NOT THE STATE – FOR DEMOCRACY BUT DEMOCRACY – FOR THE STATE
By Lilit Poghosyan
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on April 24, 2008
Armenia
In response to the questions of "Hayots Ashkharh" daily, leader of
"National Union" Artashes Geghamyan touches upon PACE Resolution 1609
on the "sad state" of the democratic institutions in Armenia.
"When I attentively observed the panic over the PACE resolution,
in the Mass Media of the Republic, the first feeling I had was deep
disappointment.
How can we appear in the status of a slave in such a fatal stage for
our nation? How can we, over again, link the fate and destiny of our
own state with the foreigners, to be more precise with their interests
in the region?
It is shameful for the political figures, in Strasburg, to try to
get something from our share.
Moreover with their actions these people remind me of the heroes of the
famous play by Russian outstanding writer Gogol "Controller". By the
modern language US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mathew Braise,
Venice Commission, Ago Group, Special Representative of the European
Union in South Caucasus Affairs Peter Semneby and many others.
I wouldn’t like the readers to get me wrong. I’m not against the
country’s future democratization, or the implementation of the
commitments undertaken by our state, while joining the Council of
Europe. Of course no! I’m against the use of double standards towards
our country, when two structures, which, with their silence, have
once contributed to the violation of the rights of my people and the
Republic of Armenia, at present, appear in the role of human rights’
protectors.
Thus, beginning from 1993 by now Council of Europe member countries
Turkey and its supporter Azerbaijan (beginning from 1998) have been
blockading the Republic of Armenia, hindering the business of many
entrepreneurs and Armenia’s economy on the whole.
What is the response of the democratic powers, all over the world,
toward this fact: PACE, OSCE, Mathew Braise, Peter Semneby, Ago
group, and Venice Commission and many others who come and go and
"teach us to live", those who were silent for many years. Moreover
they even support Turkey in their efforts to become member of the
European Union, they never hold extraordinary discussions in PACE,
OSCE Parliamentary Assemblies and in the Commissions of the American
Congress. They don’t dare to reproach the Assistants to Turkish and
Azerbaijani Presidents, as they do with ours."
"In the number of other PACE commitments the resolution, exhorts the
authorities to make favorable conditions for the broad participation of
the pro-oppositional and extra-parliamentary powers, in the processes
taking place in the country. How should we understand this? Does
this mean the authorities should become the "baby-sitters" of the
opposition?"
"For me the country’s development is the primary issue, all the other
ideas and approaches are secondary. First of all we must understand
that the pre-election and post election developments jeopardize
Armenian statehood. And this is the reality.
Lets impartially describe the created situation. The propaganda
machine belonging to Armenian Pan National Movement is doing its best
to intensify people’s distrust towards the authorities and to sow
enmity among our disappointed people. Aspiration for power has reached
such a point that they trample our belief, and our religion, casting
shadow even on the Catholicos of All Armenian’s, His Holiness Garegin
B. Levon, and his witnesses can’t forgive the cognizant step taken
by His Holiness. When the Servant of God went to Antichrist, to stop
bloodshed, the "door" of the negotiations, was closed on His face."