tzitzernak2

Armenia without Armenians

2012-01-20T20:03:00.000-08:00

I am continually impressed by the environmentalist actions and struggle which I catch glimpses of in the news. But, who am I to be impressed? Rather, it gives me joy and hope to see a group of individuals so dedicated to such an important cause. While a friend of mine finds these videos depressing, because she feels there is no recourse or hope to be had, because changes must occur on a higher lever, and while I agree to some extent, I find that the manner in which these youth conduct themselves is inspiring, to say the least. I could go on, but I think its unnecessary.

What I do find important to say is that the struggle for Teghut, or Qajaran, or any of the numerous beautiful regions of Armenia being threatened by mining is not just an environmental one, which is in and of itself exceedingly important (the impending environmental disasters are enormous, as well as there sequelae), but one for all of Armenia, as a nation. I can't put it any better than Mariam Sukhudyan herself - watch the whole video, but especially 10:03-10:11

"...Ոնց որ հայաթափության ծրագիր ա իրականացվում։ Ամեն ինչ արվում ա որ Հայաստանը առանց հայերի՝ այդ նախագիծն իրականացվի..."

Roughly Translated: As though a plan to empty Armenia of Armenians [Hayataputyun] is being realized. Everything is being done so that an Armenia without Armenians, that plan, is realized...

Addendum: There is much more to be said on this issue of հայաթափության (Hayataputyun) - more to come soon.

Publish more, please

2012-01-14T15:30:00.001-08:00

A video worth watching, but as always, I have a favorite part:

Start at 21:03:

"There’s something that happens… to me as an editor it happens often... The police, themselves, call me, and say “hurry up and publish that piece of news. If you publish that, then they will no longer be able to force [pressure] me to cover it up.”

So there are people who are forcing the police to cover things up. Whether its Marzpets, or I don’t know who they are, authorities or something … who are those people?"

Lies and Excuses?

2011-12-24T14:54:00.000-08:00

Its interesting, on today’s news on Azatutyun Radio, there is an interview in Prague with Eduard Sharmazanov. There is a prologue to the interview, which rhetorically points out that every single election, on just about every level in Armenia in the past 20 years, has resulted in the re-election of the incumbent. And, that, if we assume that they were free and fair elections, then that means that the majority of Armenians were satisfied with whomever was in power/party, and voted for that person/party again.

Now, I don’t know if he heard that preamble before he started talking, or how the interview was edited. But, Sharmaznov did state that the HHK, the ruling part of which he is a member, has made steps towards more free and fair elections, and that these steps have been applauded by external, European, organizations.

This just seems like a load of crap. For many reasons. So many.

But what really got to me today, what went through my head while I was listening to that piece, was – well, if you admit that you’re moving toward free, fair, democratic, non-corrupt elections, that means you aren’t there now. And if you’re the party that is ruling now, and won the most recent elections, that means you won in non-free, non-fair election(s), which means they were corrupt.

Which means you just admitted that you won illegally.

If you are truly interested in having free and fair, democratic elections, then you not only put into place a ten, twenty, one hundred, log-fold more changes (than you think you have already) in the election system, in preparation for the next set of elections, but you do everything possible to address and correct the illegalities which exist in the system now, and find and hold responsible those who perpetrated the fraud within your party, and outside. That is:

-hold responsible those MPs who have been and are, even caught on camera, voting fraudulently in parliament
-hold responsible those MPs who are illegally holding the position of MP and are active businessmen
-find and hold responsible those who were involved in the fraudulent election practices in the elections of the past 4 years…

These are, of course just a start, and necessary, but not sufficient.
For f**k’s sake, cheating MPs are caught on camera, and nothing is done.

On another note, while I’m still sitting here listening to Azatutyun, I am impressed by Anna Israelyan’s tactful way of bringing up Vahagn Hovnanian’s ties to Kocharyan – and perhaps, just perhaps, that this relationship might afford him some type of protection. He, of course, avoids answering the question, or truly addressing the issue. He starts with a vague response about the confused, mixed- up, immature state that things were/are in.

Is this an apology, or an excuse for his relationship with Kocharyan?

S.O.S. Քաջարան-Բացառիկ գերակա շահ

2011-12-15T22:28:00.000-08:00

From TheEcolur

What did you just say?

2011-12-12T20:32:00.001-08:00

Now, I'm not one to seek out and watch interviews with Armen Rustamyan, or any other Dashnak for that matter. Wait, that's not true, sometimes they're fun. But, honestly, I had no intention of watching the recent Armen Rustamyan interview on A1plus' PS show, as I have a million other things to do currently. But a friend told me about a specific part, knowing it would catch my attention, and she was right. See for yourselves.

At 23:59 min, in a discussion regarding March1, 2008, the PACE monitoring committee, and HAK's work, he actually has the cojones to say that hey, in reality, it was Zaruhi Postanjanyan and I who did what was necessary to get things done at PACE for March 1. He says the prisoners (I'll clarify that in a second) would have been released anyway eventually, HAK tried to take credit for it, but it would have happened anyway, what effect did HAK have? What work did HAK do? Wow.
He's becoming almost as clueless as some of my other favorite characters - Vartan Oskanyan, Seyran Ohanyan, et al... Let's take a step back from the politics of the situation -- It's not even about HAK, and how much work they did behind the scenes, or Heritage, its about the fact that tens of thousands were out in the streets, and the work they did, and the commitment they had, the sacrifices they made - and the fact that the ARF was NOT out there, was not with, or behind the people. The mast majority of the ARF is located outside of Armenia, and couldn't give a rats a** about March 1, and those who were in Armenia were toasting it up in the coalition for quite a while. Even when they were out of the coalition, they were still in it. And they're still sitting on Santa Kocharyan's lap.*

Now, I didn't really want to watch the video, as I mentioned, and I really only paid attention to the last five minutes or so. One would think, that given Rustamyan's insistence that he was an active part of the duo that did the work to get the "prisoners" released, he would at least call them political prisoners. One would think. But...

at 23:07 Rustamyan refers to the political prisoners as "prisoners"
at 23:25 the interviewer, Aram Abrahamyan, refers to those imprisoned for political reasons after March 1 as "political prisoners," in trying to clarify who Rustamyan is referring to, and Rustamyan's response? "those prisoners"

Even now, even in this context, even in trying to support his point, he is unable to refer to them as political prisoners.
Unwilling, unable, ordered not to....

I suggest the ARF go back to doing what they do well, things like, oh, off the top of my head, actively voting for Nikoyan as head of Parliament. But dont worry, no one realizes that the ARF could have (gasp) voted for the Heritage candidate, or just abstained from the vote. And don't worry, everyone believes the ARF is opposition, because only two days after actively voting to put Nikoyan, one of the characters so heavily involved in the cover-up of March 1 as head of the NA, the ARF put in a tongue in cheek vote of no confidence in government. That was really, really convincing.

*I imagine it goes something like:

--Santa Kocharyan: And what do you want this year for Xmas, oh little political party?
----ARF/BHK: Santa, I want a molybdenum mine, and my friend wants a copper mine. Oh, and can I have a factory, too? And a car dealership? And a...
--Santa Kocharyan: That's a lot, little one!
----ARF/BHK: But Saantaaa, looked at all the times I had fake fights with the HHK, and made a mockery of the system, and ignored and trodded further on the downtrodden... Please Santa? I've worked so hard to get people to be so confused and hopeless and demoralized...
--Santa Kocharyan: Okay, we'll see. One mine for now, let's see how you do until Xmas. Maybe next year if you keep up the good work... We'll see...

I dont even know where to begin.

2011-11-30T07:14:00.000-08:00

Կրքեր Ազգային ժողովում. Պատգամավորներն անցել են վիրավորանքների (ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ)

Passions Flare in Armenia’s National Assembly: MPs Hurl Insults (VIDEO)

Perhaps the last bit is the best, or worst. I dont even know anymore. Or maybe the best/worst part is that Nikoyan LAUGHS at it.

"Later in the video, Heritage Party MP Anahit Bakhshyan takes the podium and says she counted and there are 67 MPs seated in the room, however, the number currently showing as registered to vote for the bill on the table is 82."

Impeachment Declaration

2011-11-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

ՍԵՐԺ ՍԱՐԳՍՅԱՆԻ ՊԱՇՏՈՆԱՆԿՈՒԹՅԱՆԻՐԱՎԱՔԱՂԱՔԱԿԱՆ ՀԻՄՔԵՐԻ ՀՌՉԱԿԱԳԻՐ

Impeachment Declaration

Oh no! Not that!

2011-10-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, I would love for opposition groups to find some kind of unified ground, band together, and get rid of Serge, his higher ups, and his cronies, the oligarchy, and all of their cronies.
So, when there are differences and divisions and problems between opposition groups, I want to know why, how can it be remedied, can we change it... because what I want most is a free and independent Armenia, democratic elections and democracy period, answers to March 1 and October 27, an end to the mass exodus and emptying of villages, an end to corruption and oligarchies,... the list goes on and on...
That having been said, in that context, I honestly find it hard to bat an eyelash that:

"Asked whether the ARF-D is going to cooperate with the ANC during the elections, the ARF-D senior representative said, "It is impossible." [link]

What the ARF is, now, is so much sadder to me than the thought that they won't join the real opposition.
But, wait, that's not saying much.
Nor is their statement any surprise.
Its still sad to me, very sad. So much potential...

And for once, I'm being quite serious.

Another well said...

2011-10-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Long but a must read from hetq.com:

Թուղթ առ Քրմաց, կամ առա'ջ Հայաստան դեպի կղերաֆեոդալական կարգեր

12:20, 25 հոկտեմբերի, 2011
Փառիսոս Գարդման

Հայտնի միտք է թե Պատմության դասերը չսերտած ազգերին Ժամանակը շարունակաբար է ցավալի դասեր տալիս: Իսկ ազգերը, որոնք Պատմության նվիրած հնարավորությունը չեն ընկալում լրջությամբ և իրենց իսկ զարգացումն են մերժում անցյալի ջրհորի մեջ ինքնասիրահարված երիտասարդի նման հառելով, վատնում են ապագան կերտելու անգին ժամանակը և ստրկացվում այդ իսկ Պատմության կողմից: Այո՛, երկրները, որոնք իրենց ապագան են կառուցում անցյալապաշտության մոլուցքով տոգորված, կորցնում են իրականությունը զգալու ընդունակությունը և հայտնվում վերիրական (սյուրռեալիստական) մի տիրույթում՝ դուրս ժամանակային և տարածական չափումներից: Արդյո՞ք Հայաստանը ևս այդ երկրների շարքում է:

Պատասխանը միանշանակ է դառնում, երբ լրատվական պատուհաններից հառած Հայոց աշխարհի իրադարձություններին ենք հետևում սփյուռքում ապրող հայերս: Եվ երբեմն սյուրռեալիստական պատկերն այնքան վառ ու որդան գունա«գեղություն» է ստանում, որ թվում է թե Հայաստանը ոչ թե մի փոքր երկիր է Երկրի վրա, այլ հարևան համաստեղությունում գտնվող ու իր քրեա-օլիգարխիկ ուղեծրով պտտվող մի մոլորակ:

Վերջին տարիների ահագնացող արտագաղթի, զավեշտական պատահարների, մարտիմեկյան սպանությունների, բանակային «ինքնա» սպանությունների և հանրապետական ջերմոցում բարգավաճած «բեզպրիդելության» կերտած սյուրռեալիստական կտավի առաջին պլանում պայծառանում եկեղեցի-պետություն զույգի պատկերը: Եվ որքան էլ ժամանակակից քաղաքակիրթ աշխարհը տեսական և գործնական ծիրի մեջ ապացուցված համարի, որ ապօրինի է այդ զույգի ամուսնությունը, Հայաստանը օրհնում է այն: Եվ ի՞նչ է սա, եթե ոչ կղերա-ֆեոդալական կարգերի (վերա)հաստատման փորձ: Ավելորդ է անգամ ասել, թե որքան կործանարար է հայ հասարակության համար այս միջնադարության վերադարձը:

Հայաստանյան սյուրռեալիստական կտավի առաջի պլանում տեսնում ենք ահա «Ամենահայոց հովվին», որ Գառների իր հոտը թողած, Գայլերի հետ կերուխումի մեջ է, ու վայելում է Աշխարհը միջնադարյան ախորժակով, մինչդեռ այլ «բարի հովիվներ» վաղուց արդեն սկսել են խնամել Հայոց Գառներին: Եկեղեցի-պետություն այդ զույգի պատկերին նայելիս սարսռում է նաև հայ քրիստոնյան՝ տեսնելով Քրիստոսի Հարս Եկեղեցուն այս աշխարհի իշխանությանը թևանցուկ:

Այո՛, անժխտելի է Հայաստանեայց Եկեղեցու անգին ներդրումը Հայոց մշակույթի գանձանակի մեջ, բայց նույնքան էլ անժխտելի է, որ Եկեղեցին Քրիստոսահաստատ և Սուրբհոգեշունչ իր առաքելության մեջ գնալով ավելի ու ավելի է կորցնում կապն իր ժողովրդի հետ և կտրվում իրեն իսկ սնող արմատներից: Բայց չէ՞ որ Հայ Եկեղեցին հավատացյալ ժողովուրդն է, և ինքն էլ տալիս է եկեղեցականներին իշխանություն իր իսկ հոգևոր կարիքները հոգալու համար: Տերն օրհնեց հովվին տրված այդ իշխանությունը հանուն հավատացյալ ժողովրդի, իսկ Հիսուս այս Աշխարհիս անապատի մեջ իր Ձայնը բարձրացրեց ժողովրդի Հոգին Էութենական արժեքներով լցնելու առաքելությամբ:

Ուրեմն ի՞նչ է, և ավելի ճիշտ ո՞վ Եկեղեցին: Եկեղեցին մե՛նք ենք, ազգի հոգևոր արժեքները ներքնայնացրած ժողովուրդն է, իր տառապած առօրյայից հոգնած և հույսը միայն Երկնային Լուսատուից կախած Հայ Մարդն է: Եվ նրանն է իրեն արժանի Հովիվ ընտրելու իրավունքը, և իր այդ իրավունքի ուժով էլ Եկեղեցու գավթից ներս կատարված որոշումներն էլ պետք է լինեն հավաքական իբրև նշան Սուրբ Հոգու ներկայության:

Այո՛, ամեն մի որոշում, լինի ծխական կյանքին վերաբերվող, հայրապետական նստավայր կառուցելու, թե հոգևորականներին կարգալույծ անելու հրաման, պետք է հիմնված լինի ոչ թե անձնական կամայականության ու փառասեր փափկակենցաղության, ներքին կամ արտաքին հաստափոր «բարեգործ» այրերի դոլարաշունչ կամքի, այլ ժողովուրդի հավաքական ու ժողովական (սինոդալ) մտածողության վրա: Քրիստոնեությունը հոգևոր ժողովրդավարություն է, որ շնորհիվ Հիսուսի, մարդուն և ժողովրդին ազատագրեց կրոնի բռնապետությունից: Ուստի և, հայ բարձրաստիճան եկեղեցականը պարտավոր է խարսխի իր մտածողությունը քրիստոնեական այդ կարևորագույն սկզբունքի վրա, այլապես կդառնա երկրի օլիգարխիկ մաֆիայի պալատական քուրմ, նրա մագնիսականությամբ շարժվող մի մոլորված քարաբեկոր: Հայ կղեր, ու՞ր է Հոգևոր գեղեցկության հանդեպ քո սերը: Ե՞րբ և որտե՞ղ կորցրեցիք Հայոց Եկեղեցուն հարիր նարեկյան ֆիլոկալիկ հոգևորությունը:

Եկեղեցին Հայաստանեայց իր հաստատության մեջ դարձել է ստալինաոճ մենիշխանության և պուտինիստ միակարծության մարմնավորում, ապաժողովրդական կառավարության կրոնի նախարարություն: Կարծես, Հայաստանեայց Եկեղեցու բարձրաչինովնիկ վերնախավը «հոգնել» է աստվածպաշտությունից և, սիրահետելով պետական այրերին, ժողովրդին է վաճառում իրենց համատեղ բիզնեսի արտադրանքը` անցյալապաշտություն: Պարոնացած հոգևորականնե՛ր, ճեմարանական Ձեր կրթության տարիներին չհասկացա՞ք արդյոք, որ Եկեղեցին իր էությամբ ընդդիմությունն է տիրող իշխանության, այս աշխարհում յուր մաքիավելյան բարոյական սկզբունքներով շարժվող պետական իշխանության:

Ձեր «պաշտած» Տիրոջն էլ չհասկացա՞ք, որ չեկավ իր բարոյականությունը պետական կրոն դարձնելու մոլուցքով ներշնչվաց, այլ կայսերական անբարոյականությունը իր բարոյական սկզբունքներով հակադրվելու առաքելությամբ: Չեկավ հրեական ժողովարանների կողքին աշխարհիս խաժամուժին ուտուշ-խմուշաստաներ կառուցելու իրավունք շնորհելու, այլ աշխարհիկ ուտուշ-խմուշը իր Ժողովրդի հետ Հոգևոր Հաղորդության խորհրդապաշտական ընթրիքով փոխարինելու, իշխանությունից կրած Ժողովրդի ցավերը դարմանելու: Դա էլ չհասկացա՞ք: Ապա ո՞րն է լինելու Ձեր առաքելությունը այս գերինֆորմացված դարում: Հայ մարդուն անցյալի ժանգոտաց ու մրուրահոտ գաղափարներով կերակրե՞լը, թե՞ նրան իշխանության ստրուկ դարձնելը:

Իսկ, հայաստանյան սյուրռեալիստական կտավի անկյուներին ուշադրությամբ նայելիս, տեսնում ես այնտեղ ծվարած թշվառ ու հալածված մի Ժողովուրդ, որ քաղցած է Հույսի, Հավատի և Սիրո, տեսնում ես բանակում հոշոտվաց հայ զինվորների հարազատների, որոնք Երկինք են պարզել իրենց կորուսյալ զավակների պատկերները: Իշխանությու՛ն, դու որ անտարբեր չես Քո թշնամիների հանդեպ և նրանց մեղադրում ես Հային անվերջ ատելու համար, բայց քո հանցագործ անտարբերությամբ ինքդ ես հոշոտում Հայի պաշտպանին:

Վա¨յ Ձեզ հայոց որդեկորույս մայրեր, ի՞նչ սրտով եք նայել զինվորա-կղերական շոու-շքահանդեսին, այդ նույն բանակի, որ կործանեց Ձեր զավակներին «չմոյա-գողականության» իր թունավոր մթնոլորտում, և նույն եկեղեցու, որ կույր է ձևանում՝ հոգով ճարպակալած գեներալիտետի ու վայրագ սպայակույտի ոճիրները չտեսնելու համար։ Դալիական սուրռեալիստական երևակայությունն անգամ անզոր կլիներ պատկերել կոմունիզմ կառուցողի խրոխտ դոփյուններով քայլող հայ կղերին, որ Քրիստոսի լուծը խորհրդանշող իր իսկ փորուրարն աքացի տալով և հայացքը զույգ «կայսրիկներին» հառած, անցավ հանրապետության հրապարակով: Եկեղեցին Ժողովրդի խղճի Ձայնը պետք է լինի, այլ ոչ թե ստրկատիրոջ խամաճիկը: Հարևան աստվածպետական երկրում անգամ, մոլլաները, սեփական արժանապատվության գիտակցումից ելնելով, նման ստրկամտություն չեն ցուցաբերում ... Ամոթ՛:

Հայ կղերը բանակու՞մ, թե՞ բանակային տրամաբանությամբ շարժվող հայ կղեր, որ «մի սպանի՛ր» պատվիրանի և եղբայրական սիրո քարոզի փոխարեն հայ բանակ մտավ այնտեղ տիրող «կաստայացումը» իր լրմանը հասցնելու և իրավազուրկ հայ զինվորին ու երկրի քաղաքացուն իր իսկ դավանած ստրկամտությունը սովորեցնելու նպատակով: Այո՛, կղերական-բրահմանը բանակում սկսեց զինվորին իր սոցիալական կշռի և «դուխի» համաձայն զորամասում իր տեղն ու դիրքը ցույց տալու վեդայական առաքելությունը: Ունևոր «վայշնավյան խավին» բաժակաճառակից «կղերա-բրահմանը» սկսեց խեղճ «շուդրա-անդիպչելիներին» նախատել աղքատ ու հալածված լինելու, հաստաբազուկ «քշատրի-վարդանմամիկոնյան» ազգային կուռքի պատկերին չհամապատասխանելու համար: Այո8, հայոց բանակում կղերի ներկայությամբ և նրա իսկ ձեռքով էլ օրհնվեց անարդարության և անպատժելիության այս մթնոլորտը, որին զոհ է դառնում ազգի զինվորը, որից հոգնած իր երկիրն է լքում արժանավոր հայը:

Վերադարձ դեպի կղերա-ֆեոդալական կարգե՞ր, թե՞ Հայաստանն իբրև Ծուռ հայելիների աշխարհ, ուր պարկեշտ անձի փոխարեն հարգանքի պատվո պատվանդանին է կանգնած արհեստավարժ ավազակը, ուր անառակն է կոչումով բարոյագետ, օրինապահն ամենամեծ օրինախախտ, հոգևորը նյութապաշտեցված, ոստիկանը գողական, գողը ոստիկանացվաց … բոլորն էլ նույն նյութից են, տարբեր՝ միայն համազգեստով:

Եվ այդ առումով որքա¨ն գովելի է լսել համատարած այս «քուչիզմի» դեմ բարձրացող բողոքի ձայնը, ձայնը երիտասարդ խիզախ հայորդիների, որոնք ուխտել են, որ «Չեն լռելու», այլ բարձրաձայնելու են հասարակության սյուրռեալիստական երևույթների դեմ, Նորին Մերսեդեսության քմահաճ կամքի կամ Ձերդ Բենթլիության շքեղապատճուճ կենսակերպի: Այո՛, հանուն Ազատամտության և Արդարասիրության թող երբեք չլռի՛ Գառների ձայնը՝ ընդեմ Գայլերին ընկերակից ու մսագործ դարձած հովիվների:

Ազատասեր նոր սերնդով զորացած Ժողովուրդը կղերական «քադաֆիների» չի հանդուժի և ամենաբարձր գահից էլ խայտառակ վախճանով վայր կիջեցնի։

Video Redo

2011-10-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

From Epress:
A user by the name of “isthereamiracle08″ and Lala Aslikyan have posted on YouTube a re-edited version (titled “Who is Armenia?”) of the state-sponsored promotional video featuring the slogan “You are Armenia” dedicated to celebrating the 20th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia.
Clips of happy smiling youth from the original are intercut with scenes of hazing in the army, demonstrations, police brutality and persecution of journalists, opposition leaders and human rights activists. The song from the original has remained unchanged.

More than half a neuron here...

2011-10-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

It’s all well and good that Sarkozy was in Armenia, and he supports recognition of the Armenian Genocide. And he stood there and chanted the sounds “Tse-gha-spa-nu-tyun.” And a whole bunch of people were there welcoming him, holding welcoming signs and waving French flags. That’s all well and good. There should be international recognition of the Genocide. That’s not in question.

But if Sarkozy, or Sargsyan, or anyone else for that matter thinks that a few flags and banners, a statue, and a few syllables will make those of us with more than half a neuron for a brain think that Sarkozy’s France is pro-Armenia, that is, for a strong and independent Armenia, they’re sorely mistaken.

If France truly supported a free and independent Armenia, they would speak loudly at PACE, and not allow the page on March 1 to close. Peaceful protesters were gathered in front of the French Embassy in Yerevan, in March, 2008, and what did the Embassy do? Closed its shutters, literally and figuratively. It comes as no surprise that Sarkozy basically ignored the around the clock peaceful rally taking place in Liberty Square while he was in Armenia.

And Genocide? Let’s talk about Genocide. Its well known that despite promises to stay and protect the population of Marash, the French troops left the population-- which at that time was mostly women, children and the elderly-- sneaking out in the dark before dawn, having wrapped their horses’ hooves in cloth to muffle any sounds that might betray their stealthy escape.

True, France has since recognized the Genocide of 1915. But what of the virtual Genocide now: the massive corruption, fraud, and oppression by the illegal and oligarchic regime, whose policies and behaviors are driving such a massive emigration as to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, threat to national security? An emigration which has been compared to a genocide. And here is Sarkozy, hobnobbing with the coordinator of the emigration, Sargsyan, himself.

Once again, the Genocide of 1915, and recognition of it, is being used, to the detriment of a strong and independent Armenia, and Armenians, today.

So go find your half-neuroned, Genocide-chanting, cheerleaders someplace else. And take your statue with you.

Another Beauty...

2011-10-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

This one thanks to Arman Veziryan (with permission).

Some favorite pics

2011-10-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

There are a ton of pictures floating around the web from the recently started around the clock demonstrations started by HAK, right after the September 30 demonstration. A friend sent me some more photos...

These I love because they highlight the absurdity - the regime is so desperate to suppress any- and everything, that they've shut down the cafes on Liberty Square, including the bathrooms, so peaceful protesters can't use the bathrooms. I'd be unbelievably upset if i were one of those cafe owners or workers - that's good business they're shutting down!
These cafes would usually be pretty packed on the weekend, but they were shut down, and look quite deserted...

My friend also sent me this one below, which i think is likely my favorite so far, because of the explanatory caption that came with it:

Apparently, the man with the beard had witnessed the events of March 1-2, 2008, and had vowed to keep his beard until justice was done.

A close second, though, is this picture of my good friend, Bazaz, thanks to epress:

Killing your own

2011-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

Video is from Azatutyun

«Սեւազգեստների ակցիա» կառավարության շենքի առջեւ

ՖՈՏՈՇԱՐՔ. «Կախվել է իր հասակից ցածր տեղից…»

You know who hurts and kills their own? When they do not see them as truly "their own."

Male lions taking over a new pride will kill the baby lions.
Step fathers are exponentially more likely to molest and rape their step-children, than real fathers.
In warring tribes/peoples, the winning side will often kill the children and babies from the defeated side.

It is clear that this criminal, oligarchic regime, consciously or not, is flushing out those who are not their own.

Blatantly violate rule of law.
Make the villages unlivable. Increase cost of living, make it out of reach for many.
Make the rich richer, and the poor poorer.
Allow Russia to help many "relocate" out of Armenia.
Imprison, beat, frighten away the dissenters.
Kill your own.

Just had to post it...

2011-08-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

After the wonderful article on Haykakan Zhamanak outlining Oskanyan's lies, one by one, quite literally (5/2011)...

Ո՞ւմ է պետք պաթոլոգիկ ստախոսի ներողությունը

Came this article on 1in.am ... I just couldnt resist posting, in full:

«Սիվիլիթասի» ղեկավարը 2004-ին էլ էր պատրաստ «Մարտի 1»-ին (տեսանյութեր)

Օգոստոսյան ամառային հանգիստն անհանգստացրեց WikiLeaks-ը: Ամերիկյան գաղտնի փաստաթղթերի տեղատարափը հայաստանյան իրականության վերաբերյալ նոր լիցք հաղորդեց հայաստանյան հասարակական քննարկումներին:

Ամերիկացի դիվանագետների գրառումները իսկապես առատ էին` հայաստանյան օլիգարխիա, օլիգարխների` ընտրովի թվերի համադրությամբ «գոլդ» պետհամարանիշեր, օլիգարխների հարստահարման հիմնական ոլորտներ, «Հոկտեմբերի 27»-ի գործ, «Իրան-Հայաստան» գազատարի կառուցման խնդիր, «ՌԴ-ից ներմուծված հերթական գործիք՝ Հանրային խորհուրդ», Հայաստանի քաղաքական ճգնաժամ և արտագաղթ, ինչպես նաև` ընտրական, հետընտրական իրավիճակներ և այլն:

Անդրադառնանք WikiLeaks-ի հրապարակած Հայաստանին վերաբերող ԱՄՆ դիվանագիտական մեկ փաստաթղթի, որը վերաբերում է 2004թ. ընդդիմության հանրահավաքները արգելելուն, ճնշելուն և իշխանությունների կողմից իրականացվող քաղաքականությանը, և մասնավորապես «Սիվիլիթաս» հիմնադրամի հիմնադիր, այն ժամանակ ՀՀ ԱԳ նախարար Վարդան Օսկանյանի «գործունեությանը»: Այն, որ Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանի իշխանության հիմնասյուն հանդիսացող այս պաշտոնյան իր տասնամյա իշխանավարման ընթացքում առանձնահատուկ ծառայություններ է մատուցել իր շեֆին` անհերքելի փաստ է, և խիստ հատկանշական էր մասնավորապես նրա «առաքելությունը» Մարտի 1-ից առաջ և հետո, երբ նա նախ լծվել էր ընդդիմության խաղաղ հանրահավաքի մասնակիցներին ի լուր աշխարհի հանցագործ ներկայացնելով, ապա արդարացնում էր Մարտի 1-ից հետո իշխանությունների բոլոր գործողությունները` ձերբակալություններն ու հետապնդումները:

Պարզվում է, սակայն, Օսկանյանն առաջնորդվել է նույն սցենարով նաև 2003-ի նախագահական ընտրություններից հետո: Այսպես, 2004թ. ապրիլի վերջին պատրաստված ամերիկյան փաստաթղթի համաձայն` 2004թ. ապրիլի 27-ին՝ ընդդիմության հանրահավաքից առաջ, Վ.Օսկանյանը հավաքել է ՀՀ-ում հավատարմագրված դիվանագետներին և հանդես է եկել մի շարք ուշագրավ հայտարարություններով: Վ.Օսկանյանի մատուցմամբ՝ Հայաստանն այդ օրերին ապրել է իր պատմության «ամենակրիտիկական պահերից մեկը», և նա կոչ է արել միջազգային հանրությանը` օգնել կառավարությանը կայունություն ապահովելու համար: Վ.Օսկանյանն անգամ նախազգուշացրել է, որ եթե ընդդիմությունը փորձի շրջապատել նախագահական նստավայրը և թույլ չտալ, որպեսզի Քոչարյանը Եվրոպայից վերադառնա և մուտք գործի իր նստավայր, ապա կառավարությունը ստիպված կլինի դիմել Սահմանադրության 55-րդ հոդվածին` «սահմանադրական կարգը վերականգնելու համար համապատասխան միջոցառումներ ձեռնարկելու համար»: Վ.Օսկանյանը հակասահմանադրական է համարել ընդդիմության կոչերը` Ռ.Քոչարյանի հրաժարականի վերաբերյալ, քանի որ ընդդիմությունը, ըստ Վ.Օսկանյանի, «զգուշացրել է, որ այդ նպատակին հասնելու համար կարող է ուժ կիրառել»: Ապա նա շնորհակալություն է հայտնել դիվանագետներին 2004թ. ապրիլի 12-13-ին ընդդիմության հանրահավաքը ցրելուց հետո արված հայտարարությունների համար՝ այնուամենայնիվ նկատելով, որ «միջազգային հանրության հայտարարություններում բացակայում էր կառավարությանը ուժով գահընկեց անելու դատապարտումը, ինչը որոշ ընդդիմադիրների կողմից դիտվել է որպես իրենց մարտավարության հավանություն»:

Նախ հիշեցնենք, որ 2003-ի կեղծված ընտրություններից մեկ տարի անց, երբ մեր հասարակությունը իր քվեն էր տվել ՀԺԿ առաջնորդ Ստեփան Դեմիրճյանին, Ռ.Քոչարյանը երկրորդ անգամ բռնազավթեց իշխանությունը, որից հետո Սահմանադրական դատարանն անգամ ստիպված եղավ որոշում կայացնել` մեկ տարի անց վստահության հանրաքվե անցկացնել: 2004-ին հասարակությունը ընդամենը պահանջում էր ՍԴ կայացրած որոշման իրագործում: Իսկ այն, որ 2004- ին ընդդիմության առաջնորդները` «իրենց նպատակին հասնելու համար կարող են ուժ կիրառել», սա իհարկե լկտի սուտ է: Ընդհակառակը, բոլորը շատ լավ հիշում են, որ այն ժամանակ բոլորը, այդ թվում և ընդդիմադիր թերթերը, ընդդիմությանը մեղադրում, քննադատում էին «սահմանադրական ճանապարհով» առաջնորդվելու համար` դա սխալ մարտավարություն համարելով:

Ինչպես նկատում ենք, Վ.Օսկանյանը նույն ձեռագրով, ինչպես մարտիմեկյան շրջանում էր, 2004- ին ևս լծված է եղել օտարերկրացի դիվանագետների «ուղեղները լվանալով», որպեսզի արդարացնի ոչ լեգիտիմ ճանապարհով իշխանություն զավթած իր շեֆի հնարավոր գործողությունները` «սահմանադրական կարգը վերականգնելու համար համապատասխան միջոցառումներ ձեռնարկելու» քողի տակ: Եզրակացությունը մեկն է` Օսկանյանն ու իր շեֆը 2004-ին նույնպես պատրաստ էին Մարտի 1 իրականացնել` խաղաղ ցույցերի և բողոքի դուրս եկած ժողովրդի դեմ...

Թե ինչ «դերակատարություն» ունեցավ նույն Օսկանյանը Մարտի 1-ին և ինչ ստերի շարան էր ներկայացնում` դա էլ է հայտնի բոլորին: Օրինակ` 2008թ. Մարտի 1-ին նախագահական նստավայրում հրավիրած մամլո ասուլիսում Օսկանյանը նշեց. «Ազատության հրապարակում ընդդեմ ոստիկանության եղել է մեծ դիմադրություն` նաև օգտագործելով սառը զենք, որը ոստիկանությունը արդեն հանրության առաջ ներկայացրեց, հեռուստատեսությամբ դուք տեսաք, և դրա արդյունքում է, որ այդ բախումները ոստիկանության և այդ մարդկանց միջև տեղի են ունեցել»… Ի՞նչ սառը զենք, հետաքննությամբ ապացուցվե՞ց, որ ընդդիմադիրները զինված են եղել կամ մեքենա են հրկիզել, կամ խանութ թալանել...

Մեր հիշողություններում թարմ է ևս մեկ էպիզոդ. նույն մարտիմեկյան մամլո ասուլիսում Օսկանյանը ստեց. «Լուրերն այն մասին` իբր Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը տնային կալանքի տակ է` չեն համապատասխանում իրականությանը»: Օսկանյանը լրագրողներին պարզաբանել էր, թե` անվտանգության հետ կապված հարցերի ապահովման համար Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանն իր առանձնատուն է տարվել` իր շահերից ելնելով. «Իհարկե, Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանի կողմից ցուցաբերվել է դիմադրություն, սակայն նա տարվել է իր առանձնատուն, որտեղից կարող է հանգիստ դուրս գալ»: Որ Օսկանյանի այդ հայտարարությունը բացարձակ սուտ է, կարող են վկայել Մարտի 1-ից հետո Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանին այցելող դիվանագետները, ովքեր նույնպես խուզարկվում էին (Մարտի 1-ի առավոտվանից Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանի առանձնատան դարպասները հսկում էին ոստիկանության աշխատակիցներ), և բացի այդ` ինչպե՞ս պետք է Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանը «հանգիստ դուրս գար» տնից, եթե կալանքի տակ էր գտնվում...

Այս մարտին Օսկանյանը հանդես եկավ մի ուրիշ ցնցող հայտարարությամբ` նշելով, թե Ս.Սարգսյանը պետք է ազատի «բանտարկյալներին», այն դեպքում, որ Օսկանյանի ղեկավարած իշխանությունը դեռ Մարտի 1-ից առաջ էր սկսել Լ.Տեր-Պետրոսյանի թիմակիցների բնակարանների խուզարկություններն ու ձերբակալությունները... Հիշեցնենք, որ մինչև Մարտի 1-ը ձերբակալվել էին Գագիկ Ջհանգիրյանը, Վարդան Ջհանգիրյանը, Սմբատ Այվազյանը, Պետրոս Մակեյանը, Աշոտ Զաքարյանը, Մյասնիկ Մալխասյանը, Խաչատուր Սուքիասյանի թիկնազորի անդամները, իսկ արդեն մարտի 21-ին հայտնի էր, որ ձերբակալված են շուրջ երկու հարյուր ընդդիմադիրներ: Մինչդեռ մարտի 1-ի նույն ասուլիսում Օսկանյանը հայտարարում էր, թե` «որևէ քաղաքական գործիչ ձերբակալված չէ», «ձերբակալված քաղաքական դեմքեր չկան», սա այն դեպքում, երբ մարտի 1-ին արդեն հայտնի էր, որ ձերբակալված են ՀՀ նախկին վարչապետ Հրանտ Բագրատյանը, ՀՀՇ վարչության անդամներ Արամ Մանուկյանը, Դավիթ Առաքելյանը, Լևիկ Խաչատրյանը, Հովհաննես Ղազարյանը, Վահագն Հայոցյանը, Աշոտ Մանուկյանը, «Այլընտրանք»-ի անդամներ Դավիթ Մաթևոսյանը, Վարդգես Գասպարին, ինչպես նաև Մուշեղ Սաղաթելյանը և այլոք…

Եվ նման բազմաթիվ այլ օսկանյանական ստեր: Ո՞րը վերհիշես... Ահա այս մարդն այսօր Ռ.Քոչարյանի «վերակենդանացման» գործին է լծվել և սեպտեմբերից իր «Սիվիլիթաս»-ով հավակնում է «ցիվիլ» դասեր տալ մեր հասարակությանը վեհ ու բարձր գաղափարների ու արժեքների մասին, և եվրոպացիների աչքում «ցիվիլ» դեսպան երևալ: Մի մարդ, որ հանգիստ կարող էր հավասարը հավասարի հետ ոտք գցել, օրինակ, Սադամ Հուսեյնի մերձավորներից մեկի` Իրաքի նախկին ԱԳ նախարար Թարիք Ազիզի հետ, ով, ինչպես հայտնի է, դատապարտվեց ցմահ ազատազրկման` մեղադրվելով Սադամի կառավարման շրջանում շիա- մահմեդականների նկատմամբ հաշվեհարդարին մասնակցության մեջ, ապա նույն հանցագործության համար դատարանի կողմից դատապարտվեց մահապատժի:

Explaining the Oligarchy...

2011-08-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

An interesting, newer, series on 1in.am... This was the 5th in the series

Unity, Solidarity, and Principles, Giro?

2011-08-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to further expand on my thoughts on the ARF in the previous post, when I was astounded by the call for unity and solidarity and principles that the ARF's Giro Manoyan made in criticizing the US Western Region ARF's refusal to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence with Serge Sargsyan. I said that because i've been quite clear in the past on my feelings about the ARF. But, I would like to add a few things, nay, ask a question or three or more...

Where was the dedication to unity and principles and solidarity in the 1990s, when:

--the ARF In Armenia would not even address the First President of the Republic Levon Ter-Petrosyan as "President"

--the ARF In Armenia and abroad would write articles and spread rumors slandering the person and family of then President Levon Ter-Petrosyan

--pictures of LTP were used as target practice in ARF youth camps in the Unites States

Just a few questions. Because, I'm having some trouble understanding what you mean by unity and principles and solidarity... Where were these concepts when LTP was president, and why are they so important when Sargsyan is president? Well, we know the answer to both of these already...

...Or was it "solidarity" with the peacefully protesting Armenian People of Armenia and Karabagh when, in the Joint Communique of the ARF (along with the SDHP and the Ramgavars) in October, 1988, when the Karabagh issue was boiling, when the strength, momentum and unity of the people was undeniable, and the future held so many possibilities and dreams, including independence-- that October 1988, just 8 months after the Sumgait Pogroms, the ARF wrote:

"We also call upon our valiant brethren in Armenia and Karabagh to forgo such extreme acts as work stoppages, student strikes, and some radical calls and expressions which unsettle the law and order of the public life in the homeland and subject to heavy losses the economic, productive, educational and cultural life as well as the good standing of our nation in its relations with the higher Soviet bodies and also with the other Soviet republics. These zealous attitudes also provide the fodder for the ulterior motives of the enemies of our people."

There's clearly some type of unity and solidarity going on here, but it clearly isn't with the people of Armenia, and hasn't been for a long time. The statement by the Western Region ARF is the first, or among the first, that might possibly be a step in the right direction (but see my previous post).

And if there are any western region ARFers reading this, here's a recommendation, if truly you're interested in justice, democracy, and human rights in Armenia - use your vast network and start signing and disseminating the Petition to Free Tigran Arakelyan. That would be a good start.

And, with regards to the other undersigners of the Communique, well, the SDHP has redeemed itself, and the Ramgavars, well... does anyone even know what they're up to these days?

Confused, Fascinated, and Titillated by the ARF

2011-08-19T18:00:00.001-07:00

I agree with Giro Manoyan, from the ARF Bureau in Armenia. And I agree with the US based ARF.

Sort of, that is, on both counts.

It’s confusing and titillating. But I’d be even more confused (and less titillated) if I were a US based Dashnak or Dashnak-supporter right now. That’s on top of how confused one must be to be a Dashnak in the first place.

Here’s the story. Apparently on Thursday August 18, the Western US office of the ARF made an announcement that they will not be attending the dinner event to be held by the LA Consulate celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Armenia’s independence – an event which Serge Sargsyan himself is planning on attending.

I say apparently, because I can't find the original statement – not on the Asbarez or Armenian Weekly websites, not on the ARFD website, not on the ARF Western US website, and not on the ANCA website. Reports of it are all over the news in Armenia, though.

Why, why the refusal to attend, you may ask. One would think that the ARF, being the nationalistic organization that it is, would jump to the occasion. Well, the only thing I can find is what is on the newspaper sites in Armenia (see Azatutyun, Epress, Tert), and I will quote them directly…

...representatives will not take part in the celebration, in protest against Sarkisian’s track record in office. It said his presence there will “cast a shadow on the idea of independence and denigrate the struggle of our people for the restoration of justice.”

the pan-Armenian party’s chapter described the Armenian president as a “discredited” individual who “tramples democracy and democratic values underfoot” in order to ensure “the reproduction of the criminal regime.”

The statement went on to accuse the Sarkisian government, of which Dashnaktsutyun was a part until April 2009, of committing “blatant human rights violations,” controlling the judiciary and sponsoring “oligarchs that continue to relentlessly plunder our people” in Armenia. It also condemned the government’s conciliatory policies towards Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Whoa, Nelly, whoa!!! Where did this come from, I thought to myself. “Restoration of justice?” “Criminal regime?” “controlling the judiciary,” “human rights violations?” “oligarchs… relentlessly plunder[ing]?”

On the one hand, this is great! Did they suddenly open their eyes, or at least are finally showing publicly that the Western US branch of the ARF is aware of and is acting on at least one smidgen of what is happening in Armenia? But then I searched Asbarez and the Armenian Weekly, the main media mouthpieces of the ARF in the US. I searched for what I would consider to be the main issues pertaining to “plundering,” “oligarchs,” “justice,” and “human rights.” I couldn’t find a single article on the Kiosks, on the 7 arrested youth, on the problems of corruption, the courts, and massive emigration, or on poverty. Do they have other issues in mind? But, alas, as I mentioned, I haven’t yet found the original statements, to help me better understand what else they may in fact have in mind.

What happened that these suddenly are important issues? Sure, last time Sargsyan went to LA, the ARF had a whole bunch of AYFers and others out on the streets chanting against him – but that had to do with Turkish-Armenian relations, nothing to do with March 1, political prisoners, human rights violations, etc… But this time around, somehow, NOT going to the celebration is important enough that they risked upsetting the main ARF office mothership in Armenia, which they succeeded in doing.

This is where things get even more interesting, and yes, titillating. Its very surprising that the Western US ARF would refuse to go to a nationalistic celebration held in Los Angeles, where a person of power such as Sargysan will be present; but it is also very surprising that they would do so on grounds that actually pertain to issues on the ground in Armenia, and not something related to Turkey or Genocide, or their usual topics of interest like what some Congressman said about the Genocide, which Armenian is running for City Council in Glendale, or which Diasporan Armenian camp has a new basketball court. Since when has the Western US ARF made ground issues in Armenia a priority? And enough of a priority, at that, to cause problems between the ARF in Armenia and themselves? Aaah....

But, such tension is a long time brewing, my dear readers.

For the living memory of 99+% of Armenians, the ARF has been centered OUTSIDE of Armenia – various locations in Europe, if I’m not mistaken: Cairo, Athens, and Beirut. It was only after LTP kicked the ARF out that they then reestablished themselves with their main hub in Armenia. But it was okay during Kocharyan, because the ARF was, and still is, very close to Kocharyan. As we know, that regime-friendliness continued when Sargsyan took over, and they were even part of the coalition for a bit. Now they continue to basically be part of the regime, though they play at being opposition. But I can only imagine what type of waves it must have caused the ARF to suddenly have an independent Armenia (which despite the propaganda, they were not so happy about – but that’s for another time), and then to all of a sudden have their point of power shifted from the Diaspora, to Armenia. Imagine all those individual and confused identities that make up the ARF, now with a real, living, breathing Armenia with real living, breathing, Armenians – Armenians who don’t identify themselves as Armenian just because they went to an Armenian high school, or talk about hating Turks and Genocide. The ARF, and most of the Diaspora for that matter, still hasn’t made the transition.

Add to that that at this year’s July ARF Congress, when the new worldwide executive body was elected, not a single US ARF member was elected – the North American representative is from Canada. This is probably the first time in the past 40 or so years that this has happened. How humiliating.

Add to that the following. In the recently released 80+ paged report by HAK on the grounds for early elections, there was a list of all of the corrupt parliamentarians – those who were both MPs and had businesses, which is illegal. Now, the ARF currently has 16 MPs (per their ARF parliament website), 5 of them are listed in the document. This and other corruption in Armenia’s ARF, from what I understand, has been the cause of a lot of concern and tension for the Diasporan ARF folks.

So, perhaps, just perhaps, there is more to the Western US ARF saying no to the celebratory dinner, and their willingness to upset the mothership ARF in Armenia, than the sudden burgeoning concern for human rights in Armenia.

Finally, let’s not forget the equally wonderful response by Giro Manoyan of the Bureau in Armenia, again, citing other sources, as I can’t find the original document anywhere, yet:

“Armenia is facing numerous problems. However, the 20th anniversary cements "our common achievements," says the comment.
"At such high-level functions, we have no right to be guided by personalized relationships and emotional steps in this kind of events,” Manoyan said. “Instead, we must use this occasion to express our unity and consolidation with such events, while remaining faithful to our principles.”

We don’t have the right to be guided by personalized relationships? That’s a new one, Giro. Unity? Faithful to Principles? You and the rest of the ARF have Mikaelian, Zorian, and Zavarian rolling in their graves. I think I’ve made my thoughts on the ARF in Armenia clear before, I need not repeat them here.

We’ve got ARF against ARF here. Will an order be given? If it is, will it be obeyed?

And I still wonder, why this event? Wouldn’t the defection of the ARF Western US have more of an impact if they started actually publishing information on what is really happening in Armenia, and about the regime, rather than boycott an event worth of celebration, because Sargsyan is going? Or maybe this is just the start of a whole new Western US ARF. What about the Eastern branch? I’m just full of questions.

So, I agree with Giro Manoyan, and his (supposed) emphasis on unity and principles. And the ARF is a hierarchical institution, I’m not sure the branches have the right to make such decisions for themselves, just like their individual members don't have the right to think for themselves (but then, if they did that to begin with, they wouldn't be members). And I agree with the (supposed) concern for human rights in Armenia that the Western US branch is expressing.

This is just fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.
And titillating.

Addendum 20 Aug: Lragir published the ARF Western US statement: English Armenian. I still dont see anything about it in the Armenian Weekly or Asbarez, though.

The Red Beret's name is Tigran Avetisyan... just look at the marks

2011-08-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

A couple of sources today gave the story of what really happened last week when 7 youth oppositionists were beaten and taken to jail - 4 were released on parole/signature, 3 will remain in prison for at least the next 2 months. Now, the infamous Alik Sargsyan of the police, gave his own explanations, and then said, I know people will believe me. Right. Because you've been so trustworthy in the past.

Well, as it turns out, he's wrong again. He stated the whole thing started with someone and their unmuzzled dog; he also claimed the youth were drunk, and one of the police was injured/attacked by the youth and had to be taken to the hospital. Now we're getting a different story - there was no dog, the youth weren't drunk (they passed a breathalyzer test at the police station), and well... here's the story:

Artak Karapetyan noticed some Red Berets illegally searching a citizen, approached them, and asked to be a witness. The conversation was polite until Tigran Arakelyan approached. At that point, one of the Red Berets noted, "Hey, I recognize this guy, these guys are Levonakans," after which the argument started. At that time, five other HAK youth who were walking in the area approached the group, curious about all of the police and Red Berets who had gathered there.

Here is what they saw. Tigran Arakelyan was on the ground, and one of the red berets had his boot on Tigran's head, and Tigran's foot in his hand; two other Red Berets were striking him while he was down. When the other five tried to calm the situation, the Red Berets became violent towards them. The beating continued while the seven were in handcuffs. The 7 youth were put in 4 police cars, and Tigran Arakelyan and Vahagn Gevorgyan were in the same car...

Vahagn explained today what really happened in the car. The Red Beret began to choke Tigran while he was handcuffed, to the point where Tigran was half unconscious. Even the driver of the car and policeman noticed what was happening, that it was very likely that Tigran could die, and the driver pulled over - somehow the driver, the plainclothes policeman and Vahagn (to the extent that he could help while handcuffed) were able to get the Red Beret's hands off of Tigran's neck. When they started moving again, the Red Beret went again for Tigran's neck, trying to choke him, and it seemed to everyone in the car, that he was trying to to choke Tigran to death. In his struggle to move his neck out of reach and away from the Red Beret who was trying to choke him, Tigran's head hit the Red Beret's face.

That Red Beret's name is Tigran Avetisyan.

The beatings of the youth continued not only in the cars, but also at the police station.

The above is a roughly summarized translation of the azatutyun article, with a few points from the recorded bits as well.

So, where does that leave us? If, like Alik Sargsyan, someone wants to doubt this story, then the most logical place to start is the story of the choking. Because regardless of what someone does or says, there is no justification for a Red Beret stomping on someone's head, then trying to choke a (handcuffed) citizen. So, if he was choked, there should be marks on his neck, right? Well... take a look for yourselves... A video was taken of the youth when they were taken to the police station... Unfortunately, the video doesn't focuse on Tigran's neck, but I pulled some stills at different angles of his neck:

That about says it all.

Oh, again, that Red Beret's name is Tigran Avetisyan. So, whether Alik Sargsyan was 'misinformed,' or otherwise, there is a name to those choking hands.

Now, dear, dear, misinformed(?) Alik Sargsyan.... what're you gonna do about it? And what's stopping you from doing anything about it?

And why on earth are the three youth still in prison?

"Our home is the struggle; we have no home other than the struggle"

2011-08-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

"As long as the Republic of Armenia has not rid itself of the criminal regime, as long as it has not become a happy and joyous country, our home is the struggle, we have no home other than the struggle"- N. Pashinyan, on the occasion of the release of 3 of the 7 youth oppositionists - Areg Gevorgyan, Davit Kiramijyan, and Sahak Muradyan. A fourth, Vahagn Gevorgyan, was released a little while later.

It was barely over two months since the last remaining political prisoners in Armenia had been released - apparently it was too long for this regime... they had to go and get some more.

3 are being kept in detention for 2 months - Tigran Arakelyan, Artak Karapetyan, and Sargis Gevorgyan. All 7 are charged with hooliganism and assaulting officers.

And for those who still haven't seen the video evidence of the wounds inflicted on the youth by the police:

And for a great interpretation/representation of Police Chief Alik Sargsyan's response, see Teymurazyan's post on it!

Another set of 7 political prisoner for Armenia

2011-08-09T22:38:00.000-07:00

1. Ընդդիմության հաջորդ հանրահավաքի օրը տրանսպորտի խափանումներ չեն լինի. Հարությունյան

(roughly translated) Harutyunyan: There will not be obstacles to transportation during the next opposition demonstration.

Oh... so you now you admit there have been... well... some obstacles... perhaps??

ՀԱԿ–ի 7 ակտիվիստներ բերման են ենթարկվել ոստիկանություն

ՀԱԿ-ի 7 ակտիվիստներին ձերբակալեցին և տեղափոխեցին ոստիկանական բաժնից

3. Just in case you can't find it elsewhere - the 85 page document - HAK statement on the grounds for holding preterm presidential and preterm elections

Video for 2 August

2011-07-21T06:55:00.001-07:00

This is the first time I remember seeing an ad for one of the upcoming meetings. I think its a good approach, on many levels. And well done, too.

Worthwhile find on Facebook...

2011-07-08T10:57:00.001-07:00

I saw this on facebook, and with permission from the author, am reposting it here:

Moving Beyond Sticks and Stones / Գուցե, խո՞սքն է հզոր մահակից

For some time now there has been quite the raucous over the Armenian National Congress’ (ANC) willingness to engage the authorities in dialogue. While the ANC has remained steadfast in its position that any such dialogue would necessarily revolve around the issue of snap elections, this “chess game” drew the ire of more radical-minded oppositionists who consider any type of dialogue with the authorities as indicative of the ANC’s “selling out” of “the people,” or in the least, its willingness to compromise it's principles for the sake of political expedience.

At first glance, they seem to have a point. If Serge Sargsian and his “cronies” are intent on fabricating elections and perpetuating the current kleptocracy, then what’s the point of appeasing these self-appointed leaders, allowing them to further perpetuate their ongoing abuses of nation and state? Such linear thinking, however, is why we find ourselves in this bind to begin with. Political engagement does not take place in a vacuum. That the ANC and the authorities are moving closer to dialogue is not without context, and more importantly, does not contradict the ANC’s founding principles. For other political actors to claim otherwise is ill-informed at best, disingenuous at worst.

Speaking on behalf of “the people,” some seem to advocate a zero-sum strategy as the only acceptable means of communication with the ruling regime. These forces maintain that a non-cooperative, revolutionary movement is the only morally and ethically responsible choice available to the ANC. Supposedly, this is the will of “the people.” However, just who are these “people” these forces seem to be referring to? How do we know this is what “the people” want? Where are they? Where are their leaders? Why aren’t they being organized? And, if they are, why aren’t they occupying Liberty Square and demanding with resolve in their voices and raised fists an end to Sargsian’s reign, along with the corrupt and inept establishment he governs over? Or better yet, why haven’t the presidential palace or the National Assembly been stormed yet? And if this form of change is exacted, what guarantees or indicators do we have that such change, while instantaneous, would actually bring about a more immediate, stable and democratic state?

Even still, I would still be inclined to understand some of the critics if their vitriol against Ter-Petrossian and the ANC found some basis in logic. Critics have failed to present a coherent argument as to what it is exactly that the ANC stands to gain from engaging in dialogue with the authorities, other than passing references to the possibility of a couple dozen parliamentary seats at best, or a few ministries. This accusation is best addressed through the words of ANC member Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, who, in response to Republican Party member Rafik Petrosyan’s prediction that the ANC would secure 15-20 mandates in the 2012 parliamentary elections, retorted that those mandates be kept for the Republicans, themselves. Arman Grigorian of the ANC recently echoed this sentiment: “even if we were to get something, and it was just a concession to ANC, rather than a concession to society, we would be finished in a matter of days. We would become as relevant as Arthur Baghdasaryan is today.”

The fact of the matter remains that Ter-Petrossian’s return to the national stage revived Armenian society from its daze, sparking the rebirth of a civil society movement that had been dormant since the late 1990s. Moreover, the ANC remains the only organization capable of posing a real threat to both Sargsian and his ruling HHK. The ANC continues to draw a clear majority in terms of popular support; its rallies are still the most attended; its base is still the most energized; its membership is still the most diverse; and its organization still the most robust. It is one thing to challenge the ANC’s leadership and question the organization’s modus operandi; it is entirely another to accuse Ter-Petrossian and the ANC of being in bed with these authorities simply because dialogue is perceived to be an alternative preferable to violence.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրեսի ներկա իշխանությունների հետ երկխոսության գնալու մասին հայտարարության բարձրացրած թոհուբոհը դեռ չի դադարում: Չնայած այն փաստին, որ ՀԱԿ-ը բազմիցս հստակեցրեց, որ իր դիրքորոշումը չի փոխվել, և որ ցանկացած հնարավոր երկխոսություն տեղի է ունենալու միայն արտահերթ ընտրություններ թեմայի շուրջ, նմանատիպ «շախմատային» քայլը ցասում առաջացրեց ավելի արմատական մտածելակերպ ունեցող ընդդիմադիրների շրջանակներում, ովքեր ցանկացած շփում ներկայիս իշխանության հետ համարում են ժողովրդին «ծախելու» կամ, ավելի մեղմ, քաղաքականորեն նպատակահարմար փոխզիջումների գնալու պատրաստակամություն:

Առաջին հայացքից նրանց ցասումը ինչ-որ չափով հասկանալի է: Եթե Սերժ Սարգսյանն իր հանցախմբի հետ մտադիր է կեղծել հերթական ընտրություններն ու երկարաձգել ներկայիս բռնապետության գոյությունը, ուրեմն խաղաղ երկխոսության գնալն այս ինքնակոչ առաջնորդների հետ թվում է ինքնանպատակ քայլ` նրանց հնարավորություն ընձեռելով շարունակել իրենց անբարո վերաբերմունքն ու վարքը դեպի երկիրն ու ժողովուրդը: Սակայն, հենց նման սահմանափակ մտածելակերպն է մեզ հասցրել ներկայիս խճճված քաոսային դրությանը: Քաղաքական երկխոսությունը տեղի չի ունենում անօդ տարածության մեջ: Փաստը, որ իշխանությունն ու ՀԱԿ-ը բանակցում են հնարավոր երկխոսության թեմայով, ունի համատեքստ, որը չի դավաճանում վերջինիս սկզբունքներին: Քաղաքական գործիչներն, ովքեր պնդում են հակառակը, լավագույն դեպքում թերինֆորմացված են, վատագույն դեպքում՝ անազնիվ:

Ժողովրդի անունից որոշ գործիչներ ջատագովում են հարցի "ամեն ինչ կամ ոչինչ" մոտեցումը: Այս ուժերը վստահ են, որ անհանդուրժողական հեղափոխական շարժումը ՀԱԿ-ի ունեցած միակ բարոյական և էթիկական ուղին է: Ենթադրաբար, սա' է ժողովրդի կամքը: Սակայն, հարց է ծագում, արդյոք ու՞մ են այս ուժերը համարում «ժողովուրդ»: Ի՞նչ հիմքերի վրա են մեզ վստահեցնում, թե դա հենց ժողվորդի' կամքն է: Ու՞ր է ժողովուրդը: Որտե՞ղ են նրանց առաջնորդները: Ինչ՞ու չեն համախմբվում: Իսկ եթե կան ու համախմբված են, ապա ինչ՞ու բռունցքները վեր պարզած չեն գրավում Ազատության Հրապարակն ու անսասան վճռականությամբ պահանջում վերջ դնել Սարգսյանի սահմանազանց տիրապետությանն իր անճոռնի համակարգով հանդերձ: Կամ, ճիշտ կլինի հարցնել, արդյոք ինչու՞ դեռևս չեն գրոհել Նախագահական նստավայրը կամ Ազգային Ժողովը: Բայց բուն հարցը նրանում է, թե կա՞ն արդյոք նախանշաններ ու երաշխիք, որ վերը նշված մոտեցումը չի տա միայն ակնթարթային բավարարում, այլ կհանգեցնի կայուն ու դեմոկրատական քաղաքական հանգուցալուծման:

Ես նույնիսկ տրամադրված կլինեի հասկանալու Տեր-Պետրոսյանի ու ՀԱԿ-ի որոշ քննադատներին, եթե նրանց քննադատական մաղձը ունենար գոնե տարրական տրամաբանություն: Վերջիններս մինչ օրս ոչ մի ամբողջական ու հիմնավոր փաստարկ չեն ներկայացրել երկխոսության արդյունքում ՀԱԿ-ի շահերի վերաբերյալ, բացի ակնարկելուց հնարավոր երկու տասնյակ պառլամենտական մանդատների կամ մի քանի նախարարական աթոռների վերաբերյալ: Հանրապետական կուսակցության անդամ Ռաֆիկ Պետրոսյանի գուշակություններին, իբր թե ՀԱԿ-ը երկխոսությունների արդյունքում կապահովի 15-20-ական պառլամենտական մանդատ, ըստ արժանվույն պատասխանել է ՀԱԿ անդամ Գուրգեն Եղիազարյանը` խորհուրդ տալով հանրապետականներին մանդատները իրենց պահել: Վերջերս, ՀԱԿ անդամ Արման Գրիգորյանը նաև նշել է, որ եթե անգամ ՀԱԿ-ի մտադրությունը ոչ թե ժողովրդի, այլ հանուն սեփական շահերի փոխզիջումների գնալն էր, ապա խնդիրը վերջացած կլիներ օրերի ընթացքում և իրենք կլինեին այնքան կարևոր, որքանով այսօր քաղաքական դաշտում կարևոր է Արթուր Բաղդասարյանը:

Անհերքելի փաստն այն է, որ Տեր-Պետրոսյանի վերադարձը քաղաքական բեմ վերակենդանացրեց հայ քաղաքացուն խորը թմբիրից՝ բոցավառելով քաղաքացիական շարժում, որը նինջ էր ապրում 90-ականների վերջերից: Ավելին, ՀԱԿ-ը կար և մնում է միակ կազմակերպությունն ի զորու իրական վտանգ հանդիսանալու Սարգսյանի ու նրա հպատակ ՀՀԿ-ի համար: ՀԱԿ-ը շարունակում է ունենալ հետևորդների մեծ բանակ, ովքեր մեծամասնություն են կազմում հասարակության մեջ, հանրահավաքները ամենաբազմամարդն են, հենքը դեռ ամենախանդավառվածն է, անդամները սերում են հասարակական ամենատարբեր շերտերից, և վերջապես, անվիճելիորեն, այսօր ՀԱԿ-ն ըննդիմության ամենաամուր քաղաքական կառույցն է: Մի բան է հարցի տակ դնել ՀԱԿ-ի ռազմավարությունն ու գործունեությունը, արմատականորեն մեկ այլ բան է զրպարտել վերջինիս ու Տեր-Պետրոսյանին ներկայիս իշխանությունների հետ անկողին մտնելու մեջ` հիմնվելով լոկ այն փաստի վրա, որ երկխոսությունը գերադասվում է արյունահեղությունից:

[by Edgar Martirosyan, July 6, 2011]

Say what...??

2011-07-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

Still can't get over this:

«Ի՞նչ անենք, ամեն ինչ անենք, որ այդ մարդիկ չփախնե՞ն, որ այդ կրիտիկական զանգվածը մնա այստեղ, ու հեղափոխությո՞ւն լինի: Ինչպե՞ս անենք, որ մարդիկ մնան Հայաստանում, պետք է այնպես անենք, որ կյանքը մեր երկրում լինի ավելի լավ, քան արտերկրում: Բայց եթե դու կյանքը սկսում ես Հայաստանում բարելավել, կրիտիկական զանգվածը չի նվազում: Ավելանում է այն զանգվածը, որն աջակցում է իշխանություններին: Հավատացեք ինձ, որ ոչ մի իշխանություն չունի այնպիսի ցանկություն, թե այնպես աշխատի, որ իր հեղինակությունը լինի ավելի ցածր, քան ընդդիմությանը»:

There you are...

2011-06-28T07:05:00.001-07:00

Some people had been wondering where Bazaz was recently, I know I have. How could I not? But he has reared his head... Below is some information that was circulating a few days ago, and here is an article from epress (Armenian, English):

Հունիսի 25-ի երեկոյան, ժամը 21:00-ի սահմաններում Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրեսի 4 երիտասարդ ակտիվիստների հանդիպումը Երևանի փոխոստիկանապետ Ռոբերտ Մելքոնյանի և Երևանի ոստիկանության Կենտրոնի բաժնի պետի տեղակալ Արայիկ Պետրոսյանի հետ ավարտվել է Կոնգրեսի անդամներին ոստիկանության բաժին բերման ենթարկելով: Որից հետո Կենտրոնի ոստիկանապետ Սարգիս Մարտիրոսյանը և նրա աշխատասենյակում գտնվող Երևանի փոխոստիկանապետ Ռոբերտ Մելքոնյանը Երևանի ՊՊԾ գնդի հրամանատար Վալիրի Օսիպովի և Կենտրոնի փոխոստիկանապետ Արայիկ Պետրոսյանի ներկայությամբ սպառնացել են Հայ ազգային կոնգրեսի ակտիվիստներին:

[from epress] According to a new audio recording that has appeared on YouTube, what sounds to be Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Robert Melkonyan and Kentron (“Center”) Police Chief Sargis Martirosyan are heard threatening detained Armenian National Congress (HAK) activists. In the clip (available only in Armenian), the senior police officials are heard issuing a warning to the young opposition activists regarding their activities ahead of Thursday’s rally.
Recall, at about 8:45 pm on Jun. 25, four youth HAK activists — Sargis Gevorgyan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, Sargis Khachatryan and David Kiramijyan — were picked up by police from the Pushkin–Mashtots intersection while they were distributing flyers announced the Jun. 30 rally and taken to central police division. They were subsequently released at around 9:25 pm.

Here's the video that was put up on youtube:

Trying to Reformulate History

2011-06-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

Addendum: And here's Pashinyan's editorial on Oskanyan's interview from June 22: Նշաձողի վոյեւէ առերեւույթը

Oskanyan was the guest on Azatutyun's Տեսակետների խաչմերուկ this weekend. I was quite impressed at how well prepared he was. At how ready he was to answer such a wide variety of questions. At how hard he obviously had worked in preparing and presenting answers that, to naive eyes and ears, present a wonderfully coherent story of a man committed to a healthy and just Armenia. At how hard he's trying to keep his options open right now.

Gimme a break. It doesn't matter how hard you try to clean up your trail, realign the evidence, justify your actions. Its all still there. And no amount of trying to rewrite and reexplain history, no number of videos or Civilitas forums or interviews, is going to change the truth.

So I, for one, don't need to hear about how broken up you were and still are about March 1, or how you tried to get a dialogue going, or how you felt the political prisoners needed to be released. I don't remember any such voice of support for the political prisoners, or for any part of the struggle in general, and I was watching closely (Feb 9 2010 post, March 14, 2009, http://tzitzernak2.blogspot.com/2010/05/on-civilitas-oskanyan-and-meghri.html) In fact, even in this interview you didn't dare call them political prisoners. They are refered to as բանտերում գտնվողները - those who are in prison.

But, I don't need to keep going on my own. Anna Hakobyan already wrote a brilliant piece in Haykakan Zhamanak on May 12, 2011. And here it is: First Part, Second Part.

Keep trying to wipe away the fingerprints and rearrange it all, my friend. The only person believing it is you.

[azatutyun article and video here]

This one's a beauty...

2011-06-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

As I dont get time to read all of the articles I would like to, someone reposted this article on facebook where I luckily saw it. The original is from chi.am. The last paragraph especially just tugs at my heart strings... kudos to the author ՔՐԻՍՏԻՆԵ ԽԱՆՈՒՄՅԱՆ (Kristine Khanumyan) -

ԴԱՇՆԱԿՑՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ԲՈԼՈՐԻՆ ՍԵՓԱԿԱՆ ԱՐՇԻՆՈՎ Է ՉԱՓՈՒՄ

Իսկ հասարակությունը կապ ունե՞ր երիտթուրքերի

հետ ձեր ախպերության հետ

Ինչպես երեւում է` Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրեսի հատկապես վերջին հանրահավաքից հետո, երբ իշխանությունները փաստացի հաստատեցին, որ պատրաստ են ընդդիմության հետ գնալ երկխոսության, Դաշնակցությունը լուրջ տվայտանքների մեջ է ընկել։ Դաշնակցության ներկայացուցիչները մեկը մյուսին հերթ չտալով փորձում են ամենատարբեր ձեւերով մեղմ ասած «հարամել» հնարավոր այդ երկխոսությունը։

Երեկ, օրինակ, դաշնակցական պատգամավոր Արծվիկ Մինասյանն անդրադառնալով երկխոսությանը` ոչ ավել, ոչ պակաս հայտարարել է, թե «իրենք, (այսինքն` ընդդիմությունն ու իշխանությունները-հեղ.) վաղուց էին երկխոսում, շախմատ խաղում, փոխադարձաբար գովերգում իրար, բայց դրա հետ հասարակությունը որեւէ կապ չունի։ Մյուս կողմից էլ լավ է, որ ՀԱԿ-ն ու իշխանությունը երկխոսում են։ Հասարակության աչքերը բացվում են, եւ նա տեսնում է, որ ՀԱԿ-ն ու իշխանությունը շատ ու շատ հարցերում միանման են մտածում։ Բայց պետք է նշել, որ շատ ու շատ հարցերում նրանց մոտեցումները չեն համապատասխանում մեր ազգային շահերին»։

Այսպես ուրեմն, բանից պարզվում է` հասարակությունը ընդդիմության հետ կապ չունի, կապ չունի այն երկխոսության հետ, որը ընդդիմությունը հասարակության անունից եւ հասարակության համար վարելու է իշխանության հետ։ Թերեւս` ըստ դաշնակցականների, հասարակությունը կապ ունի Դաշնակցության հետ։ Բանից պարզվում է նաեւ, որ ընդդիմությունը չի մտածում ազգային շահերի մասին, եւ մտածողը թերեւս Դաշնակցությունն է։ Ըստ երեւույթին, Դաշնակցությունը բոլոր քաղաքական ուժերին սեփական արշինով է չափում, երեւի Դաշնակցությունը մտածում է, որ եթե ինքը արդեն ավելի քան հարյուր տարի նման գործելաոճ է որդեգրել, ապա մյուս քաղաքական ուժերը եւս իրենց նման են։ Եվ դա հասկանալի է, ինչպե՞ս կարող է մի կուսակցություն, որը 1908 թվականից եղբայրացավ երիտթուրքերի հետ` թուրքական պառլամենտում մի քանի տեղ ստանալու խոստման դիմաց, եւ միաժամանակ զինաթափելով հայերին ու հրապարակավ հրաժարվելով «Հայ Դատից»` հասկանալ, որ կարող է լինել մի քաղաքական ուժ, որը երկխոսում է ոչ թե սեփական շահի, այլ երկրի եւ ժողովրդի ապագայի համար։ Դա հասկանալի է այն Դաշնակցության պարագայում, որը այդ մի քանի տեղերը ստանալով Թուրքիայի խորհրդարանում` 1909 թվականի Ադանայի կոտորածը, որի ընթացքում 30 հազար մարդ սպանվեց, անվանեց ցավալի թյուրիմացություն` իրենց խղճի վրա վերցնելով այդ մարդկանց արյունը, որը թափեցին դաշնակցականների եղբայր երիտթուրքերը։

Հետաքրքրական է, թե մեր ազգային շահերի հետ որքա՞ն կապ ունի դաշնակցականների կողմից նույն ժամանակ թուրքական խորհրդարանում քրիստոնյաներին բանակ զորակոչելու մասին օրենքին կողմ քվեարկելը, որը պատճառ դարձավ, որ 1915-ից առաջ արդեն մոտ երկու հարյուր հազար երիտասարդներ զորակոչվեն բանակ։ Եւ ավելին, արդեն կոտորածի տարիներին նույն դաշնակցականները մինչեւ վերջին պահը ստանձնել էին բանակից դասալիք հայ զինվորին բռնելու եւ թուրքական բանակ վերադարձնելու դերը։ Հետաքրքիր է, թե մեր ազգային շահերի հետ որքա՞ն կապ ունի 1918 թվականին Դաշնակցության կողմից Օսմանյան Թուրքիայի կառավարությանն ուղարկված հեռագիրը, որտեղ դաշնակցականները թուրքական իշխանություններին` հանուն բարեկամության իրազեկում էին, որ «Անդրանիկ փաշան խուսափել է ՀՀ կառավարությունից, իմանալով, որ զինվորական դատի պիտի ենթարկվի մեր զինվորական մինիստրին չենթարկվելու համար եւ որ Անդրանիկը տաճկահպատակ հայերից կազմել է առանձին զորաբանակ, նպատակ ունենալով անցնել Ջուլֆայի կամուրջը եւ Խոյի ու Սալմաստի շրջանում միանալ Վանից նահանջող ժողովրդին»։ «Նա մտադիր է ուժեղ բանակ կազմել, ստեղծել սեպարատ պետություն եւ հարձակվել ձեր վրա։ Խնդրում ենք միջոցներ ձեռք առնել` նրանց վերջնականապես ջախջախելու համար»,- գրված էր այդ հեռագրում։

Դաշնակցականները թերեւս մոռացել են, որ 20-ական թվականներին կնքեցին «Պրոմեթեւս» կոչվող դաշինքը` Թուրքիայի եւ Ադրբեջանից փախած մուսավաթականների ու Կովկասի լեռնականների Թուրքիայի ներկայացուցիչների հետ` Թուրքիայի հովանու ներքո այդ տարածքները անկախացնելու վերաբերյալ, ինչը փաստացի ուղղված էր Խորհրդային Հայաստանի հասարակության դեմ։ Դաշնակցականները թերեւս մոռացել են, որ երկրորդ աշխարհամարտի տարիներին անցել էին ֆաշիստական Գերմանիայի կողմը եւ անգամ պատերազմում էին ԽՍՀՄ-ի դեմ։ Դաշնակցականները թերեւս մոռացել են նաեւ, որ 1950-ական թվականներին կատարեցին ամենազզվելի քայլը` պառակտեցին հայ եկեղեցին` իրենց հովանավորության տակ հիմնելով Անթիլիասի նոր կաթողիկոսությունը, ինչի արդյունքում սփյուռքահայ բոլոր գաղութներում առաջացան զուգահեռ միություններ, կրթօջախներ, այլ ազգային կազմակերպություններ, որոնք սուր հակամարտության մեջ մտան իրար հետ` այդպիսով պառակտելով Սփյուռքը։

Դաշնակցականները թերեւս մոռացել են, որ հենց իրենք ամենասուր պայքարը ծավալեցին ղարաբաղյան շարժման տարիներին եւ շարժման դեմ` եւ ընդհուպ մինչեւ անկախության հանրաքվեն պայքարում էին անկախության գաղափարի դեմ։ Դե իսկ այն, թե ինչպես էր պատերազմի տարիներին Դաշնակցությունը հանրահավաք անում Երեւանի կենտրոնում, բոլորն են հիշում։ Բոլորն են հիշում նաեւ, որ արդեն քանի ընտրություն Դաշնակցությունը ընտրությունից առաջ դառնում է ընդդիմություն, ընտրությունից հետո` կոալիցիայի մաս։ Փաստորեն նորմալ է, որ այս ճանապարհն անցած կուսակցությունը անկեղծորեն չի կարողանում հասկանալ, որ Հայաստանում կարող է լինել այնպիսի քաղաքական ուժ, որը մտածում է ոչ թե սեփական շահի, այլ երկրի եւ ժողովրդի ճակատագրի մասին։

I would just add the following - Let's also remember that at that time (in reference to the last parargraph), the ARF was urging its supporters and sympathizers in the US to contact/fax their representatives to deny aid to Armenia.

That's quite some nationalism, there, isn't it?
Thanks guys. Don't know what the Armenian nation would do without you. Really.

May 31, Liberty Square, Yerevan

2011-05-31T07:38:00.001-07:00

Livestreaming from

1in.am

1inam on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

and

Azatutyun

azatutyun on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

That's 3...

2011-05-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's been almost 2 days since Pashinyan, Mikaelyan and the remaining political prisoners were set free under the cover of an amnesty which released hundreds.
The next meeting is in 2 days, on May 31 - it will be the second on to be held in Liberty Square.
The March 1 investigation is supposedly underway.

That's three. A difficult three for Sargsyan, I think. He's playing chess with the opposition, and he's walking a fine tightrope stretched over shark-infested waters with his established "colleagues" - slowly, carefully, stepping forward while trying to keep his options open, and watch his back, perhaps literally...

But what is making him take such risky steps? Is it the fear of social upheaval, as some say? Is it the realization that there may be limitations to just how long and severely the country can be financially ravaged by this regime? Is it international pressure regarding NK and Turkey? Or perhaps Sargsyan's conscience is finally waking up from its coma... (less likely, but I thought I'd throw it in there).

I honestly don't know. But it seems that he has decided that careful baby steps toward the opposition are in his best interest. Or, another way of looking at it, perhaps he has started down a road, and has a goal in his sights, but he needs the opposition to get there.

Dialogue is next, and is always difficult. The depth and breadth of problems facing the country are enormous. The remaining 12 demands (list here) are only the tip of the iceberg, but they're a start.

New video from 1 March, 2008

2011-05-25T02:55:00.001-07:00

New video YouTube posted by Martimek2008 regarding March 1, 2008 :

From Epress.am:
On May 23, a video was uploaded on YouTube by a user by the name of martimek2008 (which translates to Mar. 1, 2008) titled “See how they fire on Mar. 1, 2008.” There’s no description accompanying the clip but it is assumed to be a scene from Mar. 2008 when mass unrest in Yerevan following a disputed presidential election resulted in at least 10 dead and many more wounded.
The circumstances surrounding the events during these days (as well as the investigation into the people behind the murders) have still not been officially clarified.
The video lasts only 41 seconds and seems to have been shot from one of the higher floors or the roof of a residential building nearby.

Epress.am:
Երեկ Youtube տեսանյութերի կայքում բեռնվել է 2008 թվականի մարտի 1-ի իրադարձությունները պատկերող մի կադր, որը տեղադրել է martimek2008 օգտատերը՝ տեսանյութը վերնագրելով «Ահա թե ինչպես են կրակում 2008 թվականի մարտի մեկին…»: Տեսանյութը տևում է 41 վայրկյան, նկարահանված է շենքի բարձր հարկերից կամ տանիքից: Կադրում երևում է ջրցան մեքենա, իրեր նետող և կրակ արձակող մարդիկ:

Տարոսը... (1 + 2)

2011-05-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

Directly from Armenian Times/Haykakan Zhamanak, the title says it all in one word:

Տարոսը...

Միջազգային քրեական դատարանի գլխավոր դատախազ Լուիս-Օկամպո Մորենոն երեկ դատավորներից խնդրել է Լիբիայի նախագահ Մուամմար Քադաֆիին` որպես մարդկության դեմ հանցագործության կատարած անձի ձերբակալելու թույլտվություն տալ:
Ձերբակալության թույլտվություն են խնդրել նաեւ Քադաֆիի որդու` Սայիֆ ալ Իսլամի եւ Լիբիայի հետախուզության պետ Աբդուլլահ ալ Սանուսիի համար: Նրանք երեքն էլ մեղադրվում են փետրվարի 15-ից սկսված խաղաղ ցույցերի մասնակիցներին գնդակահարելու, ապստամբած քաղաքների բնակելի թաղամասերը օդից ռմբակոծելու հրաման տալու մեջ: Նշենք, որ նշված հանցագործությունները, մասնավորապես խաղաղ բնակչությանը գնդակահարելու հրաման տալը չունեն վաղեմության ժամկետ: Այսինքն, քանի դեռ նման հրամաններ արձակած մարդիկ կենդանի են, նրանք վաղ թե ուշ ենթարկվելու են պատասխանատվության, եթե ոչ տվյալ երկրի, ապա միջազգային դատարանի կողմից:

Տարոսը... 2

Ժողովրդի ճնշման տակ հրաժարական տված Եգիպտոսի նախագահ Հոսնի Մուբարաքը ուղերձով երեկ սեփական ժողովրդից ներողություն է խնդրել մարդկանց դեմ գործած բոլոր չարագործությունների համար եւ խնդրել ներում շնորհել իրեն:
Մուբարաքը ներկայումս գտնվում է կալանքի տակ, եւ նրան ցուցարարների դեմ բռնի ուժ կիրառելու հրաման տալու, պաշտոնական դիրքը չարաշահելու, պետական միջոցները յուրացնելու եւ մի քանի այլ մեղադրանքներ են ներկայացվել: Մուբարաքը պատրաստակամություն է հայտնել պետությանը հանձնել իր տնօրինության տակ գտնվող բոլոր ակտիվները: Դեռ նախօրեին նրա կինը` Սյուզան Սադաթը, հօգուտ պետության հրաժարվել է իր բանկային հաշվում պահվող 3.5 միլիոն դոլարից ու Կահիրեի արվարձանում գտնվող շքեղ առանձնատնից, ինչի դիմաց երեկ առավոտյան ազատ է արձակվել:

Հավատո՞ւմ եք Մարտի 1-ի բացահայտմանը

2011-05-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

From 1in.am

Not that I had much respect for the ARF to begin with...

2011-05-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

I don’t know if I can hold back the profanity on this one.
This is just insulting to anyone who calls themselves human, period.
To most carbon-based life forms, actually.

[From Azatutyun article w/video/sound]

Նրա համոզմամբ` ամենավատը այն է, երբ 2008-ի մարտի 1-ի իրադարձությունները ոչ թե քննության նյութ են դառնում, այլ օգտագործվում` իբրեւ պատրվակ, միջոց Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանի նկատմամբ վրեժ լուծելու կամ նրան վարկաբեկելու համար.
«Չի կարելի ասել, որ մարտի 1-ի մեջ միայն իշխանությունն է մեղավոր, իսկ այս երկրում միայն դրա մասին է խոսվում: Ոչ ոք չի խոսում, թե ընդդիմությունը իր պահվածքով ինչ մեղավորություն ունի, որ ընդդիմության այդ օրվա ղեկավարությունը դա կանխելու կամ հրահրելու հարցում ինչ արեց: Սա մի փոքր անարդար մոտեցում է, որը ցույց է տալիս, որ մարտի 1-ի դեպքերը ըստ էության չէ, որ կարեւոր են, այլ մարտի 1-ը քաղաքականացվում է եւ քաղաքական հաշվեհարդար տեսնելու առումով է օգտագործվում»

[my rough translation]
According to him, the worst thing is not when the events of March 1 become the subject of examination, but rather, a way to exact revenge on Robert Kocharyan or to discredit him.
It is not correct to say that it was only the authorities who were guilty in the events of March 1, but in this country that is all that is said. Nobody talks about the guilty role of the opposition had because of the way it behaved, or what the opposition leaders did that day to prevent or provoke the events. This is a slightly unfair approach, which shows that in reality, it is not the events of March 1 that are important, but rather the politicization of March 1 and that it is being used to settle political scores.

And excerpts from the English shorter version of the article:

In a statement on Monday, Kocharian expressed concern about Sarkisian’s unfolding dialogue with the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) led by another former president, Levon Ter-Petrosian. He warned of a possible “collusion” between the government and the HAK which he said would harm Armenia.

Armen Rustamian, another Dashnaktsutyun leader, had similar worries in a recent interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian service. Rustamian said ordinary Armenians will probably “gain nothing from that dialogue.”

Markarian suggested that Sarkisian might decide to “weaken” Kocharian as part of a possible deal with the HAK.

I’ll tell you who’s guilty, it’s the ARF. The ARF is guilty of being part of the coalition, of faking opposition status, of trying to weaken a people’s movement for democracy, and most recently, of insulting and degrading the people of Armenia with this b**ls**t, yes, b**ls**t.

Protecting Kocharyan to the very end, aren’t they? Poor Kocharyan, being victimized by LTP and HAK, poor guy, its just so unfair. He’s being singled out, they say. They may as well say the people were “asking for it” so its not Kocharyan’s fault. They’re still defending Kocharyan – the man in charge of an organized coup against the people of Armenia, aimed and successful at silencing any and all peaceful protest, at any cost, including life.

Its mindboggling. And why are they defending him? Maybe because he was the closest they came to having any real power in Armenia, he is their best bet at gaining any footing. Then there’re the totally unimportant and insignificant and I’m sure totally unsubstantiated rumors about the alleged, supposed many financial ties and dealings that the ARF has with/through Kocharyan.

The ARF preaches and professes Armenian-ness (whatever that is) in the Diaspora, and yet their identities are all too often based in confusion, complexes, and obsession, rather than any solid mature foundation. Just take a look at where their funding, energies, and focus lie.

Where is their defense of the Armenian People – and for god’s sake I don’t mean genocide victims and descendants (that is a very important but separate issue, that is actually a pathology for most ARFers). I mean the people of Armenia. Where is their loud voice and lobbying when a group of corrupt oligarchs takes the country and people hostage? Where is the ARF defense of basic human rights? The right to speech, expression, press, assembly… The right to not get shot at by your own army? Those basic things that are necessary for a free, strong and independent Armenia? (Or is that only said to fight off the evil Turks?).

I’ll tell you where their voices are, and their a**es. Right next to Kocharyan.

[Addendum: Initially, there were no asterisks, just the real letters... then I thought better of it.]

Pashinyan in Court, 6 May

2011-05-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Այսօր ժամը 12:00-ին և 14:00-ին «Արթիկ» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկում կայացել է քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի գործով երկու դատական նիստ: Փաշինյանը ՀՀ վարչական դատարանից պահանջել է չեղյալ համարել «Կոշ» ՔԿՀ պետի 2010 թվականի սեպտեմբերի 28-ին և նոյեմբերի 16-ին կայացրած` իրեն կարգապահական տույժի ենթարկելու մասին որոշումները: Երկու դեպքում էլ հայցի քննությունը հետաձգվել է:
Նշենք, որ լրագրողներին արգելվել է նկարահանել դատական նիստի ընթացքը: Epress.am-ի օպերատորին նույնպես ստիպել են տեսախցիկը թողնել մեքենայի մեջ, սակայն մեր թղթակցին հաջողվել է բջջային հեռախոսով որոշ կադրեր անել:

Video and Caption are from Epress.am Despite cameras being forbidden from Pashinyan's hearing today, one of the reporters managed to grab this footage.

I like the guard standing to the right of Pashinyan. He seems to be much more a part of the audience, listening and considering the logic being presented by the prisoner/defendant in front of him, rather than a guard. He seems to catch himself, too, appearing too interested, but then can't seem to help but get sucked in again.

What are our options?

2011-05-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

After much pondering and talking with friends, I have yet to come to a definitive conclusion about the ongoing political issues in Armenia – most important among which are the morphing relations between the various parties. But I’ve managed to break it down in a way that makes sense to me.
I think there are three main ways to deal with the situation in Armenia – so here it goes:

1) Do nothing. The default – over time, if there are dwindling numbers at demonstrations (regardless of who holds them), if there is a feeling of loss of hope, faith, energy, whatever, this is what happens: Nothing. Things continue as they are.

2) Do everything. Outright revolution. People are tired of increasing prices, corruption, army deaths, mass emigration, oligarchs – you name it. Some critical number gathers, and then use drastic means to oust the criminal-oligarchic regime. Violence and bloodshed included. They’re gone, but then who takes over, how is that decided? Is there a new system in place that will work automatically? Are there examples in recent or historical times where revolution is followed quickly and easily by a system that works, without years of continued work/dedication for change? And, in Armenia’s case, now, do we have the manpower for revolution? Are there enough people to do that, willing to risk everything?
It’s pretty obvious that I think neither of these are an option right now. So we’re left with…

3) Something in the middle. But what is that? I suppose it’s every form of pressure to get what you want to happen except physical – financial, social, psychological, and it may include discussion. So, while option #1 is basically the lack of any goal, and option #2 just requires a goal of immediate, drastic change, option #3 requires specific goals and targets that keep in mind the ultimate goal - which for me, is regime change for the purpose of improving the wellbeing of the citizens of Armenia, and ensuring the safety and security of Armenia. Once we have those specific proximate goals, then we work towards them. And if we reject #2, then is there any other way to institute regime change than by new elections?

And that’s where we are now. The only realistic and consistent demands I’ve seen put forth are by HAK. They’ve got a set of goals, prioritized as a precondition to discourse with Sargsyan, and are already partway through the prioritized ones.

Now, this is where things get difficult. There a lot of rumors nowadays that HAK has already started to discuss deals with SS, even before the 3 goals are complete. I don’t think this is the case. I think as many have pointed out, they’re playing chess, trying to force each other’s hands. Once the 3 priorities are met, only then will true discussions start.

And why is Sargsyan interested now? Increasing internal and international pressure, for one. Ditord concisely outlined some of the similarities between SS and LTP in areas where SS could really use LTP’s help – especially with regards to NK, Turkey, and internal policies.

So what happens if SS and HAK start to talk, and demands continue to be met? Might the two- working in opposition to each other but moving forward - be able to make a serious dent in the oligarchies in place, in the corruption, in establishing stability, and solving so many of the other problems? Is it possible to even work with SS to get rid of the oligarchies when he himself is so heavily mired in them? Is there a way to have free and fair elections when this regime is still in power (if there isn’t, and there are no alternative mechanisms as I asked in #3, then we’re stuck)?

And IF the answer to these is yes, and negotiations start and progress continues, then I am left asking myself if I’m okay with that IF it means Sargsyan gets off scot free, as thinking ahead, that is one possible outcome – Sargsyan’s freedom for true change and progress in Armenia. Because my first reaction, to tell the truth, to the idea of Sargsyan getting away with everything, was one of severe nausea. But the more I think about it, the more I think, let’s keep in mind the ultimate goals, and the options ahead of us. And if our ultimate goals are for the people and Republic of Armenia, then while I really think Sargsyan deserves something drastically opposite to getting off scot free, the trade may be worth it – maybe I’m more willing to compromise for the “good” of Armenia than my initial gut reaction. And, by the way, for me that “good” includes bringing Kocharyan to justice for March 1.

In the meantime, this is what we have. None of the options or players today are perfect. But, I don’t see any other way than the steps being taken by HAK now. As disappointed as part of me was that on April 28 there wasn’t more action taken, I think it was a calculated step – Sargsyan has taken some steps, and it needed to be and was acknowledged by HAK. BHK’s statement that they will NOT be supporting HHK in the next parliamentary elections coming so soon after Sargsyan’s order to investigate March 1 was not a coincidence; Sargsyan is paying a price for his move towards HAK. At the same time, he is playing the time card. Everyone is calculating and hedging their bets. Patience is painful but necessary. I keep asking, is there another option, but I have yet to come up with one.

And hey, if some other opposition group can put forth a logical plan and put pressure on the regime and force it to meet their demands, I want to hear about it right now - the more strong, critically thinking opposition groups the better. Nobody is stopping them. But all I’ve seen from the leadership of Zharangutyun so far are “demands” that read like the wish list of an 8 year old diasporan Armenian drawing the tricolor over Massis with crayons, and more rhetoric and hypocrisy from the ARF that’s not even worth detailing.

Every time I go through it in my head, I don’t like the idea of Sargsyan finagling his way out of his guilt, and have infinite questions about how to change things. But given that options #1 and #2 are not acceptable, then pressure and even negotiations are what we have. And for right now, the steps being taken by HAK are the only option I see that will help Armenia down this difficult path.

"Armenia's Lost Spring"

2011-04-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

RealPolitik corners Samvel Nikoyan

2011-04-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

Samvel Nikolyan is the vice president of the National Assembly, and was the Chairman of the parliamentary ad-hoc committee on the March 1-2 events- the committee that so conveniently stalled and eventually dissolved completely, producing no results and no answers. For a man who was chairing the committee, I don't remember him putting up any fuss when the committee dissolved, and that's putting it lightly.

Recently he went onto 1in.am's RealPolitik show. Arman Babajanyan does an incredible job of asking the most simple-seeming but critical questions, in an open, calm and unassuming way, and he is quite persistent.... And Samvel Nikoyan talks himself into a corner, again and again.

ADDENDUM: Here is the article about and video of the related RealPolitik with Andranik Kocharyan

Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին Աֆրիկայից թուղթ ու գրիչ են ուղարկել

2011-04-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Direct from Epress:

Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին Աֆրիկայից թուղթ ու գրիչ են ուղարկել

Հայաստանյան լրատվամիջոցների ակցիան` հերթափոխով հարցեր ուղղել «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ-ում պահվող «Հայկական ժամանակ» թերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանին ու հետամուտ լինել նրանից պատասխաններ ստանալուն, այդպիսով` փորձ անելով վերացնել Փաշինյանի նամակագրության խոչընդոտները, հեռուն է գնացել, գրում է «Չորրորդ ինքնիշխանություն» օրաթերթը:

«Երեկ «ՉԻ» օրաթերթը էլեկտրոնային նամակ է ստացել Աֆրիկայից, որի հեղինակը գրում է. «Ձեր լրագրողների` Նիկոլին հերթով նամակ գրելու ակցիայի շրջանակներում Աֆրիկայից Նիկոլին թուղթ ու գրիչ եմ ուղարկել: Կից ձեզ եմ ուղարկում DHL-ի ստացականն ու ծանրոցի ուղարկման փաստաթուղթը: Դրանով նույնիսկ օնլայն կարող եք հետևել, թե ծանրոցը ուր է հասել: Խնդրում եմ ուշադրության տակ պահեք` արդյո՞ք այն հասցնում եմ Նիկոլին , թե՞ ոչ: Երեկ եմ ուղարկել, հավանաբար վաղը (այսինք այսօր – «ՉԻ») այդտեղ պետք է լինի: Դե հասկանում եք, որ սա սիմվոլիկ բան է`թուղթ ու գրիչ Աֆրիկայից: Դե լավ եղեք, շուտով կհանդիպենք»»:

Brilliant.

Mikael Harutyunyan's (former MoD) memories of March 1, 2008

2011-04-13T06:36:00.001-07:00

So much to write, I haven't known where to start. But then I heard about these videos.

The former Minister of Defense under Kochartyan, Mikael Harutyunyan, is asked some questions about March 1.

Update: listen to the story here from Azatutyun, including direct questions to Harutyunyan and HAK member Andranik Kocharyan from the March 1 Fact Finding Group

Here is an azatutyun.am article on the subject (Arm). And here's one from 1in.am

Guest Post on Evolving Relationships

2011-03-31T08:24:00.001-07:00

Many thanks to ditord for posting my most recent musings as a guest post:

An evolving relationship between Dashnaktsutyn and Zharangutyun

Liberty Square freed, and now, a circus...

2011-03-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

This is where we are now.
Instead of celebrating the liberation of Liberty Square, we're watching HHK mock the opposition; its painful and that's an understatement. I kept waiting to write, hoping things would calm down. But they're not calming down. And what we have is a theatre. A joke where HHK is literally sitting back and laughing at the opposition, at Heritage, at HAK, and just laughing at the arguing between them, and literally asking them to unite, just for more kicks and giggles. Whatever the cause of this drama, where reporting and focus on the true criminals of the regime is overshadowed by the obsession about a "snubbing," whatever the cause, it has to stop.

That's the short version.

I've had many thoughts other than that. I don't know if its worth it anymore to write them down, but since they keep swimming around in my head, I may as well.

First, as I noted above, we should be celebrating the re-entry into Liberty Square (and we would be if it weren't for this other drama). It is an ENORMOUS step, a great success, thanks to the hard work of many for so many years. I know some think that Raffi Hovannisyan's hunger strike there paved the way. I dont have all of the information, but I tend to think that this is not the case. A huge success, and a huge thank you, at least on my part, to those who made it happen.

This leads to a question I have had for a while, that I have discussed with numerous friends, and still have - what to do once the opposition is in Liberty Square? What to do, what to do... And after much thought and discussion, what I realized is that I think that there generally are/were two options -

1)Once Liberty Square is occupied, it becomes a stronghold for a revolution. Perhaps violent, perhaps bloody, perhaps fruitful, perhaps not.

2)once Liberty square is occupied, it becomes a symbol of success for slow change. Perhaps too slow for some. Perhaps fruitful, perhaps not. But non-violent.

Some say that nothing positive or no real change has ever come of revolutions - I've seen a lot of that on numerous sites (FB, twitter, news/blogs), especially since the massive upheaval that started with Tunisia. But I think it can be stepping stone. To think that revolution is an end in and of itself is naive, but to think that it can allow a partial tabula rasa (if you can have such a thing) from which to rethink, redesign, re-form and reform, is probably true. And while the change-over is fast, when (and if) the actual desired end-product, the desired type of government and society, is actually achieved, could be a long time off. In the meantime, there is usually a lot of violence and bloodshed.

Slow change is just that, slow, possibly painstakingly slow. Perhaps requiring political pressure, negotiations, and a number of small shifts rather than a big jump. There is no guarantee as to the end point, if it will happen, or how long it will take.

It seems to me that, despite the misrepresentations of some journals (including a recent article by the Washington Post) and some political parties, such as the ARF, LTP and HAK want the latter. Nonviolent, a velvet, soft, revolution, and if necessary, slow, as it were. In fact, if LTP wanted violence and revolution, he could have had it in 2008, and many times since. But such political behavior is not his modus operandi, he does not want to be the leader of a violent revolution. But where does that leave him, and HAK, and so much of the opposition?

Well, it seems to have gotten them this far: many (but far from all) of the political prisoners are out, Liberty Square is free. Yes, its been 3 years, but it has been bloodless, and now fruitful.

As to the Raffi Hovannisyan/Zharangutyun - LTP/HAK issue:
I have my opinions, obviously. Suffice it to say, for now, that justified or not, its sad that once again the opposition cannot cooperate. Justified or not. Any further ramblings of mine at this time add only to the ongoing circus.

And in the meantime, Pashinyan still can't get letters out. Here is a press conference given by his lawyer:

There are a number of articles in English and Armenian on numerous sites, including epress, for those interesting in more details.

The next demonstration is on April 8th. I'm sure the news media will be covering. Follow on twitter or facebook if you're so inclined.

Addendum: While I'm not going to delve into my thoughts on the RH-LTP issue for now, I can't help but add that titles such as the one given by ArmeniaNow to an article about the ongoing circus, are not only in poor taste, misrepresentations (potentially intentional), and false, but just downright poor journalism. If i tell a friend that slow and steady wins a race, referring to the Aesop's fable of the tortoise and the hare, it doesn't mean I'm telling him he should grow a shell and turn green, and predicting that he will outrun a furry rabbit. Be biased, but stick to a representation somewhere in this galaxy, please.

17 March Livebroadcasting and news...

2011-03-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

Watch live broadcasting from liberty square by Azatutyun TV

http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/2341113.html

and livestreaming from Matenadran by 1in.am

http://www.1in.am/arm/armenia_politics_13234.html

Other good sources:
Twitter Live feed from news sources and individuals, as well as pics
You can also follow on Facebook, including on the group Revolution for Change at http://on.fb.me/dMGXLy

Not to mention the usual news soures linked on the right:
epress, 1in.am, a1plus, lragir, tert, etc...

1 day left...

2011-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

HAK leaflet for 17 March 2011 Meeting

Could Raffi Hovannisyan's hunger strike be a well-time spark ahead of the meeting?
Perhaps, I'm still thinking through it...

Video and Numbers: March 1, 2011

2011-03-10T19:31:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Aramazd for putting together this video of the March 1, 2011 demonstration.

This video actually reawakened my every-lurking interest in how many people were actually at the demonstration. One of the first reports I saw was "over 10,000" from Ditord, I think. The police figured was obviously below that. LTP at the demonstration reported 50,000. Since then there have been numerous other reports, including Reuters which echoed the over 10k figure. I heard 35k from one friend. Another friend noted that he didn't think 50k was quite right, until he saw the endless stream of people descending from the Matenadaran.

I got an even more useful tidbit from another friend, who said that she had a friend call her when people got to the Myasnikyan statue, and at that time, she was at the tail end of the march, at Opera. So once again I turned to the calculations of Herbert Jacobs for crowd counting, according to whom, in a medium packed crowd, one person takes up 4.5 square feet, which is .41806368 sq meters.

Now, let me stop here and point out that there are a lot of assumptions in the calculations I'm about to make. In some places in the march, people are very tightly packed, in some places loosely, so I went with the middle number

Also, from looking at the videos and pictures, I'm assuming a wideth of march of 10-20 people, let's say on average its a march of 15 people wide.

And, according to google maps, the furthest edge of Opera (furthest from Matenadaran) to just near the Myasnikyan Statue, is 1.6 km - here is where I got that calculation from:
But with those assumptions in mind, we get the following calculations - I'll assume a 15 person wide march, and put the calculations for 10 and 20 person wide marches in parentheses, using average density of humans per sq feet for the calculation:

0.418063 meter sq = 0.6465784m on each side of the theoretical square

0.6465784m x 1.6 m = 9.698676m wide march
(for 10 people: 6.4657, 20pp: 12.9315688)

9.698676m wide x 1.6 km long (which is 1600m) = 15,517.8816 meters sq
(10pp: 10,345 msq, for 20 pp: 20,690 msq)

15,517.8816 msq / .41806368 msq per person = 37,118.52 people in the march
(10pp: 24,745 people, 20pp: 49,490 people)

I would love to know if there is an error in my calculations, assumptions, or data that I've been given. This is the best, most objective way I know of to try to calculate numbers, aside from actual aerial photos.

And for those of you out there who can get data like that above (length, width of march) or aerial photos, please, the more data the better!

Bazaz. No Comment.

2011-03-08T22:39:00.000-08:00

I had another post in mind, but then I saw this on facebook, a photoedit by German Avakyan. I couldn't resist.

[more from him at hermanavakian.com]

ARF just hasn't had the chance...

2011-03-06T21:48:00.001-08:00

Really? Really? And people still wonder why the ARF is not taken seriously as an independent political force in Armenia, much less as an opposition force:

Ընդդիմադիր Հայ հեղափոխական դաշնակցություն խմբակցության ղեկավար Վահան Հովհաննիսյանը ասաց, թե չի ծանոթացել ՀԱԿ-ի պահանջներին, սակայն նրան հետաքրքրել է կոալիցիայի պատասխանը: [link, quote from Vahan Hovhannisyan]

The ARF tried to stand in allegiance with their Heritage colleagues on this one, and tried to criticize the behavior of the police. But they couldn't bring themselves to comment on the 15 points. Tell me you don't like the 15 points, tell me you disagree with the approach, the points, the strategy, that you think it is futile, totally wrong, anything, something, but don't tell me, that as a self-proclaimed opposition party, you haven't "familiarized" yourself with them yet.

The March 1, 2011 demonstration was among the largest in the past 2-3 years. The main outcome was the presentation of 15 points of contention (to put it mildly) by the opposition to the regime, which must be acted upon within 2 weeks, per the opposition. And as an opposition power, the ARF has not had the opportunity? time? chance? to "familiarize" themselves with these points? Or perhaps there is another reason that Mr. Hovhannisyan declined to comment on the 15 points...

Perhaps the ARF just needs another glass of champagne...

The Many Hats of Bazaz

2011-03-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

I got very excited the other day when someone incorrectly informed me that among the demands presented at the March 1 demonstration was the resignation of Yerevan's Deputy Chief of Police Robert Melkonyan, also known as Bazaz. Suffice it to say that I found this extraordinary news, and was sad to confirm it wasn't true.

Here he is, the first time I've ever seen him actually have a discussion, defending the actions of the police at the most recent altercations with some of the Heritage Party MPs. I gotta say, he surprised me in this video. With all the pacing and yelling and pushing and screaming he does at what are often otherwise peaceful gatherings, and all the pacing back and forth that he does, he sure does do a good job of playing the other side with his calm, patient, even-toned and polite rationalizations and explanations.

I guess he wears many hats, both literally and figuratively. In fact, I almost didn't recognize him in the video above without a hat.

Oh Bazaz, I hope you and your police department, but especially you, get the recognition you have earned so well, and deserve.

15 Demands

2011-03-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

[from epress.am]
03.01.2011 23:08 epress.am

Levon Ter-Petrossian’s 15 Demands Approved by March 1 Demonstrators

The Armenian National Congress (HAK) rally today on the third anniversary of the events of Mar. 1, 2008, when mass protests were violently dispersed by law enforcement officials following disputed presidential elections that left 10 people dead and many more injured, has come to an end. The last person to speak before demonstrators marched down the streets of the Armenian capital was first president of the Republic of Armenia and HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrossian. During his speech, he suggested demonstrators approve the following 15 demands he would like to issue to Armenia’s current ruling authorities:

1. Until Mar. 15, that is, until [Parliamentary Assembly of the] Council of Europe co-rapporteurs’ Yerevan visit, release all those prisoners imprisoned for their political views and activities: Sasun Mikaelyan, Nikol Pashinyan, Harutyun Urutyan, Aram Bareghamyan, Sargis Hatspanyan, Murad Bojolyan, Ara Hovhannisyan, Shmavon Galstyan and Roman Mnatsakanyan.

2. Create an independent international commission to examine the events of March 1 [2008] or reinstate the fact-finding group, with the inclusion of international experts and to aim to fully disclose and punish before the law all those guilty for this monstrous crime committed by the ruling authorities.

3. Fully compensate the material damages of all citizens who suffered from the March 1 crime, particularly allocating $1 million to families of those who died and at least $100,000 to families of the injured.

4. Stop the constant threats and violence against informed groups, blocking the main roads on the days of rallies, and police warnings and intimidation tactics that aim to keep citizens from rallies and from political activity in general, and to eliminate the unlawful prohibition on holding rallies in Liberty Square.

5. In fulfilling the irreversible ruling by the European Court, finally reinstate A1+ TV station’s activities, hold all those officials who violated this ruling strictly accountable and generally eliminate full state control on electronic information resources.

6. Stop the authorities’ adopted bellicose and threatening rhetoric, and, with the aim of transferring the Karabakh settlement process to a normal direction, immediately reinstate the negotiations’ former format, in which, based on a decision at the OSCE Budapest Summit, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh became a full party to the conflict.

7. Annul the ban on street trade and the ill-fated adopted decisions on the closing of small shops after 8 pm and compulsory vehicle insurance, as well as reinstating the former amount of customs duties on imported goods.

8. Eliminate the unlawful Value Added Tax for cars imported for personal use (and not for sale), which, added to customs duties and the environmental tax, becomes an unbearable burden for the consumer and forces thousands of people to pay customs fees for their cars in neighboring Georgia.

9. Make the minimum [monthly] salary in the Republic of Armenia $200; employment insurance, 50% of that ($100); and the average pension, 40% of the average salary ($112).

10. Remove from parliament the bill for discussion on amendments to RA Labor Law Article 142, according to which the question of defining the work week as 6 days is left to the employer’s discretion, as well as making a corresponding amendment to the Code, mandating employers to compensate employees with three-months’ worth of pay in case of dismissal.

11. Allocate state subsidies for the most important agricultural production, keeping in mind the market price in any given year, the processing conditions of the corridors [where land is cultivated] and the strategic significance of border lands.

12. Announce and publish in the media the belongings and incomes of all former and current high-ranking state officials during Armenia’s independence and their families, beginning from presidents, prime ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, marzpets [regional governors], mayors and ending with judges, prosecutors, generals and National Assembly (previously, the Supreme Council) deputies.

13. For the shameful shortcomings in economic management and ensuring order, tyranny or just being untalented in their professions, dismiss from their posts Republic of Armenia Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Central Bank President Artur Javadyan, State Revenues Committee Chair Gagik Khachatryan, Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan, RA General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan, National Security Service Chief Gorik Hakobyan, RA Police Chief Alik Sargsyan, RA Special Investigative Service Chief Andranik Mirzoyan, head of the penitentiary department at the Ministry of Justice Hayk Harutyunyan.

14. The rally also considers it necessary to call on international agencies, and the governments of the United States of America and the European Union to stop supporting Armenia’s authoritarian administration based on geopolitical considerations, which not only does nothing to promote democratic reform, but also strengthening the regime’s positions more, at last count, is directed against the people, which becomes quite evident in light of recent events in Arab countries, and which even Western politicians and independent analysts confess.

15. In the case of the noted demands or a significant part of the demands being carried out, the rally authorizes the Armenian National Congress to begin a working dialogue with the authorities, having on the agenda the sole issue of holding pre-term presidential and parliamentary elections.

Demonstrators “voted” in favor of these demands by raising their voices.
“As for what process this announcement will undergo or what type of response it will receive from the authorities, together with you we will discuss this and make corresponding conclusions at the next rally, which will take place on Mar. 17…

Accordingly, from now on, the Armenian National Congress rallies will turn from current political actions to a unique public self-governming forum, with the full authority of making decisions and exercising them,” concluded the HAK leader.

"Serjik, Bazaz, Osipov!"

2011-02-27T21:58:00.000-08:00

With the next meeting coming up in about a day, on the third anniversary of the horrific events of March 1, 2008, the opposition movement has been trying to distribute flyers to inform people about the march. And, as usual, the police are out there harassing the youth distributing flyers, trying to shut them up and scare them off. Ten or so youth were taken to the police station the other day while distributing flyers. And on February 26, again, the police tried to stop the distribution of flyers. Much of this one on the 26th one was caught on video- it is 24:19 minutes long, and captures from 15:32 – 17:08 (3:32-5:08 pm).

The main theme here is that both in a residential area where youth are distributing flyers and where the video starts, and in a city centre road where the youth are pulled over while driving with flyers stuck to the outside of the vehicle, the police can’t give a reason for stopping the youth; they can’t city a law or ordinance or anything that is being violated by the youth, to justify trying to stop them. When one of the police is asked straight on in the residential area, all he can come up with is that what he heard one of the youth yell just moments before, “Serjik Murderer,” is not right to say. “You can’t say that, it’s not right,” is what he repeats over and over. Over course, that doesn’t answer the question, nor is it actually illegal.

And when the youth are pulled over, neither the youth, nor Levon Zurabyan (HAK coordinator) who shows up around 16:16, can get an answer from the police as to what illegal act they’ve supposedly committed. What does happen is that the number of police, police in army fatigues, police cars and vans, and eventually red berets (16:51), grows almost exponentially; the youth start continue their chanting while stuck in the street, including “Serjik Mubarak,” and even starts passing out flyers to passing vehicles. Not surprisingly, and coincidence or not, there’s not too much pushing and shoving until about the time when Bazaz shows up (first glimpse of him at 16:49). You can see him pacing back and forth throughout most of the rest of the video. Not a minute after he arrives he’s already yelling for people to be taken to the station “Bajin Tarek!” And not soon after, the youth start shouting what may be my favorite slogan so far, “Serjik! Bazaz! Osipov!” (16:50).

The group was probably followed in some form or another from the residential area (leave at 15:39, and you can see cop car #0155) until they were pulled over at 16:02; the same plainclothes policeman from the residential area can be seen in the second scene milling about and taking pictures, as can the original police car #0155 (see it clearly at 16:13).

What a show of police presence and force, at least 8-10 or more police cars and vans, red berets, creating traffic, and everything else, for 20 or so activists. Intimidation really seems to be their “prevention.” I suppose it works well when you’ve already shown how far you’re willing to go to keep your power, case in point March 1, 2008, and everything since.

I wonder, in the end, if the police came up with some excuse for their behavior, for illegally harassing and obstructing the youth. Maybe that's what took so long, they couldn't come up with a fake reason. Come to think of it, they've done this so many times,they probably don't even need to bother anymore.

[Addendum: here is the link to the video, looks like I'd forgotten it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5qliPS0C_8Y ]

Pashinyan in Court

2011-02-22T20:38:00.000-08:00

This video was put up less than a week ago. I kept hoping it would get transcribed (and even translated), and I'd be able to post it with more info, but no luck.
Its absolutely incredible. Pashinyan uses simple language, simple allegory, satire and comedy, and simple logic, to show just how ludicrous the court system, and the entire regime, is.
I've posted it below, with some very rough transcription and translation of some segments... what I've put there are just a few of the jewels, there are a lot more, but no amount of translation does it justice.

Pashinyan starts out by giving an incredible example of the completely absurdity of the regime and justice system that stands in Armenia today, by giving an overly complicated and completely irrelevant example answer, that would be given by the regime, to the question, is this piece of paper black or white? Then he goes on…

I will do the same experiment with this piece of paper [as an analogy to his jail sentence and amnesty]

The Amnesty says, halve the portion of this paper that has nothing [written] on it
The court says, there is no portion of the paper without anything written on it, and for that reason we cannot halve it.

But in reality, this paper, in its entirety, has nothing on it. That is, the portion of the paper that has nothing on it, is the entire paper. And to halve the portion that has nothing on it is to fold it (folding it), we fold it in equal halves, and honorable court, halve it in equal portions (tearing it in half).

This primitive [concept], my numerous lawyers have been unable to make the ‘Justice System’ of Armenia comprehend this.

It’s not that they cannot make them understand. Our Armenia’s ‘Justice System’ does not understand, cannot understand and wants to act as though it is, excuse the expression, obtuse.

… there is no independent justice system in the Republic of Armenia. If there were, the Republic of Armenia would not be in the situation it is today…

… if there were a lawful government in the Republic of Armenia, honorable court, if there were a lawful government in the Republic of Armenia, if there were a lawful prosecutor’s office, if there were a lawful court [system], if laws functioned in the Republic of Armenia, this court hearing would not be happening; because I would not be at Artik penitentiary, and I wouldn’t have a problem transferring a piece of paper to my lawyer, and the Criminal and Justice Ministry of the Republic of Armenia would not be so depraved as to lie so obviously in front of the Armenian people…

.. my experience had shown me that the judges in this country have a hearing problem…

… the government of this country does not have enough morality to stand face to face and talk ... the government talks to me through its oligarchs, through its courts…

Armenian police apparently have a different flag... not the Tricolor

2011-02-18T01:11:00.000-08:00

Two youths who were harassed while handing out flyers were interviewed today, and they pointed out something very revealing (from approx 0:50-1:10), and exactly to the point, at least in my view. Those in power, are not struggling to protect Armenia or Armenians. They are in the midst of business dealings, plain and simple.
A rough translated transcript is as follows:

First Youth:
“The police said something… its shameful, too... The police came up to the car and said 'put your flag away,… don’t put it here… put away your flag”
And we said “but which is your flag, then?”

Second Youth:
“It was an [Armenian] tricolor [flag] on the car.”

HAK youth across the city were being harrassed and attacked, and two were arrested and taken in to the police station. They were released a few hours later, but it is still unclear why they were taken in in the first place.

The rally is in just a little bit on the 18th. Let's see if the police behave themselves.

Մեր պայքարը անկասելի է, մեր Հաղթանակը անխուսափելի է

2011-02-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հայտարարությունը «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ-ում (տեսագրություն)

Written Statement in Armenian on 1in.am

Epress article: Pashinyan Chronicles: Imprisoned Journalist Spent 2.5 Hours Waiting in Prison Reception (Updated)

From Haykakan Zhamanak

2011-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

If you start with none...

2011-02-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

Not surprisingly, the regime, along with its accomplices and lackeys, is still trying to silence the voice of opposition. Three of the MPs named in an article by HZH are suing and seem to have won the first round [from epress] - at least in court:

"The three MPs demanded Haykakan Jamanak to retract the story, which they say discredits their honor, dignity and business reputation, as well as compensation in the amount of 2.5 million AMD each — for moral losses and incurred court expenses."

What moral losses? What honor and dignity? What business reputation? There was none of this to begin with. Let's do the basic algebra:

You start with no morality/honor/dignity/reputation = nothing = 0

And you end with no morality/honor/dignity/reputation = nothing = 0

So lets find out what the damage was = the difference/the event = X

O-X=O and then solve for X

X=O

therefore, the injury/damage done was NOTHING.

But what does the court say they will get in return? Something... that is, Money.

Again, no surprise.

Especially not from folks with names like Nemets Rubo, Lfik Samo and Alraghatsy Lyovik

Sudden incredible observations and realizations by the ARF

2011-02-05T20:11:00.001-08:00

1in.am published an article a few weeks ago that I still can’t get out of my head it’s so ridiculous. Apparently, the ARF, now, suddenly, out of the blue, feels they need to start and coordinate a movement to defend and promote electoral freedoms and rights in Armenia. They have apparently come to the realization that there are some serious problems in the electoral process in Armenia; they state that people in Armenia are apparently unsatisfied with the electoral process, and something must be done. People must be educated, society must open its eyes and demand a lawful and just electoral system, and the system itself must be enforced such that the outcome of an election is accepted by all.

Wow. You must be kidding, I thought, even the tenth and twentieth times I read the article, which cites Ardsvik Minasyan of the ARF.

So, what brought about this sudden dedication to democracy to the ARF, the party that was a member of the coalition, and is closely linked to Kocharyan… the party that has yet to strongly condemn the massive human rights violations of this regime, including the events of March 1, and the political prisoners who are still behind bars to this day… the party that has yet to truly speak out against the oppression of free media in Armenia… the party that seems to have no problems holding a rally just about wherever and whenever it wants to [I think I may have even seen Bazaz tying the shoelaces of one of the ARF supporters - no, that’s not true, but it sure feels that way when real opposition youth are beaten and arrested, but no limitations are placed on ARF public gatherings]…

Did these realities suddenly occur to them because a) the presidential elections are coming up, b) they are pissed off at Sergik, c) Sergik is pissed off at them, d) they are still Kocharyan’s lackeys e) they want to sett up a distance between themselves and Sergik, f) they want to seem like legitimate, democracy seeking opposition… the list goes on, and obviously, these are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they all play well into each other, don’t they?

What doesn’t work, dear, dear ARF, is this poorly veiled attempt to suddenly have a truly sincere, unbiased interest and motivation for a fair and just electoral system.

[My apologies - I don't remember which online source the spectacular photo is from, maybe RFE/RL, or a1plus or lragir? - if anyone remembers, please let me know]

Awww, how cute, they're working together... Group Hug!!!

2011-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

Addendum: A little late on my part, but here is HAK's official statement on the court cases being brought up against not only Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times) and Zhamanak, but Aravot as well.

Addendum2: Late again, but here's a Hetq article on the issue: MP Oligarchs take aim at Haykakan Zhamanak

I couldn't pass up this article from the Armenian Times (Haykakan Zhamanak), via Google Translate, with some quick/rough editing:

Trial of the Oligarch's Case
Monday at 15:00 pm, at the Center and Nork-Marash districts Court of First Instance (near the Tbilisi highway, near the Lamp Factory), Judge Marine Petrosyan is scheduled to preside over the resumption of the lawsuit against the publisher of Armenian Times (Haykakan Zhamanak) newspaper, "Dareskizb Ltd." The suit is brought forward by MP-tycoons Samvel Alexanyan (Lfik Samo), Levon Sargsyan (Alraghatsy Lyovik) and Ruben Hayrapetyan (Nemets Rubo). The oligarchs demand that "HZH" pay 7.5 million drams, basically 2.5 million to each of them.

Օլիգարխների գործով դատը` երկուշաբթի
Երկուշաբթի ժամը 15.00-ին Կենտրոն եւ Նորք-Մարաշ վարչական շրջանների ընդհանուր իրավասության դատարանում (Թբիլիսյան խճուղու նստավայրում, Լամպերի գործարանի հարեւանությամբ) դատավոր Կարինե Պետրոսյանի նախագահությամբ պետք է վերսկսվի «Հայկական ժամանակ» օրաթերթի հրատարակիչ «Դարեսկիզբ» ՍՊԸ-ի դեմ պատգամավոր-օլիգարխներ Սամվել Ալեքսանյանի (Լֆիկ Սամո), Լեւոն Սարգսյանի (Ալրաղացի Լյովիկ) եւ Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանի (Նեմեց Ռուբո) ներկայացրած հայցի քննարկումը: Օլիգարխները դատավորից պահանջել են «ՀԺ»-ից իրենց օգտին բռնագանձել յոթուկես միլիոն դրամ` յուրաքանչյուրին երկուսուկեսական միլիոն:

Really, this is just a way to try to take HZH down. Too bad the oligarch's can't but this much cooperation and effort into actually creating something good, rather trying to destroy something good.

[My apologies to the koalas, who, to my knowledge, have not done anything to deserve being compared to oligarchs, and are without doubt, much cuter]

P.S. I noticed after posting the picture that there seems to be a fourth Koala hiding his face, with only his/her butt showing, in the back. I will leave who that could be to our collective imaginations ;)

DollarArmen is now EuroArmen! But Where are the Euros??

2011-01-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

Haykakan Zhamanak published an article a day or so ago about the 1 million Euro grant that Armenia's Ombudsman's office received... luckily Epress did a great summary and translation of the article, here it is [the emphasis is mine]:

In 2009, the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia received a grant of 1 million euros for the protection of human and citizens’ rights, reports local Armenian daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”).

In response to a question by a Haykakan Jamanak correspondent as to how that money was spent, RA Human Rights Defender Armen Harutyuyan’s press spokesperson Dzovinar Khachatryan yesterday conveyed her boss’ response:

“The Office of the Human Rights Defender received a grant of this amount neither in 2009 nor in 2010.”

The local daily writes that it had at its disposal a report titled “Eastern Promises: Supporting Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries” published in 2010 by the EU–sponsored The Institute of Public Affairs, where it clearly shows that in 2009, the European Union granted Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Office 1 million euros, and that these funds were earmarked “for the protection of human and citizens’ rights” (see chart detail below).

Haykakan Jamanak reports that Harutyunyan outright lied, saying that his office received no such funds.

“And this isn’t simply a lie, but a deceitful lie, because a new question would arise from an opposite response, what specific programs have been carried out in Armenia ‘for the protection of human and citizens’ rights,’ and how many euros were spent on which program. And generally a question would arise, that due to the one million euros provided by the EU, by how many degrees has the level of ‘protection’ of RA citizens’ ‘rights’ increased.

“But since Armen Harutyunyan denies receiving that money, it remains only to respond that an ombudsman such as Armen Harutyunyan is very suitable for a country such as Armenia. A country where there are political prisoners for three years already, where violated are such basic human rights as the right to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, the right to movement, the right to a fair trial, and we’re not even talking about torture leading to the deaths of those in police custody. And there’s an ombudsman who for five years already suppresses the noted issues and, basically, receives millions from the Europes [of the world] for that,” writes Haykakan Jamanak.

Note the document published by Haykakan Jamanak in its issue today is available online on page 23 of the 28-page PDF available for download at:

http://www.pasos.org/www-pasosmembers-org/publications/eastern-promises-supporting-civil-society-in-the-eastern-partnership-countries

And it's true. The document is real, the link works. So is the fact that Armen Harutyunyan (now EuroArmen) is leaving Armenia, for a job with the UN Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia.

Here's a snapshot of the document:

But where are those 1 million Euros?

By the way, nice suit.

Soldier, Don't Forget to Call Your Mother

2011-01-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

"Soldier, don't forget to call your mother" taken on April 9, 2008. That day was the 40th and final day of the karasunk (40 days of mourning) of the victims of March 1. Coincidentally, it was also the day Serge Sargsyan was inaugurated president of Armenia. The rest of the photo, I think, speaks for itself.

March 1 has not been forgotten. It will never be forgotten. Many stories have been told, and many have to be told of what truly happened and what people saw and heard and felt during those incredible days.

This photo was recently published on Facebook by German Avakyan, a photographer from Armenia who took a number of incredible photos during those days, and takes incredible photos in general. I have republished here with his permission. For those interested, his website is hermanavakian.com

After over two months...

2011-01-15T22:30:00.000-08:00

From Epress (Eng, Arm):

Yesterday, local daily Haykakan Jamanak received an envelope from its chief editor, imprisoned journalist Nikol Pashinyan. This is the first package that the editorial office has received from Pashinyan since Nov. 13, 2010. Recall that after Pashinyan was moved to Artik penitentiary, the newspaper stopped receiving his articles. On numerous occasions, Pashinyan said he wrote daily and submitted his articles to prison staff, but only the last, which was submitted to prison administration on Jan. 9 in the presence of Artur Sakunts, head of a citizens’ group monitoring prisons in Armenia, reached its destination.

The article, written on Dec. 23, 2010, appears, in part, below:

“Fear has overtaken me, a terrible fear. I am afraid to disappoint… Snippets from online conversations reach me, in which users express their opinions about me. They are many, diverse, from wholly negative to wholeheartedly positive. My fear is before the latter group, those, to put it mildly, say positive things about me. To put it mildly. There are opinions that long ago crossed the limits of average positive [comments].”

Pashinyan goes on to quote one Facebook user, who apparently said: “Remembering him, I believe in morality, will, honesty; remembering him, I try not to betray myself.” Pashinyan says that though it’s nice to hear such comments aimed at him, it is also caused him to be afraid:

“From the moment that I picked up a pen for the first time and wrote a story, I proved to myself, that I am now a public figure, and I wanted, very much wanted, to be flawless. Flawless in honesty, flawless in morality, flawless in righteousness, flawless with my aims… I won’t say that I’ve subverted this work, but flaws, as you know, have come up.

“Honest, faultless, righteous, moral, unselfish: when I come across such words to describe me, even in minor cases, I regret that I could not be perfect, and never will I be able to.

“Next, I fear that the use of such words, epithets, are proof that the person in question, the author, that one person, that +1, the single satellite, has searched for something important to him and found it in my actions. He is inspired by me, proud, amazed, and receives a small, but important positive charge from that, perhaps becoming a participant in the struggle for a Free and Happy Armenia and does so thinking that I, Nikol Pashinyan, am honest, righteous, moral, unselfish. And here is where the fear arises.

“And what would happen to that man if one day he finds out that that same Nikol Pashinyan in this or that year at this or that place made a dishonest step toward such and such a person.

[...]

“I have wished, always wished, to be flawless because I have understood that I am accountable before others, for others… Life, lifestyle, the race, competition, and sometimes hopelessness brought about those flaws. There were wrong and suspicious deeds.

“A fear has overtaken me. I am afraid to disappoint.

“P.S. I am also afraid of you misinterpreting what I wrote. Don’t misunderstand. And don’t be afraid. I won’t disappoint.”

Երեկ «Հայկական ժամանակ» օրաթերթի խմբագրությունը ծրար է ստացել օրաթերթի գլխավոր խմբագիր, քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանից: Սա առաջին ծրարն է, որը խմբագրությունը ստացել է նախորդ տարվա նոյեմբերի 13-ից: Հիշեցնենք, որ «Արթիկ» ՔԿՀ տեղափոխվելուց հետո Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի հոդվածները օրաթերթը չէր ստանում: Փաշինյանը բազմիցս հայտնել էր, որ այս ընթացքում նա ամեն օր հոդված է գրել և ծրար փոխանցել ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին, սակայն միայն վերջինը, որը հունվարի 9-ին ՔԿՀ վարչակազմին է փոխանցվել ՔԿՀ-ներում դիտորդական առաքելություն իրականացվող հասարակական խմբի ղեկավար Արթուր Սաքունցի ներկայությամբ, տեղ է հասել:

Հոդվածը, որը գրվել է 2010 թվականի դեկտեմբերի 23-ին ներկայացնում ենք ամբողջությամբ.

«Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել…
Ինձ պատառիկներ են հասնում ինտերնետային քննարկումներից, որոնց մասնակիցները կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Դրանք բազմազան են, բազմաշերտ` ի սրտե բացասականից մինչև ի սրտե դրական: Վախս, ահա այս վերջին խմբում գտնվող մարդկանց առջև է, ովքեր, մեղմ ասած` դրական կարծիքներ են արտահայտում իմ մասին: Մեղմ ասած: Կան կարծիքներ, որոնք վաղուց են հատել սովորական դրականի սահմանագիծը:

Facebook սոցիալական ցանցում, օրինակ, մի այցելու իմ մասին թողել է հետևյալ գրությունը.«Իրեն հիշելով` ես հավատում եմ բարոյականությանը, կամքին, ազնվությանը, իրեն հիշելով` փորձում եմ չդավաճանել ինքս ինձ»:
Ի՞նչն է ուրեմն վախեցնում ինձ. մի՞թե հաճելի չէ սեփական անձի մասին այսպիսի թեկուզ մեկ կարծիք լսել: Հաճելի է, բայց նաև` վախենալու…

Այն պահից, երբ առաջին անգամ գրիչ եմ վերցրել և հոդված գրել` ինքս ինձ հաշիվ եմ տվել, որ հրապարակային դեմք եմ այլևս և ցանկացել եմ, շատ եմ ցանկացել լինել անբիծ: Անբիծ ազնվությամբ, անբիծ բարոյականությամբ, անբիծ արդարությամբ, անբիծ նպատակներով: Քավ լիցի, չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց բծեր, ինչպես հասկանում եք, առաջացել են: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:

Ազնիվ, անբիծ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր. ինձ բնորոշելու համար այսպիսի բառերի օգտագործման թեկուզ աննշան դեպքերի հանդիպելիս ես ափսոսում եմ, որ չեմ կարողացել կատարյալ լինել և երբեք էլ չեմ կարողանա:

Հաջորդ պահին վախենում եմ, որովհետև նման բառերի, մակդիրների օգտագործումը ապացույցն է, որ տվյալ անձը, գրության հեղինակը, այդ մեկ հոգին,1+ այդ միակ, եզակի հետևորդը իր համար կարևոր ինչ-որ բան է փնտրել և գտել իմ գործունեության մեջ: Նա ոգևորվում է ինձանով, հպարտանում, հիանում և դրանից մի չնչին, բայց կարևոր դրական լիցք է ստանում, գուցե և դառնում Ազատ և Երջանիկ Հայաստանի համար մղվող պայքարի հետևորդ և դա անում է` մտածելով որ ես` Նիկոլ Փաշինյանս, ազնիվ եմ, արդար, բարոյական, անշահախնդիր: Ահա այստեղ է, որ վեր է հառնում վախը:

Իսկ ինչ կլինի այդ մարդու հետ, եթե նա մի օր իմանա, որ այդ նույն Նիկոլ Փաշինյանն այսինչ տարվա այսինչ վայրում անազնիվ մի քայլ է արել այսինչի նկատմամբ:
Կամ` անարդար է վարվել այսինչի հետ:
Կամ` բարոյապես կասկածելի ինչ-որ արարք է թույլ տվել:
Կամ` շահախնդրություն է ցուցաբերել այսինչ հարցում:
Կամ` կամ, կամ, կամ…

Ցանկացել եմ, միշտ ցանկացել եմ անբիծ լինել, որովհետև հասկացել եմ, որ պատասխանատու եմ մարդկանց առջև, մարդկանց համար: Չեմ ասի, թե տապալել եմ այդ գործը, բայց` հասկանո՞ւմ եք, բծերից խուսափել չի հաջողվել: Կյանքը, կենցաղը, մրցավազքը, մրցակցությունը, երբեմն` անելանելիությունը առաջացրել են այդ բծերը: Եղել են սխալ և կասկածելի արարքներ:

Վախ է մտել մեջս, ահավոր մի վախ: Վախենում եմ հիասթափեցնել:

Հ.Գ. Նաև վախենում եմ գրածս սխալ հասկանաք: Սխալ չհասկանաք: Ու չվախենաք: Չեմ հիասթափեցնի»:

Provide the Caption!

2011-01-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures - I've provided some simple suggestions for the captions, feel free to provide your own in English or Armenian!

"You want me to do what??!"

"Please, Serge, Puleeezzzz...just one or two more ministerial positions...."
"And what will you do for me...?"
"Anything you want, Serge, name it..."

From a comment: "Please, I beg you , don't dethrone me, Mr. President"
"Give me one good reason!"
"I'll let the world know who you really are!"

"Who needs democracy, human rights, and sound policies?
My music will save Armenia... And the world!"

"Don't make me say it a second time. Just sit your a** right there and be a good little boy."

Certain Things are Self-Evident: On Waiting and Memories...

2011-01-10T21:30:00.001-08:00

On Waiting:
My condolences to the family of Taron Yengibaryan, who passed on Jan 10 after over a week of unconsciousness and a broken skull after jumping out of a second story window. The then-Colonel Karapetyan is reported to have shot at him and his friend (still hospitalized) as they tried to drive away, and in his office, thus causing them to fear for their lives and jump out the window. Karapetyan has been booted out of the Military, and is arrested and charged with hooliganism. I'm WAITING for a murder/manslaughter charge...

On Memories:
Pictures are worth a thousands words, they say. Certain pictures evoke memories and other pictures in my memory, and possibly in the collective memory of many. Here are a few which are in my 'special' collection. They fit together so well, don't they?

[Note: they are in particular order whatsoever. I did not take any of these, they are all accessible on the web - credit is due to those individuals and media sources which made them available]

New Year's Present, Armenian Banditocracy Style: A Broken Skull, Unconsciousness and Under Investigation for Hooliganism

2011-01-07T13:46:00.001-08:00

It seems that in Ijevan, New Years was 'celebrated' in a way that perhaps was the most appropriate, unfortunately, for Armenia these days. Apparently two young men from a nearby vlllage, Taron Yengibaryan and Ashot Ulikhanyan, went to visit their friend serving at the military station in Ijevan late December 31, 2010. According to Yengibaryan's grandfather, Colonel Sergei Karapetyan confronted them, and an argument ensued (perhaps more?). Karapetyan verbally abused them, and fired shots at their car when they tried to drive away. He then apparently had them taken to his office, where he continued to fire shots at the walls.

Fearing for their lives, they jumped out of the second story windows. The other youth, Ulikhanyan presumably, has a broken leg. Yangibaryan has a fracture skull, and has been unconscious for the past week in the Intensive Care Unit at Yerevan's Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center. Karapetyan was apparently injured as well.

It seems quite unclear to me what actually happened, how things got to where they did. Perhaps what has been reported so far is the full and accurate story, perhaps there is more, There usually is more to the story, An investigation is pending, and a Defense Ministry spokesman has warned against early 'biased interpretations.'

I agree that a full, unbiased investigation is needed (though they are an endangered if not extinct species in Armenia for the past many years), and that we shouldnt jump to conclusions. But I can't think of much that would justify two youths being so badly injured, perhaps lethally in one case. The story would have to get turned on its head completely in numerous ways for me to think that perhaps there was some element of self defense or justifiability.

To top it all off, the youths are being investigated for hooliganism.

Happy New Year, Courtesy of Armenia's Banditocracy.

RFE/RL articles (English, Armenian)

Just about where it stands now...

2011-01-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

The first Տեսակետների խաչմերուկ of the year on Azatutyun was a discussion about the PACE resolutions of 2008 and 2009, and to what extent they have been fulfilled.
Arman Grigorgyan, HAK's representative to PACE, just about sums it up. How David Harutyunyan, the head of the official delegation to PACE, even believes some of what he says is beyond me.

A pity for human rights in Bishkek - Good luck, Dollar Armen!

2010-12-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Gala TV is scheduled to lose its license in 2015, having "lost" its bid;

A1plus is illegally shut out of broadcasting in Armenia;

The Kocharyan family is going after and trying to sue Zhamanak.com, recently having come out of their case against Haykakan Zhamanak;

Pashinyan has been moved, is in solitary, and his letters and articles are illegally confiscated; access to his lawyers is illegally reduced and monitored;

Liberty Square is still off limits to opposition supporters;

The state of human rights, of the right to freedom of speech and the press are being increasingly squashed at an abysmal rate...

But I have to admit... thinking of Dollar Armen (Armen Harutyunan) in Bishkek still makes me smile...

"According to press reports, Armen Harutyunyan will be appointed special representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia and will soon leave for Bishkek" [a1plus]

Who one earth at the UN thought Harutyunyan would actually be a good candidate, that is, that he is actually interested in defending Human Rights? And what does it take to convince someone at the UN that one is so inclined?

Good luck in Bishkek, Armen! If you can, take some of your friends with you - Dodi Gago, Lfik Samo, Nemets Rubo, Chorni Gago, Kocharyan, Sargsyan, Alik Sargsyan, Bazaz... and the whole lot of them!

You take those guys to Bishkek, and we'll be that much closer to getting A1plus, Gala, Liberty Square, Pashinyan, Mikaelyan, the rest of the political prisoners, and even basic human rights and democracy back in Armenia. It'll be the best thing you've done for Armenia so far!

Oh yeah, let's not forget the ARF still claiming they have anything to do with Human rights, and are not only independent of but are opposition to the government of Armenia - there's another smile...

And now I'm ready for the new year ;)

More Please... Pashinyan Graffiti hits Yerevan's Walls

2010-12-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

Graffiti art depicting imprisoned journalist, chief editor of local daily Haykakan Jamanak ("Armenian Times") Nikol Pashinyan has been seen on the pedestrian underpass near the Chekhov school on Baghramyan Blvd. in central Yerevan.

The graffiti is the work of "Art Laboratoria," al local group of painters and artists.

Recall that the same group is responsible for the now infamous graffiti art found on the walls of the pedestrian underpass near Vernissage market, on Khanjan street, depicting a soldier who has shot himself.

The work was much discussed in the Armenian blogosphere and was also included in an exhibit at the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art (ACCEA, or NPAK in Armenian).

[text and photo from epress.am]

Well said.

2010-12-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

article and photo from 1in.am
WikiLeaks` ՀՅԴ գլխին

ՀՅԴ-ն երեկ հանդիսավոր միջոցառում է անցկացրել օպերայի եւ բալետի Ազգային թատրոնում: Այդ միջոցառման ուշագրավ տարրն այն է, որ դրան մասնակցել է Սերժ Սարգսյանը: Սա, թերեւս, այն բանի լավագույն պատասխանն է, թե որքանո±վ է ՀՅԴ-ն ընդդիմություն եւ որքանո±վ են իրական ՀՅԴ այն հայտարարությունները, թե իբր նոր որակի իշխանություն է պետք ձեւավորել իշխանափոխության ճանապարհով: Սերժ Սարգսյանն իր ներկայությամբ փաստացի փակում է ՀՅԴ այդ ճանապարհը` ցույց տալով, որ Դաշնակցությունն ունի գնալու մի ճանապարհ` Սերժ Սարգսյանի հետեւից, եւ որեւէ այլ ճանապարհի թույլտվություն նրան տրված չէ: Այդ առումով բավական հատկանշական է այն իրադարձային ֆոնը, որի պայմաններում տեղի է ունենում ՀՅԴ հանդիսավոր միջոցառումն ու դրան Սերժ Սարգսյանի մասնակցությունը: Խոսքը Գագիկ Բեգլարյանի աղմկահարույց պաշտոնանկության մասին է, որն ակնհայտորեն ամրացրել է Սերժ Սարգսյանի իշխանական դիրքերը եւ որոշակիորեն լոյալության արժանացել հանրային շատ շրջանակներում: Եվ ահա §ձիու վրա¦ հայտնված Սերժ Սարգսյանը արշավում է նաեւ ՀՅԴ տարածքներով` ցույց տալով, թե ով է իրականում այդ տարածքների տերը, ու ընդհանրապես գծելով իր տիրապետության սահմանները հայաստանյան քաղաքական դաշտում: Սրանից հետո, իհարկե, դժվար է լուրջ ընկալել ընդդիմություն լինելու եւ իշխանափոխություն իրականացնելու մտադրության մասին Դաշնակցության հայտարարությունները, քանի որ Սերժ Սարգսյանը ցույց տվեց, թե իրականում ում տիրապետության գոտում է այդ կուսակցությունը եւ ով է կանխորոշում դրա անելիքը: Ավելին, նույնիսկ զարմանալի չի լինի, եթե պարզվի, որ Դաշնակցությունը գիտակցելով, որ Սերժ Սարգսյանի ներկայությունը ՀՅԴ 120-ամյակի հանդիսավոր միջոցառմանը պարզապես լինելու է ՀՅԴ-ի գլխին սարքված WikiLeaks, ամենեւին մտադիր էլ չի եղել հրավիրել Սերժ Սարգսյանին: Սակայն վերջինս, Բեգլարյանի հանդեպ հաղթանակով ոգեւորված, երեւի թե որոշել է սուրը դեռ պատյանը չդրած` հրապարակավ դրա տակով անցկացնել նաեւ ՀՅԴ-ին: Բնական է, որ Դաշնակցությանն այլ բան չէր մնա, քան շտապ ուղարկել Սերժ Սարգսյանի հրավիրատոմսը եւ բացել օպերայի դռները նրա առաջ, քանի դեռ բանը չի հասել արարողակարգին:

C'mon boys! Orders are in, let's move out! Don't forget the batons!

2010-12-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Time and time again there are scuffles when police mix with peaceful protesters in Armenia. It happened again at the rally organized in Ijevan, demanding the security and release of political prisoner Nikol Pashinyan.
When there are no police, there is a peaceful demonstration. When the police are there, things escalate to pushing and pulling and other such scuffles, and even more. And when the order given from up on high so demands, we have events like March 1.
But why does it even get to the point in the picture, where the police are walking up ahead of peaceful protesters, batons in hand - and some of the police actually look baton-happy.

The police, the single individual low-level policeman, is in a 'tough' spot. He wants a job and security. To start out, he's (the vast majority of the time) clearly not going to be a man with strong principles of human rights or pacifism. So he justifies to himself how and why he takes the job. Maybe he learns to like the power, as do many in positions of physical and 'legal' authority. But then he faces his own citizens, maybe his own neighbor or someone he knows, or his kid's friend's father protesting in the street. He sees those people taking risks he did not, standing for things he does not, and yelling things like "Amot [shame]."

What is our new friend to do? Will he refuse orders given to him by the likes of Bazaz? Will he follow orders, no matter what?

He will turn to see what the others in his group are doing - we are, after all, pack animals. And if even just a few are following orders, so will he. And once he makes that decision, it becomes hard for him to turn back, and every further act of peace, every next "Amot" makes him angrier. Because, really, who wants to be made to feel guilty?

And so batons come out, and orders are followed.

That is where the violence starts. In the police, in the regime. It starts there when scuffles start at rallies, and it started in the police and the regime on March 1.

There are more batons than those circled in the picture above, they're just not visible in this shot, which is a still from Gagik Shamshyan's video on news.am, with the corresponding article (similar article in eng on a1plus).

The news.am article has a bunch of photos, and here's another still from the video.

If you look closely, you'll the see head policeman has a phone in his hand. He just got his orders, and now he's excited to move into the people. The beta-wolf got his orders from the alpha-wolf, and the pack is ready to move out!

My apologies to the few policemen, if any, who may actually be clean, civil, and human rights driven. My absolute commendation to those who have refused orders which they found to be unethical. Perhaps not in the police force, but we do know what happens to those who try to maintain an ethical code within the army. My condolences to their families.

P.S. This is in ABSOLUTELY NO way a justification or excuse for police behavior, just as studies such as the Milgram experiments and the Stanford Prisoner Experiment do not justify war atrocities carried out by soldiers.

The Youth are Fundamental

2010-11-29T19:17:00.001-08:00

Amongst some of the news regarding change of hands in the youth movements of HAK and HHSh, I read a sentiment which while perhaps obvious in the non-printed media, rumours and general atmosphere, is not stated or printed nearly enough...

That the youth are key to change in Armenia, that their strength and motivation is fundamental to the movement, to any movement, and by engaging in politics many are sacrificing so much of themselves...

And while those in prison, as far as I can remember, are all above 30 years old or so and considered among the older generation, it is mainly the youth who have been out there time and time again, often getting beaten and dragged off the police station, and in many cases off to court repeatedly...

Even during the period when there was a serious stagnation in the political arena, it was the youth, with their activities, who could keep that standstill alive... it's painful that our youth, putting its main problem aside, is forced to engage in politics...
I pity you, but I implore you, however much you engage in politics, don't forget your main issue. Your main issue is the problem of becoming educated, developed, intellectual professionals...
For us, you have two missions. First, to ensure the ideological legacy of the party, and second, to breathe down our backs, do not allow us to stagnate... (statements from LTP)

The youth are absolutely fundamental. I'm glad to see they are publicly getting at least some of the recognition they deserve.

The quotes are from articles 1 and 2

Pashinyan must be set free.

2010-11-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

Lisbon and Self-Determination

2010-11-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

Ditord has been kind enough to post my most recent piece

Guest Post: Lisbon Then and Now: Who was determined enough to stand for Self Determination?

Also, a quick update: there are some (relative) newcomers to the Armenian news world. Epress and 1in.am, which I think are both great sources of info, and both in multiple languages.

Payqar, Payqar, Minchev Verj!

2010-11-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

Update: hnazarian has posted another video of the same event, from epress, in which certain garbled segments can be heard more clearly than the one from a1plus below

We'll do 'em like Khalafyan...

2010-11-11T10:06:00.001-08:00

The other day, during what would have been a peaceful protest if the police hadn't been involved, there was a significant scuffle between opposition youth and the police. Four youth were taken in to the police department, beaten by police, and released later in the day, and immediately showed up at the opposition rally that was going on. The photo on the left is taken with permission from the facebook group ԸՆԴԴԵՄ ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆԱԿԱՆ ԱՊՕՐԻՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐԻ(AGAINST POLICE VIOLATIONS) - the caption explains that these are the faces of two of the policemen who were among the most active in beating the opposition youth at the police station.

The regime's consistent response to youth practicing their fundamental human rights is to beat them, shove them in a police car, and beat them some more. There's nothing new in this.

But I had not yet heard the following yet, nor did I see it reported anywhere in writing.

One of the RFE/RL broadcasts after the release of the four youths had a short clip with one of the very active youth, Vahagn Gevorgyan. You can start listening around 7:30 min, he starts recounting what happened to them after the arrest at around 8:15 min - here is a rough translation and transliteration:

"Just after they got us through the entrance to the division, until we got to the on-duty section, having thrown us to the ground, they took us through beating us and pushing and pulling us, they weren’t asking us to do anything, they were just beating us, they were hitting us on our heads, too...

They hit Sargis Gevorgyan on his head a couple of times, I saw how they were kicking [us]...

From getting kicked in the head he [Sargis] hit his head on the floor and after that he couldn’t get up, he was dizzy...

When we had fallen on the floor, one of the policeman said,

'that’s enough, they’ll die like this.' And the other [policeman] said,

'Good good, we’ll make it like Khalafyan’s situation'

Wow.

Serzh-like attacks, or, Attacks a la Serzh

2010-11-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

[pic borrowed from nikol.am] Recently there were reports of Pashinyan being harassed and attacked in prison. He is basically being pressured, nay, told, to stop writing, and the regime is using just about everything they can think of to try to stop him, as throwing him in jail has clearly not worked. In fact, the regime is subcontracting out to the those who can get to him while he is in prison, other prisoners.
I don't remember hearing of these attacks during the first bit of his imprisonment, but we've now had reports of a few such incidents - this is the second or third, or maybe even fourth? I'll have to start keeping actual track. The most recent one was November 3rd, and there were some mixed messages in the news about what happened. Pashinyan wrote a piece on it on November 5 in Armenian Times, however, and there seems to be a promise of more writing to come on this topic. Below is my unofficial, somewhat coarse but hopefully understandable translation:

Serzh-like Attacks

Once again, the public received information regarding yet another incident organized against me at Kosh penitentiary. I will say right off, that the news does correspond to the reality of what happened, and what took place provides a good opportunity to explain more completely the incidents involving my person which have occurred up until this point at Kosh.

1. Here, my friend, a flag for you

The most recent incident took place in the evening of November 3rd. Those among the inmates who had the reputation of being ‘soldati’ were involved in the operation. The ‘soldati,’ as I already mentioned, are inmates with different assignments. They receive various assignments to use force, and then carry them out. The acts of violence and intimidation which are committed against the other inmates are carried out through these individuals

The operation began in approximately the following way: first, under various pretexts, potential eyewitnesses were removed from around my sleeping area, the entrances and exits were closed, and one individual came forward as a representative of the criminal world and began demanding answers from me in an aggressive tone, asking why I do not behave like a normal inmate. With a restrained hardness I countered by asking him to explain exactly to which pretenses he was referring. That is, what was it I was being accused of, if anything, and what was being asked of me, if anything. As I expected, what he had to say was unclear and vague. Many worthy people do not find my published, articles, my political activities, or my general behavior to be pleasing. Naturally, I said that I am not ready to discuss my articles, my journalistic and political activities, regardless of whether they are “worthy” individuals or unworthy. Having understood that the conversation could not continue with this theme, the noted head ‘soldat’ of the operation changed his tactics and uttered an extremely important sentence, “Haven’t you been told to take that flag down from there?” Dear reader, I ask you to pay close attention so that you can imagine fully the situation. The quoted statement of the head ‘soldat’ refers to the flag of the Republic of Armenia- red, blue and apricot-colored. But not a big flag, but a small, souvenir-sized one. It measures six by twelve centimeters.

I have hung this type of flag in my sleeping area, above my head, for the entire time I have been in prison, at “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary, “Nubarashen” penitentiary, and now at “Kosh” penitentiary. The ‘soldat’ was right; during a prior incident the attacking brigade had demanded that I get rid of the flag and that I not put it anywhere visible. The justification for this is not available, you will take it down and that is that, if you do not take it down, it will be bad. The last similar conversation had taken place about one month prior, and my flag has not been down for even one second. And so, with the organizers of the November 3rd incident having nothing concrete to say to me, they then aimed their activities at the flag, at the flag of the Republic of Armenia, demanding that it be taken down immediately, and never be put up again. Naturally, my response was unequivocal, and without question the flag had to stay above my head. It was on this topic that the conversation became more strained, and the head ‘soldat’ attacked me. As happens in such situations, a large number of people had gathered near my sleeping area, and it was hard to tell who was friends with whom. And despite the fact that the officers of the penitentiary come running and gather like flies at every inmate’s every sneeze, for the approximately fifteen minutes during which there was yelling and loud conversation, not a single officer showed up. The story ended with a “hesitant scuffle,” and the sides maintained their positions. The opposing side insisted that I no longer write articles in the newspaper, and that I must take down the flag of the Republic of Armenia from above my head. You now read an article which was written after the abovementioned incident, and the flag of the RA continues to hang above my head. And that is how it will always be.

P.S. In upcoming chapters I will reflect on other incidents that have occurred to me at “Kosh” and conversations about them that are circulating outside.

Who owes whom?

2010-11-05T15:12:00.001-07:00

[Addendum: edited for clarification purposes after posting]

I don't generally like commenting on Diasporan issues though I do from time to time because, frankly, it usually just frustrates and irritates me further. However, I just read a piece on Ianyan Magazine that made me want to post a comment on the article which already has a number of comments. Rather than blather on as a comment there, I thought I'd write my musings here.

The article, in the form of a Letter from the Editor, recounts the editor's interaction with and subsequent musings about an Armenian gentleman. It starts as follows:

“The motherland should be best loved from afar,” a man said to me the other day, “or else it will sting you.”

My reaction to the man's words were immediate, and of course developed further as I read the piece. The man's father was from Cyprus, the man himself had left Armenia in the 90's and moved to Hollywood, and had returned to the US in one year. So the story is not so simple - though we have no other information about him, he seems to have been of a Diasporan lineage that relocated at some point to Armenia, and he relocated back out in the 90s, and tried to go back. Two separate generations of moving to Armenia, which is 2 times more than most Diasporan families.

It seems clear in the article that the man did not necessarily want to leave, and in fact wishes he could have stayed, that he is sad to have (had to?) leave, for whatever reason. And this is a relatively common story on one level or another - families or businesses that try to start or relocate to Armenia meet with so much difficulty in terms of finding jobs or corrupt taxation or bureaucracy, that they end up unable to stay. I am not comparing the hardship of those who do live in Armenia to those who try to relocate. That is irrelevant to my point (which I will get to soon enough), and my purpose is not to compare or judge. There are those who have tried and succeeded in moving from the outside to Armenia, and some who have tried and failed.

What I would like to point out is his wording. To "love the homeland from afar", or "she will sting you." Of course it is a sentence of sadness. And perhaps in this context, thats all there was to it. I was not there for the conversation. The editor ends the article, it seems, curious, wondering, maybe a little sad herself, but saying "its worth the risk." I agree, it is worth it, but that is only the beginning... I would take it much further...

I have been in conversations where similar comments are made about Armenia. And in these contexts, as can be imagined for argument's sake may have occurred in this conversation, there is a sense of hurt. And that hurt is linked to a sense of something having been done to the speaker. Armenia should have been a certain way, it was not, and therefore Armenia caused someone pain/hurt. As though Armenia were a single entity, an entity which owes me, you, Armenians in general.
That is a sense of entitlement. To say, well, Armenia hurt me, so its better to stay far from it (to perhaps abandon it completely as a real place, and leave it only as an idea), to say that I will just glance at it from time to time because it hurt me and wasn't what it was supposed to be, because it did not live up to my ideals, that is entitlement.

And this sentiment was rampant in the 90s in the Diaspora, and is still rampant in a mutated form today. Because Armenia, to so many Diasporans, was and is not a land with an entire population, a people, who live and breathe every day. But rather, Armenia was and is a homeland, a pedestalized (perhaps no longer in the mutated version) 'homeland' where soil is fertile, flowers bloom without bees, streets pave themselves, and all is well and good. Undesired and frowned upon realities of any and all societies - poverty, violence, prostitution, 'immorality' - all those things to which people often say "Amot," the things that of course 'real Armenians' anywhere do not do, they did not exist in Armenia.

That was the imagined, the pedestalized Armenia that so many expected. And of course it fell short.

And so there have been since the early 90s and continue to be comments about Armenia, 'it's dirty, 'it's corrupt'... and stories about thievery and scams that happen to Diasporans... and comments like 'X is just soo bad in Armenia,'...

And when I hear that, what I was reminded of when I read the man's statement in the letter from the editor, is that sense of entitlement.

What I always want to say back when I hear such things, is well, if it so bad, what are you, as a self-identified Armenian, doing to make it better?
How can you possibly feel satisfied with visiting Armenia, leaving and criticizing, and then going back in two years and repeating the cycle all over again?

If you, and I, and all of us, if we are all Armenian, then we are all part of this great idealized nation; Armenia is not just a homeland, but a land of people, of the Armenian people - Armenia IS the people and population of Armenia, with millions of actual Armenians, not just an entity which exists to provide Diasporans with a sense of idealized homeland and a nice vacation spot.

I suppose that is what JFK meant when he said: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

If we truly want to be part of a great nation with a great Homeland, then it is not the Homeland that owes us, but we, as individuals of a nation, that owe and must build the Homeland.

The question of whether it is worth it is easy, but almost irrelevant.

The real question is, can we be worthy of the Armenia of which we all dream?

They released Ashot Manukyan...One is only the beginning...

2010-10-29T08:50:00.001-07:00

They released Ashot Manukyan... My best wishes and gratitude to him and his entire family.

I don't know why he was released... Is there truly effective pressure being placed by internal and/or external forces? Is this related to numerous recent issues of illegal activities and corruption that have come to light recently (Medicare scams in the US, Armenian oligarch ties to Moscow and former Mayor Luzhkov)?

What I do know is that it is not out of the magnanimous benevolence and warm heart of any of the oligarchs of this regime.

And ONE is not enough. ONE is a beginning. Anyone following the events in Armenia knows that this government can make (most) what it wants happen, when it wants.

We will not be silenced by the release of ONE - they must all be released, including Liberty Square, A1plus and Pashinyan.

27 October, 1999

2010-10-26T22:17:00.001-07:00

Copy of a letter from Vano to Vazgen, warning Vazgen of danger.
Reprinted in a booklet by Vahagn Ghukasyan (who also writes the Septemberi21 blog)
Letter is reprinted also at hzh.am

ADDENDUM: HZH reprinted the letter on 11-25 1999, but its not in their archives. I apparently found it somewhere else, and linked to it before in a prior post, here.

Voices for the voice of A1plus... 1+ 1+ 1+ 1....

2010-10-24T17:23:00.001-07:00

A1+ has been off the air since 2002, despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights. The way things are going now, the games being played by the regime will continue to successfully keep A1+ off the air. A foundation has now been established to help raise money to support A1plus - they're also counting every contribution not just in terms of monetary value, but as votes in support of them and what they represent. That is, at least in my eyes, freedom of press in Armenia... and the power of individuals to bring back basic human rights to Armenia. Contribute, even if it is just one dollar.

Here are some links to articles with more details (English, Armenian). Below I'm posting the information for contributions - every voice is a vote...
At the bottom is a video from a1plus

Դրամով փոխանցումների դեպքում
«Առեքսիմբանկ-Գազպրոմբանկի խումբ» ՓԲԸ

«Մելտեքս» ՍՊԸ

AMD – Հ/Հ 23800 – 01250350100

—————————————————————————————————-
For Donations in EUROS:
Եվրոյով փոխանցումների դեպքում
Intermediary Bank
DEUTSCHE BANK AG
FRANKFURT/ MAIN, GERMANY
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Acc. No. DE 42500700100947722500

Beneficiary Bank
CJSC ‘‘AREXIMBANK- GAZPROMBANK GROUP”
Yerevan, Armenia
SWIFT: RKASAM22

Beneficiary Meltex LTD
23800 -01250350149

—————————————————————————————————
For Donations in DOLLARS:
Դոլարով փոխանցումների դեպքում
Intermediary Bank DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
NEW YORK, USA
SWIFT: BKTRUS33
ABA: 021001033

Beneficiary Bank
CJSC ‘‘AREXIMBANK- GAZPROMBANK GROUP”
Yerevan, Armenia
SWIFT: RKASAM22

Beneficiary Meltex LTD
23800- 01250350101

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On Freedoms and Prisoners in Armenia

2010-10-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

I saw this article and thought that there is, indeed, hope for the near future, that is, for the release of the political prisoners:
Armenian Opposition Leader Upbeat on Prisoner Release

If it is true, it is wonderful news for many families, for democracy, justice, and for Armenia.

But there are three political prisoners whom this banditocracy, this oligarchy cannot afford to release, because of who or what they are, and the freedoms that they represent. I think that if any two of these three were to be released, perhaps even just one, well, a lot might happen....
They are, in my opinion, A1plus TV, Liberty Square, and Nikol Pashinyan.
Read, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Speech.

And my guess is that this regime will release, when they have to, all of the political prisoners except these last three...

And with the feigned ignorance of the Council of Europe/PACE, another two years could go by without any change or aid on the part of such institutions, with empty resolutions and more bargaining...

And then what will be of the next elections?

I ask not because I think the future of Armenia lay in the good deeds of those outside, but rather, because as we saw beginning in the Spring of 2008, it may in fact lay in their convenient, unconscionable and utterly destructive willful ignorance.

"պտի ղուրբան ըլնեք"

2010-10-19T06:12:00.001-07:00

"Մասնավորապես, ոստիկանության ՊՊԾ գնդի հրամանատարի տեղակալ Խաչիկ Ավետիսյանը բարձրաձայն հայտարարեց.

«Սաղտ պտի ղուրբան ըլնեք, որ Սերժ Սարգսյանի պես նախագահ ունեք»: Ներկաներից մեկը հարցով պատասխանեց ոստիկանին` ասելով.

«Դու երևի ամեն օր ղուրբան լինելով ման ես գալիս, չէ՞»:"

[From epress.am]

Yerevan Graffiti

2010-10-17T08:22:00.001-07:00

A sample of graffiti from Yerevan (Unzipped has a number posted) - unfortunately the sender did not tell me at which underpass the photo was taken.
For those wondering, yes, the original is in fact done upside down.

Russia and the Armenian Oligarchy: Trafficking, Narcotic Trafficking, and Money Laundering

2010-10-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

From HZH (and below is a mildly edited google translation) and see also Hnazarians recent posts and ArmeniaToday:
Ութից յոթը ցուցակում են

Մեր տեղեկություններով` ՌԴ ազգային անվտանգության մարմինը, դատախազությունը եւ մյուս իրավապահ մարմինները տարբեր քրեական գործերի նախաքննության ընթացքում` հիմնականում նարկոթրաֆիքի, թրաֆիքինգի եւ փողերի լվացման գործերով, պարզել են, որ հանցագործությունների հետ առնչություն ունեն նաեւ ՀՀ պաշտոնյաներ:

ՌԴ իրավապահները պարզել են, որ ռուսական կրիմինալ խմբավորումները ՀՀ տարբեր պաշտոնյաների հետ սերտ կապերի մեջ են, եւ կազմել են տարբեր քրեական գործերի հետ առնչություն կամ ռուսական կրիմինալ խմբավորումների հետ կապեր ունեցող ՀՀ պաշտոնյաների ցուցակ, որում ընդգրկել են 32 անուն: Մեր տեղեկություններով, այս ցուցակի վերաբերյալ ՌԴ դատախազության ներկայացուցիչները զրուցել են «Միաբանություն» հայկական ազգային ակումբի նախագահ Սմբատ Կարախանյանի հետ: Ցուցակը ՌԴ դատախազության ղեկավարությունը ոչ պաշտոնական ֆորմատով ցուցադրել է ՀՀ գլխավոր դատախազ Աղվան Հովսեփյանին եւ ԱԱԾ տնօրեն Գորիկ Հակոբյանին: Ռուսական կողմը ցուցակում նշված անձանց պատասխանատվության ենթարկելու հարց է բարձրացրել: Սակայն, ՀՀ վերը նշված պաշտոնյաներն իրենց ռուս գործընկերներին պատասխանել են, որ այդ խնդիրը լուծելու համար իրենք շատ փոքր մարդիկ են: Մեր տեղեկություններով, ՌԴ իրավապահների կազմած ցուցակի առաջին յոթ հորիզոնականներում հետեւյալ անուններն են. Սերժ Սարգսյանի եղբայր, ԱԺ պատգամավոր Սաշիկ Սարգսյան, ԱԺ պատգամավորներ Ռուբեն Հայրապետյան («Նեմեց Ռուբո») եւ Լեւոն Սարգսյան («Ալրաղացի Լյովիկ»), ՀՀ ՊԵԿ նախագահ Գագիկ Խաչատրյան, ԱԺ պատգամավոր Սամվել Ալեքսանյան («Լֆիկ Սամո»), ԱԺ նախագահ Հովիկ Աբրահամյան եւ ԱԺ ԲՀԿ խմբակցության ղեկավար Գագիկ Ծառուկյան: Ըստ մեր տեղեկությունների, ՌԴ իրավապահները ցուցակում Սերժ Սարգսյանի անունը չեն ընդգրկել, քանի որ ի սկզբանե բացառել են, որ հնարավոր կլինի նրան պատասխանատվության ենթարկելու հարց բարձրացնել:

[My rough editing of the google translation]

According to our sources, Russia's national security body, the prosecutor's office and various other law enforcement agencies have, during the investigation of criminal cases-- regarding mostly narcotic trafficking, trafficking and money laundering cases-- found out that the crimes are also related to officials of the Republic of Armenia.

Russia's law enforcement officials announced that Russian criminal groups have close ties with various officials of the RA, and have made up a list of RA officials who are connected with various criminal cases or who are connected with the Russian criminal groups; the list has 32 names. According to our information, representatives of the prosecutor's office of the Russian Federation have discussed this list with Smbat Karakhanyan, who is the president of the "Unity" national club. Representatives of the RF Prosecutor's office have also shown the list in an unofficial manner to Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepian and director of the National Security Service Gorik Hakobyan. The Russian side raised the question of liability regarding the persons mentioned in the list. In response, however, the above officials indicated to their Russian colleagues that they are very small people to be dealing with/to solve that problem. According to our information, the first seven places in Russia's law enforcement agencies' list are held by the following names: Serzh Sargsyan's brother, MP Sashik Sargsyan, Ruben Hayrapetyan MPs (Nemets Rubo) and Levon Sargsyan (Alraghatsi Lyovik), the State Revenue Committee Chairman Gagik Khachatryan, MP Samvel Aleksanyan (Lfik Samo), the NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan (Muk) and the PAP faction leader Gagik Tsarukyan (Dodi Gago). According to our information, Serge Sargsyan's name is not included in Russia's law enforcement list because they excluded from the very beginning that they will be able to raise the issue of liability in his case.

Political prisoners, violations, and silence all continue...

2010-10-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Lindblad is in essence boycotting the Council of Europe Democracy Forum which is to be held later this month in Yerevan. Having apparently voted against the forum being held in Armenia in the first place, he has stated recently that time and again the scheduled visits by co-rapporteurs to Armenia have been postponed, and members of the Armenian government have denied requests to meet with the Co-rapporteurs on the sidelines of the Forum. In a letter addressed to the Chair of the Armenian Delegation, he harshly criticized the Armenian government, and wrote "[these actions] seem to confirm my assumption that Armenia is not yet mature enough to host the Forum" (the letter is already posted by nazarian). Per Lindblad, the letter upset Co-rapporteur Prescott, who took the side of the Armenian Government.
Postanjyan also had something to say about the matter, pointing out that if Lindblad had really wanted to come, he had multiple prior opportunities, and that in fact, he was too busy with his own election campaign (which he lost) to come to Armenia. A loss which means that after November, Lindblad will no longer be a Co-rapporteur, and will have to be replaced. Per Lindblad, his impending replacement is being used by the Armenian government, that they are likely waiting for his replacement with "a less independent rapporteur" to allow the visit.

All of this is very important in its place. But what often gets forgotten in such situations is the fundamental reality that myself and many others have pointed out - Democracy and Human Rights are NOT a priority for PACE, or other Western Countries. Such principles are paraded and flaunted here and there, but are really just tools for bargaining. A few months back a close friend noted that the US at least seemed to have washed its hands of the Armenian situation, almost as if saying it wasn't worth the trouble, and leaving the issue to Russia to deal with. I wasn't sure then if I agreed, and I'm still not sure, but I cant say I completely disagree, either.

Its not just that gross violations of basic human rights and life occurred, it is that they CONTINUE to occur:

Police harassment and ludicrous trials continue, like the ones of Sargis Gevorgyan and Davit Kiramijyan...
Freedom of Press continues to exist only as a shadow, with laws being discussed now that will continue to restrict and silence voices with non-government opinions...
There continue to be over a dozen political prisoners in Armenia, at least one of whom (journalist Nikol Pashinyhan) has recently been threatened as he continues to write opposition articles even from his jail cell...
Liberty Square itself is now a political prisoner... the government continues to refuse any opposition meetings be held in Liberty Square, and continues to add small children's pasttimes to the square to provide an excuse for refusal...

But there is no sound of protest from PACE to any of this, or the myriad of other such violations of humanity.

If opposition voices were to be allowed to have a voice on television, and if Liberty Square was in fact open to the people, that is, if there were even a decent shred of Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly, those voices of opposition which have been silenced by fear, would again come to life...

Would the regime fire on the people again?
And if they did, would the world reactions be any different?

Beyond Absurdity...

2010-09-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Lragir has published an article outlining several more inconsistencies from the forensic exam.

This is just absurd.

In addition to the numerous signs of violence on his body, the autopsy findings on Artak Nazaryan reveal that there was a hole caused by a gunshot in his tongue.

This would mean that he place the muzzle of the rifle under or in front of his tongue, which seems counterintuitive for someone who is alone, committing suicide.

It does seem completely consistent with the theory that the muzzle was forcibly put in his mouth.

Constitution? What Constitution?

2010-09-23T22:40:00.001-07:00

I was just looking something up in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. As I opened the page, I saw this:

Հոդված 1.
Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունը ինքնիշխան, ժողովրդավարական, սոցիալական, իրավական պետություն է:

(Transl from Foreign Ministry) Article 1.
The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic state, based on social justice and the rule of law.

(Transl from Presidential Website) Article 1.
The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social state governed by rule of law.

I wasn't sure if it even made sense to read what came after that...

"These things don't happen in the Armenian Army..." Really?

2010-09-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is what is wrong with the recent responses of the Seyran Ohanyan's Ministry of Defense. They put the cart before the horse, and deny the obvious and known. Now, I'm not sure they're as bad, or at least as obvious, as Alik Sargsyan's Police Department - I say I'm not sure, I just don't have enough information - but that's not really saying much. What am I talking about? Let's take two recent occurrences - 1)the death of Artak Nazaryan and 2)the recent YouTube video.

In the case of the first, Artak Nazaryan's mother set out, in a well balanced, both logical and emotional public letter to Seyran Ohanyan, her specific concerns and doubts regarding the investigation into her son's alleged suicide. His response was just published on Lragir in Armenian here. The english is not available, but for those interested the google translation is understandable, and here is the summary:

Paragraph 1: You have doubts about the criminal investigation, you think it is flawed
Par 2: I am sorry for your loss. Under article 110 paragraph 1 and article 375 paragraph 2, Captain Hakob Manukyan is being charged.
Par 3: 3 others are charged with Article 358, paragraph 2, point 3
Par 4: This issue is important, continues to be investigated, is under my direct supervision, a detailed investigation has been ordered so that those guilty can be punished and so that such things do not happen again
Final Par: I am ready to have a private meeting with you, and have the head of the investigation answer your questions in my presence

A couple of things are missing for me here: an acknowledgement or validation of her detailed concerns regarding the serious flaws in the investigation, and a sense of transparency regarding the outcome. That is, why does it have to be a private meeting? Additionally, and maybe I'm just being picky, but really, I would have expected more with regards to a sense of loss, a sense of loss for the family, for the army, and for the entire country. And if the investigation is not complete, how do you already "know" it was suicide (and how did you "know" it was suicide so soon)? I have to say, its not a good response, but its not utterly horrific. Somewhere in there I think I see a glimpse of a shred of concern - but honestly, I can't tell if this is real, or they just have a writer who has some sense of what to write.

On to #2. The video which was pulled off of YouTube and DailyMotion, but then reappeared with some restrictions on YouTube. Some bloggers posted it after downloading, and apparently were criticized for it - parts of Ara Manoogian's comment on Unzipped's blog (both of them posted the video):

What is even more disturbing to me is how many people are demanding that this be covered up and not made public...[]
I have received threats of violence if I don't remove the video in private messages, have been called a trader and for the most part I am seeing the majority of the over 350 comments to be in favor of removing the video since it will scar our reputation...[]
I will also add that I have been contacted by the MoD media department, who have clearly stated their commitment to find the man in the video and have even gone so far as asking for my help to do this.

Likely due to the massive publicity the video attained, the MoD published a response on the website, here in Armenian. Again, the offical English is not available, but the google translate version is pretty good, and here is a summary:

Paragraph 1: Footage was put up on YouTube showing young men in Armenian Army uniforms being abused. The quality of the footage is low, so the faces aren't clear, and Armenian words can't be made out
Par 2: But since the soldiers are wearing Armenian uniforms, the public is upset.
Par 3: The MoD strongly condemns the preparation and dissemination of such materials which are intended to denigrate and blacken the reputation of the Armenian Army.
Last Par: The MoD is investigating the authenticity of the video, and aims to identify those pictured on the video, and the authors of the video, to punish those committing the violence

And there it is again - it seems to be they're trying to cover all their bases, but have their priorities backwards. If it is not authentic, why talk so strongly about identifying and punishing those in the video? And if it is authentic, why is production of the video such a horrible thing - yes it is embarrassing and demoralizing, but everyone knows its happening, and this seems to be the only recourse left. In the end, it seems to be the only way to bring these issues to light, and ultimately strengthen the army. If they're not sure yet, then state that, with a few more if/then statements. Honestly, I feel the priority here should be addressing the fundamental problem, not condemning the besmirchment of the army. [Unzipped has a good translation and discussion regarding this in the comments section of the relevant post]

So, maybe I'm not being fair, and MoD is really just trying to play it safe on all counts. Nope, that doesn't work, from News.am (my emphasis):

Commenting on the Youtube video demonstrating harassment of soldiers, allegedly in the Armenian army, the Minister stated he does not believe such things happen in the Armenian army. He pointed out that experts are now studying the video. “If we find out such a thing really happened, the one guilty will be punished severely. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to find that man,” the Minister said. He also stressed that those who put the video on Youtube will be punished as well.

Aaaakh, Seyran, Seyran...

------
Translation of the Criminal Code is from Legislation Online:

[Article 110. Causing somebody to commit suicide.
1. Causing somebody to commit suicide or make an attempt at a suicide by indirect willfulness or by negligence, by means of threat, cruel treatment or regular humiliation of one’s dignity, is punished with imprisonment for the term of up to 3 years.
Article 375. Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction.
1. Abuse of power, transgression of authority or administrative dereliction, if these acts were committed for mercenary or group-interest motives, by a commander or official, and if these inflicted essential damage, is punished with imprisonment for 2-5 years.
2. The same acts which negligently caused grave consequences, are punished with imprisonment for 3-8 years.
Article 358. Violence against the commander.
1. Battery or other violent actions against the commander related to the performance of his military duties, is punished with disciplinary battalion for the term of up to 2 years, or with imprisonment for the term of up to 5 years.
2. The same actions committed:
1) by a group of persons;
2) by using weapons;
3) causing grave or medium-gravity to health, or other grave consequences]

Open Letter To Seyran Ohanyan, from the Mother of Artak Nazaryan

2010-09-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

[The following is copied and pasted directly from online sources English, Armenian:Արտակ Նազարյանի մոր բաց նամակը Սեյրան Օհանյանին,

with a typographical correction done on September 13]

Hasmik Hovhannisyan, mother of contract soldier Artak Nazaryan who died on July 27 in the military unit of the Mehrab village, Tavush Marz, has written an open letter to Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. We present that letter in its entirety below:

At 7:00 AM on July 27th, according to the official version, my son Artak Nazaryan ostensibly “committed suicide.” I maintain that my son could never have done such a thing. He believed in God, he had a Father Confessor, he was a member of the Holy Trinity Fraternal Order up until he received his orders from the Ministry of Defense and began to work. For him, God’s laws had become flesh and blood, and he clearly knew that not only murder is a sin, but suicide, as well, and for that greatest of sins the punishment would be horrible.

I know that to speak of higher spiritual values is ludicrous for you.

They killed my son. They killed him in a premeditated manner and in calculated, cold blood. They eliminated from their path the light that perturbed them, the good and the honest. Such animals are evil and are the product of an atmosphere of impunity. They are not ordinary murderers; they are traitors to the fatherland who brutally kill and obliterate the officer who defends the border.

To hide the traces of their brutality, they elevated his body above the 300-meter position, placed him in the enemy’s line of sight, relying on the shots of enemy snipers. But the Turks realized that if the officer leaning there was not already killed, then he was half dead, and the Armenians needed a pretext to blame the enemy side for the death of the soldier killed by their own hands. But having been proven wrong in their calculations, and to put an end to the problem of the half dead officer, they placed the barrel of the automatic weapon in his mouth, and fired. Rather than calling a doctor, helping him, washing his innumerable wounds before killing him—and with that easing their guilt—they went to the very end.

It is not known by whose order such people were being protected, from the beginning, hiding the obvious murder under the shroud of “suicide.” Those working in that direction, by deliberately distorting evidence, supposedly push the work forward in the name of the Armenian Army. They, too, are traitors to the nation and the fatherland. And with that action, they are casting down even further the pride of the army, putting a stamp of blood and shame on the army and on the brow of its leadership.

The only way to wash off the blood and shame is through a fair investigation, which from the beginning has suffered serious shortcomings.

They did not lift fingerprints from my son, according to them, before his body cooled; they worked without gloves; the house where my son lived was not sealed off. Ten days after the incident a search was conducted at his house, from which my son’s 2010 diary was not found. Nothing was said about the seized material. I don’t know whether the military bag and winter jacket he took with him this time still exist, or not.

My son’s body was sent to Yerevan completely naked. Where are my son’s military uniforms? I have put stitches on those uniforms with my own hands and know them well; perhaps they are going to exchange them. There would be numerous marks left on the uniform from a brutally committed murder.

To preserve the body, they asked us for 40 kilograms of ice. It wasn’t enough that a horrific crime, which has no name, had been committed. And after all that, to ease out of their guilt, they wanted to send him home in a closed casket; and only after my begging and pleading did they fix his face, covering it with a ton of makeup, bringing him home on the 29th, at the end of a work day. Already at that time there were worms in his nose, for which we invited a doctor. He cleaned his nostrils of the worms and sealed them with special fluids.

The next day, on July 30th, we buried him. His body was in a horrible state. This is evidence that the event did not happen on July 27th, but earlier, on the night of the 24th. Where was his body placed until he was moved to Yerevan, and why? There was not going to be an autopsy at that place, they only acted that way to take off his clothing, a favor for some people.

One of the pallbearers of my dead son’s body was the battalion commander. He was untroubled, and spoke as though nothing had happened. He was that commander about whom my son had spoken with his father, saying, ‘Father, there are two individuals after me, the political officer and the battalion commander, especially the latter.’

All the necessary information which should have helped to solve the case has been deliberately delayed, which speaks to the fact that the case is being led, purposefully, in another direction to cover up for the beastly army commanders who stick close to their feeding troughs, and for the battalion commander who told my husband who had gone to receive my son’s body, and in the presence of relatives, that my son was a weak officer.

To my husband’s question as to who was the first to see the body, the political officer answered that he had, and that supposedly he had found a suicide note in my son’s pocket and had kept it.

The note was discovered two days after my son’s house was searched, and his house was searched ten days after the incident. Investigator Madatyan hastily sent off the forged note found for examination. That forged note isn’t worth a penny for me, based on its content; it was written after the murder.

My son’s notebook, which I don’t know if was stolen from his house or, according to their version, taken from his pocket, was ripped apart like my son’s body. They had removed all of the pages and left only three dated pages and one torn page where the word “suicide” had been forged. They didn’t show us the original; how many secrets the original would have revealed…

Does the person about to commit “suicide” climb 300 meters, torment his own body, smash his own head and teeth, fire into his own mouth and not on the bestial torturers?

Mr. Minister, a question arises: How is it that a 30-year-old young man who had graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Yerevan State Institute, being inexperienced in the filthy dealings of the military of which you are well aware, and who had treated the soldiers of the battalion as his own brothers, who loved the Lord, would forget all and commit suicide?

Why do you not, the head of the entire system, although they say even of you that you are a feeble minister who has no say in anything, want to cleanse the army and the entire structure of the blood and filth, and truly punish the guilty? If that task is beyond your capabilities, then you too, like my son, should commit “suicide” and leave a genuine note saying that as a high-ranking military man, you are ashamed to have such a corrupt Armenian army.

So then, all those who wittingly or unwittingly participated in the murder of my son—beginning with the commander who issued the order and whom you relieved of his responsibilities rather than arrest; the soldiers who witnessed the incident; those who instigated the fight; those who committed the actual violent acts; those who held his arms down; those who bashed his head in (i.e., the political officer, as a result of whose assault, if my son didn’t die, was rendered unconscious and left in that condition for days on end until they could decide what to do next); the inspector; those who moved his body and whose crude fingerprints were left on the broken arms of my son, ending with those who have buried the system in corruption and whose hands are stained not only with the blood of my son, but also of many other youths like my son—you should make all of them stand before a tribunal not as ordinary criminals but as traitors to the fatherland, traitors for whom there is no sanctity except their bellies. In times of war, traitors to the fatherland are shot by a firing squad.

Mother of Nazaryan, Hasmik Hovhannisyan
In a postscript in the letter sent to Seyran Ohanyan through the online newspaper Lragir.am Hasmik Hovhannisyan has also noted: “I wanted to send this letter to you directly, but convinced that such letters are never read, I preferred to publish it in the press so that you would be forced to read it.”

[The picture is used with permission]

Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters

2010-09-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

I found this excerpt online. Obviously not regarding Armenia, but it may as well have been written for Armenia today. I don't have much to add, for now...

"My patriotic and heroic Countrymen, my honourable Brothers and Sisters, my brave Sons and Daughters… The aim of our movement is civil disobedience. For six long years we have been facing persecution and oppression. Our calls for resumption of democracy have been ignored, our workers have been imprisoned and sentenced to death. Enough is enough. We appeal to all the bus owners to take their buses off the roads, to all the railwaymen to stop plying the trains. To the policemen we say: follow the example of your brothers in Dadu and do not shoot innocent people who are your brothers. Do not be frightened of this movement. It is for our people, for our poor, for our children so that they do not live in poverty, hunger and disease. Struggle for your Parliament, for you Government, for your Constitution so that the decisions are taken for the poor people and not for the junta and its stooges…”

...though I'd be interested to know if anyone guessed the source.

When eyewitnesses are actually the guilty ones, and have gone missing...

2010-08-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

The trial of Davit Kiramijyan and Sargis Gevorgyan continued on August 26, but these aren't their pictures... Why do I have these pictures here? The pictures were taken during the May 31 events near Liberty Square when police attacked peacefully gathered citizens. The Tadevosyans (brother and sister on the left)and Ruben Ayvazyan (on the Right) were there, too. But in what capacity? These three are eyewitnesses in the case against the defendants, but failed to show up to court... Not something new in Armenia these days, eyewitnesses seem fail to show more often than they actually show up in cases against opposition activists. But there's even more.

Among the many detentions/forced trips to the police station that occurred over those few days (May 31 was the 3rd or 4th day in a series), at least three individuals were kept for three days (including Ani Gevorgyan and Sargis Gevorgyan), and one of them, Davit Kiramijyan, was kept in detention for over a month. For what? Supposed hooliganism, violence against a government representative, public disturbance... But how did any of that, how did the scuffle which undoubtedly occurred, come to pass?

On June 16, Haykakan Zhamanak published an article which answers this question. Were Varazdat Tadevosyan, his sister Lusine Tadevosyan, and Ruben Ayvazyan mere passer-by's who got entangled and fell victim to a scuffle? It turns out that the two of them at least may have initially presented themselves to reporters as members of the Ombudsman's office, this was however denied by the Ombudsman (aka DollarArmen) in a letter to Police Chief Alik Sargsyan. The two young men, Davit Tadevosyan and Ruben Ayvazyan, were actually arrested as well - they were released on July 3, and further pursuit of the charges against them were dropped. And, as per HZH, these two likely provided, along with the testimony of Lusine Tadevosyan, as alleged eyewitnesses, everything the police needed to charge the oppositionist youth.

The HZH article goes on, though. And it points out in detail how these three actually incited the scuffles and altercations which occurred, all of which can be seen on video footage of the incident: how Lusine Tadevosyan attaked Ani Gevorgyan, how Ruben Ayvazyan and Varazdat Tadevosyan incited arguments with journalists, how Varazdat Tadevosyan tried to stop Ani Gevorgyan from taking pictures, and how the final scuffle which resulted in Davit Kiramijyan being taken away, was actually incited by Davit Tadevosyan... HZH goes on to point out just how convenient it is that the arguments incited by the Tadevosyans and Ayvazyan are always in perfect view of the camera.

I couldn't find the part about the Ombudsman anywhere other than on HZH. I did find several articles (Zhamanak, Aysor) noting that Kiramijyan thought that Varazdat Tadevosyan was part of the police force, which would seem to be the case for those who have watched the videos and followed this story at all. The police often have plainclothes members either beating protesters, hauling them off, or inciting disputes - and watching the videos, you can tell who's who. Plainclothes police stand mingled in to uniformed police, or off to the side or behind the police, coming forward and becoming active when necessary.

And now, the Tadevosyans and Ayvazyan, on whose testimony the case is based almost entirely, are not showing up to court (there is also a Lilit Gevorgyan named, but I'm not sure who she is). They apparently sent word that they were out of the country, but there was no proof of this. Now, the plan is to arrest them and bring them to court.

What a farce. None of it new, and unfortunately none of it surprising. But still, just ridiculous. Just more ways of continuing the intimidation, trying to keep the show going while the theater is on fire, and everyone quiet...

Let's not forget that former political prisoner Vardges Gaspari was not allowed into the courtroom, and neither was Sargis Gevorgyan's own mother. Gaspari was forcibly removed while he practiced civil disobedience - he received several bruises and other injuries while doing so.

Another shooting in the Army

2010-08-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

From RFE/RL on 25 August, 2010...

"The Armenian military confirmed on Tuesday reports of yet another non-combat shooting within its ranks that left one soldier dead... In a written statement, Armenia’s Defense Ministry said Sergeant Arsen Chobanian, 26, was shot dead by a fellow serviceman last week at an army outpost guarding an unspecified section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border..."

Why did this come out only yesterday?

You must be kidding me...

2010-08-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Maybe once I regain my composure after reading this, I'll explain...
From Aravot.am

ՄԱՐՏԻ 1-ԻՆ ՀԱՐՁԱԿՎԵԼ ԵՆ ԱՆԶԵ՞Ն ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆՆԵՐԻ ՎՐԱ

Երեկ «Ռեգնում»-ին տված հարցազրույցում ՀՅԴ խմբակցության քարտուղար Արտյուշա Շահբազյանը համոզմունք է հայտնել, թե 2008 թվականի մարտի 1-2-ի դեպքերի ողջ պատասխանատվությունն ընդդիմությանն է, որն այն ժամանակ ֆինանսավորվում էր Արեւմուտքի կողմից. «Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը կազմակերպեց ուժային դիմադրություն, եւ տեղի ունեցավ ընդհարում ոստիկանության հետ: Եթե «Մոլոտովի կոկտեյլներով» եւ մահակներով զինված մարդիկ չհարձակվեին ոստիկանների վրա՝ այդ ամենը չէր լինի: Մենք դատապարտեցինք ոստիկանների գործողությունները, բայց նրանք Ազատության հրապարակ էին մտել անզեն, իսկ նրանց վրա հարձակվեցին: Ժողովրդի ձեռքը փաստորեն զենք դրեցին»:
ՀԱԿ առաջնորդին քննադատել է նաեւ ՀՅԴ խմբակցության ղեկավար Վահան Հովհաննիսյանը՝ ՀՀՇ համագումարում նրա ելույթի մասին «Ազատություն» ռ/կ-ին ասելով. «Բոլոր նրանք, ովքեր հիշում են 90-ական թվականների Լեւոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանին, ոչ մի նոր բան չլսեցին: Բացարձակապես պարտվողական դիրքորոշում էր, ընդ որում՝ պարտվողական ոչ միայն թուրքերի ու ադրբեջանցիների, բայց նաեւ իշխանությունների նկատմամբ: Հիմնականում ելույթը կրկնում է «Սերգո ջան, լավ չես ապրելու, մինչեւ Ղարաբաղի հարցում զիջումներ չանենք»:

Arshaluys Hakobyan has passed away

2010-08-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

It was reported today in several Armenian newspapers that Arshaluys Hakobyan, a human rights defender in Armenia, and member of the Armenian Helsinki Association, has passed. His cause of death is unknown, though lragir reports he had some type of lung infection or pneumonia.
From Tert.am:

Hacobyan was arrested after on 31 May 2009 he participated in the municipal elections in Yerevan in the capacity of observer.
Accusations were brought against him according to Article 316, part 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (Showing Resistance against the Law Enforcement Bodies).
Human rights defenders say that he was subjected to torture while kept in detention in the police.
On October 16, 2009, the Court of First instance of Kentron and Nork-Marash Communities of Yerevan released him on bail. Later in February Mr Hakobyan was acquitted.

I remember his name well, as I included him in my video (second one on the right) on the violence and human rights abuses of the state against the citizens, including reporters and journalists, of Armenia.

I hope for him, his family, and the nation, that his death cannot be tied in anyway to the abuses against him, or his time in prison. I do, however, fear that this may be the case. I hope we will have more answers soon.

May he, too, rest in peace.

Letter Regarding Karo Ayvazyan

2010-08-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

This video is an interview with Karo Ayvazyan's mother, available only in Armenia.(link to video)

Almost one week ago, I received an email from a friend of Karo Ayvazyan, the Armenian conscript who supposedly shot five members of the army, and then shot himself. As the story has unfolded, what is the most common version is that a friend of his had fallen asleep in the trenches, and was found by two higher ranking officers, who then began to verbally assault him. Karo then allegedly shot those two, two others who came running at the noise, his friend, and himself.
Now, the story raises a lot of questions without even the next part, which is that Karo apparently had been in the US before. He has been arrested multiple times, on charges related to narcotics and guns. And therefore,by Armenian law, due to his repeat violations, he should have been exempt from his otherwise required military service. The family claims that despite their efforts to bring his prior record to the attention of military officials, they were ignored.
Which brings us back to this letter. I cannot attest to or verify the author of it, its authenticity, or truth in its content. If only just one tenth of it is true, it raises a lot of questions. I am making it available in full here,and in parts below (though many important parts I did not reproduce below):

I knew Karo Ayvazyan personally since last summer. He was not the type to commit suicide. He was a fearless brave daring guy who was convicted in America for beating up cops...
...Karo was very mild-mannered and he was respectful of other people but he also would not tolerate anyone trampling on his dignity or the dignity of the people he cared about. He gave you respect and expected the same from you, but if you phucked with him then you were dead meat. He was a loyal faithful friend and very interesting and in spite of his young age he got along best with older people and hung out with older people. In Armenia he resolved to be free of cocaine and all drugs and to stay clean and do only honest work and business. You never would have gotten the impression that that he had any mental or psychological problem, but on the contrary that he was very mature for his age...
...Although it is being said in the press that he should never have been given a gun, I believe he was the kind of character that could indeed be trusted with a gun. If indeed Karo shot the people he is accused of shooting, then in my opinion they damn well deserved to get shot and I commend Karo for shooting them! ...
...I am very curious to know, however who shot Antranik Sargsyan. I would like to see balistics tests performed on all the bullets recovered from his body and from the other bodies and from Karo's body. The notion that Karo shot himself with his own gun is not only absurd because of the fact that Karo was a fighter for life and survival and not a coward of any sort who would be afraid of being prosecuted or even tortured, but also because if he had wanted to commit suicide he could not have done it with the PK machine gun he was issued as it was too long and also because he was out of ammo (as was reported that his magazines were empty) and that he could have committed suicide simply by standing up out of the trenches/bunkers so that the Turks would have a clear shot at him (and they would indeed have fired).

I also want to know who witnessed these events start to finish! Who reported that the officers found one of the soldiers (Antranik Sargsyan) sleeping??? Who reported that the officers berated him???/ Who reported that Karo Ayvazyan began to shoot them for that reason???? If all the witnesses to the event were shot dead, then how could they have reported the history of the incident???!!!!

Karo was a good man and he died a hero and martyr for justice. He will be missed greatly.

Karo Ayvazyan, my good friend, RIP.

Antranik Miranjian
Yerevan, Armenia

No further comment from me at this point. Ponder for yourselves.

Unnecessary deaths in the Armenian Armed Forces

2010-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, my sincerest condolences to all of the family and friends of those soldiers who died this past week. May they rest in peace.

I'm writing this post late not because I just found out about the recent events, but rather, because I did not, and still do not, know how to say all that I have to say. But after almost one week, I've given up on the hope that if I sit on it, my thoughts will come to order. And so here it goes. (Other bloggers writing in English, including unzipped, ditord, and nazarian had great posts, which I encourage you to read).

I took this photo years ago, probably the late 1990s or so (which may explain why the emblem is different). It was on a military uniform jacket, being sold in one of the open markets in Yerevan, probably more for tourist/diasporan consumption. It was marketable because it personified Armenian military strength and courage, Armenian unity and prowess. Completely outnumbered and underfinanced, Armenia and NK had won a war against Azerbaijan. It was because of our Herculean strength and courage, we wanted to believe. Because of our will. The same will and strength and courage of centuries past, which lives on in songs of Armenian victories against impossible odds. And what else could it have been but those attributes, when our fighters were victorious despite being underfed, frozen, and outnumbered. And the legend lived on...

And so I imagine now that I am a young man doing my required time or serving otherwise in the army- there is probably about a 40-50% chance that I was protesting against the present government just over 2 years ago; it is very possible that someone I know may have been beaten or imprisoned. Maybe I am not politically active for whatever reason, and just think all politics are false pretenses and all politicians are liars - I probably still, in this case, have many questions and concerns about the current situation... And now I serve in an Army where beating conscripts is required, NOT beating them is unacceptable. On many levels, the violence that the authorities were and are willing to perpetrate against their own civilians (via the armed forces, might I add), mirrors the violence that army officials perpetrate against their own soldiers - in fact, any perceived act of insubordination by footsoldiers is met with abuse, and any disagreement or individual opinion from those highly educated is met with "mysterious suicides." I see high-ranking officials with stuffed pockets, and even the Minister of Defense, Seyran Ohanyan*, is reputed to own the Pyramida Complex, which includes a night club with its own "Girls." And when, despite these obstacles, I try to take pride in the Armed forces of my Country, I look to my leadership and government, and there is no hint of true strategy or plan with regards to the NK issue - nothing except that they will do what it takes to keep themselves in power.

I cannot imagine how stressful this must be, and for some, how inhumane the life they lead under these circumstances. I imagine this as the baseline existence for those who serve our country now. It does not take too great a feat of imagination unfortunately, to envision how, under such circumstances, an educated man such as Artak - refusing to give in to pressure to commit violence upon others, to become part of a cycle of violence - could have met with such violence from his own superiors; or how an already unbalanced individuals, whose instability and unfit status to serve was overlooked time and again, could have caused such horrific damage.

I know that abusive behavior in the Armenian Army is not new, though it has definitely not gotten better, and by most accounts, has worsened substantially. And to have the day to day existence described about, makes it only worse - and could not really have come at a worse time. Given that such unnecessary abuse and death in the Armenian army may not be new, the question arises, why is it causing such a ruckus now? I would say for a few reasons- the general social distrust in society which has only strengthened since March 1; the difficult geopolitical moment with NK and foreign entities; the obvious and absolutely heinous reality that seven Armenian soldiers died unnecessarily and for unacceptable reasons; and, at least to some extent, the fact that Artak Nazaryan is the brother of Tsovinar Nazaryan, a well spoken, extremely bright and well-respected young journalist who was studying abroad in the US at the time of her brother's death.

The argument has been put forth by several that I have seen, and undoubtedly countless more (including ditord), that bringing such topics to the forefront is against the best interest of the country. I think it is a valid question that must be asked, however, in the end, I do not believe the premise that discussing openly these unacceptable abuses of power is wrong. As I have nothing too new to add to the arguments already made in the comments section of ditord's blog, I refer you to those. Though, now that I think about it, such arguments, against revealing, discussing and addressing these types of problems, are also used in other cases that are generally considered shameful - domestic violence, HIV, prostitution, poverty, to name a few. They all need to be addressed, in my point of view, without shame, but an open mind, and a hope for a better future for all of us.
---
By now, over 50 pieces have probably been written about the death of Artak Nazaryan, and the six who died just a day later (see articles in Hetq, Tert, A1plus, Lragir and Armenian Times, for starters). After the initial reports, a few articles were written that stand out and are very much worth reading, even if only in googletranslate (Բա՛րձր պահեք հայ սպայի պատիվը՝ հեռացե՛ք այս կյանքից,Մի օր պայթելու է, Չի´ կարելի լռել, Ինքնասպան լինեք դո՛ւք, Ինչո՞ւ և ի՞նչ անել, որ «ինչու»-ներ չլինեն). As Unzipped and others have pointed out, there are now several Facebook Groups on the subject: Չի´ կարելի լռել and Սեյրան Օհանյան եւ Ալիկ Սարգսյան՝ ինքնասպան եղե՛ք.
---

If we are to see ourselves, and truly be, of Herculean strength, as a nation, a country, and an army, then we have a long way to go. And unless we accept this, we will never get there.

My condolences, again, to the families of the seven lost to us:
Artak Nazaryan,
and
Robert Hovhannisyan, Andranik Sargsyan, Vardges Tadavosyan, Karo Ayvazyan, Garegin Hovsepyan, and Artyom Manasyan
---

*The following quote is also attributed to Seyran Ohanyan:

"Any attempt at demonstrating (rallies) will immediately result in adequate and strict reaction by the armed forces."

(March, 2008)
Given his connection to the Pyramida Complex - he will henceforth be known to me as Բուրգի Սեյրանը ("Burgi Seyran - Seyran of the Pyramid")

Very Informative Discussion, from Azatutyun

2010-07-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

«Տեսակետների խաչմերուկ» 24 հուլիսի, 2010–1