reportedly sent by the authorities only aggravated the
situation.
When clashes between protesters and the police broke out, troops and
anti-riot forces came on to the scene and at 10 PM President Robert
Kocharian decreed a 20-day state of emergency. Fighting, shooting and
acts of vandalism continued on the square and the surrounding streets
while an estimated 15,000 people continued to rally near the French
embassy.
Shortly after 2AM, Ter-Petrosian issued a recorded message in which
he called upon his supporters to observe the state of emergency and
to halt the rally. The people responded and left the square. Over 130
people civilians and policemen were reported injured. Eight people
died, including one policeman.
Citizens have since observed the emergency decree which forbids
unauthorized gatherings and political campaigning. No violations of
the decree have been reported and the situation in the capital city
has been calm.
What will be the outcome of this political crisis? Ter-Petrosian has
declared that he would act within the limits of law, and would not
allow any violence or destabilization. `There will be no revolution,’
he said in an interview last November.
On February 29, Ter-Petrosian took the only legal action available to
him. He filed an official appeal with to the Constitutional Court
challenging the validity of the elections.
The trial is expected later in this week. Its outcome is uncertain.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress