26 April 2018
Dear Compatriots,
Armenia is experiencing a uniquely difficult time as it transforms from an oligarchic state to democracy. We are confident that you are all following the news and are aware of the obstacles. Progress is slow despite various parties’, parliamentary factions’ and individual MPs’ support for the popular movement, and the ARF’s announcement of its defection from the coalition with the RPA (Republican Party of Armenia – HHK – ՀՀԿ – Հայաստանի Հանրապետական Կուսակցություն).
Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation seems to be a stalling tactic to calm down the rightful indignation and protest of the people of Armenia, and ultimately to subvert the popular demand to establish a just socio-economic and political system. The ruling Republican Party does not show any sign of relinquishing power to representatives of the popular movement. Karen Karapetyan, the acting prime minister, is resisting change; he is consolidating the levers of power in his hands to the extent of assuming functions that constitutionally are not his prerogatives. This shameful process leads only to prolong the outgoing dinosaur regime’s persistence to maintain control, i.e. the continuation of oligarchy.
26 April 2018
Dear Compatriots,
Armenia is experiencing a uniquely difficult time as it transforms from an oligarchic state to democracy. We are confident that you are all following the news and are aware of the obstacles. Progress is slow despite various parties’, parliamentary factions’ and individual MPs’ support for the popular movement, and the ARF’s announcement of its defection from the coalition with the RPA (Republican Party of Armenia – HHK – ՀՀԿ – Հայաստանի Հանրապետական Կուսակցություն).
Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation seems to be a stalling tactic to calm down the rightful indignation and protest of the people of Armenia, and ultimately to subvert the popular demand to establish a just socio-economic and political system. The ruling Republican Party does not show any sign of relinquishing power to representatives of the popular movement. Karen Karapetyan, the acting prime minister, is resisting change; he is consolidating the levers of power in his hands to the extent of assuming functions that constitutionally are not his prerogatives. This shameful process leads only to prolong the outgoing dinosaur regime’s persistence to maintain control, i.e. the continuation of oligarchy.
To forestall such a detrimental outcome the popular civic disobedience continues with the leadership of Nikol Pashinyan. The struggle to peacefully bring down the unpopular establishment is in full force. People are manning strategic locations. Far too many have been in almost-strike position without sufficient financial resources even for nourishment.
We know well that many of you want to participate in this movement and show your support. Since you cannot be in two places at the same time, we ask you to financially help this unprecedented peaceful effort, our youth, and our brethren in the homeland. A fraction of a round-trip ticket fare to Yerevan will go long way to assist our freedom-loving brothers and sisters in the homeland. Please follow the instructions below the dotted line.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Concerned Armenians in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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– You may pledge your donation by contacting Edgar Manukian [email protected] or Armen Charchoglyan [email protected] or call 1-519-830-6584
– To link directly with a representative in Armenia contact Suren Papikian: call from abroad +374-95-787954 or locally in Armenia (095)787954
– Through Visa/MasterCard/ARCA or via bank transfer follow the below suggestions
Click the link https://www.civilcontract.am/Donation/Donation A page similar to the below picture will appear. Enter the required boxes. You may choose "Anonymous" but make sure to enter your name.
After completion a second page appears similar to the below picture. You need to enter the amount in Armenian currency "dram". Canadian dollar $1.00 (one) is approximately equal to 370 drams and US $1.00 (one) to 482 drams. The rate varies from bank to bank and daily. Complete the rest of the form and click on Վճարել. Confirmation of transfer will appear.
– By bank transfers for Dollar, Euro and Russian Ruble see the below forms:
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9 comments
It is time to end the street protests
Although I was ecstatic when Serge resigned, I think continued street protests are hurting the country and setting up the nation for a deadlock by raising the protestors' expectations to unrealistic levels. I think Pashinyan should return to the parliament and work on a diplomatic solution. Armenia will be a better state through reforms and not revolutions. We should not destroy everything to build from scratch.
You are wrong
Work from the parliament hasn't changed anything in the past, neither demands for reform. It is the people who demand change, not some individuals. I am sure that the resilience of Nikol Pashinyan and the people behind him will prevail against all the rotten oligarchic forces in the country. This is a revolution by the people and for the people, and they will force change whether the filthy oligarchs like it or not.
Pashinyan is not democratic
I just watched Pashinyan interview from today and he is basically saying that he has to be elected interim Prime Minister on May 1st or else he will surround the Parliament and reject the the result of the election. That is not democracy. What about the will of the thousands of people who are not on the streets? He is being a bully and a demagogue. I am convinced that he will ruin this movement and this country unless he comes off his high horse and is willing to compromise.
Democracy
Dear Armen,
Your anxiety likely stems from a general skepticism and insufficient context. The Armenian people is clearly for Pshinyan, and there is not a single peep in support of the regime. What is happening is a classic case of the Iron Rule of Oligarchy (a scientific term in Political Science). HHK will not let go, and Nicol is making it clear they must. All that Nicol is saying, till his last vocal cord, is that we need a true fair general election. The only way to get this is to have the people's choice oversee it. An out of context snippet is often a source of fear.
Respectfully,
Berge
Armen, your post clearly
Armen, your post clearly indicates that you have no clue what democracy is, and how it works. This is not Pashinyan’s movement, this is the people’s (Demos) movement. The Demos are getting back the power that was stolen from them by the regime. What we are seeing is that the regime, in its last breath, are in fear because of the crime it committed against Demos. This is a liberation movement and the Demos liberated themselves from the oligarchy. Yes, and don’t forget to tell your boss that the Armenian people won and we are enjoying watching the agony of the regime.
Not so simple
The demos, my sarcastic and know-it-all friend, is not just the 10,000 people dancing on the streets. There has to to be a fair election of the Parliament, which we have never had in Armenia, to elect a legitimate prime minister. It seems to me that Pashinyan is interested in grabbing power just as much as Serge was. If it wasn’t about a power grab he would discuss being in charge of the election commission and not having an interim prime minister at all. I never trusted Serge and I don’t trust Pashinyan either.
Armen you are right, this is not so simple
Well, my confused and can’t-count-people friend, just open the internet, your eyes and your mind for fair estimate of Demos number. You are wrong, we have seen free and fair elections at the beginning of the national movement in Armenia. Unfortunately we lost our opportunity due to your friends’ can’t-count-votes and will-rig-as-much-votes-as-we-want skills. This evil system will be dismantled, and a new Demos controlled (not regime controlled) election is going to decide who will lead the country. And you are right, this is not so simple, this is beautiful. Greetings to your boss.
Apologies to Armen
Dear Armen,
There are thousands of online fake accounts trying to undermine the true, unprecedented and powerful civic movement happening in Armenia. I have the honour and privilege to know the founder of keghart.com, the Diaspora’s only democratic media. I was assured that they never publish a comment from a fake account. Therefore I apologize that I was wrongly angered thinking that you are a fake account.
The movement triggered by Nikol is a national awakening and the beginning of a process to build a strong country. This is neither against Serzh Sargsyan as an individual nor for the personal benefit of Nikol Pashinayan. This is against the regime and to establish a democratic society.
We have to work together in order to keep the spirit of this beautiful movement to flourish and to build a strong country as a revenge for the evil actions committed against our nation in the past. We have to keep our eyes on any president or any prime minister to prevent actions that can lead the country to the corruption trap again. And you, many like you, as watchful eyes will be the most important part to build the Hayreniq that we all dreamed about. Thank you.
Armo
People’s Upheaval in New Armenia
In the name of big majority of Armenians living in Austria I would like to express our support and solidarity with the current People's Upheaval lead by Mr. Nikol Pashinyan and his comrades against the repressive and corrupt administration which has led our compatriots in Armenia and our homeland into a deep political, economic and social crisis since many decades with no hope for any improvement in the near future whatsoever.
We all demand that the current Government and the National Assembly should resign as soon as possible and transfer the power to the legitimate owners, i.e. to the Representatives of the People demonstrating since several weeks, who in the next few days should form the provisional, transition Government, desirably by professionals/technocrats and then latest in 12 months after the adoption of the new Constitution, organize but this time really free and fair Parliamentary Elections for the new National Assembly.
There should be no retreat from these legitimate and urgent demands.
Arsen Gülistanyan
Vienna
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