– Since 2001 the government has tried to organize change of government but it doesn’t happen. The efforts didn’t work in 2008 either when the opposition really had the support of the people. Why doesn’t it happen? Did you make mistakes?
– In order to change the government we need a combination of a few factors. It is impossible to change anything drastically by one factor in such countries, where the influence of foreign countries is essential. But we will be the witnesses of change in the conditions of the current crisis. One of the factors is the democratic process. In Armenia the government is not changed through elections; therefore post-election processes create public protest. The environment of protest will still continue in the country. The second factor is the economic one. When the democracy is absent economic issues become global. Under these conditions it is impossible to segregate the economic demands and human rights. Does the taxi driver fight for his bread or his right? In my opinion he is fighting for his bread, medical care and work. And the third factor is the geopolitical one – the NKR conflict. All these three directions are swiftly developing. And the intersection of these factors will cause government change. No one will be able to maintain power as a result of these intersections.
– Aren’t the steps of the government undertaken to withstand the global crisis enough?
– In order to overcome the crisis Armenia needs at least 4 billion USD. Check out what funds the US or Russia invest in their economies to save businesses. Armenia doesn’t have these means because the government has monopolized the main sectors of the economy and instead of filling the budget they are filling their pockets. Armenia appears in such a hard state not because of the global crisis but because of the systematic mugging on part of ex-president Robert Kocharyan. This is a national and economic terror. The history shows that the economic growth of such countries as Armenia, which is stated on paper, usually exposes itself within a short period of time. But in democratic countries crises are overcome very easily. It is impossible to show a democratic poor country. If the dollar rate becomes 500 per USD the government will change in Armenia. If all the 15 political detainees are released the government will change. Why would Kocharyan give the order of March 1 if he had only 40 days left at office? The main culprit of this situation is the former president Robert Kocharyan.
– Don’t you think that in order to organize government change in Armenia first of all the will and desire of international structures and super states are needed? But those structures first of all support the government and not the opposition.
– Absolutely not. I am sure that Robert Kocharyan, whose activity I have witnessed for 6 months, is a wonderful image of a political cheater. He had imitated for 10 years as though he was keen to resolve the NKR conflict but no progress was registered. And the more we lie or imitate the more our reputation suffers. Such examples are numerous, such as the fact that Azerbaijan claims that Armenia has occupied its territories and claims its territorial integration; also Turkey’s entrance into the negotiation process. So, let there be no impression that Sargsyan is supported by the external world and the opposition is not. Vice versa the world wants to see the region peaceful so that new energy infrastructures are formed here. And the NKR conflict is really impeding those plans. The process of resolution of this conflict had pestered the world for 10-12 years except for 1-2 states, which benefit from this prolongation. In this regard Sargsyan’s foreign policy doesn’t shine. He repeats the same mistakes as Kocharyan made. If Kocharyan received some time with the October 27 case then Sargsyan doesn’t have this time. We need fair elections here for the sake of Karabakh.
– In that case why are they not applying sanctions as Armenia doesn’t comply with the requirements of these international structures?
– If the PACE doesn’t apply sanctions against Armenia it means that the government is doing something. And the fact of receiving such results is going to cost very expensive for the government. Sometimes such results are achieved at the expense of one’s own dignity or the given promise. On the other hand if Armenia gets deprived of its voting right the PACE loses its influence on the NKR conflict resolution. In this regard Europe benefits from constantly monitoring Armenia; meet the representatives of government and always scare them. They have a clear tool, by which they are managing our government. In this regard, they won’t benefit from applying sanctions. Armenia will be under monitoring even after the political detainees are released. They are always trying to find out who killed those ten people.
– How do you describe the ban of rallies and gatherings on part of the government?
– The government is scared of rallies. That is the reason why they are not allowed to hold rallies. If they weren’t scared they’d say we gathered 700.000 votes and you gathered 350.000; go do whatever you wish. In general Sargsyan’s and Kocharyan’s governments are scared of many people. On April 12, 2004 they came at 5 a.m. when there were a few people. They did the same on March 1 at 6 a.m.
– Do you agree with the viewpoint that Kocharyan will not rest too long and will soon return to politics?
– It will be so much better for us. In this case the government team will definitely divide. This division exists right now as well but the current president doesn’t have hard time to reject that fact because he has real power. In their congresses they call Kocharyan a pensioner. There will be time that every citizen of Armenia will refuse to communicate with Kocharyan at all. This tendency is already seen. In certain regard he has been lucky because of September 11 and the war in Iraq because the tension was so high that the government would be changed. The pressure regarding the NKR conflict has increased. He has no chance to return although he really wants to.
– There is an opinion that this spring will be decisive for the opposition or that the struggle will be even tougher or will fade completely. What can you say in this regard?
– I wouldn’t like to run forward. The rally and Ter-Petrosyan’s speech will answer those questions. I don’t find it right to reveal tactical steps. Armenia is a country with fake statistical data, no funds and resources, always tries to revaluate the AMD with rough measures. It tries to keep the students dependent. But the students cannot afford to pay tuitions due to the global crisis. In this regard this spring is going to be very tough. The opposition must be able to benefit from the tough state of the government and banish the latter from power. But we should do it in a way not to harm the sovereignty and security of the country especially in the aspect of the NKR conflict.