Epress.am News from Armenia
The Russian Reporter, which claims to officially collaborate with the whistle-blowing site WikiLeaks, continues to publish US cables, some referring to observations made by US officials stationed in Armenia. One cable by Charge d’Affaires Joseph Pennington notes that the current political crisis, after the fatal clashes of March 1, 2008, and state of emergency, spurred a number of citizens of Armenia (and an increasing number of intending immigrants from Armenia’s middle class) to emigrate.
“Many say the political instability from the crisis has added yet one more disturbing element to their long list of concerns that include economic uncertainties and a worsening environment in which to raise their kids. Some also say they see an ongoing moral decay in society, where rich, well-connected, law-breaking elites run roughshod over ordinary Armenians’ rights. In addition to these voices from the middle class, we have also begun to hear disenchanted officials contemplate emigration,” reads the cable, in part.
Pennington notes that prominent opposition members have contacted US diplomat about asylum or the issuance of tourist visas “to ride out the crisis in the United States.” One of these is Tigran Ter-Petrossian, the nephew of opposition leader and defeated presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian (LTP), who “LTP lieutenants say is hiding out in the United Arab Emirates fearful for his life. ”
“LTP’s confidants have asked the Embassy to help with a tourist visa, and insist that Tigran has no intention of applying for political asylum once in the United States. (NOTE: We’ve explained to LTP’s representatives that since we cannot establish the bona fides of Tigran’s case, we cannot intervene to issue a visa, and that he would have to apply at our consulate general in Dubai like everyone else. END NOTE.) LTP’s son David went to Los Angeles before the election at the urging of his father, again presumably out of concern for his son’s life. To our knowledge he has yet to return. (NOTE: While it’s difficult to ascertain the validity of these allegations, it is undeniable that violence has plagued the development of Armenia’s post-independence political culture. END NOTE.),” reads the cable.