Ararat Zurabyan: “The wish for a normal life doesn’t mean to oppose Russia”
Interview with the Armenian National Movement (ANM) party bureau chair Ararat Zurabyan
-Mr. Zurabyan, you say that you don’t agree that the membership of Armenia to the Customs Union is irretrievable. As we know, this is the opinion of the Armanian National Congress leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Many have considered this a unique message to Russia. What is your opinion about this?
-Every politician has the right to express his own opinions. In this case we are speaking about the ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan. I don’t share this opinion myself and think that this process can be easily stopped and retrieved. Moreover, this Union is a mysterious and artificially created body, which might ruin by itself, not to mention the fact that any decent government in Armenia or a decent person wouldn’t connect the future of Armenia with Russia. It is sufficient to say that Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus don’t have their place in the civilized world. I am saying this with sorrow because I would wish that the mentioned countries had their respect and role among civilized countries. In that case, we wouldn’t see any obstacles joining a union with Russia. But any reasonable person wishes to live in a democratic country. Any person wishes his/her country had a good economy. And they don’t see this at the level of the CU but on a different platform.
-Is it possible, that the opposition parties aren’t pro-russian, they just don’t find reasonable to go against Russia in this situation and we should consider these statements by Ter-Petrosyan in this context?
-It can be considered in different ways. The truth can be hidden and wrapped but the truth doesn’t stop living. I don’t see a necessity to go against Russia. I am sorry but our wish for a normal life doesn’t mean to oppose Russia. When we were speaking about joining the Association Agreement with the EU Armenia didn’t declare that it was going to deflect from the Collective Security Pact. There was no such thing back then. Armenia continued its friendly relations with Russia. The basis of that agreement was our economic development. And any step taken in that direction couldn’t have opposed the interests of Russia. That same Russian president once stated that it would be great if there was a free trade zone between the EU and the Customs Union states. I don’t see any conflict of interests here. The same can be said about the standpoint of Russia in regards to Ukraine because Russia cannot decide in lieu of the Ukrainian people in which direction Ukraine should go. One day the Armenian society will also be able to dictate its will to the Armenian government and if that doesn’t happen then the people will oust the current government and form a new one, which will express the actual will of the people.
-In your opinion why do some people consider Maidan an anti-Russian process?
-All this reminds of Freud’s theory because there is something hidden here. If Russia openly stated that it is totally against any democratic processes in the world, he is societies gendarme, etc.we could have understood its position to this matter. But all of this is dissembled, and any movement toward the light Russia takes as an ant-Russian process.
-Let’s speak about the recent internal issues. Non-government parties are holding active meetings by discussing the matter of consolidation within the society and most importantly between ANC, ARF, Heritage and Prosperous Armenia. Do you think this would give any result in the struggle against the government?
-I don’t have big expectation; neither would I like to say anything negative about that. It is a big question what these parties will do in the event they have success. I don’t think those changes will be inclusive. Unfortunately, we are still going through the same path we have all tried to go. And anybody who gets there fails. I strongly believe that there are only a few cases when goal justifies means. Of course, the ideas of political parties and individuals are contrasting. Some believe any means should be applied for the sake of goal. Others are against that. I am sorry that some of the politicians have even stopped calling themselves “opposition.” They have started to more often use “non-governmental parties” term. In the meantime, we should understand if the current government is replaced by a similarly corrupt government the consequences will be worse. But let’s hope it doesn’t happen.
– Where does the ANM see itself in these processes as an opposition party?
– Indeed, in all processes the ANM will be standing where the society stands. During the past two decades, the society always participated in political processes, elections, referendums, etc. It has honestly made its choice by voting for the opposition and unfortunately their votes didn’t count. But I don’t think this should become a reason for the society to stop struggling. And we will be standing next to our society. We will be where Armenia needs us most. We will stand for the development and bright future of Armenia.
Interviewed by Aram Sargsyan
