Levon Ter Petrosian, HHSh Independence Day Reception, Marriott Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2007

Despite Friday’s unprecedented speech by the first president, and one that some are already taking as marking the start of his election campaign, there is surprisingly little reaction to the effective return of Levon Ter Petrosian to political life here. However, what little there is can at least be considered informative and the grounds on which to initiate real reflection on Ter Petrosian’s tenure as president.

It also gives us all a chance to consider how Armenia has developed since Ter Petrosian was forced to resign and leave office in 1998. However, what is particularly interesting is how local Armenians who can remember that time view Ter Petrosian’s possible candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. Perhaps the most thought provoking is one by Artmika at Unzipped.

I remember his presidency back then. Let’s make it this way, I WANT to remember the first couple of years of his presidency. I felt like living in a democratic country. It was so exciting, you could just feel freedom out there… I had big hopes that at last my dream of seeing Armenia as democratic country is becoming true.

I quite liked Levon back then. He was intelligent, had charisma. However, instead of strengthening democracy and making it a way of life, he turned the process back. That’s the main reason I will not forgive him. He surrounded himself with people and choices which ruined any hope for better. And eventually, as expected, he got betrayed by the same people and choices.

I do not really blame him for those horrific few years, when we lived like… probably the way people live under war conditions, without electricity, with bread cards etc. These were the harshest years in my life. I won’t like anyone to experience what we’ve gone through… I do not think he is to blame for it, that was mainly a consequence of geopolitical situation Armenia was in and we survived it. However, I blame him for not fighting corruption, and instead creating an environment where corruption reached unprecedented levels even for ex-Soviet standards.

The full post is available on the 2008 Presidential Election Monitor Blog.