During his recent interviews with various Armenian mass media, Washington-based analyst on international affairs, economy, security, and political developments, the former USSR, the Middle East and South East Asia Richard Kirakosyan mentioned: “Washington and Moscow have agreed to see Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan as Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s successor”. This announcement made by Kirakosyan gave way for many interpretations. During an interview, R. Kirakosyan told us that what he meant to say that there has been a change in U.S. politics and the approach of the U.S. is close to the viewpoint of Moscow. “I mean the disappointment in the support for democracy, disappointment in the results of Georgia, Ukraine and Krzyrgystan. Now there is more emphasis on stable, evolutionary and non-revolutionary changes. What does this mean for Armenia? In the case of the lack of opposition, there is a preference for those who can suggest a certain degree of evolutionary change,” said the analyst. So, is that the reason why the U.S. and Russia, as R. Kirakosyan said, have agreed that the next President of Armenia is going to be Serge Sarkisyan? In response to this question, R. Kirakosyan said: “I just said that U.S. politics has changed its course, but I never said that they prefer the Defense Minister to be the next president. I meant that the American side would never say, “we defend him, but not the other”. The analyst said that his words had been misinterpreted. “In the case of lack of opposition and an alternative power, they will try to find someone who will continue Kocharyan’s politics and the peaceful process,” said the Washington-based analyst in closing. Kirakosyan speaks Armenian poorly and gives his interviews in English, which helps some people to throw the blame on the “wrong translation”. It’s evident that the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia often use this “method”. However, consider the following statement and you be the judge whether or not it’s a wrong translation: “Washington wants Serge the Liberator to be the natural successor of Robert Kocharyan because there is no opposition in Armenia.”
