The sooner the constitutional amendments referendum approaches, the more it becomes clear that this referendum is nothing but a political show and has nothing to do with the state. This is my opinion because despite all the promises and efforts made by both the authorities and the opposition, it is more like they are checking to make sure the people still believe in them rather than keeping an eye out for illegal acts.
The opposition claims that the referendum is a test for the authorities-this will prove whether or not the people trust them. Although the authorities try to make the people understand that they will not step down even if the referendum fails, they are also doing the best they can to gain the trust of the people by getting them to say “yes”.
Why is it like this? Foreign countries are sick and tired of having contacts with the illegitimate Armenian authorities. After all, rules and principles exist which are brought forward whether we like it or not. The world is also sick and tired of waiting for the illegitimate opposition to start some rose, orange or multicolored revolution. In order for our small yet rather significant Southern Caucasus country to not become an empty hollow, we have proposed the “constitutional amendments” and the main goal is to drive away the existing Armenian authorities. There is no other way. The Armenian presidential elections are two-three years from now, but until then there are many issues to be solved: broadening of neighboring countries, conflict settlements, provision of stability and security in the Southern Caucasus as well as maintaining the oil pipeline passing through the neighboring countries.
How can other countries of the world have anything to do with a country whose authorities are not even trusted by the people? How can conflict settlements be discussed with a country whose authorities become noble and say that they agree but that agreement means nothing? And since Armenian oppositionists have the power to gather 2000 people around a square for a meeting, the other countries of the world look at this through the “Take advantage of what you have” ancient but wise method. All we have to do is quickly legitimize the illegitimate through the “constitutional amendments”.
If we carefully analyze the chances we have for legitimizing the illegitimate, we will see that there is no other choice but to conduct a constitutional amendments referendum. Armenia does not have oil, better yet, the oil pipeline mentioned about above does not pass through our country in order for the authorities to use that and legitimize or simply not take that into consideration (which is in Aliyev’s case). The road that lies ahead is the so-called road leading to the constitutional amendments, which is a hint to the Lukashenkos and Middle Asian dictators that the road towards the amendments is open (let all the oppositionists know) and that they can evade the multicolored revolutions in a civilized manner and not make a big effort to improve the lives of people at the same time by following their game rules.
The authorities have understood this well. However, has the opposition understood that when it raises the issue of trust? Do the oppositionists know that everything will be put to an end if they keep throwing dust into people’s eyes and after the “yes” is unanimous? Do they know that that “no” is just a two letter word and that it can even be excluded from being written in the ballot? Does the opposition have any idea that a constitutional monarchy is almost a reality in Armenia? They know, of course they know. They just don’t want to face the truth.
They know all that and instead of propagandizing “no”, they don’t say to the people “Don’t participate.” The opposition doesn’t say that because that will put an end to everything for them and the authorities. By not participating, nobody will be able to stand up and say that this is not 2003, but 2005 and that this time we are not 2000 in number but rather 200,000. Non-participation will be the end and the beginning, a new start, a brand new page in history where there will no longer be authority figures ruling for the fun of it.
The “yes” which will be snatched from the people on November 27, whether that is just or unjust, open or closed, will bring the legitimate authorities into our country. Then, Condaleza Rice will put the brief letter to Bush saying “Congratulations on the new year in Washington” in an envelope and send it to Armenia. The next letter will be from Europe, which will read “We are sorry for the innocent lawyer’s destiny.” After that, the independent court of the executive branch of government will release the elected but resigned mayor of Nor Hachn from jail after considering the circumstances. All in all, the new day for the ancient country will start in the midst of the rose-orange colored haze.