Vazgen Manoukian, Opposition Rally, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia

RFE/RL reports that Vazgen Manoukian, a candidate in the 1996 presidential elections and the leader of the National Democratic Union (AZhM), has urged voters to boycott the referendum on constitutional ammendments scheduled for May. Although still undecided, other opposition leaders are considering urging voters to instead reject the ammendments but Manoukian thinks that this will play into the hands of the authorities.

“Saying no would mean expressing an opinion about some document,” argued Manukian. “It would mean being drawn into a game dictated by the regime. It would also be difficult to determine which of the [referendum] participants voted for or against the amendments. We know from our past experience that the authorities can falsify any document.”

Armenia’s leading opposition groups have already decided to campaign against the passage of Kocharian’s Western-backed package of constitutional changes aimed at curtailing his sweeping powers. Both the Artarutyun, of which the AZhM is a member, and the National Unity Party (AMK) plan to hold rallies across the country ahead of the November referendum. But they have yet to decide whether to urge supporters to boycott it or vote against the proposed amendments.

Europe and the U.S. believe that the proposed ammendments would contribute greatly to the democratization of Armenia. However, Manoukian and others believe that the problems in the country are not connected to flaws in the existing constitution but rather, the absence of the rule of law.

“This state is sick,” he told a news conference. “The source of the illness must be looked for not within the society but the government. We have an uncontrolled, unaccountable and narcissist regime for which democracy, human rights and rule of law are false concepts.”

Anyway, the referendum is going to be a huge test for Armenia and any problems that might emerge will be a direct result of deeply flawed parliamentary and presidential elections held in 2003. I hope the Diaspora especially can finally understand that and start to engage itself in the process of building a genuine democracy in Armenia. The full item can be read online here.