The more the Constitutional referendum campaign enters its rights, the more are the pressures over the observers. Deputy Director of the “Transparency International” Anti-Corruption Center, Sona Ayvazyan, announced over the “Liberty” radio station that their observers often refuse to carry out observation mission because of the intimidations by the community leaders. She pointed to the example of the Meghri City Mayor, “During an event in the city of Meghri, which was attended by the city mayor, the latter has directly intimidated, saying that he is to decide who and how to vote. After that, some of our potential observers, who had already recruited, just refused to carry out an observation mission. The fact is that the intimidations hit the target. These people can now, for example, demonstrate courage, but then they are going to live in this city under the leadership of this mayor, therefore, they prefer to refuse.”
Aravot.am asked Meghri City Mayor Arshavir Hovhannisyan (in the photo) why he is speaking in the language of threats, in response, he assured that such a thing could not have happened as he is a democrat leader and explained, “I could not have made such a statement that I am to decide in the marz. There is a governor in the marz, let the governor decide.” We clarified, not in the marz but in the city, he responded, “What comes to our city, I am inviting all the observers on this planet, come to my city, look what a polite and nice atmosphere we have. There are so many people to learn from here. I do not know what organization it is, but I can immediately say that it is just a libel. I have adopted the opposite stance. How could I make such a statement?”
To our observation that everyone knows that almost all governors and mayors are the supporters for “yes” to the constitutional referendum, so whether he had not intimidated those who say “no”, Mr. Hovhannisyan excluded, “No, absolutely no. I am just forming a headquarters, secondly, what do you mean by saying that all the mayors are the supporters of “yes”. Specifically, I am in favor of what people are. Every my move is proportionate to the people’s opinion. I also see the people’s sentiment and I know very well what they are going to say on 6 April.”
We asked how he knows exactly what the people are going to say on December 6, the mayor replied, “I communicate with people, I am among them from morning till evening, people are talking about it and I know it very well. Certainly, there will be “Yes” and “No”, but as to what proportion, it will be apparent on September 6”. To our observation whether it is not natural that if the mayor is going to say “yes”, them the majority of the population driven by different reasons will again say “yes”, Mr. Hovhannisyan responded, “The scoundrels, who have said something like that, you can tell them Meghri is not for such scoundrels. I want to voice intimidations now that if there are still people on this planet who should enter and pollute this city, let them not come to this city.”
To our observation whether it is not possible for someone in Meghri to say “No”, or someone who would like to monitor the referendum, the mayor responded, “Let them monitor, but why there should be such a scoundrel in the city to make such a statement. In the event that I have said in hundred places that they are welcome, anyone can pick up on an observation mission. Let the whole world come, sit down and watch.” To our question of whether he tolerates the ones who say “No”, Mr. Hovhannisyan replied, “It is the person’s own will. Also, this is not my choice, and I was elected only by the people’s efforts and proportionally walk with the people. If I am going to say “Yes”, isn’t it natural that the majority of the city should walk with me. Just tell this person on my behalf that I think he is a scoundrel, I could not have said such a thing and it is something that’s contrary to my character. My citizens will say that I have a democratic conduct.” We stressed that he had allowed to say offensive phrases, the mayor countered, “If someone being as such insults me, should I die, this is what you suggest to me.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
