1in.am
1inam on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free
and
Azatutyun
azatutyun on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free
ՌՈԲԵՐՏ ՔՈՉԱՐՅԱՆԸ՝ ՆԱԻՐԻ ՀՈՒՆԱՆՅԱՆԻ ՀԵՏՆՈՐԴ
3 years ago
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
That's 3...
It's been almost 2 days since Pashinyan, Mikaelyan and the remaining political prisoners were set free under the cover of an amnesty which released hundreds.
The next meeting is in 2 days, on May 31 - it will be the second on to be held in Liberty Square.
The March 1 investigation is supposedly underway.
That's three. A difficult three for Sargsyan, I think. He's playing chess with the opposition, and he's walking a fine tightrope stretched over shark-infested waters with his established "colleagues" - slowly, carefully, stepping forward while trying to keep his options open, and watch his back, perhaps literally...
But what is making him take such risky steps? Is it the fear of social upheaval, as some say? Is it the realization that there may be limitations to just how long and severely the country can be financially ravaged by this regime? Is it international pressure regarding NK and Turkey? Or perhaps Sargsyan's conscience is finally waking up from its coma... (less likely, but I thought I'd throw it in there).
I honestly don't know. But it seems that he has decided that careful baby steps toward the opposition are in his best interest. Or, another way of looking at it, perhaps he has started down a road, and has a goal in his sights, but he needs the opposition to get there.
Dialogue is next, and is always difficult. The depth and breadth of problems facing the country are enormous. The remaining 12 demands (list here) are only the tip of the iceberg, but they're a start.
The next meeting is in 2 days, on May 31 - it will be the second on to be held in Liberty Square.
The March 1 investigation is supposedly underway.
That's three. A difficult three for Sargsyan, I think. He's playing chess with the opposition, and he's walking a fine tightrope stretched over shark-infested waters with his established "colleagues" - slowly, carefully, stepping forward while trying to keep his options open, and watch his back, perhaps literally...
But what is making him take such risky steps? Is it the fear of social upheaval, as some say? Is it the realization that there may be limitations to just how long and severely the country can be financially ravaged by this regime? Is it international pressure regarding NK and Turkey? Or perhaps Sargsyan's conscience is finally waking up from its coma... (less likely, but I thought I'd throw it in there).
I honestly don't know. But it seems that he has decided that careful baby steps toward the opposition are in his best interest. Or, another way of looking at it, perhaps he has started down a road, and has a goal in his sights, but he needs the opposition to get there.
Dialogue is next, and is always difficult. The depth and breadth of problems facing the country are enormous. The remaining 12 demands (list here) are only the tip of the iceberg, but they're a start.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
New video from 1 March, 2008
New video YouTube posted by Martimek2008 regarding March 1, 2008 :
From Epress.am:
On May 23, a video was uploaded on YouTube by a user by the name of martimek2008 (which translates to Mar. 1, 2008) titled “See how they fire on Mar. 1, 2008.” There’s no description accompanying the clip but it is assumed to be a scene from Mar. 2008 when mass unrest in Yerevan following a disputed presidential election resulted in at least 10 dead and many more wounded.
The circumstances surrounding the events during these days (as well as the investigation into the people behind the murders) have still not been officially clarified.
The video lasts only 41 seconds and seems to have been shot from one of the higher floors or the roof of a residential building nearby.
Epress.am:
Երեկ Youtube տեսանյութերի կայքում բեռնվել է 2008 թվականի մարտի 1-ի իրադարձությունները պատկերող մի կադր, որը տեղադրել է martimek2008 օգտատերը՝ տեսանյութը վերնագրելով «Ահա թե ինչպես են կրակում 2008 թվականի մարտի մեկին…»: Տեսանյութը տևում է 41 վայրկյան, նկարահանված է շենքի բարձր հարկերից կամ տանիքից: Կադրում երևում է ջրցան մեքենա, իրեր նետող և կրակ արձակող մարդիկ:
From Epress.am:
On May 23, a video was uploaded on YouTube by a user by the name of martimek2008 (which translates to Mar. 1, 2008) titled “See how they fire on Mar. 1, 2008.” There’s no description accompanying the clip but it is assumed to be a scene from Mar. 2008 when mass unrest in Yerevan following a disputed presidential election resulted in at least 10 dead and many more wounded.
The circumstances surrounding the events during these days (as well as the investigation into the people behind the murders) have still not been officially clarified.
The video lasts only 41 seconds and seems to have been shot from one of the higher floors or the roof of a residential building nearby.
Epress.am:
Երեկ Youtube տեսանյութերի կայքում բեռնվել է 2008 թվականի մարտի 1-ի իրադարձությունները պատկերող մի կադր, որը տեղադրել է martimek2008 օգտատերը՝ տեսանյութը վերնագրելով «Ահա թե ինչպես են կրակում 2008 թվականի մարտի մեկին…»: Տեսանյութը տևում է 41 վայրկյան, նկարահանված է շենքի բարձր հարկերից կամ տանիքից: Կադրում երևում է ջրցան մեքենա, իրեր նետող և կրակ արձակող մարդիկ:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Տարոսը... (1 + 2)
Directly from Armenian Times/Haykakan Zhamanak, the title says it all in one word:
Տարոսը...
Միջազգային քրեական դատարանի գլխավոր դատախազ Լուիս-Օկամպո Մորենոն երեկ դատավորներից խնդրել է Լիբիայի նախագահ Մուամմար Քադաֆիին` որպես մարդկության դեմ հանցագործության կատարած անձի ձերբակալելու թույլտվություն տալ:
Ձերբակալության թույլտվություն են խնդրել նաեւ Քադաֆիի որդու` Սայիֆ ալ Իսլամի եւ Լիբիայի հետախուզության պետ Աբդուլլահ ալ Սանուսիի համար: Նրանք երեքն էլ մեղադրվում են փետրվարի 15-ից սկսված խաղաղ ցույցերի մասնակիցներին գնդակահարելու, ապստամբած քաղաքների բնակելի թաղամասերը օդից ռմբակոծելու հրաման տալու մեջ: Նշենք, որ նշված հանցագործությունները, մասնավորապես խաղաղ բնակչությանը գնդակահարելու հրաման տալը չունեն վաղեմության ժամկետ: Այսինքն, քանի դեռ նման հրամաններ արձակած մարդիկ կենդանի են, նրանք վաղ թե ուշ ենթարկվելու են պատասխանատվության, եթե ոչ տվյալ երկրի, ապա միջազգային դատարանի կողմից:
Տարոսը... 2
Ժողովրդի ճնշման տակ հրաժարական տված Եգիպտոսի նախագահ Հոսնի Մուբարաքը ուղերձով երեկ սեփական ժողովրդից ներողություն է խնդրել մարդկանց դեմ գործած բոլոր չարագործությունների համար եւ խնդրել ներում շնորհել իրեն:
Մուբարաքը ներկայումս գտնվում է կալանքի տակ, եւ նրան ցուցարարների դեմ բռնի ուժ կիրառելու հրաման տալու, պաշտոնական դիրքը չարաշահելու, պետական միջոցները յուրացնելու եւ մի քանի այլ մեղադրանքներ են ներկայացվել: Մուբարաքը պատրաստակամություն է հայտնել պետությանը հանձնել իր տնօրինության տակ գտնվող բոլոր ակտիվները: Դեռ նախօրեին նրա կինը` Սյուզան Սադաթը, հօգուտ պետության հրաժարվել է իր բանկային հաշվում պահվող 3.5 միլիոն դոլարից ու Կահիրեի արվարձանում գտնվող շքեղ առանձնատնից, ինչի դիմաց երեկ առավոտյան ազատ է արձակվել:
Տարոսը...
Միջազգային քրեական դատարանի գլխավոր դատախազ Լուիս-Օկամպո Մորենոն երեկ դատավորներից խնդրել է Լիբիայի նախագահ Մուամմար Քադաֆիին` որպես մարդկության դեմ հանցագործության կատարած անձի ձերբակալելու թույլտվություն տալ:
Ձերբակալության թույլտվություն են խնդրել նաեւ Քադաֆիի որդու` Սայիֆ ալ Իսլամի եւ Լիբիայի հետախուզության պետ Աբդուլլահ ալ Սանուսիի համար: Նրանք երեքն էլ մեղադրվում են փետրվարի 15-ից սկսված խաղաղ ցույցերի մասնակիցներին գնդակահարելու, ապստամբած քաղաքների բնակելի թաղամասերը օդից ռմբակոծելու հրաման տալու մեջ: Նշենք, որ նշված հանցագործությունները, մասնավորապես խաղաղ բնակչությանը գնդակահարելու հրաման տալը չունեն վաղեմության ժամկետ: Այսինքն, քանի դեռ նման հրամաններ արձակած մարդիկ կենդանի են, նրանք վաղ թե ուշ ենթարկվելու են պատասխանատվության, եթե ոչ տվյալ երկրի, ապա միջազգային դատարանի կողմից:
Տարոսը... 2
Ժողովրդի ճնշման տակ հրաժարական տված Եգիպտոսի նախագահ Հոսնի Մուբարաքը ուղերձով երեկ սեփական ժողովրդից ներողություն է խնդրել մարդկանց դեմ գործած բոլոր չարագործությունների համար եւ խնդրել ներում շնորհել իրեն:
Մուբարաքը ներկայումս գտնվում է կալանքի տակ, եւ նրան ցուցարարների դեմ բռնի ուժ կիրառելու հրաման տալու, պաշտոնական դիրքը չարաշահելու, պետական միջոցները յուրացնելու եւ մի քանի այլ մեղադրանքներ են ներկայացվել: Մուբարաքը պատրաստակամություն է հայտնել պետությանը հանձնել իր տնօրինության տակ գտնվող բոլոր ակտիվները: Դեռ նախօրեին նրա կինը` Սյուզան Սադաթը, հօգուտ պետության հրաժարվել է իր բանկային հաշվում պահվող 3.5 միլիոն դոլարից ու Կահիրեի արվարձանում գտնվող շքեղ առանձնատնից, ինչի դիմաց երեկ առավոտյան ազատ է արձակվել:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Not that I had much respect for the ARF to begin with...
I don’t know if I can hold back the profanity on this one.
This is just insulting to anyone who calls themselves human, period.
To most carbon-based life forms, actually.
[From Azatutyun article w/video/sound]
[my rough translation]
According to him, the worst thing is not when the events of March 1 become the subject of examination, but rather, a way to exact revenge on Robert Kocharyan or to discredit him.
It is not correct to say that it was only the authorities who were guilty in the events of March 1, but in this country that is all that is said. Nobody talks about the guilty role of the opposition had because of the way it behaved, or what the opposition leaders did that day to prevent or provoke the events. This is a slightly unfair approach, which shows that in reality, it is not the events of March 1 that are important, but rather the politicization of March 1 and that it is being used to settle political scores.
And excerpts from the English shorter version of the article:
I’ll tell you who’s guilty, it’s the ARF. The ARF is guilty of being part of the coalition, of faking opposition status, of trying to weaken a people’s movement for democracy, and most recently, of insulting and degrading the people of Armenia with this b**ls**t, yes, b**ls**t.
Protecting Kocharyan to the very end, aren’t they? Poor Kocharyan, being victimized by LTP and HAK, poor guy, its just so unfair. He’s being singled out, they say. They may as well say the people were “asking for it” so its not Kocharyan’s fault. They’re still defending Kocharyan – the man in charge of an organized coup against the people of Armenia, aimed and successful at silencing any and all peaceful protest, at any cost, including life.
Its mindboggling. And why are they defending him? Maybe because he was the closest they came to having any real power in Armenia, he is their best bet at gaining any footing. Then there’re the totally unimportant and insignificant and I’m sure totally unsubstantiated rumors about the alleged, supposed many financial ties and dealings that the ARF has with/through Kocharyan.
The ARF preaches and professes Armenian-ness (whatever that is) in the Diaspora, and yet their identities are all too often based in confusion, complexes, and obsession, rather than any solid mature foundation. Just take a look at where their funding, energies, and focus lie.
Where is their defense of the Armenian People – and for god’s sake I don’t mean genocide victims and descendants (that is a very important but separate issue, that is actually a pathology for most ARFers). I mean the people of Armenia. Where is their loud voice and lobbying when a group of corrupt oligarchs takes the country and people hostage? Where is the ARF defense of basic human rights? The right to speech, expression, press, assembly… The right to not get shot at by your own army? Those basic things that are necessary for a free, strong and independent Armenia? (Or is that only said to fight off the evil Turks?).
I’ll tell you where their voices are, and their a**es. Right next to Kocharyan.
[Addendum: Initially, there were no asterisks, just the real letters... then I thought better of it.]
This is just insulting to anyone who calls themselves human, period.
To most carbon-based life forms, actually.
[From Azatutyun article w/video/sound]
Նրա համոզմամբ` ամենավատը այն է, երբ 2008-ի մարտի 1-ի իրադարձությունները ոչ թե քննության նյութ են դառնում, այլ օգտագործվում` իբրեւ պատրվակ, միջոց Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանի նկատմամբ վրեժ լուծելու կամ նրան վարկաբեկելու համար.
«Չի կարելի ասել, որ մարտի 1-ի մեջ միայն իշխանությունն է մեղավոր, իսկ այս երկրում միայն դրա մասին է խոսվում: Ոչ ոք չի խոսում, թե ընդդիմությունը իր պահվածքով ինչ մեղավորություն ունի, որ ընդդիմության այդ օրվա ղեկավարությունը դա կանխելու կամ հրահրելու հարցում ինչ արեց: Սա մի փոքր անարդար մոտեցում է, որը ցույց է տալիս, որ մարտի 1-ի դեպքերը ըստ էության չէ, որ կարեւոր են, այլ մարտի 1-ը քաղաքականացվում է եւ քաղաքական հաշվեհարդար տեսնելու առումով է օգտագործվում»
[my rough translation]
According to him, the worst thing is not when the events of March 1 become the subject of examination, but rather, a way to exact revenge on Robert Kocharyan or to discredit him.
It is not correct to say that it was only the authorities who were guilty in the events of March 1, but in this country that is all that is said. Nobody talks about the guilty role of the opposition had because of the way it behaved, or what the opposition leaders did that day to prevent or provoke the events. This is a slightly unfair approach, which shows that in reality, it is not the events of March 1 that are important, but rather the politicization of March 1 and that it is being used to settle political scores.
And excerpts from the English shorter version of the article:
In a statement on Monday, Kocharian expressed concern about Sarkisian’s unfolding dialogue with the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) led by another former president, Levon Ter-Petrosian. He warned of a possible “collusion” between the government and the HAK which he said would harm Armenia.
Armen Rustamian, another Dashnaktsutyun leader, had similar worries in a recent interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian service. Rustamian said ordinary Armenians will probably “gain nothing from that dialogue.”
Markarian suggested that Sarkisian might decide to “weaken” Kocharian as part of a possible deal with the HAK.
I’ll tell you who’s guilty, it’s the ARF. The ARF is guilty of being part of the coalition, of faking opposition status, of trying to weaken a people’s movement for democracy, and most recently, of insulting and degrading the people of Armenia with this b**ls**t, yes, b**ls**t.
Protecting Kocharyan to the very end, aren’t they? Poor Kocharyan, being victimized by LTP and HAK, poor guy, its just so unfair. He’s being singled out, they say. They may as well say the people were “asking for it” so its not Kocharyan’s fault. They’re still defending Kocharyan – the man in charge of an organized coup against the people of Armenia, aimed and successful at silencing any and all peaceful protest, at any cost, including life.
Its mindboggling. And why are they defending him? Maybe because he was the closest they came to having any real power in Armenia, he is their best bet at gaining any footing. Then there’re the totally unimportant and insignificant and I’m sure totally unsubstantiated rumors about the alleged, supposed many financial ties and dealings that the ARF has with/through Kocharyan.
The ARF preaches and professes Armenian-ness (whatever that is) in the Diaspora, and yet their identities are all too often based in confusion, complexes, and obsession, rather than any solid mature foundation. Just take a look at where their funding, energies, and focus lie.
Where is their defense of the Armenian People – and for god’s sake I don’t mean genocide victims and descendants (that is a very important but separate issue, that is actually a pathology for most ARFers). I mean the people of Armenia. Where is their loud voice and lobbying when a group of corrupt oligarchs takes the country and people hostage? Where is the ARF defense of basic human rights? The right to speech, expression, press, assembly… The right to not get shot at by your own army? Those basic things that are necessary for a free, strong and independent Armenia? (Or is that only said to fight off the evil Turks?).
I’ll tell you where their voices are, and their a**es. Right next to Kocharyan.
[Addendum: Initially, there were no asterisks, just the real letters... then I thought better of it.]
Friday, May 6, 2011
Pashinyan in Court, 6 May
Այսօր ժամը 12:00-ին և 14:00-ին «Արթիկ» քրեակատարողական հիմնարկում կայացել է քաղբանտարկյալ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի գործով երկու դատական նիստ: Փաշինյանը ՀՀ վարչական դատարանից պահանջել է չեղյալ համարել «Կոշ» ՔԿՀ պետի 2010 թվականի սեպտեմբերի 28-ին և նոյեմբերի 16-ին կայացրած` իրեն կարգապահական տույժի ենթարկելու մասին որոշումները: Երկու դեպքում էլ հայցի քննությունը հետաձգվել է:
Նշենք, որ լրագրողներին արգելվել է նկարահանել դատական նիստի ընթացքը: Epress.am-ի օպերատորին նույնպես ստիպել են տեսախցիկը թողնել մեքենայի մեջ, սակայն մեր թղթակցին հաջողվել է բջջային հեռախոսով որոշ կադրեր անել:
Video and Caption are from Epress.am Despite cameras being forbidden from Pashinyan's hearing today, one of the reporters managed to grab this footage.
I like the guard standing to the right of Pashinyan. He seems to be much more a part of the audience, listening and considering the logic being presented by the prisoner/defendant in front of him, rather than a guard. He seems to catch himself, too, appearing too interested, but then can't seem to help but get sucked in again.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
What are our options?
After much pondering and talking with friends, I have yet to come to a definitive conclusion about the ongoing political issues in Armenia – most important among which are the morphing relations between the various parties. But I’ve managed to break it down in a way that makes sense to me.
I think there are three main ways to deal with the situation in Armenia – so here it goes:
1) Do nothing. The default – over time, if there are dwindling numbers at demonstrations (regardless of who holds them), if there is a feeling of loss of hope, faith, energy, whatever, this is what happens: Nothing. Things continue as they are.
2) Do everything. Outright revolution. People are tired of increasing prices, corruption, army deaths, mass emigration, oligarchs – you name it. Some critical number gathers, and then use drastic means to oust the criminal-oligarchic regime. Violence and bloodshed included. They’re gone, but then who takes over, how is that decided? Is there a new system in place that will work automatically? Are there examples in recent or historical times where revolution is followed quickly and easily by a system that works, without years of continued work/dedication for change? And, in Armenia’s case, now, do we have the manpower for revolution? Are there enough people to do that, willing to risk everything?
It’s pretty obvious that I think neither of these are an option right now. So we’re left with…
3) Something in the middle. But what is that? I suppose it’s every form of pressure to get what you want to happen except physical – financial, social, psychological, and it may include discussion. So, while option #1 is basically the lack of any goal, and option #2 just requires a goal of immediate, drastic change, option #3 requires specific goals and targets that keep in mind the ultimate goal - which for me, is regime change for the purpose of improving the wellbeing of the citizens of Armenia, and ensuring the safety and security of Armenia. Once we have those specific proximate goals, then we work towards them. And if we reject #2, then is there any other way to institute regime change than by new elections?
And that’s where we are now. The only realistic and consistent demands I’ve seen put forth are by HAK. They’ve got a set of goals, prioritized as a precondition to discourse with Sargsyan, and are already partway through the prioritized ones.
Now, this is where things get difficult. There a lot of rumors nowadays that HAK has already started to discuss deals with SS, even before the 3 goals are complete. I don’t think this is the case. I think as many have pointed out, they’re playing chess, trying to force each other’s hands. Once the 3 priorities are met, only then will true discussions start.
And why is Sargsyan interested now? Increasing internal and international pressure, for one. Ditord concisely outlined some of the similarities between SS and LTP in areas where SS could really use LTP’s help – especially with regards to NK, Turkey, and internal policies.
So what happens if SS and HAK start to talk, and demands continue to be met? Might the two- working in opposition to each other but moving forward - be able to make a serious dent in the oligarchies in place, in the corruption, in establishing stability, and solving so many of the other problems? Is it possible to even work with SS to get rid of the oligarchies when he himself is so heavily mired in them? Is there a way to have free and fair elections when this regime is still in power (if there isn’t, and there are no alternative mechanisms as I asked in #3, then we’re stuck)?
And IF the answer to these is yes, and negotiations start and progress continues, then I am left asking myself if I’m okay with that IF it means Sargsyan gets off scot free, as thinking ahead, that is one possible outcome – Sargsyan’s freedom for true change and progress in Armenia. Because my first reaction, to tell the truth, to the idea of Sargsyan getting away with everything, was one of severe nausea. But the more I think about it, the more I think, let’s keep in mind the ultimate goals, and the options ahead of us. And if our ultimate goals are for the people and Republic of Armenia, then while I really think Sargsyan deserves something drastically opposite to getting off scot free, the trade may be worth it – maybe I’m more willing to compromise for the “good” of Armenia than my initial gut reaction. And, by the way, for me that “good” includes bringing Kocharyan to justice for March 1.
In the meantime, this is what we have. None of the options or players today are perfect. But, I don’t see any other way than the steps being taken by HAK now. As disappointed as part of me was that on April 28 there wasn’t more action taken, I think it was a calculated step – Sargsyan has taken some steps, and it needed to be and was acknowledged by HAK. BHK’s statement that they will NOT be supporting HHK in the next parliamentary elections coming so soon after Sargsyan’s order to investigate March 1 was not a coincidence; Sargsyan is paying a price for his move towards HAK. At the same time, he is playing the time card. Everyone is calculating and hedging their bets. Patience is painful but necessary. I keep asking, is there another option, but I have yet to come up with one.
And hey, if some other opposition group can put forth a logical plan and put pressure on the regime and force it to meet their demands, I want to hear about it right now - the more strong, critically thinking opposition groups the better. Nobody is stopping them. But all I’ve seen from the leadership of Zharangutyun so far are “demands” that read like the wish list of an 8 year old diasporan Armenian drawing the tricolor over Massis with crayons, and more rhetoric and hypocrisy from the ARF that’s not even worth detailing.
Every time I go through it in my head, I don’t like the idea of Sargsyan finagling his way out of his guilt, and have infinite questions about how to change things. But given that options #1 and #2 are not acceptable, then pressure and even negotiations are what we have. And for right now, the steps being taken by HAK are the only option I see that will help Armenia down this difficult path.
I think there are three main ways to deal with the situation in Armenia – so here it goes:
1) Do nothing. The default – over time, if there are dwindling numbers at demonstrations (regardless of who holds them), if there is a feeling of loss of hope, faith, energy, whatever, this is what happens: Nothing. Things continue as they are.
2) Do everything. Outright revolution. People are tired of increasing prices, corruption, army deaths, mass emigration, oligarchs – you name it. Some critical number gathers, and then use drastic means to oust the criminal-oligarchic regime. Violence and bloodshed included. They’re gone, but then who takes over, how is that decided? Is there a new system in place that will work automatically? Are there examples in recent or historical times where revolution is followed quickly and easily by a system that works, without years of continued work/dedication for change? And, in Armenia’s case, now, do we have the manpower for revolution? Are there enough people to do that, willing to risk everything?
It’s pretty obvious that I think neither of these are an option right now. So we’re left with…
3) Something in the middle. But what is that? I suppose it’s every form of pressure to get what you want to happen except physical – financial, social, psychological, and it may include discussion. So, while option #1 is basically the lack of any goal, and option #2 just requires a goal of immediate, drastic change, option #3 requires specific goals and targets that keep in mind the ultimate goal - which for me, is regime change for the purpose of improving the wellbeing of the citizens of Armenia, and ensuring the safety and security of Armenia. Once we have those specific proximate goals, then we work towards them. And if we reject #2, then is there any other way to institute regime change than by new elections?
And that’s where we are now. The only realistic and consistent demands I’ve seen put forth are by HAK. They’ve got a set of goals, prioritized as a precondition to discourse with Sargsyan, and are already partway through the prioritized ones.
Now, this is where things get difficult. There a lot of rumors nowadays that HAK has already started to discuss deals with SS, even before the 3 goals are complete. I don’t think this is the case. I think as many have pointed out, they’re playing chess, trying to force each other’s hands. Once the 3 priorities are met, only then will true discussions start.
And why is Sargsyan interested now? Increasing internal and international pressure, for one. Ditord concisely outlined some of the similarities between SS and LTP in areas where SS could really use LTP’s help – especially with regards to NK, Turkey, and internal policies.
So what happens if SS and HAK start to talk, and demands continue to be met? Might the two- working in opposition to each other but moving forward - be able to make a serious dent in the oligarchies in place, in the corruption, in establishing stability, and solving so many of the other problems? Is it possible to even work with SS to get rid of the oligarchies when he himself is so heavily mired in them? Is there a way to have free and fair elections when this regime is still in power (if there isn’t, and there are no alternative mechanisms as I asked in #3, then we’re stuck)?
And IF the answer to these is yes, and negotiations start and progress continues, then I am left asking myself if I’m okay with that IF it means Sargsyan gets off scot free, as thinking ahead, that is one possible outcome – Sargsyan’s freedom for true change and progress in Armenia. Because my first reaction, to tell the truth, to the idea of Sargsyan getting away with everything, was one of severe nausea. But the more I think about it, the more I think, let’s keep in mind the ultimate goals, and the options ahead of us. And if our ultimate goals are for the people and Republic of Armenia, then while I really think Sargsyan deserves something drastically opposite to getting off scot free, the trade may be worth it – maybe I’m more willing to compromise for the “good” of Armenia than my initial gut reaction. And, by the way, for me that “good” includes bringing Kocharyan to justice for March 1.
In the meantime, this is what we have. None of the options or players today are perfect. But, I don’t see any other way than the steps being taken by HAK now. As disappointed as part of me was that on April 28 there wasn’t more action taken, I think it was a calculated step – Sargsyan has taken some steps, and it needed to be and was acknowledged by HAK. BHK’s statement that they will NOT be supporting HHK in the next parliamentary elections coming so soon after Sargsyan’s order to investigate March 1 was not a coincidence; Sargsyan is paying a price for his move towards HAK. At the same time, he is playing the time card. Everyone is calculating and hedging their bets. Patience is painful but necessary. I keep asking, is there another option, but I have yet to come up with one.
And hey, if some other opposition group can put forth a logical plan and put pressure on the regime and force it to meet their demands, I want to hear about it right now - the more strong, critically thinking opposition groups the better. Nobody is stopping them. But all I’ve seen from the leadership of Zharangutyun so far are “demands” that read like the wish list of an 8 year old diasporan Armenian drawing the tricolor over Massis with crayons, and more rhetoric and hypocrisy from the ARF that’s not even worth detailing.
Every time I go through it in my head, I don’t like the idea of Sargsyan finagling his way out of his guilt, and have infinite questions about how to change things. But given that options #1 and #2 are not acceptable, then pressure and even negotiations are what we have. And for right now, the steps being taken by HAK are the only option I see that will help Armenia down this difficult path.
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