Probably, it will be challenging to find a more unfortunate time to clarify relations in the “internal political” field in Artsakh than today’s situation. One hundred twenty thousand people are fighting for life and death, and social and household problems are worsening. In this situation, a part of Artsakh’s elite decided that now was the time to inflame internal political passions.
If that process were to continue, this would be a unique case in history when people in a besieged area fought for power. Perhaps something similar can be found in Shakespeare’s tragicomedy “Troilus and Cressida,” when people’s ambitions awaken at the narrowest moment in the besieged Troy. Or, more simply, in the vernacular, “the goat dance catches on the bridge”. However, let me remind you how things were developing.
On Saturday morning, Artsakh National Assembly Chairman Artur Tovmasyan and several other politicians announced the possibility of extraordinary parliamentary and presidential elections. I will assume that this idea was suggested to them by Yerevan. Then some media outlets wrote that Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan would be dismissed. Let me remind you that Vardanyan’s presence in Artsakh irritates the leadership of Azerbaijan, which the president and foreign minister of that country have repeatedly talked about, stating that he is hindering the “reintegration” of Azerbaijan and Artsakh. In Armenia, the government’s official and unofficial propagandists and many opposition groups also targeted Ruben Vardanyan, often inventing great conspiratorial myths.
But in this case, we should consider Artsakh’s interests, not individuals. And, to the credit of the leaders of Artsakh, common sense has won, at least now. And I believe President Araik Harutyunyan should announce that he will not resign and not plan radical personnel changes and early elections to calm the passion finally.
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One question, however, needs to be clarified. Is the goal of the Artsakh authorities to implement and strengthen the administrative system of self-government? Or is the goal “reintegration” with Azerbaijan, as the Azerbaijani government wants? The second way leads 100 percent to the depopulation of Artsakh. If sovereignty is chosen, there is still a chance to keep Artsakh Armenian.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
