The real members of Griboyedov club

During the recent days one of the most discussed topics in Armenia was the activity of Griboyedov club in Armenia. Various opinions have been heard in that regard. The goal of this club is indeed providing a support base of so-called supporters of imperialism disguised in the mask of the Customs Union. But the goal of these meetings is of course not only the necessity to influence on the public opinion because of two reasons. First of all, in Armenia public opinion doesn’t exist in its classic meaning. It doesn’t affect the decision-making process at all. Public opinion doesn’t implement its basic function.

And it is meaningless to affect something that doesn’t exist in practice. Besides, all the names that have been mentioned as members of Griboyedov club, don’t have influence on the already not existing public influence. But if Russians don’t periodically instruct the ones, who often appear on TV screens, there might be a risk for them to speak what they shouldn’t. So in fact these Kiselyov-era meetings have a more preventative rather than propagandist goals. At least in the short run Russians don’t have the need for propaganda of the Customs Union because they are controlling both the incumbent government and many opposition parties of Armenia. In a political sense, however for Putin the potential threats are not the individuals but certain political parties, which on the one hand are already vilified as opposition but in certain cases are even more supportive to Russia than the government. There are many such examples. Those include the speeches of the ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who claims that we don’t have the right to curse Putin. Other lower level opposition parties are even more supportive. The Armenian European Maydan is not too far away.

Tomorrow they can easily move the Euro Maydan to Yerevan’s center. Today they are accusing Russia and are always criticizing its presence in Armenia. If the EU was so great why haven’t they followed up with the incident of the axed Armenian soldier? If you think that this is a quote from Artashes Geghamyan’s speech then you must be mistaken.

This statement was today made by a former ANC member, former deputy-minister of National Security of Armenia Gurgen Yeghiazaryan. He emphasized, “Many non-profits, who received their birth from Baghramyan 26 are trying to bring the Ukrainian Maydan here.” When speaking of government, this politician slams the Serzh Sargsyan and Tigran Sargsyan and all the others. But he is speaking about Euro Maydan in a way that even the fans of Kiselov club couldn’t even dare to do so. In another instance, a former party member of Yeghiazaryan, member of ANC faction Lyudmila Sargsyan convenes a summit and establishes a new party. Then she one by one is criticizing the key players of government.

Then she says that her newly established party supports Armenia’s membership to the CU. These examples can be continued. Even in the ANC, ARF and Heritage there are people, who are internally very against the government but when it comes to Putin and Russia they turn very lenient. There is even no point to advert to Prosperous Armenia in this case. In a broad meaning, members of almost all opposition parties may potentially be members of Griboyedov club. Unfortunately, many of them are not invited to the fancy meetings of Griboyedov club. As of the government then its members are not only members of Griboyedov club but also Putin Club. After the September 3 speech of Sargsyan they just don’t work with a good enthusiasm. Perhaps, this is the reason why they are calling Armenia Putin’s club now.

Mickael Sahakyan