I would advise Tigran Sargsyan to orient
Interview with an MP of Heritage party Alexander Arzumanyan
-A few days ago the Armenian Premier Tigran Sargsyan stated that there could be no Maidan in Armenia and he enumerated four reasons for that. Why is Sargsyan so sure?
-If you analyze all the scenarios of revolutions of the world during the past ten years you could realize all the dictators in those countries would claim a week ago that in their countries there would be no chance of revolution. This is an accepted norm and would recommend Tigran Sargsyan to start thinking about the routine of the society, trying to cut the rates of migration, created workplaces instead of giving political viewpoints. I would also advise the government to be more focused on the foreign policy in order to understand where Armenia is moving. Armenia cannot say it is being integrated with the EU and jump to the Customs Union the next day, Shanghai Union, etc. I would advise him to orient and the society will decide when to get rid of Sargsyan and his bosses. It is something that people decide and not the government. So did the Ukrainian people.
-But Tigran Sargsyan is speaking of the opposite. He claims that that society trusts them in the matter of foreign policy. Is it really so?
-How can the society trust a government, which shifts the course of its foreign policy every other month? They want to prove to us that we have super friendly relations with Russia. But the Ukrainian nation, which considers itself a part of the Russian nation decide to protest because they wanted to live a more meaningful life.
-People express their discontent on various matters. Why doesn’t their dissatisfaction unite them in Armenia?
-Unfortunately in our country there is no big wave of discontent and the protests are fragmented. Here there is the fault of political parties and civil society in general. I think the recent developments are showing that the civil society is standing up and is able to bring small changes and victories in the society. And pretty soon the day will come when the society will unite and topple the government.
-When will this day come?
-As long as we are tolerating the absence of rule of law in our country we don’t even have the right to dream about positive changes. If each of us decides not to tolerate illegality the government will have no choice then to step back.
-Are you saying that we won’t avoid Maidan and the day is close?
-Yes, indeed. Maidan was a glove to the empire-worship policy of Russia and many things will also chance in Russia. But Maidan was the first phase of revolution and still many things are not decided. The Ukrainian people have a long way to go, so do we. Ukraine has now become a locomotive and role model for many post-soviet states. This makes Russia to revise its policies in relation to post-soviet states. Even if the wave of revolution moves to Armenia it doesn’t necessarily mean we should have one here. The government as well should understand that perhaps they have to use other tools and maybe establish a dialogue within the civil society. It is no doubt to me that pretty soon the political map of post-soviet states will soon change.
-The past session of the parliament was full of initiatives of establishing ad hoc commissions. The government has agreed to almost most of these initiatives. Do you consider this as an attempt to quell the discontent of the society in relation to the government?
-Quelling is a pretty sharp word. Yes, they are trying to somehow start a dialogue with the opposition by trying to temper the tension that exists within the government. The approach of the government in relation to gas agreement is very unclear because the non-governmental parties had a clear suggestion to create an ad hoc on gas but the government turned that down. However, after awhile it was back on parliament’s agenda. The ad hoc on Nairit was turned down reasoning that the negotiations were ending and may harm the negotiation process. But I think we should have raised our concern so that Rosneft knows that the factory is a key issue for us. I truly believe this is an attempt to pass some smoke. As I was a prisoner on the Case of seven I couldn’t have said no.
-Will the Heritage have its representative in the gas ad hoc?
-Yes, indeed, all the opposition parties will participate in it. I doubt that the ruling party will be willing to analyze the whole specter of gas price.
-Have you decided who you were going to nominate?
-We didn’t discuss yet but we have only three MPs. So one of us will be there.
-Do you participate in the sessions of Heritage party?
-Yes, I periodically do.
-Mr. Arzumanyan what are your relations with the Heritage faction? Are there any controversies between you and the rest of the Heritage members? What will be changed in the faction if Tevan Poghosayn refuses his mandate? Then you had Zaruhi Postanjyan leave for the US to study. Ruben Hakobyan once again took on the position of Heritage faction chair. You have not adverted to any of these developments. What is your opinion about that as a member of the Heritage faction?
-What you have mentioned has got no linkage with my relations with Heritage. Tevan Poghosyan himself decides what he wishes to do as a grownup. And it is up to the faction and party to send Postanjyan to study abroad. In its activities in the NA Heritage faction relations on the platform it offered to constituents during the elections. Being liberal we might have differing opinions but we don’t have major conflicts.
By Tigranuhi Martirosyan
