In a day or two the official statistics will “rejoice” us with their regular figures.
Let us recall that in the first quarter of this year the NSS has predicted 6.7% growth of the GDP by causing the government and pro-government politicians brag about this. Our folks connect the registered figures with the anti-corruption actions of the government and would often nobly add that the stabilization of the world economy also played its role on the development of the Armenian economy and for having a figure surpassing the predication. We cannot say what numbers the statisticians will provide to us for January-July but we may assume that the figures will be higher than the predicted 1.2% growth. According to the formed tradition the governmental and opposition politicians will make speeches and express opinions one after another. The first ones will indeed admire by their deeds and the oppositionists will keep claiming that the statisticians continued drawing figures. There is indeed space for criticism. Moreover, the ground of criticism is not as much the figures as the delighted worst heard under that pretext. For instance, when they are speaking about the impressive growth of the industry anybody can prove that the industry growth was mainly registered due to the growth of prices in the mining sector. When they are speaking of the growth of construction the government should be reminded of the words of the government, which claimed the necessity of reducing the role of construction. But this is not what we’d like to speak about. We have numerously mentioned that only the government and several international organizations are interested in these figures to put the “tick” sign in their checklists. The average Armenian citizens care about tangible results, such as the inhuman growth of agricultural products, unprecedented heat and the rush in asphalting the roads for the visit of the chairs of the Collective Security Pact organizations. “The Russian investment at present reaches 2.75 billion USD in Armenia,” proudly mentioned the RA foreign affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan in his interview to the Russian Russia-24 TV channel. “Russia is a very important trade partner for Armenia. It is the main investor in Armenia. Russia is also the main market for the consumption of the Armenian goods,” says the minister by adding that in Armenia 1400 companies with Russian capital operate in Armenia. With no less pride and unhidden sycophancy Nalbandyan speaks about the centennial friendship of Russia and Armenia, our insatiable love to the Russian language and other values but let u focus on the economic aspect. There is no reason not to agree with the numbers. Moreover, by opening the list of great taxpayers we can see the prevalence of the Russian capital in Armenia, represented by ArmRusGazProm, Viva-Cell-MTS, Armentel-Beeline and other companies. But is this reason for rejoicing? “Canada is a country that fully depends on the capital of the US imperialism,” used to say the hero of the 3+2 movie to his girlfriend. If currently a similar film was shot Armenia and Russia could easily take the place of Canada and the US. Indeed if the hero or especially the girlfriend would have ever heard of a country like Armenia. Moreover, we depend on Russia not only due to its capital but also our counterparts, who work in Russia and send money to their relatives here. By only taking into account these two circumstances we may claim that Russia can at any moment plug the oxygen of Armenia. And although the constitution enacts that Armenia is an independent, sovereign state but in reality we are no less independent than let’s say Kabardino-Balkaria or Chukotka. Moreover, unlike Chukotka we have hostile relations with two of our four neighbors and have tense relations with the rest of the two. And if we add to this the rigged elections, violence and the discrediting evidence on the governmental elite then it is very difficult to find any rejoicing elements here. However, exactly this fact makes our officials express their praise and address their compliments to Russia. We don’t have any other choice. And indeed we should exacerbate our relations with Russia as it is full of major hazards. In our case they will not only suffice with economic sanctions and humiliating the Armenian politicians on Russian TV channels just what they have done to Lukashenko. There is no point to complain because instead of use it may bring harm. So not only the statesmen admit this reality but certain super political scientists and pundits do so. And by this logic they explain with a serious expression on their faces that the possible sale of Zenith C300 stations to Azerbaijan will not harm us but will be even useful because the equal balance of armaments can prevent war. As they say, no need for words. All we have to do is get accustomed and organize a real Armenian reception for the president of the most important state.