"VOTING JUST AGAINST THE CURRENT AUTHORITY–NO MATTER HOW IMPERFECT IT IS–WITHOUT CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRAM OF THE POWER-SEEKING OPPOSITION CAN GIVE THIS POWER EITHER TO DEMAGOGUES AND ADVENTURERS–OR SIMPLE AMATEURS."
MOSCOW (ITAR-TASS/Noyan Tapan)–In a statement released to the press–the Union of Russia’s Armenia’s (URA) on Wednesday urged both sides in Armenia’s presidential race "to respect law and democratic rules." Its leaders stressed the importance of preserving an atmosphere of tolerance and civilized dialogue ahead of the presidential runoff scheduled for March 5.
"Any political destabilization in Armenia is fraught with unpredictable consequences both for the country and Armenian communities around the world," said the statement.
It notes that election processes are a serious test of a country’s political and civil maturity and not all nations can painlessly pass the test without the creation of a chaotic environment. "Nevertheless," it continues–"Armenia managed to avoid a large-scale mess and squabble as well as threat of usurpation of power by separate people and clans."
"Voting just against the current authority–no matter how imperfect it is–without clear understanding of the program of the power-seeking opposition can give this power either to demagogues and adventurers–or simple amateurs."
In conclusion–the UAR board expresses hope that the Armenian nation will make a correct–realistic and pragmatic choice in the second round of elections–"without being affected either by the destructive passions of this or that statesmen or by demagogy."
Russia is home to the biggest Armenian Diaspora community with 2. 5 million members.