WHERE IS ARKADY GHUKASYAN?
Melik Mejlumyan
Lragir.am
22 June 06
On these days the media of Nagorno Karabakh is focused on the NKR
presidential election in 2007. In particular, there is a lot of
consideration about the Constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
and the hustle and bustle thereof among the ruling elite. The point
is the anxiety among the public that President Ghukasyan is likely
to use the factor of the Constitution to establish a legal basis to
run a third term.
Ghukasyan and his aides refuse to give an explanation that would
relieve the anxiety of the public. During his short visits to his
office, the president simply gives some new instructions concerning the
Constitution and quickly leaves in some direction. Moreover, a process
is underway among the ruling elite, which is difficult to explain,
which interests the public more. Namely, different senior and junior
officials convey information to the media, which damages one another’s
reputation. A real fight started between the NKR government and Armenia
Foundation. The escalating conflict between the two pro-governmental
factions of the parliament is becoming known to the public. People
who are fond of the topic of the president’s successors are emerging.
However, the public is more anxious about President Ghukasyan. The
Karabakh society is considering more and more often the fact that
Arkady Ghukasyan was not in the country all through 2006, and almost no
information was given where he was. The people of Karabakh are already
"used" to the long absence of the president, which was interrupted by
"short visits to the country" on different occasions. The year 2002
(the first year of his reelection) was a record; people learned
about him from his interviews with the foreign media. At that time
the popular joke about the "short visit of the Karabakh leadership
to Karabakh" was born.
But not everyone has got used to it. The lasting absence of Arkady
Ghukasyan is arousing special interest among a certain circle. Along
with kneading the idea of running a third term it is suggested that
Ghukasyan no longer believes in the possibility of a third term and
is busy thinking about his future. Besides, one of the purposes of his
visits to different countries is said to be "settlement of complicated
financial problems with various sponsors who have provided assistance
to the NKR people at different times."
The Armenian media have published a lot of information about
Ghukasyan’s property. Now, however, when the danger of publishing
information about the "black" activities of the leaders of the ruling
elite emanates from the government, he cannot remain calm.
One way or another, the end of terms of presidency in both NKR and
Armenia is giving rise to big problems. The activities of top officials
has "localized" within the concern about their own future. It appears
that for someone the problem of Nagorno Karabakh has reached the
problem of their own future. This circumstance, in fact, may worry the
society in Karabakh. In a period when the country’s political issue
is under "international pressure," the absence of the head of state
from the processes underway may lead to dramatic consequences. It is
becoming clear for many that Ghukasyan does not have time for Karabakh.
It would be unfair to state that Ghukasyan’s future is not a
state affair (especially that he is haunted by Samvel Babayan’s
revenge). However, Ghukasyan probably cannot realize that the
question is being solved a little differently. For instance, it
would be expedient if Arkady Ghukasyan quitted office earlier at a
more convenient moment. Everybody remembers how the former president
of Russia Boris Yeltzin gave away power on time, guaranteeing his
future. He could have realized, but only real figures act so. In
Armenia and Karabakh they wait until the danger of total defeat hangs
immediately overhead, then they start complaining of others. They
hope to find a way out by creeping to "different lords."
People should therefore rely on themselves. Karabakh needs a new and
practical leader. Especially now, when there is no time to look for
Ghukasyan all over the world and return him to his presidential duties.
P.S. June 22 is Arkady Ghukasyan’s birthday, and we congratulate him
with all our hearts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
