CORRUPTION IN Karabakh IS “DEMOCRATIC”
Lragir/am
18/03/06
In Stepanakert the survey “Corruption and Conflict in the South
Caucasus” was evaluated. The survey, which was funded by International
Alert, is based on the results of surveys conducted in Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Osetia. The
initiator of the survey, Natalia Merimanova stated that the aim was to
study the impact of corruption on the settlement of the conflict and
vice versa, the impact of the conflict on the rate of corruption. The
initiators had also tried to find out the difference between the
rates of corruption in recognized and unrecognized countries.
The survey revealed that people in all these countries insist that
governments are always corrupt. And if the government is corrupt, it
cannot be legitimate, and therefore it cannot have a positive impact
on the peace settlement. On the other hand, corrupt governments prefer
a status quo to resuming war.
Valery Balayan, the head of the cultural center Avanduyt, said the
rate of corruption in Karabakh is too high due to several reasons.
The businessmen participating in the debate said it is difficult to
run a business in Karabakh without breaching. If a businessman is not
giving a bribe, it means he has good connections. It was mentioned
that there is no equity in business.
The Scottish benefactor Robin McLarry, working at the Rehabilitation
Center of Stepanakert, participating in the debate, said many
international organizations, including Disaporan Armenian organizations
he had turned to refused to work with the governments of Armenia and
Karabakh because they are corrupt. These organizations prefer working
with individuals.
The participants of the debate concluded that traditions of corruption
persist in the entire post-Soviet space and are modernizing, acquiring
a “democratic” form. Although there is legislative basis for equal
competition, those who want to run a “clean” business, leave Karabakh
for other countries.
The participants of the debate set forward proposals to involve
the civil society in the struggle against corruption. First, it is
necessary to have independent mass media. It is also necessary to
extend legal information to people and to involve the civil society
in law making.
The survey has been translated into English, and soon will appear
in Russian.