Radical Operations not Advantageous for Sargsyan: Kayts Minasyan

Interview with Kayts Minasyan, analyst at the Center of Strategic Studies of France.

Mr.Minasyan, how do you assess recent developments in Yerevan?

Naturally, it’s difficult to assess the situation and its reasons from Paris. I may say that the existent situation in the country is tense, after the April war the authorities were stating that it’s impossible to continue that way, thus, reforms should be implemented, the opposition, the society and the Diaspora were stating exactly the same. I think, there are reasons, that ”Sasna Tsrer” group took that desperate step and appeared with an irresponsible statement. I can’t totally blame activities of that group, as freedom fighters, fedayis are found among them. Thus, I consider, all means should be exerted, all means should be used to avoid bloodshed, I think both the authorities and the opposition realize this.  Hopefully, means will be found to exclude that.

The police HQ have been seized since Sunday, the situation has changed for a few days, protest actions are held in the evening, tense situation, negotiations continue between the NSS and the group members. How should the authorities act to come out without shocks from this situation?

Serzh Sargsyan doesn’t have the interest of exerting sharp, radical means. He’s been sure since March 1, that blood shouldn’t be shed. The opposition powers also know that bloodshed is impossible. Thus, I consider, both sides are convinced that the issue should be settled through negotiations, there is no any other way out. The freedom fighters, who took the police HQ are known, Serzh Sargsyan, the authorities, opposition powers know them, thus it’s senseless choose the direction of extremities, all conditions are available to solve it through negotiations.

Negotiations are underway, their subject is unknown, it’s only known that members of “Sasna Tsrer” group demand regime change, freedom to Sefilian and to other political prisoners. Do you think the authorities are ready to such withdrawal?

I can’t reply in name of the authorities. I think, the longer the better, negotiations should continue, i.e. we recorded accidents in the history—October 27, March 1, and we can’t allow another incident in our history.

If we overcome the situation without upsetting implications, what conclusions should the authorities draw?

The authorities should concretely improve country’s economic, political atmosphere. Armenia seems to become a theater, i.e. as a sovereign state, however, we don’t observe that sovereignty, seemingly Armenia’s political status exists, however, we see in reality that it lacks. Thus, Armenia has become Russia’s self-determined region. This is the reality. If we are a really sovereign state, we need to take steps to really become such a state. After the four-day war RA PM Hovik Abrahamyan said they won’t continue that way, it’s impossible, but what has changed after the four-day war until today, where are the reforms? The authorities should correct the situation.

By Araks Martirosyan