– Mr. Manucharyan, after the recent events on the border of Azerbaijan and NKR the conversations about the possibility of the resumption of war were activated. What is the situation in your opinion?
– As of the general international and other factors then in this regard there is almost no change. All the factors are against the possibility of the resumption of war. New circumstances do not exist. But there are new circumstances in the internal and external developments of Azerbaijan and this incident is the echo of that. There are certain factors in our lives, when get deteriorated others benefit from that. Today it is necessary that the government refuses to confront with the opposition. I am mentioning the government because the opposition didn’t put any of the government members in jail. That is the reason why the government should take the first step. And so the opposition should react with that and it should demonstrate its willingness to engage in a dialog with the government. They should find ways to overcome the internal crisis. Otherwise the threat of the war is increasing. Today the opposition-government relations hurdle the development of the country. Besides that, we have grown a huge stratum, the wealthy ones, who spend crazy amount of money on meaningless and sophisticated fun. This money should be invested in the economy instead of being squandered. These imbecile phenomena bring after themselves new things and the opponent thinks that the person is weak and he can benefit from that weakness.
– Are you saying that currently Azerbaijan is benefiting from the political and economic tension existing in Armenia?
– Yes, Azerbaijan indeed benefits from that. But I think that he is mistaken in his estimation because these negative phenomena – aspiration to wealth and money resemble the disease polio and it will go away. Azerbaijan has adopted such a policy, which would strengthen its state at the expense of the oil; the position of its state would be more signified in the eyes of the world. Its political capacity will also be strengthened at the expense of the economic potential. And they hope that by this they can make Armenia comply with their demands. If not, it can establish a super powerful army and it can solve its issues through military methods. Now it is already clear that Azerbaijan is not going to succeed in constraining us all this at the moment. And they failed to do so not because of Armenia but because of the international players, in the hands of which these two states are merely little soldiers and are directed by their interests.
-The RA government stated that the diversion actions of Azerbaijan are disrespectful to the OSCE Minsk Group members. However, the co-chairs made quite neutral assessment. How do you assess the attitude of the OSCE Minsk Group and will this kind of behavior allow Azerbaijan to repeat such steps?
– The Minsk Group should try to keep in their control the whole process. That’s why it is not able to directly blame Azerbaijan. But the Minsk Group condemned the incident and I hope they expressed their discontent to the Azerbaijani authorities through closed channels. As of the efficiency of their work then I should mention that it is not an efficient method. That is not a mechanism of solving an issue. It would be another thing if the super powers of the world decide one day to give a different solution to the conflict. At that time they will urge this solution to both of the states. And this urge will be the following. Azerbaijan, Armenia and Karabakh will lose and the super states will win each with its own interest.
– You have numerously mentioned that in Armenia internal changes are necessities. In your opinion which force can essentially change the situation?
– The thing is that the gap is within the forces and this polarization exists in each person. It would be better if we all turned into crack-heads. That is a milder disease than aspiration for wealth, due to which our nation suffers. As of the forces I should praise the Sardarapat movement. Patriotic and national forces also have interesting ideas. There was time when I used to like the ideas of the Armenian National Congress. But there were many questions asked about their platform but those remained unanswered.
– What concretely do you mean?
– They mentioned that they established their Congress resembling the National Congress of Mahatma Gandhi. This immediately caused debate. Then they asked a question whether Ter-Petrosyan is creating a self-government system for the people just like Gandhi or merely mobilizes people? So far the Congress hasn’t given a clear response to this.
– Prior to the recent presidential elections quite big mass of people endorsed the return of the first President of Armenia. Had the current opposition justified the expectation of the people?
– I think that the Congress carried within itself key qualities and reached significant progress. Despite this the hopes and desires that the people connected with the Congress, didn’t come true. The people wished this government be toppled so that another government would come to power, which no one knows why was construed to be a better one. In this regard, the expectations were not justified. But if you want to change something and improve the things you have to have new people with newer values. In this regard, the Congress has done immense amount of work. They inculcated essential change in life and made the people contemplate. The painstaking struggle of youth caused great impact on the society.
– During the 2008 presidential elections you were endorsing the first RA President but now you are not a member of the structure that he heads. Do you have any disagreements?
-You know life has become quite hideous for people. The grandchild is murdering the grandfather, the father kills the son. According to the data of psychologists in Armenia daily one person commits a suicide. And honestly at this moment I am more concerned about how to improve the lives of people rather than what causes disagreement between me and Ter-Petrosyan or some other person. We should only focus on that.
– Recently you made a speech at the first session of the National Forces, which caused conversations and speculations as if you were going to become member of the movement.
– As I have returned to public life I tend to make speeches at various places where I am invited. If I receive the invitation regardless of the inviter I will attend the event if I am interested in it. Besides that the ANC has united various parties of various grounds around one idea – establishment and restoration of the constitutional order in Armenia. Unlike them the National Forces movement is a clearer and emphasized ideological force.
– As you have mentioned you have returned to public life does it mean you may become a member of any political party or movement?
– There is nothing like that. I am willing to speak to anybody and cooperate with the half which is ready to cooperate with the next predator half.