Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan’s interview to “Noev Kovcheg”, as well as the propaganda film dedicated to his 60th anniversary caused a lot of negative feedback. Sometimes, their authors go too far. No matter the three presidents of independent Armenia are, when talking about them we need to maintain certain restraint in the intonation. In this case, the “impudent” phrases are abusive not so much to these people, but to the state.
I do not agree with the allegations that such a politician does not exist. Even if Kocharyan had announced that he is leaving politics forever, anyway, the person ruling the country for 10 years will remain as a politician forever. I do not agree that in addition to “October 27” and “March 1”, there is no reason to remember him. The second president has had his successes and failures like all presidents and like all the rest of the people in the world. Yes, there are features in his character (intolerance, malice), which, in my opinion, are not compatible with the up-to-date public thinking. But it is my subjective perception.
On the other hand, I do not agree, of course, that the country was groping in darkness until 1998, and has fallen into the same nightmare since 2008. During 10 years of Kocharyan’s tenure, good things certainly have also happened, but Armenia was not a paradise in terms of economy. Remember how much the minimum salary was at that time, how much the average salary was, and how much, let’s say, was the bread, and we will see that there is no radical difference with nowadays situation.
On January, next year, Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s 70th birth anniversary is marked. Of course, there will be promotional publications, perhaps also, odes, but I’m sure that the first president will not allow to introduce him as the only person who upgraded and prospered the country, making it an earthly Eden. However, the comparison of the two presidents’ activities is a theme of serious historical research.
Therefore, I will be limited to only one observation. The higher is the human intellect, the greater is his irony to his own self. When a person treats himself in a certain humor, he considers talking about himself in superlative degrees and pompous epithets funny and absurd. No matter you are sweeping the streets, or ruling the country, you are a person with your weaknesses and mistakes, and, consequently, your work cannot be the embodiment of perfection. If you thinking about your deeds and aspirations do not at least sometimes smile inwardly, then it means that you have serious psychological problems. Such problems are more common to politicians and millionaires.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
