Armenia is in danger we have to unit. I think Levon and Serzh are both criminals. However Levon in my opinion is much much worst. Good or bad Serzh is the president we have to accept him and give him time to fix things. I hope recent events in Armenia will have a positive impact on Serzh. I hope.

As long as these deaf dumb, and blind Levonakans pose a threat to the security of the Armenian state - NO RALLIES, NO PROTESTS, NO DEMONSTRATIONS, NOTHING WILL BE TOLERATED!

Dzov, you want us to dismiss the report found on OSCE official website saying that the elections were fair although it needs further improvements and listen to what they 'personally told you when you spoke with them'.. :) heheheh owwkay. The problem with you people is that you don't even trust your own shadow. Levon lost, by a large margin. Get over it. I think OSCE is a very important organization and their report goes hand in hand from what i heard from the people in Armenia. Lets move on and move forward.. only after all the rats from the LTP gang are arrested for their criminal activities following the elections.

yes, please do read the FULL report of the OSCE, and not just the 1st report, but the reports that followed the 1st one as well. just because the first paragraph says that the elections were mostly in line with international standards does not mean that the rest of the report was positive. OSCE reports 16% of fraud. I believe there was more, but regardless, if you trust large, politicized, bureaucratic institutions more, then go ahead and take their word. Do you think that it is fair that 16% of the votes were not counted the right way???? I have spoken to OSCE observers, they themselves say with their own mouth that there were serious problems, how can you call the elections fair? and yes when the government becomes extremely oppressive there is no choice but to have a radicalized opposition, or else the opposition will not be able to execute its purpose. and I am always shocked how anti-Levon people use every unrelated opportunity to swear at Levon and its supporters. Don't you understand, most of what was written in this article has nothing to do with Levon anymore. We have basic civil and human rights to protect, it is no time for politics!

I dislike and denouncethe actions of the radical opposition! I like to support the healty opposition for a better Armenia but why are the opposition media silence on the fact that LTP himself was the chef architect of the current corrupt system? Why is opposition media acting more and more like "hay lur"? LTP better look himslef in the mirror instead giving slogens

I know of many people voted and none of themm voted for Levon, in fact one must be an idiot to vote for levon after what he and his gang put Armenia thru in the early 90's. The only thing levon did good besides quiting is making Kocharian the Prime Minister and recently to bring all the rats from hiding to clean up house. So stop complaining and work for the common good.

the dictatorship in Armenia has lost its mind, its paranoic and lunatic leaders have unleashed an all-out campaign against free citizens who refuse to be their slaves, political blindness of those "petty" dictators will isolate their regime and Armenia more and more from rest of the world

The election was fair! Everyone I know voted for Sarkisian and some for Hovhanisian.. OSCE reported: Armenian presidential election mostly in line with international commitments, but further improvements necessary. You can read the entire report at: http://www.osce.org/item/29779.html Stop this bulshit. Levon didn't win and thank God for that.. lets move on. We have more important things to worry about. In every country after the elections some people are dissapointed cuz their nominee didn't win. But they get over it and they move on.. Levon and his small and violent crew should have done the same and acted democratic. 'Democratic' country is for democratic people.

OSCE had all the reasons in the word to give the negative feedback to elections in Armenia, but they didn’t. Why don’t you just accept that election was fair, and if there were any issues then it happened on both sides. We need to move on and bring stability back to the country. People are suffering from that “Payqar, payqar minchev verch” nonsense. This slogan was used against turk dogs one time to liberate our land, now it is being used by turk sold outs against our own people. We need to move on and bring stability to the republic. And to all those that want to discuss unfair elections, I would suggest to do some research on 96 elections, there is plenty of material on the net, including Vano’s infamous toast/speech at Manvel Gregorian’s house.

LoveArmenia, and all my family and friends voted for Levon Ter-Petrosyan. That's why I wonder that Serj got so many votes.. No, I don't wonder, because we all (and you definitely too) know how in our country the election results are manipulated. For the one, who "paints" them it doesn't matter, whether to falsify them for 5% or for 30%. And in this case even 3% would be enough to have a different outcome. Serj knew better than you and me he couldn't let runoff happen, it would be his end (and qocharyans too)

Khoren, I would like to say one thing. I don't know why you said Sarkisian didn't win by people's votes. All my family and friends in Yerevan either voted for or Sarkisian or dashnak nominee Vahan Hovhannisian. So from my point of view, it was expected to see LTP with very few votes. The protest were unnecessary since there was a big margin of 30% difference.

Hetaqrqir e, Kharatyani tghan ir sireli mor@, Hranush Kharatyanin qnnadatum er vorpes ishkhanutyan nerkayatsutsich? Che vor nra mayr@ karavarutyunum er ashkhatum? Te ishkhanavorneri mamayi balikner@ lav aktivanum en urishnerin qnnadatelis? Aveli lav kliner nakh sepakan achqi push@ tesner, heto urishneri achqeri geran@, te che shatern el karogh en nra mor@ vorpes pashtonayi qnnadatel? Isk gutse pashtonankutyunits heto en nranq zgayun darnum ishkhanutyan skhalneri handep? Hartser, hartser, hartser...

vay knereq, chimanalov levonakanneri vorjn em enkel, es pakha.

"...Titles of the King: King of Italy, Sardinia, Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia, Duke of Savoy, Prince of Carignano, Piemonte, Oneglia, Pirino, Trino, Prince and Perpetual Vicar of the Holy Roman Empire, Prince of Carmagnola, Montmellian with Arbin and Fancin..." who cares man?

The youngsters are doing a great job. I might guess these are the same people from SKSELA youth movement. I think if these guys are not bribed, killed or drawn away from Armenia by the government, quite soon we won't have to choose from "two evils", and quarrel about who's a bigger criminal and more dangerous to ARmenia - Serzhe or LEvon. p.s.who the hell is "the Concerned Armenian" anyway? Is it a real person or a robot? I mean it must be weird to react to different articles with the same thoughts :)

Yeghbayr Khoren, I understand where you are coming from and your concerns are well noted but you are mistaken if you consider me as a defender of Sarkissian. Regardless of my own views Sarkissian did receive a substantial vote, obviously not in accord with the numbers that were eventually released, but a good portion of voters did vouch for him. Months ahead of the elections I remember public sentiment leaning well toward Sarkissian, throughout the country, although some of this sentiment can be accounted for the mind set that no other candidate would have a chance. From my very own taghamas in Leninakan opinions were in support of either Sarkissian or Vahan Hovhannisian. Whatever 'emotions' there may be surrounding Ter-Petrossian are for the most part legitimately based on his track record of running Hayastan through the mud during those bitter years he was in office and the road he has paved in which the current government is following so eloquently down. Also the evident restraint toward LTP by many critics of the current demonstrations are following the strong belief that if change really is revealing its head then jumping back onto the side of a former is not the advantage we are looking for, its time for a new generation of leadership. 'Those Diaspora people' you so passionately point out who are writing against LTP are the more active elements of the International Armenian community who are as attached to and present in current events, business, and politics in and around Hayastan as you and I. To simply brush them off as a disconnected branch of society is in my opinion right below the level of calling Armenians from Artsakh animals and a completely discriminant 'historic emotion' against anyone outside of Erevan. In this type of atmosphere it is more than common that factors of physical evidence and action go ignored and are left to the independent social forces, such as various media sources, to analyze and breakdown the details. For all we know the government is restraining the release of any supportive evidence of the suggested events as a political move on their end. Either way we saw with our own eyes what happen in the streets. Whether people were gathering and throwing hand made explosive devices, confiscating riot-gear from security forces, burning state owned vehicles, or creating roadblocks all over the city, these were all still acts of dissidence on behalf of protestors so by perceiving the demonstrations as angelic is anything but grounded. The credible information you speak of is located in all those articles, blog postings, and video footage that poured in following the 1st of March, my inability to supply them is an acknowledged fault of my own. Regardless of who owns what corner, destruction of private property and business is still inexcusable. You can't really be defending or at least sympathizing with those who defamed the streets that day simply because 'Serzh owns it.' It is to no surprise that his assets were attacked, the demonstrations themselves were attacks on his political entitlements. Overall I agree with your critique of the government's responses and past administration, however, I still feel that if we are to advocate for change we must do this independently from the opposition figures. I look with endearment toward those who have been staging intellectual 'protest' in N. Avenue by reading and strategizing in a game of chess in direct objection of the recent amendment. This is the type of resistance that needs to began and expand all over the country, not the formation of belligerent mobs who are cursing and shouting 'Levon' as if the Kremlin just fell in on itself again. We are not hear to watch or promote the formation of another clan government. Independent influential figures in Armenian society, both in Hayastan and abroad, must stand up and point the fingers in the proper directions (yes directions, because there is more than one party at fault), and appropriately criticize the scene for what it is while pushing a realistic approach to reform forward. The unorganized demonstrations which have mixed the population of LTP supporters and advocators of democratic reform into one cauldron must be separated from Levon and concentrate on a new social force. We want to see change and we want to live in a State where we do not compare our leaders to thugs, so let us not follow other thugs toward a new valley of reform.

Kaxakits mart ka? kaxakatsu hayatsk unetsox? isk hayetsi? chem haskanum inchu petke darnal struk te SS in te LT in te HMZ PPZ in. bolor erkeri normal aprox martik asxhatumem HERU mnal politakaits ev politiknerits, politikneri imast@ gortsik linelna...menk inkners petke kerten ainpisi system vor, unena artarutuin ev azatutuin baits krkrknumem DUBINKA yov jardel heto xoski azatutuin pahanjel da absurda!!! paikarek, baic inchi hamar? kam um dem? ete azeriner@ tesnein et mer tsuitser2 To bavakanin kvaxenain, tents vaireni demker ete tanenk mer araji gtser@ , vstahorenem asum, kiankum azerbaijan@ chi hamarzakvi harzakvi Nuinisk turk@ kpaxni. chgitem karevor@ vor sovats martik kchatselen menk uxexov azgenk petke stextsenk, baits paikarenk amen or, och te mek shabat mi hat martu hamar vor@ gnats ayd gisher knets, isk mer joxovurt@ kotorvets etkanits heto inchpesek havatum LT in? kani vor es LURJ politik CHEM baits tsavumem mer joxovurti hamar, inz tvuma eli humor@ kara tetevatsni mer tsanr jgnajam@ avartem humorov... LM tsxox ka?:) ps. haskatsox@ 91 tvits minchev aisor haskanuma

Я не удивлюсь, если ближе к 24 Апреля власти об'яват, что никакого Геноцида не было- это все выдумка Левона Тер-Петросяна с целью дестабилизировать ситуацию в стране...И на этом основании запретят шествие народа к Цицернакаберду...

To Mr. Khirmian Your points are largely deficient. The core problem is that Armenia is going to have a president who is not elected by Armenians citizens, and everybody acknowledge that fact, except, perhaps, few from diasporia (they simply hate LTP and let their emotions guide them because Armenia is not a real issue for them, Armenia is about historic emotions and people that live there are not “real” people, or type of people that deserve rights). Could you please tell me would you be ready to live under usurped power in your countries, or you will rise up and fight for your rights? Situation in Armenia is as simple as that. I wish those diaspora people defending Serzh were in such situation, then I would teach them to change the things “within”. And regarding your thoughts about violence and firearms, please do not spread H1 propaganda in this website, this is waste of time because nobody would believe you. You say that all protests were about violence, but can you please tell us what violence from protestor sides your are talking about regarding events before bloody crackdown of morning March 1? If you bother to talk about events in Armenia, you should have known that protests continued for 10 days, without a single broken window in the city. Next, you talk about firearms possessed by demonstrators but you should know that there is no independent confirmation about that. No journalist, including internationals, saw firearms in the hands of demonstrators. High number of police wounded by firearms comes to confirm that demonstrators did not have firearms, because it is not possible to shoot and wound 50 policeman and have only one dead, and no critically or seriously wounded policeman. Most wounded serviceman showed by TV had their wounds on their legs’ soft tissues. Does not look like deeds of “armed mob”. Most policeman are shoot at their legs, and the question is who did it. Why “police” have not released a single evidence about people firing at police so far, be it video, photo, or a criminal case against someone who committed such things. All criminal cases are about “usurpation of power”, and other “generic” allegations, why there is no single criminal case against protestors about alleged murder or attempt with firearm. If we listen you, those killed must have possessed and used guns to provoke lethal force against them. And we know that at least 4 demonstrators were killed by firearms. If you want to know about technicalities of that night, the truth is that violence erupted after first demonstrator was accidentally killed by policy, who was hit in his head by tear-gas balloon. Police realized that this would provoke major violence and decided to retreat. Four shops were vandalized and three of them belong to Lfik Samo, Kocharyan’s son, and another oligarch supporting Serge, Hrant Vardanyan. If you happen to travel to Armenia, and walk in those areas, you may be surprised by number of shops that operate in this intersection, and you may want to ask a question to yourself why only these four shops were chosen by demonstrators. I tell you, there are at least 50 shops in this intersection, and the did not have even window broken by demonstrators. At the indeed, I just want to quote this from your posting - “The government has only responded against armed mobs who have been burning and looting private property, assaulting security forces, and handing out armaments to protestors….” One should be very arrogant to announce such things without being an eyewitness or having credible independent information.

I don't think Armenian politicians can move Armenia away from Moscow because of public opinion. NATO has shot itself in the foot by tacitly supporting Turkey's land blockade. It has also alienated Armenian public opinion by opposing Karabakh's right to self determination. But it is perfectly possible to stay in alliance with Russia and make Armenia a more law abiding country at the same time

am proud of this generation,,,they want to live in country where there is A CHANCE to protect human rights I love u armenia

I want to thank this reporter for writing articles in such a great professional manner. Shnorhagalutyun!

You're not going to make a system more democratic or legitimize the rule of law by going around it. Patrick D. claims that there is no rule of law, well by trying to replace the authority your just pushing it further back. How can people respect whatever legal system there happens to be if they do not attempt to use that system or push for reform within it. Replacing the authority with another is only going to further weaken the government institution, who is going to look toward and believe in a system where people are replaced as often as players on a sports team and where all credibility is shot? The system itself needs to be reformed by putting pressure on the authorities, not by advocating their replacement. As for development, I personally would not have taken the path the government has in creating a market that revolves around tourism in the capital while economically neglecting the rest of the country. However, we're not a country with flourishing resources or economic ties but as the capital does physically develop and become more "modern," you're going to attract more business from abroad to invest in other fields. Realistically, you're creating an environment where individuals from the West, whether Diasporan or not, would be attracted to travel to and bring along with them their investment aspirations and foreign capital. There is economic development, whether good or bad, and you cannot deny it. The economy has significantly evolved since the mid-90s and Armenians from all over are turning back home and settling down, some of which are even creating new developmental and cultural organizations. Northern Avenue was inhumane but industrialization comes at a heavy cost, just go over the industrial path of any advanced industrial county and you will see this. Was Northern Avenue an industrial project? No, but it was a necessary step toward modernizing Erevan and replacing the old Soviet face. The government was harsh in the steps they took by displacing the population located in the projects vicinity, that I will acknowledge. Monopolistic hotels, however, I will not. I personally know of a Diasporan family who owns a hotel in Erevan and I don't know of any connection to the government. Again, I despise the economic direction the government has taken. However, as an Armenian it is my responsibility to do what I can to either ensure its change, have my voice heard, or take steps myself toward the direction I want development to follow (which many Armenians have done using their own organizations). However, by creating a unstable political environment of violence and riots I am doing anything but promoting progressive political and economic development. Just look at Azerbaijan's response since the demonstrations, do we really want to give people an opportunity to destroy us from the outside while we shoot ourselves in the foot from within? The 'demonstrations,' on the other hand, have involved nothing but violence and political jargon from the opposition. Those who perceive the government as a blood thirsty iron fist are completely ignorant of the circumstances and blinded by the romanticism of a 'Ter-Petrossian Revolution.' The government has only responded against armed mobs who have been burning and looting private property, assaulting security forces, and handing out armaments to protestors. You claim the protestors only responded under a climate of 'KGB forces' surrounding those crying for freedom, yet you completely ignore instances where weapons were being passed out to protestors far before the government took any steps against demonstrators.

Zimbabwe Votes! I bet their elections will also be called competitive, but hardly democratic. Many in Armenia say it is yet early to be compared to western democracies. So, the natural comparison is then with Zimbabwe. Is that what you want?

Շնորհակալություն անաչառ լուրեր տրմադրելու համար։

Բավական չի՞ տեղի-անտեղի (մանավանդ՝ վերջինը) «լուրերով» խաթարեք տեղի եւ մանավանդ արտերկրում բնակվող մարդկանց գիտակցությունը։ Թող հանգիստ զբոսնեն՝ ոչ ոք ոչ մեկին ոստիկանություն չի տանի։ Բոլորին զվեցրին բոլորին իրենց ցույցերով։ Այդ անգործները դադարեցրել են նորմալ կյանքը ամբողջ ամբողջ հանրապետությունում։

Paron Galfayan, my answer to your distress is this; currently there only exists a bipolar system in Hayastan. Either you are with the opposition or your are with the government. Although this shouldn't be the case, unfortunately, those like you and I who want to represent neither but only want reform are left neglected in the rain. The Armenian people want changes and are tired of stagnant politics, sadly the only other established power to challenge the government is the former President who has conveniently tapped into the expectations of the people who line the streets of Erevan. Even though the current government is as twisted up as you may suggest, the last decade under President Kocharian has seen great economic development and the growth in Government Relations with the Diaspora. Have we already forgotten former President Levon's slogan to the Diaspora, not to mention toward his own citizens, "either support us or shut up?" and his cold-hearted and disconnected speeches in times of famine and war? You cannot and should not compare the former to the latter. Ter-Petrossian arrested ARF Members, accusing them of such crimes as treason and stalk-piling weapons, using a former party member as the finger pointer. The party was banned, yes, but this was only to ensure Ter-Petrossian that the ARF would not receive seats in Parliament after the elections. His was of hate toward the one party that could undermine his rule. The current government is not in pursuit to undermine Ter-Petrossian, his party, or to prevent him from gaining seats in Parliament, which is exactly what the former did. President Kocharian, however, has used whatever viable options he has before him to prevent a political crisis from further spreading. President Kocharian's actions toward opposition leaders has been in light of illegal demonstrations and instigations of political unrest during a time where the country is (or at least was) under State of Emergency. The new coalition is the governments step toward better representation in the government and attempts to calm the current winds. Had the government only done this to continue their 'same old tricks,' they would have only allied with the Prosperous Armenia Party which would have still given a majority. The ARF, along with the Orinats Yerkir Party who was a strong critic of the government during elections, see the imperative to step in and take part in finding a solution with the government in resolving the current situation. This coalition is exactly what the country needs. Not only are the above two parties gaining further legitimacy and increasing their responsibilities but the the current political events in Hayastan are pushing the government to open up its doors to its political rivals and to reform. My stance is based on my belief that Hayastan is not in an atmosphere or time where cleansing our government and politicians are a top priority, though reform is a necessity. Our enemies are nipping at our feet and trying to economically suffocate us. Armenians must work together to continue economic development and democratic reform while still maintaining a stable environment for everyday life. It's time we all shut up and stop causing further conflicts where figures such as LTP can come in and stir things up like the wicked witch of the west. My Blog; http://khirimian.wordpress.com/

Mr. K. In a country that does not respect the rule of law you cannot apply for protest permits. In regards to LTP’s reasoning behind getting involved there is no doubt that an ounce of selfishness comes into play, as with every ambitious politician. The demonstrations that took place in Armenia were not upheavals for LTP’s implantation, but rather a desperate plea of a battered nation that has been suffering under the yolk of the current illegitimate and undemocratic plutocracy. I would like to know what type of “development” you are writing about Mr. K.? Would be the illegal and inhumane development of north avenue? Or maybe the destruction of public parks due to the increase in cafes in which most Armenians in Armenia can barely purchase some coffee, if that? Maybe you refer to the new oligarch owned and operated hotels that have propped up around Yerevan as a result of the monopolistic methods which have suppressed the free market? Economic success should not be measured by the creation of new buildings but rather by the living standards of the overall domestic population. “development is only possible through the means of law and order, by appealing complaints and concerns to the courts” this maybe the case in the developed world, but not when there is no separation of powers, not when judicial justice comes in the form of a political attack. I would also like to remind you that these gatherings were peaceful and that these gatherings constituted a free rightful expression of discontent. Violence did not overtake the status quo until mobs of armed riot police stormed the peaceful gathering. You say that Armenians must allow the situation to calm down, but this is failed position. You advocate for Armenians to take a breather, yet you completely disregard the fact that despite the OSCE’s poorly developed report the elections were blatantly falsified and the people of Armenia continue to suffer under the broken system. The time has come to stand up and to stand strong against this immoral and illegitimate cult that has high jacked our homeland. So I urge Armenians not to take a breather but rather continue their efforts to bring Democracy to Armenia.

Mr. Khirimian's view of the situation turns a blind eye on the overall situation in Armenia, even before the elections and the March 1st events. In his comments he mentions that he is not taking sides with the government but "understands" their fascist response to the people that demand for this country to have free elections. Armenia needs to be saved from the current leadership which consists of a mixed web of murderers, thieves and oligarchs. I agree LTP is NOT the answer. I agree that bringing back LTP may be a step back, but let me be very clear: keeping the current leadership and it's so called coalition of political parties that have sold their souls to the Satan himself should all be prosecuted for high treason. The situation in Armenia since independence has been a disgrace to all Armenians. Remember when in the early years LTP banned and jailed ARF leaders? These same people who were prosecuted for their political ideology are now working with a government that is doing the same as it was done to them. How can these people expect anyone to sympathize with them when their hands are as dirty? Your love for your homeland should come before your loyalty to your political party. Why isn’t the ARF standing up against state terror? Why are they participating? Is it revenge? Please explain that to me Mr. Khirimian and explain to me how a free thinker, like yourself, will tolerate this type of situation in your country? Because in the United States we respect Human Rights, we don’t prosecute people because of their political activities and we certainly don’t “fix” elections.

Though I do not condone restrictions set by the government against "mass events, including public rallies, marches and demonstrations," I can understand the reasoning and intentions behind it. We need to understand that the opposition, specifically LTP in my analysis, will take any opportunity to organize illegal and near-riot status "demonstrations" simply to push his political agenda forward. Over the last two months we have seen countless demonstrations that have resulted in violence and upheaval, on the behalf of both the government and opposition supporters, which have further pushed the post-election political atmosphere into disarray. LTP's intentions are not to create a more democratic Armenia and Armenian government. His irresponsible tactics, statements, and accusations against the current government show that he is in pursuit of his own political power by simply overthrowing and replacing the current one with himself. Through all the economic development Armenia has experienced since independence, what Armenia needs is an equal amount if not more of Political Development and the emergence of more progressive and influential social forces, not a coup d'etat. Is all the progress and development that our beloved homeland has established worth jeopardizing or even throwing away simply to position a former political figure back into power? If those who are truly protesting for increasingly democratic elections and for government level reforms, rallying in enraged and armed mobs while chanting for violence against certain Armenians from a region of the country (Artsakh), is anything but the correct path to take. MP Sharmazanov is right when he states that further democratic development is only possible through the means of law and order, by appealing complaints and concerns to the courts and not by rallying around a former President who is responsible for the political backwardness in today's government. I'm not justifying the governments strategy toward establishing political stability through public restriction, however, I can see the necessity to due so in order to avoid further violence and unrest. Had the events of March 1st and the continuing counter-productive resistance not been present, these restrictions would have been based on complete absurdity and been an irrational abuse of political power. It is blatantly obvious that if demonstrations are allowed to continue, whether they have legitimate basis or not, LTP will take advantage of the emotions of Armenian people and continue advocating for the systematic destruction of the current government, not to mention that greater public violence will emerge. What the Armenian people, whether it be opposition supporters, members of government, or citizens demanding further democratic development, need to understand is that democratization will not materialize through public dissidence and political suppression. The Armenian people need to step back for a moment and allow the political atmosphere to calm and the waves to pass through. Only then, once the government feels confident of its rule, can those who really are concerned about a more democratic Armenia, step up and have their voices heard. Instead of gathering in the streets, destroying private businesses, and physically confronting soldiers and security forces, concerns should be expressed through publications and public and national out-speaking. This process needs to be done under the flag of the Armenian nation and not the flag of a former political figure.

shnorhgalutun dzer nyuteri hamar, aystex bolory kkarcen te hayastany haylren tramadracn e shad shnorhagal enq