From the eyes of an observer…
Nareg at Cilicia.com has posted a blog about his experience as an election observer. He said that everything went “so smoothly..”
“Well, it was awfully tiring, but I have to say I was terribly impressed, and felt proud, because, before going in as an observer, I was expecting to see the most khaydarag, utterly ridiculous things as usual, ”
I guess I am proud too, it is nice to see from someone on the ground that they were so impressed with the conduct of the elections. I hope this will set a standard for future elections, and the Presidential election imparticular.
It feels that it is a small stepping stone, but what was expected. The Republic party isn’t stupid to spend so much money on campaigning and then rig the election? The opposition wants to impeach the entire government and run a avenges campaign on the ruling elite but they aren’t better. Armenia needs to change for better from whit in the ruling elite. It has become obvious that democratic reforms are needed. Armenia has worked hard on economic reforms for 15 years now it is time for democratic changes, this is not only obvious for the crazy, bitter and angry impeachment opposition but also for the ruling elite in Armenian if they want to stay in power .
Patrik THE TIGER
Comment by Patrik — 5/14/2007 @ 10:12 am
I am not sure I am ‘proud’ that Armenia managed to hold ‘freeISH’ and fairISH’ elections. A third world country self congratulating itself that ‘we only cheated a little, not as much as we usually do’.
Another relevant issue that shocks me (but then what do I, a western bourgeois liberal Arevmdahye, know?!) is the representation, or rather LACK OF representation of women! Only 7 MPs? 2%. But then again we should be happy that we are doing better than Afghanistan. What can you expect in a society where the only so called woman Government Minister believes a woman’s place is in the home serving her man and men should be men and women should be women.
Proud? You bet! We are SO advanced compared to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan (even they have greater female representation!)… But then again we are the country obsessed with human rights violations in Turkey but ignore the issue when witnesses ‘jump out of windows’ of police stations… has anyone ever read Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo? … we should put a production of that play in Yerevan… very topical…
So yes… a democratic, free and modern Armenia that respects the rule of law, gender equality and human rights… perhaps in 50 years? sure… baby steps, baby steps… gamats gamats…
UN-proud is more like it…
Comment by Vasken in London — 5/22/2007 @ 10:07 pm