The Power of 10 Drams
Tonakanyan Hamletina—AMD 10. Mrs. Hamletina transferred this much for Artsakh, to NKR Government extra-budget fund. Maybe this is a misprint, lack of one or more zeros, however, as of April 7 this very figure is introduced in the reference of the donated money, published on the website of the Ministry of Finance of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. However, if this is not a misprint, and an exact figure, speaking of transfer of 10 drams, one should say “in total” and not “just.” This is not an irony at all. Look, as of April 7 in total AMD 891.5 million, USD 63.7 thousand, EUR 1938 and RUB 11.2 million have been accumulated to the fund. That is, in about a week around USD 2 million has been transferred to Artsakh extra-budget fund.
The biggest transfer was implemented by Gazprom-Armenia LLC—AMD 550 million, Transgaz LLC holds the second place, which is a part of Gazprom Armenia Company—AMD 57 million. 6 people transferred AMD 1000 each, and 40 people—AMD 5000 each.
Is USD 2 million much or little? It’s difficult to answer to this question, and maybe there is even no need. In his Facebook post expert Ashot Khurshudyan observed this issue not from the standpoint of total amount, but that of participation.
By developing and combining all current transfers—total 753 (by missing 3 big transfers: two Gazprom transfers and Russian “Prometei” Company’s RUB 10 million), the following image may be observed.
Through the Chart A.Khurshudyan wanted to show, that human power, by its own formulation, that fact that the number of participants is important, and those doing small transfers are no less important than the big ones.
That is, 10 drams transferred by Tonakanyan Hamletina doesn’t yield those transferring 10000 times more money by importance. Moreover, AMD 1000 transferred by a person earning AMD 100 000 per month is more influential, than USD 1000 transferred by an oligarch. Of course, the topic is rather delicate, and in this case one shouldn’t count money and blame others for more or less transfers, it’s their wish. However, even if we try to observe the situation from another standpoint, it’s the same, the list brings mixed emotions. No matter, if we even try not to speak of it, we all find people in the list, who are millionaires in our perceptions.
We find MPs and Parliament members, cash income of which (based on official declarations filled out by themselves) comprises a few million dollars. And they have transferred AMD 500-600 thousand. It’s less than 0.1% of their income. Probably, they have provided assistance to Artsakh in other ways as well, which is not reflected in this document, but in any case… As I followed posts on social networks, our compatriots are yet moderate regarding this issue. Public accusations like “Isn’t it shameful for you to transfer AMD 600 thousand?” addressed to some people aren’t heard. However, we all know, the question arises in any person, who looks through the list.
Moreover, an unpleasant story happened linked to the list. For instance, Gazprom Armenia announced, that its staff of 7000, have transferred their salaries for 1 month to Artsakh—AMD 1 billion 200 million. In the list, however, total amount transferred to the fund comprises about AMD 600 million (Gazprom Armenia LLC—AMD 550 million and Transgaz LLC—AMD 57 million).
This was instigation for one of our media outlets to blame the company in cheating. Thus, Arayik Harutyunyan, NKR PM, clarified that Gazprom Armenia Company has transferred AMD 600 million to the extra-budget fund, and another AMD 600 million to the account for the freedom fighters. That is, Artaks’s Prime Minister confirmed that total amount transferred by the company comprises AMD 1 billion 200 million. “The publication refers extra-budget fund, and we have a Union of Freedom Fighters, which has its separate bank account. The Company has transferred half of the amount to that account, to support families of freedom fighters and settle their social problems.”
Of course, it’s not a pleasant story, but one should understand, everybody’s nerves are tense, everybody is hypersensitive now.
However, in case of deeper observation of the issue, it’s becoming clear that it’s not the amount of being big or small, but the fact that we need such a list. Surely, in case of any force majeure even in the richest countries of the world donations may be organized to solve some problems for that moment. Thus, our problems are deeper, and they don’t need settlement by donations, but by strengthening of economy.
The topic has been repeatedly touched upon recently. Armenia-Israel comparisons have watered the internet. Any result is important. And there is no need for detailed analysis and complex prescriptions. As Ashot Khurshudyan made a rather targeted post on Facebook: the most symmetric response by our side to Azerbaijan will be turning into a democratic state.
The result will be immediately visible. Of course, it’s not excluded though, that some donations may be launched for some purposes. The country won’t depend on it though.
By Babken Tunyan
