This is particularly so given that the head of IFES was one of the main figures behind the suggestion’s rejection. He cited the availability of a substance which could be used to remove the ink when in solution form as reason for his resistance to such demands and demonstrated this during discussions on amending the electoral code.

An explosion targeting one of the main parties in Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections has given a new dimension to officials’ preparations for a free and fair vote this May. The government has stated that such a vote is critical to Armenia’s future, and points to recent election code amendments to emphasize its commitment to a democratic ballot.

On April 12, the headquarters and another Yerevan office of the Prosperous Armenia Party, a leading pro-government contender for the May 12 vote, were struck in two separate blasts. A store adjoining one of the offices, reportedly owned by a Prosperous Armenia member, was also badly damaged, the A1+ news site reported. No injuries were caused by the explosions.

[,,,]

The blasts, coming just four days into the official campaign season, have raised alarm that the election could prove a particularly violent struggle. The explosions follow a reported attempted shooting of one parliament deputy running for reelection [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive], and an April 2 attack on the mayor of Gyumri, a senior member of the Republican Party, that left four people dead. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Many ordinary Armenians believe the explosions are the result of rivalry between Prosperous Armenia and the Republican Party, whose activists have already clashed in a fistfight. Representatives of Prosperous Armenia, however, have not said whom they suspect. The party issued a statement that described the explosions as “an attempt to destabilize the situation and shift the political struggle onto another field.”

Sadly, Armenia has no real opposition to speak of, unlike Lebanon, whose political sphere is also racked by violence. At least there people seem to be motivated enough to demonstate for change.

Then too, democracy in the capitalist West is also illusory. Those outside the ruling establishment of both democrats and republicans have no real chance to enter the election arena on a equal footing. The odds are stacked against them.

Given all this, is what we are witnessing in Armenia a natural outgrowth of the present socio-economic conditions of the country and retarded civic development?

Personally, I don’t want this happening in Armenia, and the rule of law needs to be established quickly. Interestingly, however, we then have a real problem. If some believe that the political, economic and governmental structures have been to some extent criminalized, what happens when these guys are ousted from their position.

Actually, if this is the situation, it does need to change, but then the violence might actually be more. Perhaps this is necessary for a country in transition and demands the creation of a professional and adept police force with an independent judiciary firmly in place. Anyway, long and the short of it is that any criminal needs to be arrested and tried.

It’s as simple as that, and I can not condone such actions. Maybe this was directed at Prosperous Armenia, but were the guys in the campaign office responsible for anything? In many cases, those working in the offices and certainly in adjacent buildings and shops are simply normal citizens who have chosen one political path over another for whatever reason.

Respecting that choice is also a matter of whether there will be democracy in this country. Besides, there are also those in the opposition who were until recently part of the ruling regime until personal differences saw them leave or more usually, get kicked out. If you believe there is rot in the system, remember that it comes from the same source as others in the political field do as well.

Anyway.

2 Explosions Rattle Armenia
Reuters

YEREVAN, Armenia — Blasts ripped through two local headquarters of a pro-government party in Armenia on Thursday, raising tension in the country ahead of parliamentary elections next month.

The two offices were seriously damaged, but no one was injured in the explosions, said Baghdasar Mheryan, spokesman for the Prosperous Armenia party. The blasts occurred two hours apart.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said people wanted to destabilize the country with the blasts.

“We consider this crime an attempt to destabilize the situation ahead of parliamentary elections and to create an intolerant atmosphere in the country,” a spokesman for the president said.

Experts say the Prosperous Armenia party, led by well-known businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, has high chances of winning seats in the parliament.

Earlier this month, gunmen killed four people in an attack aimed at the mayor of Armenia’s second-largest city, who survived. He was from the Republican party.

Thursday’s explosions occurred at the party headquarters in the Avan and Kanaker-Zeitun regions, a police official said.

And it will only cost you US $1,000 a week, on average.

Come…enjoy traditional Armenian hospitality ….

We’re ready to welcome you to Armenia…..

“I’m surprised the international observers haven’t packed their bags and left in shock, horror and amazement by now.”

I am surprised reading this surprisingly naive sentence.

As long as everybody acts within the law, that is.

Nevertheless, the point you make about where the bomb was planted is duly noted. Indeed, it was at the bottom of an apartment building, and not only took out a shop, but also the windows of many of the apartments above. Yes, it might have been detonated when nobody was walking around, but that’s not the point. As you say, it was directly outside a residential building where families with children lived.

Regarding the culprits, it’s said here that you can assume who might have done it by whether anyone has been detained or arrested already.

Two political parties on opposite sides have already expressed one in the same conclusion today. “Is there any doubt who did it?” one asked. The other named who they thought did it. No need to write it. Most of you can guess. Now the police need to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt whether that assumption is correct or not. After all, Armenia is such a small country, and Yerevan even smaller. It shouldn’t be hard to do..

Incidentally, although I arrived 10 or 12 hours later I was struck by the lack of any visible sign of a police presence there. Maybe I’m just used too much to how police usually cordon off crime scenes in the West so they can search for clues and evidence and stuff. Dunno.