This was the main message of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s an open letter to Serzh Sargsyan
All those who in recent days tried to call Gagik Tsarukyan a “traitor”, “half-way regretted” and “unprincipled” by looking for discrepancies between some of his speeches and the latest statement and by making “disappointed” calls are wrong. Considering the February 20 rally canceled and by stating “this cannot be continued any more”, Tsarukyan has not betrayed anyone, especially himself. Those who “settle the issues” in Armenia with the help of Tsarukyan, as well as the “demolishers” in the political arena inspired to “have their places in the sun” should explain how long they are going to continue misleading the public, a big segment of which had truly believed that Tsarukyan is able to become a serious alternative to the government and achieve Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.
Now, there are also some groups that are trying to convince that “Tsarukyan has not defeated,” “Tsarukyan has not retreated, but has given a chance to the government,” once again by misleading the public and “craftily” concealing personal interests and expectations. Gagik Tsarukyan has never been a politician, both he, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Robert Kocharyan and everyone around him knew it. But one openly and the other secretly had their expectations and sought to achieve their goal with the help of Tsarukyan. The matter that Tsarukyan, as a part of the ruling elite, was unable to oppose the government was clear to many. It has been repeatedly mentioned, at least after the emergence of the “political analysis” in 2011. Simply, during those times, people who were saying so were considered to be “traitors” and the “regime servers”, but today, they are openly stating about their readiness to communicate with the “regime”.
Today, we still cannot be definite about Kocharyan that he will no more have the desire to have a direct or indirect participation in the political life and will not create obstacles for Serzh Sargsyan’s government. Kocharyan, perhaps, would like holding an illegal rally on February 20 and re-experiencing March 1, where he will act this time as non ex officio. For the case of Ter-Petrosyan, everything became clear by his open letter to Serzh Sargsyan. Firstly, main message in his letter was the statement of his withdrawal from the politics. In his letter, suggesting his service he sent a message to Serzh Sargsyan to be henceforth be perceived as the first president of Armenia rather than an opposition involved in politics and acting against the “regime”. Herewith, Ter-Petrosyan solved a number of problems. Not to be “identified” of his being left aside by Tsarukyan sooner and negotiating with Serzh Sargsyan, Levon Ter-Petrosyan moved ahead, as if making Tsarukyan understand that if you are going to negotiate with Serzh Sargsyan with the help of “Tashir” Samvel, I can do it straightforward.
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In addition, should Tsarukyan pointed Ter-Petrosyan as the main architect and responsible for the “bourgeois-democratic revolution”, then it cannot be excluded that Serzh Sargsyan can take also harsh measures against the ANC leader. Hence, the letter addressed to Serzh Sargsyan carries out also a specific “insurance” meaning personally for Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Also, a chronological discrepancy appeared. If the leader of the “nationwide movement” was sure that the “hours of the government are counted” (given the fact that today’s planned rally was called to “overthrow” Serzh Sargsyan’s regime in 24 hours), and Serge Sargsyan was to resign soon, what is the reason for him to write a letter earlier, if Serzh Sargsyan could not be in the office of the President a few hours later. Most interestingly, Ter-Petrosyan’s letter was a surprise for the ANC supporters, because on the day when the letter was already published, still calls for going to a rally on February 20 and “regime overthrow” were made on the Internet by inertia, while the “leader of the movement” had already submitted a request letter to meet with Serzh Sargsyan.
In other words, did Ter-Petrosyan intend to work with Serzh Sargsyan, while the members were going to “breakdown” Serzh Sargsyan’s “regime”…? Serzh Sargsyan’s Spokesman announced that the President has read Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s open letter and will give an adequate response. Republicans have already responded and assessed the letter. Ter-Petrosyan’s intention is as follows: to discuss and make his letter an item of political agenda, to dispute around the name put forth by him – why this person’s name is mentioned and the other’s not. Once again, another “exact” calculation by Ter-Petrosyan, just only the default and death of the “bourgeois-democratic revolution” and the “political analysis” is not registered and the topic of the “infallible” figure’s being responsible is forgotten.
Serzh Sargsyan would do right if he agrees to discuss Ter-Petrosyan’s open letter and work on his proposals. Unpromising will be the president who refuses the offer of “broad consolidation” around him and such a luxurious opportunity. It is better for Serzh Sargsyan to work with him rather than to deliver speeches at the Freedom Square about “dismantlement of the regime” for years by anointing Tsarukyan as an “opposition” and a “savior”. Hence, excessive sighs and torments are needless. Simply, the politicians should refrain from circulating “Baghramyan 26 agents”, “drums”, “SCSs” and other qualifications. Especially Armenia’s political life is endowed by the boomerang effect.
Emma GABRIELYAN
“Aravot” 20.02.2015
