Although a few middle-ranking officials were arrested and a few were fired last month, the majority of the people are convinced that this struggle is an imitation. And in my opinion, one shouldn’t make assumptions “I believe-I don’t believe,” but act. And this refers not only to the powers that be, but also to us, ordinary citizens. When one demands a bribe from us, we don’t complain for 3 reasons: 1. we don’t believe that the law-enforcers will deal with the issue seriously in that case; 2. we are afraid that the bribe-taking official will take a revenge on us; 3. we justify him at the bottom of our hearts – the man has to look after his family. If that psychological obstacle is not overcome, no president and no prime minister will rescue us.
Besides catching bribe takers, one should create mechanisms, which will substantially restrain or, which is better, absolutely rule out the communication between the government official and the citizen. What is the problem here? The bribe taker never demands a bribe at the beginning, his tactics is different – he starts to “complicate” everything, he demands that you get various papers, then finds drawbacks in every paper and again doesn’t provide the service that s/he must provide for weeks or even months. And when you are eventually fed up with that red tape, s/he feels that you have reached the “necessary condition” and hints that s/he can solve your issue, as well as expresses hope that you will repay his/her favor. The ambiguity of laws and the number of papers offer ample opportunity for the bribe taker to humiliate the citizen, give him/her the runaround, until s/he “pays.” Therefore, one should eliminate all those papers. In the age of computers and the internet, it is just a technical problem. That starting from January 1 tax statements will be sent exceptionally digitally is a step in the right direction – thus, the company director (or accountant) doesn’t meet with the tax officer at all. One should spread that practice over all state institutions adopting electronic signature. I for one have an identification card with that electronic signature. However, that card is not valid anywhere yet. Whereas the same state institutions, as well as banks should be connected with each other via one network, through which my card will “tell” them in a matter of two minutes where I live and work, how much I make, how I pay taxes, where I got a loan etc. There is no need for copies of the passport and the social security card, an employment verification letter and many other papers anymore. And I will make all my deals from my house.
By the way, when this system starts to operate, I am convinced that there will be a lot of complainers, a part of which will show an “opposition” or an “alternative” attitude. However, it is of little importance for us, ordinary citizens.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
