I need to reiterate that my perspective and the perspective of the majority of Armenian citizens are diametrically different. I support the dry and unwavering use of the law in all areas of life, as well as unlimited freedom and tolerance towards beliefs, decisions, and opinions. The citizens support the “eastern bazaar” in regards to the usage of the law and to agreements, and, on the other hand, they support keeping Stalin’s standards when it comes to voicing opinions.
That majority, for example, thinks that an armed attack against the police and murdering people was a great act of valiance and heroism, but I don’t consider that to be something so grand.
The majority thought that it was fine to drive 100 km/hr because, “all the money from these cameras goes to Sashik” (a claim which, even after the revolution, has not been proven with any sound arguments). But I think that the rules of the road need to be followed in all instances.
Now I think that, if importing cars that have the steering wheel on the right is illegal, then that’s it, discussions are meaningless, and the Minister of Transport’s opinion on this is logical for me. If the law is bad, then we must fight so that the new National Assembly accepts a new law. But not only do the people who produce cars with right steering wheels think that we need to “market” against that decision, since everything is “up for discussion” (it’s natural that they want to violate the law for their business’ benefits); the citizens think so as well.
Besides those people, if we ask a lot of people whether Hrant Bagratyan, for example, has the right to criticize the current government’s economic policy, they will honestly respond that no one has the right to do that.
Or, if we ask whether there should be debates and competition between the political parties, they will say, “All of these political parties are false, there are the people and the government, which stands next to the people, and there are thieves who need to be shot.”
This is the way our society is, and no one is to blame for this. This psychology wasn’t formed over the course decades, but over the course of centuries.
Now, it has been suggested that the importation of cars with right steering wheels continue to be imported until January 1, 2020. Be assured that from January 10-15, there will be attempts to import several dozens of cars with right steering wheels, and their owners will demand that Armenia allow them to continue their method of transportation imports.
Aram Abrahamyan
