According to Ruben Mehrabyan, Russia has no problem with Armenia’s authorities
– Mr. Mehrabyan, the PAP leader’s announcement about the withdrawal from the politics contained a hint of being against the Maidan in Armenia. If we analyze the recent domestic political developments, can we state that, first, the government of Armenia enjoys the RF Government’s confidence. And secondly, do people in Russia really think that a movement close to Maidan can begin in Armenia? In addition, do you see a possibility for creation of a new opposition pole in Armenia’s political arena?
– The recent political developments show that Russia has no problem with the Government of Armenia, at least at the present time. The rest of the actors performed their “task”, and there was no objection from Moscow, when Serzh Sargsyan, in fact, wrecked Robert Kocharyan’s entire political and propaganda resource along with its satellites and infrastructure. The “Political-scientific Analysis” operation achieved its goal: followed by the principle of “away from disaster and trouble”, the government enrolled the so-called EaEU, an oligarchic revenge took place in the executive power and the political arena deserted, and Moscow no longer needs the remaining role-players. The outcome of Tsarukyan’s last political visit to Moscow was the Moscow’s message. “Can you smoke, gentlemen.” And they just “demobilized” to their homes and to their business. And the point that the Russians received alarming signals from the politically active community of Armenia, it is already a fact, which was recorded in Gyumri, when the citizens outraged by shameful behavior of the Armenian government authorities pertaining to the murder of the Avetisyan family and the Moscow’s cynical statements came out to the streets and “explained” the Russian consulate with the help of eggs about what they think of their leaders and who is the true owner of the Republic of Armenia. Now, it is unnecessary to speak of the possibility of Maidan in Armenia. And generally, what is Maidan, and why is Moscow so scared about it?
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It is when the government steals the choice of the citizens and wants to continue living at the expense of the citizens, while the citizens do not agree with it, and driven by the collective efforts expel the thief-government. If this is called Maidan, then let it be called so. We have a terribly distorted terminology. If you are in favor of free and fair elections and against the merging of business and politics, against the “political” monopolies that are strangling the economy, speak about the need for horizontal and transparent Armenian-Russian relations, then you are called a “Maidan supporter”, “pro-western” and “Russo phobic”. And if otherwise, you are called an “apologist of the Armenian-Russian old-age friendship,” also a “person who understands the national security interest” and so on. Simply, we just need to adjust the terms and the cause-and-effect connections without hysterical outpourings. Maidan is the extreme manifestation of the citizens, and no normal person would wish a Maidan in his country Maidan. But this requires a very simple thing: you should not steal the people’s choice and you should not hurt the people intelligence. If you do not want Maidan, do not steal. This applies to both Armenia, Ukraine, Russia and all of them. And Armenia converted to oligarchic Russia’s vassal cannot but be the same oligarchic. Here, there are two options, either a direct conflict with the Putin regime, or wait until this regime will begin weakening qualitatively, like the USSR in its last years, when the inevitable “timing” will come. Naturally, the first option would be devastating for a very simple reason, so the second option remains. There is no third option because Russia will not tolerate a different situation than the maximum humiliated Armenia and the maximum dependent Armenia. Therefore, the task of the citizens and sound political forces is to be self-organized and exert constant pressure on the government authorities, keep seized the small field of freedom that exists and try to expand and merge them, compel the government to abide by exclusively the law with a local resistance, do not allow the government to “relax”, the government, which, fortunately, does not have oil and gas, therefore, the repressive apparatus is not self-sufficient and the country is small. In the political arena, indeed, there are healthy and principled political forces and individuals, inevitably there will be some new ones, and there is a great potential, also great deeds to correctly perceive this reality, make conclusions and develop future programs. Especially in the field working with the society. I also give much importance to human rights and information-educational work.
– In recent years, quite many comments were voiced about the anti-Russian sentiment in Armenia by Russian officials, diplomats, and experts. The most recent one – Head of the Federation Council committee on international affairs Konstantin Kosachev noted that 350 NGOs are implementing a campaign against Eurasian integration and in favor of Armenia’s rapprochement with the EU. “We do not consider their work is correct, as we do not consider the question of “either-or” correct. Either you are with us or with them. This position has already destroyed or nearly destroyed Ukraine and can destroy any other country if the question is put directly and persistently.” Why are such statements voiced from Moscow against “strategic partner” Armenia?
– With his statement, Mr. Kosachev added the number of Russian officials provoking anti-Russian sentiments among the public in Armenia. He stood on the same line with Putin, Dugin, Kiselyov, Lavrov, Zhirinovsky and other actual Russo-phobias. It is not possible to call people otherwise who have turn their country into a prison and want to turn their neighboring countries into a similar prison by calling it a “Russian World” or a “Eurasian Union”. It’s hard to imagine a greater Russo-phobia than this, and also what they are doing with Ukraine. Sooner or later, not only they will give an answer for this but the entire Russian people will fall under this great sin. While in Armenia, is it possible to imagine a lot bigger “contribution” to provoking anti-Russian sentiments than the one that the Russian state-owned companies are doing in our country: the “Gazprom”, RAO UES of Russia and “Rosneft”. Getting from the government all the monopoly in their hands, they are just squeezing Armenia’s economy. Plus, the Russian State Institutes in Armenia are just busy with displacement of our population to Russia following the Prince Golitsyns’ formula – “Armenia without Armenians”. They even make the last argument of those sticking the “security issue” in our eyes void by arming Aliyev’s regime to the teeth. And after this, do they want us to dedicate songs in honor of Putin about “blessed timing”, or, let’s say, nationwide adopt Mr. Kosachev. In fact, this is what he approximately claims for. And in general, nowadays, the politics in Moscow is totally distorted, the ideas are full of some conspiracy fears, and the ability to look in the mirror is completely missing. Or the eye sight together with the hearing.
– Much is talked about the fact that after the crisis in Ukraine, Russian president’s rating has been increased, especially in Russia, and the Russian people are unconditionally supporting their country leader. After the assassination of the famous opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, a multi-thousand mourning procession took place in Moscow. Can we say that “the ice has melted,” and a certain attitude is formed in the Russian society against the Russian government? Do you see a possibility of change in the public perception in Russia, and accordingly, also new developments in the political processes?
– Over the last few years, an atmosphere of fear has been regularly shaped in Russia. And after Boris Nemtsov’s demonstrative assassination 200 meters far from the Kremlin, the situation has entered a phase of overt intimidation. The entire state system headed by Putin bears at least a political responsibility for this definitely political murder, who has formed the atmosphere when the life of every dissident Russians is put to danger. And talking about Putin’s “super-high rating” or “popular support” under this conditions is simply immoral. This is the first of a rating of fear, misunderstanding and terror. While the end of the Soviet era showed how many pennies this “rating” costs. Tens of thousands of Russians came out to the streets to show that they reject the atmosphere of this fear. Plus, the serious crisis, in which Russia appeared as a result of Putin’s “wise” policy, when the state power has simply started to deny the civilization and is unable to affect the public perceptions. It’s another question of what developments will come after those changes. Multiethnic, multi-religious and enormous territory covering Russia, today, is absorbed with xenophobia, up to even on the background of the lack of democratic and self-government traditions. In addition, Moscow is just robbing the regions, depriving them of even the slightest self-determination. They deal with not only economic, but also a statehood crisis, and both the life and the market will inevitably lead Russians to the idea that if a quarter of a century ago, it was the time of the liquidating the Communist Party and the USSR, now, the time is coming when both the “CIS” with all of its components and the overall Empire should be liquidated by releasing the imprisoned nations.
Emma GABRIELYAN
