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RUSSIA GETS INVOLVED IN THE ARMENIAN ELECTION
by Vladimir Soloviev
Translated by Elena Leonova
Source: Kommersant, April 9, 2007, p. 9
Agency WPS
What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
April 10, 2007 Tuesday
Armenian Authorites Resort To External Assistance
An update on the parliamentary election campaign in Armenia; Yesterday
marked the start of official campaigning in Armenia's parliamentary
election, scheduled for May 12. Armenian President Robert Kocharian's
term will expire next year, and the current election is viewed as a
rehearsal for the presidential race.
Yesterday marked the start of official campaigning in Armenia's
parliamentary election, scheduled for May 12. Armenian President Robert
Kocharian's term will expire next year, and the current election is
viewed as a rehearsal for the presidential race. In order to avoid
any potential surprises, the Armenian government has thrown all its
efforts into supporting the ruling party: the Armenian Republican
Party (ARP), headed by Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian. And Moscow
is working for his victory as well - some of Russia's most senior
officials are campaigning for Sarkisian.
Armenia's parliamentary election is taking place amidst unprecedented
political activity: 1,314 candidates from 24 parties and blocs are
competing for only 131 seats. This intensity is due to the fact
that President Kocharian's term is drawing to a close, and whichever
political forces manage to secure a place in the new parliament will
get a chance to fight for the grand prize of the presidency.
Under the circumstances, the Armenian government is endeavoring to
ensure the success of the upcoming Operation Successor. Kocharian's
team has decided to back the ARP, headed by Serge Sarkisian (former
defense minister, now prime minister). He took over as prime minister
following the sudden death of Andranik Margarian from a heart attack
on March 25. After Sarkisian officially became the prime minister
last week, Kocharian's team started saying openly that he would make
an ideal presidential candidate. The first to speak out in support of
Sarkisian and the ARP was President Kocharian himself, as he introduced
Sarkisian to the parliament: "I have known him for a long time: this
is a hard-working, honest, consistent person. I'm sure that he is
capable of heading the government at this decisive moment in Armenia's
history. We don't have anyone else who could match his experience."
Following Kocharian's example, presidential administration officials
joined in publicity efforts for Sarkisian.
"Serge Sarkisian is the best presidential candidate," said Garnik
Isagulian, Kocharian's security adviser, on April 7. Isagulian
also made a prediction about the configuration of forces in the new
parliament after May 12. According to him, only six out of 24 parties
will make it into parliament: "The ARP, the Prosperous Armenia party,
the Dashnaktsutiun Revolutionary Federation, the Orinats Erkir
(Law-Abiding Country) party, National Unity, and the People's Party."
It's hardly surprising to see Prosperous Armenia in second place
on Isagulian's list. Its leader is Armenia's richest citizen: Gagik
Tsarukian, head of the National Olympic Committee. He supports the
president, and has been spending a lot of money on various charity
events recently. Thanks to the financial capacities of its leader,
Prosperous Armenia has become the second most popular political force
in Armenia. Observers believe it to be the government's alternative
political project - intended to safeguard Kocharian against the ARP's
potential failure.
However, at present there is nothing to cast doubt on the ARP's chances
of victory on May 12. Sarkisian has access to administrative resources
- and external support as well. Russia, with its traditionally
important role in Armenia's domestic political processes, has made it
clear whose side it's on. The first to start campaigning for Sarkisian
was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who visited Yerevan last
week. When Armenian journalists asked him about some articles in the
Russian media that referred to Sarkisian as Kocharian's successor,
Lavrov said that on this issue, "Russia's official position coincides
with its unofficial position."
After that, the Russian authorities unleashed a storm of compliments
- as if on command - aimed at Armenia's new prime minister. Russian
Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov described Sarkisian as "a proponent
of developing Armenian-Russian relations." Nikolai Bordyuzha,
secretary-general of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization,
praised Sarkisian for "his contribution to strengthening Armenia's
statehood and the cause of ensuring its defense capacities and
security." Auditing Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin said that with
Sarkisian in office, "the ties between our two countries and peoples
will continue to develop intensively."
Sarkisian has already let it be understood that he won't let Moscow
down. His first meeting as prime minister with a foreign official
was a meeting with Vladimir Rushailo, head of the CIS Executive
Committee. Sarkisian assured Rushailo that Armenia "has an objective
interest in the success of CIS reforms, along with reinforcing and
developing cooperation, and will continue to play an active role in
these processes."
by Vladimir Soloviev
Translated by Elena Leonova
Source: Kommersant, April 9, 2007, p. 9
Agency WPS
What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
April 10, 2007 Tuesday
Armenian Authorites Resort To External Assistance
An update on the parliamentary election campaign in Armenia; Yesterday
marked the start of official campaigning in Armenia's parliamentary
election, scheduled for May 12. Armenian President Robert Kocharian's
term will expire next year, and the current election is viewed as a
rehearsal for the presidential race.
Yesterday marked the start of official campaigning in Armenia's
parliamentary election, scheduled for May 12. Armenian President Robert
Kocharian's term will expire next year, and the current election is
viewed as a rehearsal for the presidential race. In order to avoid
any potential surprises, the Armenian government has thrown all its
efforts into supporting the ruling party: the Armenian Republican
Party (ARP), headed by Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian. And Moscow
is working for his victory as well - some of Russia's most senior
officials are campaigning for Sarkisian.
Armenia's parliamentary election is taking place amidst unprecedented
political activity: 1,314 candidates from 24 parties and blocs are
competing for only 131 seats. This intensity is due to the fact
that President Kocharian's term is drawing to a close, and whichever
political forces manage to secure a place in the new parliament will
get a chance to fight for the grand prize of the presidency.
Under the circumstances, the Armenian government is endeavoring to
ensure the success of the upcoming Operation Successor. Kocharian's
team has decided to back the ARP, headed by Serge Sarkisian (former
defense minister, now prime minister). He took over as prime minister
following the sudden death of Andranik Margarian from a heart attack
on March 25. After Sarkisian officially became the prime minister
last week, Kocharian's team started saying openly that he would make
an ideal presidential candidate. The first to speak out in support of
Sarkisian and the ARP was President Kocharian himself, as he introduced
Sarkisian to the parliament: "I have known him for a long time: this
is a hard-working, honest, consistent person. I'm sure that he is
capable of heading the government at this decisive moment in Armenia's
history. We don't have anyone else who could match his experience."
Following Kocharian's example, presidential administration officials
joined in publicity efforts for Sarkisian.
"Serge Sarkisian is the best presidential candidate," said Garnik
Isagulian, Kocharian's security adviser, on April 7. Isagulian
also made a prediction about the configuration of forces in the new
parliament after May 12. According to him, only six out of 24 parties
will make it into parliament: "The ARP, the Prosperous Armenia party,
the Dashnaktsutiun Revolutionary Federation, the Orinats Erkir
(Law-Abiding Country) party, National Unity, and the People's Party."
It's hardly surprising to see Prosperous Armenia in second place
on Isagulian's list. Its leader is Armenia's richest citizen: Gagik
Tsarukian, head of the National Olympic Committee. He supports the
president, and has been spending a lot of money on various charity
events recently. Thanks to the financial capacities of its leader,
Prosperous Armenia has become the second most popular political force
in Armenia. Observers believe it to be the government's alternative
political project - intended to safeguard Kocharian against the ARP's
potential failure.
However, at present there is nothing to cast doubt on the ARP's chances
of victory on May 12. Sarkisian has access to administrative resources
- and external support as well. Russia, with its traditionally
important role in Armenia's domestic political processes, has made it
clear whose side it's on. The first to start campaigning for Sarkisian
was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who visited Yerevan last
week. When Armenian journalists asked him about some articles in the
Russian media that referred to Sarkisian as Kocharian's successor,
Lavrov said that on this issue, "Russia's official position coincides
with its unofficial position."
After that, the Russian authorities unleashed a storm of compliments
- as if on command - aimed at Armenia's new prime minister. Russian
Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov described Sarkisian as "a proponent
of developing Armenian-Russian relations." Nikolai Bordyuzha,
secretary-general of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization,
praised Sarkisian for "his contribution to strengthening Armenia's
statehood and the cause of ensuring its defense capacities and
security." Auditing Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin said that with
Sarkisian in office, "the ties between our two countries and peoples
will continue to develop intensively."
Sarkisian has already let it be understood that he won't let Moscow
down. His first meeting as prime minister with a foreign official
was a meeting with Vladimir Rushailo, head of the CIS Executive
Committee. Sarkisian assured Rushailo that Armenia "has an objective
interest in the success of CIS reforms, along with reinforcing and
developing cooperation, and will continue to play an active role in
these processes."