EurasiaNet Organization
April 1 2004

ARMENIA BRACES FOR POLITICAL UPHEAVAL
Emil Danielyan: 4/01/04

Armenia’s leadership and opposition are gearing up for a potentially
violent confrontation. An opposition coalition is planning to hold
massive anti-government protests in early April. Some opposition
leaders have publicly called for the resignation of President Robert
Kocharian and have advocated civil disobedience to achieve that end.
Authorities have responded by threatening to crack down on opposition
leaders for attempting to “seize state power with violence.”

The confrontation began building in late March when the country’s two
main opposition groups joined forces in an apparent bid to encourage
popular protests along the lines of the “Rose Revolution” in
neighboring Georgia. Those protests ended up forcing former Georgian
leader Eduard Shevardnadze to step down, and paved the way for
President Mikheil Saakashvili’s rise to power. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive]. The Artarutiun (Justice) alliance led
by Stepan Demirchian and the National Unity Party of Artashes
Geghamian have set an April 12 deadline for the launch of a civil
disobedience campaign against what they say is Kocharian’s
“illegitimate” administration. Opposition leaders insist that
Kocharian rigged last year’s presidential and parliamentary
elections. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The opposition says it has been forced to adopt a protest strategy
because of the Kocharian administration’s refusal to organize a
nationwide no-confidence referendum on the government’s performance.
A ruling by Armenia’s Constitutional Court on April 16, 2003, had
recommended the holding of a no-confidence referendum within a year’s
time. The ruling did not strictly order the government to organize a
referendum, however.

Demirchian and Geghamian were Kocharian’s main challengers in the
disputed 2003 presidential ballot. Authorities are taking their
threats seriously, with Kocharian indicating his readiness to use
force against crowds that are expected to march towards his official
residence in the center of Yerevan. A March 26 statement by the three
pro-presidential parties represented in his government warned that
the law-enforcement bodies have a legitimate right to counter
“attempts to violate the country’s constitutional law” with tough
action.

The office of Armenia’s Prosecutor General issued a statement March
31 in which it announced the opening of a criminal investigation into
the Justice bloc’s protests over the past month. The prosecutor’s
office suggested the protests had “publicly insulted representatives
of government.”

Demirchian and other Justice bloc leaders were quick to denounce the
investigation, issuing a statement that characterized the
prosecutors’ actions as “an unprecedented attempt at political
persecution. … The decision shows that authorities, who are in
their death throes, have lost the ability to think rationally.”

The opposition may have got a taste of things to come when nine of
its activists were arrested March 28 during and after a Justice bloc
rally in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri. During the rally,
opposition supporters scuffled with a group of government loyalists
and plainclothes police in what the rally organizers portrayed as a
government “provocation.” “Today’s provocation shows that Robert
Kocharian’s days in power are numbered,” one of the rally organizers,
Victor Dallakian, told the angry crowd.

According to Dallakian and other Justice bloc leaders, the opposition
plan is to surround the presidential palace and the nearby parliament
compound in the Armenian capital with tens of thousands of people who
will stand there “day and night” until Kocharian steps down. The
chances that the rallies would take place as planned were boosted
with the signing on March 24 of an agreement between Demirchian and
Geghamian to engage in joint action. Geghamian had previously refused
to attend Justice bloc rallies, saying that they were
counterproductive.

A key question is precisely how many people will take to the streets.
Demirchian and Geghamian hope to pull in large crowds from the
regions outside Yerevan, and have been separately campaigning across
Armenia for over a month. The Gyumri demonstration was part of that
effort. “The regime’s fate is predetermined,” Demirchian told its
participants, assuring them that his deal with Geghamian will lead to
“the restoration of constitutional order.”

“We will act in a united front for regime change and popular
salvation from this deplorable situation,” Geghamian said,
campaigning in the central Aragatsotn province on March 26.

The authorities, meanwhile, are expected to tighten security around
the two government buildings. Marshal Baghramian Avenue, one of
Yerevan’s main thoroughfares leading to them, was repeatedly blocked
with hundreds of riot police and interior troops armed with rubber
truncheons, tear gas grenades and water cannon during the 2003
election protests. The show of force contrasted sharply with a thin
row of riot police outside the parliament building in Tbilisi that
was easily overrun by scores of opposition supporters during the
November Rose Revolution.

This contrast highlighted Armenia’s important difference from
Georgia: the existence of a powerful and well-organized security
apparatus feared by the population. It might explain why the Armenian
opposition did not try to storm government buildings in the wake of
the presidential ballot controversially won by Kocharian. Yet,
opposition leaders were clearly buoyed by the success of the Georgian
revolt and, as local observers believe, might not be as restrained
this time around. “The outcome of the confrontation is unpredictable
because it is impossible to predict the behavior of security
structures and various government factions in a crisis situation,”
commented the Yerevan newspaper “Iravunk.”

Those structures underwent sweeping personnel changes earlier in
March. Kocharian replaced Armenia’s prosecutor-general, Aram
Tamazian, with one of his most loyal law-enforcement officials,
Aghvan Hovsepian. The president also sacked most of the district
prosecutors in Yerevan, and made over a dozen new appointments in the
leadership of the Armenian police. The official motive for the
reshuffle was to improve the law-enforcement bodies’ ability to fight
against corruption and protect the rule of law. However, political
observers believe the reshuffle is linked to the brewing political
battle.

To counter recent opposition maneuvering, Kocharian’s administration
undertook its own public relations campaign, with ministers
dispatched to economically depressed rural areas of the country to
hear local residents’ myriad complaints, and “present” government
policies to them. The government accuses the opposition of exploiting
the economic hardship endured by many Armenians for political
purposes. Some Armenian observers say the government’s charm
offensive did little to shore up its popular support. The reception
given to high-level officials in most regions was at best lukewarm.

Popular discontent over the lack of economic opportunity, coupled
with the continuing fallout from the troubled elections, has the
potential to fuel instability. “My vote was stolen and I still feel
offended,” said Hovannes Mejlumian, an opposition supporter in
Gyumri. “The authorities’ track record shows that there is nothing
good they can do.”

Garegin Jambazian, a retired army officer, sounded more bullish: “I
am in a state of full combat readiness. I am ready to fight against
them to death.”

Editor’s Note: Emil Danielyan is a Yerevan-based journalist and
political analyst.

ARKA News Agency
April 1 2004

Secretary of Security Council, RA Defense Minister to travel to
Georgia with official visit today

Nothing threatens constitutional order of Armenia, PM confident

********************************************************************

SECRETARY OF SECURITY COUNCIL, RA DEFENSE MINISTER TO TRAVEL TO
GEORGIA WITH OFFICIAL VISIT TODAY

YEREVAN. April 1. /ARKA/. The Armenian delegation headed by Serge
Sargsyan, the Secretary of the National Security Council subject to
the RA President, RA Defense Minister is going to travel to Tbilisi
with official two-day visit today. As stated by the RA Foreign
Ministry during the course of the visit tge delegation to meet with
the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian PM Zurab
Zhvania, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia
Ivane Merabishvili, the Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of
Georgia Major-General Givi Iukuridze. T.M.–0–

********************************************************************

NOTHING THREATENS CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER OF ARMENIA, PM CONFIDENT

YEREVAN. April 1. /ARKA/. Armenia lives a definite political tension,
but it is not so strong to threaten the constitutional order, as said
by RA PM Andranik Margarian commenting on oppositions’ intention to
achieve power change. `If any party or individual undertakes actions
aimed at braking the country’s stability, he will be punished within
frames of the law’, he stressed. Margarian also mentioned that the
coalition expressed its wish to enter a dialogue with the opposition,
but unfortunately, the latter puts precondition – `power change then
dialogue’. `We do not accept the idea of power change, but are ready
to negotiations on the issues related to the Government or coalition
parties’, added the PM. In his words, `the State must cautious so
that statements of the group of people not to contradict the
interests of the majority of people’. T.M. -0–

ArmenPress
April 1 2004

YEREVAN MAYOR SAYS NO ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL RALLIES COULD BE SANCTIONED

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS: Yerevan mayor Yervand Zakarian
joined today a cohort of government representatives to denounce the
opposition’s plans to stage mass protest rallies to push for
president Kocharian’s resignation, saying the municipality is
concerned over radical announcements, which he said would destabilize
the situation.
Speaking to a news conference, Zakarian said “the revolutionary
calls of the opposition are serious impediments to the municipality’s
plans to go on with a number of major projects aimed to improve the
overall conditions of the city.”
Zakarian argued that mass street protests may eventually lead to
disruption of Yerevan’s economy. “Yerevan municipality cannot remain
indifferent to the aftereffects of such actions, ” he said.
“The municipality has to ensure conditions for implementation of
its plans,… Yerevan needs today political stability and normal
conditions for economy functioning,” he said, adding that the
municipality could not sanction anti-constitutional rallies.

ArmenPress
April 1 2004

ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN EAGER TO WIN MARKETS IN INDIA, CHINA

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian Development Agency
(ADA, a body set up to facilitate investment flows into the Armenian
Economy, export of Armenian goods and services to international
markets and development of Armenian enterprises, considered by the
government as the main national intermediary for bridging gaps
between policy development and implementation and the public and
private sectors, announced about plans to step up economic contacts
with world’s biggest markets in China and India.
ADA chairman Vahagn Movsisian claimed that “It is inadmissible to
overlook these two countries which have one third of world’s
population.” The first step, according to him, was last year’s visit
to India by Armenian president, when a business conference attended
by representatives of 35 Armenian companies was held. Movsisian said
a delegation of Indian businessmen from 20 companies, expected in
Armenia in June will explore cooperation prospects, four of them, he
said, have decided to start business in Armenia.
Movsisian said ADA is trying also to establish business contacts
in China, planning to participate an exhibition in Shanghai slated
for autumn and convene also a joint business conference.

The Times (London)
April 1, 2004, Thursday

Chechen leader threatens to kill Russians abroad

by Jeremy Page in Moscow

Shamil Basayev, the Chechen rebel leader, has threatened to attack
Russians overseas and to use chemical weapons to avenge the killing
of a former Chechen president in Qatar.

In a message of defiance Mr Basayev, one of Russia’s most-wanted
terrorists, said: “We have the ability to kill Russians in virtually
every country, but we have not moved our operations outside Russia’s
borders yet. Today it is the event in Qatar that will determine for
us our future actions. What Russians can do, we can, too.”

Mr Basayev has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks,
including the Dubrovka theatre siege in 2002, which left 129 hostages
dead, and the suicide bombing on the Moscow Metro in February that
killed 40 people.

His threat, published on the Chechen rebel website kavkazcenter.com,
will alarm hundreds of thousands of Russians living overseas and
raise fears that Chechen rebels possess, or are seeking, chemical
weapons.

It also raises questions about the effectiveness of President Putin’s
hardline stance on Chechnya, which has helped him to win two
elections but which critics say is fuelling attacks on Russian
civilians.

“The Russian leadership constantly reiterates that it is not fighting
Chechen separatists but international terrorists, and this has
finally become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Andrei Piontkovsky, the
independent political analyst, wrote in an editorial. “Thanks to the
methods with which we have waged this war, we have turned practically
the whole population of Chechnya into enemies.”

Mr Basayev’s statement echoed a pledge from Khaled Mashaal, the new
Hamas leader, that Israel would suffer an “earthquake” of revenge for
assassinating his predecessor Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Mr Basayev said: “We will, bomb, blow up, poison, stage gas
explosions and fires whenever possible on everything else on the
territory of Russia.”

His martyrs’ brigade would not use biological or nuclear materials
and would not target mosques, synagogues, nursery schools, orphanages
or psychiatric institutions, he said. But he added: “Combat chemical
agents, toxins and different poisons are being used against us.
Therefore we reserve the right to use chemical and toxic substances
and the same poisons against Russia.”

He offered to suspend attacks against civilians if Russian forces in
Chechnya stopped abusing local people. Human rights groups accuse
Russian and pro Moscow Chechen forces of illegally detaining,
torturing and killing hundreds of people there.

There was no official reaction from the Kremlin, but a Kremlin
official told The Times that the threat was not new. “We’ve heard
this many times,” he said. “They may take some action. They need an
escalation because the conflict is dying down.

But there would be a strong reaction against the Chechen diaspora in
the country where it took place.”

Mr Putin has repeatedly ruled out negotiating with rebel leaders and
vowed to exterminate them. He is keen to show that a peace plan
launched last year has brought peace and stability to the region
after a decade of conflict. However, Russian forces and the new
pro-Moscow Chechen administration have failed to find Mr Basayev and
fighting continues.

Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, the former Chechen President, was killed in
February when an explosion blew apart his vehicle as he was being
driven away from a mosque in Doha, the Qatari capital.

Mr Basayev has blamed the killing on Russian security services.
Russian viewed Yandarbiyev as a fundraiser and recruiter for Chechen
rebels and had been seeking his extradition from Qatar.

Qatar has detained two Russian agents and evicted a Russian diplomat
whom it suspects of involvement in the assassination.

Sources have told The Times that the two agents have confessed to
killing Yandarbiyev for Russian Intelligence and of bringing
explosives to Qatar in the diplomatic bag. Moscow insists that they
are innocent and should be freed.

CONFLICT IN THE CAUCASUS

* War in Chechnya began in the early 19th century, when Russian
armies entered the Caucasus, an area previously under Ottoman rule.
Unlike the predominantly Christian populations of Georgia and
Armenia, who saw Russian rule as a protection from Turkish
persecution, the Chechens viewed Orthodox Russia as a threat. The
Chechens never accepted the Russians, leading to a 40-year guerrilla
war

* The leader of the Chechen resistance was Imam Shamil, who was
captured in 1859. Half a million Russian troops were eventually
deployed to the conflict

* The Chechen Autonomous Region was created in 1922, becoming part of
the Chechen-Ingush republic in 1936

* Stalin accused the Chechens of collaboration and ordered their mass
deportation in 1944

* As the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, the Chechen-dominated
parliament declared the region’s independence. Russian troops entered
Chechnya in the winter of 1994 to crush the independence movement and
up to 100,000 people died in the next 20 months

* Russian troops withdrew in 1996, leaving the republic in effect
independent but lawless. Troops returned three years later -on the
orders of President Putin – after a series of attacks by Chechen
rebels in Russia

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER: April 1, 2004

DATEV 2004:
NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK
ABOUT ATTENDING THIS SUMMER
The 18th annual Armenian Studies Program for teens and young adults 13
years and older, will take place June 27 to July 4, 2004, at St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania. It is not too early to start
making plans to attend this highly successful program. Go to the Prelacy web
site () for complete details, photographs from
past years, impressions of Datevatzis, and application form.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN VISIT
HOME FOR AGED IN NEW YORK
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan
Tanielian, V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Archpriest Moushegh Der
Kaloustian, visited the residents of the Old Age Home in Flushing, New York
yesterday, March 31. The clergymen presided over Arevakal (sunrise) services
for the residents and afterward had the opportunity to visit with them.
Archbishop Oshagan praised their wisdom and experience and noted when these
attributes are combined with the energy of young people, a strong family
unit is formed. The Prelate praised the director and board of trustees of
the Home for providing a clean, happy and loving environment for our elderly
citizens and said he looks forward to his visits to the Home, which are
always inspirational.

PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
SET FOR MONDAY, MAY 3 AT
ST. REGIS HOTEL IN NYC
The annual Mothers Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, celebrating the 30th
anniversary of the Prelacy Ladies Guild, will take place Monday, May 3, at
the St. Regis Hotel, New York City. Neiman Marcus, Paramus, New Jersey, will
present the Spring 2004 collection. For information and/or reservations
contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810.

FINAL LENTEN LECTURE
TAKES PLACE LAST NIGHT
The Prelacy Lenten Lectures have been taking place for the past six
weeks. Last night was the final lecture. V. Rev. Mashdots Chobanian, Vice
Director of the Christian Education Department of the Catholicate of
Cilicia, presented a meditation on the 23rd Psalm. Substituting for Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, who was ill, Hayr Mashdots described Psalm 23 as a psalm of
trust in the divine shepherd who guides His children through the darkest
valley. He correlated this to the coming Holy Week when Jesus Christ is
tortured and crucified for the sins of humankind and the power of Christ’s
resurrection is transmitted to the faithful, giving new life. In the words
of the Psalmist, God restores our soul, leads us on the right path, and
comforts us with goodness, mercy, and the promise to dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.
The inspirational prayer service and meditation were followed by a
delicious buffet of Lenten foods prepared by the Prelacy Ladies Guild and
the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators Church. The Lenten Lectures are
co-sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the
Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG).

GREEK AMBASSADOR MEETS
WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The new Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon, H. E. Nikolaos Vamvounakis, met
with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in
Antelias. The purpose of this visit was to get acquainted with His Holiness,
to learn more about the Cilician Catholicate, and to become better
acquainted with the Armenian community in Lebanon. His Holiness emphasized
the longstanding friendship between the Greek and the Armenian nations and
churches. The Ambassador noted the importance of strengthening the
Armeno-Greek friendship and collaboration.

CILICIAN SEE PARTICIPATES IN
MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and Bishop Kegham Khatcherian represented
the Great House of Cilicia in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Middle East Council of Churches, March 22-25. The meeting was hosted by the
Coptic Orthodox Church and took place in Cairo, Egypt.

ENTERING GREAT WEEK
One of the most beautiful and stirring experiences in the Armenian
Church liturgical calendar is Great Week, which after a preparation during
the Lenten period brings us to Christ’s last days on earth. During this week
we commemorate His teachings, His suffering, His death, and Resurrection.
Saturday is the beginning of the extended Great Week celebrations with
the commemoration of the resurrection of Lazarus as the assurance of our
common resurrection.
Sunday is Palm Sunday (Tzaghkazard), which commemorates the triumphant
entry of Christ into the city of Jerusalem and the tumultuous welcome by the
people.
Vespers service on Palm Sunday evening is called Ternpatzek (Opening of
the Gates) and is a reminder of the second coming, the day of the Last
Judgement. Traditionally Ternpatzek service is held in the late afternoon,
and in some areas of the world this practice continues. In the United
States, because of the travel distances involved, this service is conducted
immediately after the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday.
Great Monday is dedicated to the creation of the world as the foundation
of the second creation through Christ.
On Great Tuesday the Church remembers the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and
the Second Coming of Christ. Psalm 24 is read and the Gospel reading invites
the faithful to watch and wait in hope for the imminent coming of the Lord.
On Great Wednesday the Church commemorates Mary Magdalene and her
anointing of Christ, and the betrayal of the Lord by Judas.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
I know what it is to be young. You do not know what it is to be old.
(Armenian Proverb).

Visit our website at

Associated Press Worldstream
April 1, 2004 Thursday 3:42 PM Eastern Time

Armenian opposition criticizes criminal investigation

YEREVAN, Armenia

The leader of Armenia’s chief opposition group criticized the
authorities for opening a criminal investigation into its activities,
saying Thursday that the move would heighten tension in the former
Soviet republic.

The prosecutor general’s office opened an investigation into the
opposition bloc Justice on Wednesday, accusing its members of public
calls for a change in government and insulting public officials.

Justice leader Stepan Demirchian called the criminal case “the latest
provocation by the authorities” in the Caucasus Mountain nation and
said it marked the beginning of “unprecedented political persecution
of the opposition.”

The prosecutors’ announcement came amid opposition plans for a major
protest within the coming weeks against President Robert Kocharian
and the government. Opposition leaders have said they would not
resort to violence.

Kocharian won a second term in presidential elections a year ago that
sparked mass protests, including nearly daily demonstrations between
the first round of voting in February 2003 and the runoff in March.
The opposition alleged widespread violations in both rounds of the
election.

Last April, Armenia’s Constitutional Court confirmed the results of
the presidential vote but suggested that a referendum be held within
a year to gauge the public’s confidence in the nation’s leaders.
Opposition leaders have pressed for the plebiscite.

Armenia opposition leader says power change imminent

A1+ web site
31 Mar 04

Correspondent Mr Demirchyan leader of the Anrapetutyun Party and
Justice bloc only yesterday leader of the National Unity Party ,
Artashes Gegamyan refused to agree on the dates set by the Justice
bloc. How did you manage to hammer out an agreement just in one day?

Demirchyan I do not think its right to talk about the process because
the main thing is the result confirmed by a statement issued a few
days ago.

Correspondent According to British pundits, there will be no velvet
revolution here because the opposition cannot still decide on its
leader and is not united. One gets the impression that the problem of
the leader was put on the back burner. Could we say that a change in
power is inevitable?

Demirchyan The public wants the power to change and the constitutional
order to be restored. Both the Justice bloc and the National Unity,
which fully realize their responsibility, have decided to join their
efforts, moreover, this pr ocess has been launched long ago on the day
when parliament issued the statement. The power will be changed as
this is what the public needs. It is not important what various
experts come up with. As to the so-called topic of the leader, this
will be decided by the people: leaders are not born on wish and
artificially. This is decided by the people.

Correspondent That is to say, after the change of power will the
opposition leaders act separately or put forward a single candidate?

Demirchyan Let us wait and see.

Correspondent In his interview with us Defence Minister Serzh
Sarkisyan threatened “to beat the opposition up” and raise the army
“to protect law and order with all the might”. What is your comment?

Demirchyan Under the constitution, the army’s task is to protect the
country’s security but not order. And subsequently, the army cannot
interfere in domestic affairs. Moreover, I believe that neither the
law-enforcement agencies nor the army will ever take up arms against
the people. Finally, I do not differentiate between the power-wielding
bodies and our people. There are individuals who might decide to
resort to such steps, but they should understand that they will be
called to book with all severity.

Correspondent What is your attitude to hasty appointments and
reshuffle?

Demirchyan This is how the authorities are preparing for pending
processes. It would be wrong to expect the results simply by making
some personnel changes. The authorities should understand one thing
that one cannot fight against his own people.

Armrosgazprom to Invest USD 24 Million in Armenian Gas Sector Over Next
Three Years

Rosbalt
01/04/2004, 12:04

YEREVAN, April 1. The gas company Armrosgazprom intends to invest nearly USD
7.7 million in 2004 into a program aimed at reconstituting Armenia’s gas
sector. As reported to a Rosbalt correspondent by the Armenian information
service, the deal was announced by the director of Armrozgazprom, Karen
Karapetian, at a working meeting chaired by Robert Kocharian. Karapetian
added that in 2005-2006, the company planned to invest a further USD 16
million in Armenia.

The Armenian energy ministry and Gazprom each control 45% of the shares of
Armrosgazprom, while 10% belong to the company Itera. The company is the
sole gas producer in Armenia.

Georgian leader surprised at election results – Azeri TV

ANS TV, Baku
31 Mar 04

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has expressed his surprise at
the returns in the parliamentary election. He told Azeri commercial TV
channel ANS that he had expected that his coalition would do well, but
not that the opposition would do so badly. Saakashvili said that the
Azeri population in Georgia had been active in the elections, but
urged them to play a greater role in public life. He said that Azeri
and Armenian MPs had not been chosen for their ethnic origin, but for
their political experience and reputation. The Georgian leader highly
praised relations with his Azeri counterpart. The following is an
excerpt from the interview by ANS on 31 March; subheadings inserted
editorially:

Presenter The Georgian parliamentary election returns were unexpected
not only for the opposition, but also for President Mikheil
Saakashvili. He shared his impression about this in an exclusive
interview with ANS immediately after the elections.

Correspondent Qanira Pasayeva, in Russian with Azeri voice-over Mr
President, we congratulate you. How did the elections go? How do you
assess the current situation? Did you expect such results?

Election results paradoxical

Saakashvili in his office, in Russian with Azeri voice-over The point
is that the elections ended with paradoxical results. I hoped we would
win. But I did not expect that no party would be able to enter
parliament and that they would not manage to overcome the 7-per-cent
barrier. Incidentally, I would have very much liked someone to have
overcome this barrier. But this is not the point. The point is that
the people expressed their wish and were very active. I did not expect
this activity. The people took to the streets. We won a great victory
in the Autonomous Republic of Ajaria. Because the local government
failed to seriously meddle in the election results. That is they won
six times fewer votes than in past elections. I think we showed that
the Georgian people support the fight against corruption, the process
of democratization, the improvement of the social situation, the
creation of warm neighbourly relations with our neighbours and
integration into Europe. In general, our people support the Georgian
government and the president.

Correspondent European bodies stated that a 4-per-cent barrier was
enough for the parliamentary elections. Why was the 7-per-cent barrier
not reduced?

Saakashvili We did not have time to change it. I did not confirm
this. This was valid when former President Eduard Shevardnadze was in
power. To be frank, I thought that the 7-per-cent barrier could unite
the opposition. Unfortunately, this did not happen. But we will
probably be able to reduce this barrier to 5 or 6 per cent. The
parties should be strengthened. They should have smooth
programmes. They should advance serious proposals in favour of the
people. Of course, then the people will appreciate this.

Correspondent Won’t it be difficult for you to work without
parliament’s criticism?

Saakashvili First, I think there will be criticism. Because
approximately 50 of the 75 deputies elected under the first-past-the
post system are opposition members. Overall, parliament consists of
230 members. As you see, the opposition is already obvious. Second,
our party is a coalition of different parties and groups. The people
there have different views. We often argue. This will not be a Soviet
parliament. It will be an ordinary parliament which will also have
people with a radical position. Some will be less radical. I think the
president will have certain problems with the parliament. I am ready
for this. Democracy exists for the presence of some problems. At the
same time, there should be constructive cooperation.

Correspondent Whom would you like to see as Speaker?

Saakashvili I would like to see Nino Burjanadze in the post of
Speaker. Of course, the political group will decide this. In general,
my position is that the process of democratization should start from
inside in all issues. Let the people decide themselves. I think
Burjanadze will hardly have a problem in this issue.

Azeris were quite active in elections

Correspondent Were you satisfied with the activity in the
parliamentary elections of Azeris living in Georgia?

Saakashvili I think Azeris were quite active in the elections. This
time there were fewer irregularities than in the previous
elections. The irregularities were at the same level as those in other
Georgian districts. Unfortunately, I could not conduct an active
election campaign on the whole of Georgian territory, also among
Azeris. As for the next elections, I would like to visit all places
and speak to everybody. I want the Azeri and Georgian compatriots to
be more active. Therefore, we should of course provide them with
explanations. Everybody, including those Azeris, should consider
solving their problems by voting. I have always told them that they do
not need to support the opposition or the government. Let them
struggle for the resolution of their problems. Let them raise their
problems and demand that the government tackle those problems. For
instance, we abolished land tax. Azeri programmes are broadcast on our
TV channels now and we will extend the reach of their broadcast. We
will teach Azeris Georgian on a high level so that they can integrate
into society and succeed. At the same time, we have practically
resolved the problem regarding the Azeri theatre. We have done this to
protect Azeri culture in Georgia and to provide the theatre with a
building. There are various issues, which differentiate Azeris from
other citizens of Georgia. Their issues should be resolved as well as
heard . Of course, there are general social problems. These problems
should be resolved equally among Azeris, Georgians, Russians and other
nations. I think Azeris should state their conditions when they go to
the elections. Incidentally, many of them have done this. This would
benefit our statehood.

No ethnic quota for Azeri and Armenian MPs

Correspondent Could you please explain the reasons why the number of
Azeri MPs dropped and the number of Armenian MPs increased in this
parliament?

Saakashvili I have not defined their number by their ethnic origin. I
think one active MP might be equal to a few MPs. We do not intend to
create artificial obstacles to anyone for their activity, reputation
and political experience. There were Azeris in the former parliament
who did not utter a word in favour of their compatriots. We need
people who will not sit and do nothing, but who will really
fight. This is not a Soviet parliament that needs a quota. Leaders
should appear who could lead others, enabling them to get the
opportunity to play a more active role in public life. I do not know
what the proportion is. But I can say that I do not collect people by
these indices.

Elections show Ajarian leadership has lost popular support

Correspondent Mr President, what steps will you take to fully control
the port of Batumi and the Sarpi customs post in Ajaria?

Saakashvili I think the parliamentary elections were alarm bells for
the local government. Because they cannot rely on the support of the
local population now, unlike before. I think that the agreements we
have reached will come into effect. We will have our representatives
there. They will supervise everything. The only issue left open is the
disarmament of the armed groups called the local voluntary
brigades. We are not going to joke on this issue. We want to resolve
everything peacefully. But if we need to bring someone to book, then I
am ready to do this. We have all the possibilities to do so.

Correspondent Do you rule out an armed conflict?

Saakashvili Of course, I will rule out using any force. But there was
a group in the Georgian region of Svanetia which kept the whole region
under threat. We sent soldiers there to neutralize the situation and
we neutralized them. We will undoubtedly neutralize such elements if
they exist there as well. The state should use limited force, if need
be. But this is the last option for a solution. The best thing is
reaching an agreement and using softer methods. But we are ready to
take any steps for the sake of the integrity of our society, not
causing problems to local civilians, in line with the constitution and
civil dialogue to prevent any threat against our statehood.

Georgia glad to have Azerbaijan as neighbour

Correspondent What do you think of Azerbaijan’s role in this issue?

Saakashvili I generally think that Azerbaijan has always supported us
closely. We have no problems with Azerbaijan and this cannot be the
case. The Azerbaijani president is my personal friend, ally. He is
someone whom I can phone and rely on in my very hard times. In
general, the presence of such partners on the personal and state level
has always played a decisive role for states. I think that the world
would have developed more, if at least half of the countries had had
such a leader. I think you are happy from this viewpoint. You have a
leader whom you can rely on. He will not leave you in trouble. He
seldom gives promises. But he keeps his promise if he gives one. I
feel comfortable that we have such neighbour. Not only I, but also
normal citizens of all Georgia feel quiet.

Correspondent How do you see Georgia’s future – as a unitary or
federal state?

Saakashvili In all, I support decentralization. What is
decentralization? This means all bureaucratic issues are tackled on
the spot so that they are not prolonged in future.

Passage omitted: more about the future plans about decentralization,
resolution of the Abkhaz conflict.

Georgia always together with Azerbaijan

Correspondent Do you intend to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the fight
against separatism? Is it possible to expect any pact to be signed on
the joint fight against separatism?

Saakashvili I do not know what specific documents should be
signed. But I know one thing, that we are together with the
Azerbaijani people in their difficult times. Azerbaijanis have always
been our friends in our hard times. For this reason, we will closely
cooperate in numerous spheres. We regard all Azerbaijan’s problems as
close to us. The Azerbaijani president and the people have been well
informed of this. We will also cooperate with international
organizations so that we could resolve issues as peacefully as
possible and constructively within the framework of those
organizations. Georgia is interested in tidiness, peace, cooperation
and the presence of a general political and economic space in the
region. I think our views in this sphere fully coincide with those of
the Azerbaijani leadership.

Correspondent Thanks a lot.