It would appear that intimidation and the exercise of violence are not merely endemic to elections in Armenia, but have also surfaced in "Little Armenia", thousands of miles away in sunny southern California.

Today's Los Angeles Times has run an article regarding reports of threats and even the brandishing of a gun during campaigning for the 13th Council District seat in Los Angeles.

It seems that campaign workers of rival candidates Mitch O'Farrell and John Choi were out canvassing on a street in Little Armenia last week, leading to an altercation.

Choi's campaign alleges that two of its canvassers were stopped and threatened with violence by two men backing O'Farrrell.

One of the men is said to be the father of Sam Kbushyan, a candidate who came in third in the primary and who is now backing O'Farrell.

Kbushyan has said that his father is "a civilized man" who would never threaten the teenagers.

The newspaper also reports that the two sides are charging each other with spreading rumors within the community that their rivals are "anti-Armenian".

Photo: John Choi visits Armenian voters (Courtesy of Los Angeles Times)