"TRIAL OF MORALE" OR CONTEST OF FORCES
Vahram Baghdasaryan
Lragir.am
9 Aug 06
Last week it became known that the deputy mayor of Yerevan Arman
Sahakyan resigned to run in the election of head of the community
of Ajapniak. The son of RepubLican Galust Sahakyan announced that it
will not be difficult to win the election. What could this mean? And
generally, what does this bid of "papa’s boy" mean?
It is clear what it means for junior Sahakyan. It is more interesting
what it may mean for the country. In 2003 Arman Sahakyan Was nominated
head of the councul. But at that time everything end up badly for his
fathEr Galust, who comPlained loudly that the government used illegal
methods against him. At that time it was interesting to listen to
the brother-in-arms of the Armenian prime minister, who failed to
explain who this government was.
Of course, nobody needed his explanation because everyone in Armenia
knows that he was "overtaken" by Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepyan,
with the support of Robert Kocharyan, of course. And Galust Sahakyan
could not confess publicly that with such a government overhead he
was not the representative of the government but rather a member of
parliament, attached to the government.
Newly-made Republican, still defense minister Serge Sargsyan
tenaciously instills in the Republicans that with his membership the
Repubican Party acquired real power. Young Arman liked it so much that
decided to take his tit bit, the post of the head of the community,
which was taken away from him by "bad uncles". And "Uncle Serge"
will help by all means.
But this is young Arman, what can we do? Whereas, other more
experienced Republicans apparently are not happy about the epopee
of Galust Sahakyan’s son. They even say that Sahakyan’s decision to
resign was not discussed by the council of the Republican Party; it
was a decision made by a narrow circle, and the others are dissatisfied
with it.
Hence, a question occurs who needed it and why. For they should
have learned a lesson from the former election of the head of the
community of Ajapniak. What if suddenly the "government" again blocks
the way of this project? For at that time it will become clear that
the Republican Party, which is constantly trumpeting its almightiness,
is to blame for the defeat. There is no need to stake the honor of the
"superparty" on the eve of the parliamentary election.
It seems difficult to answer this question. In fact, everything
can be explained by a premonition. The fortnight preceding the
extraordinary conference of the Republican Party gave rise to doubts
among most Republicans in the almightiness of Serge Sargsyan and his
new personnel. Many Republicans witnessed a great number of facts in
a rather short period, which show that Serge Sargsyan’s pledges are
"bluffling". Moreover, undeniable thoughts occurred that Serge and
Robert Kocharyan are manipulating the Republican Party and turning
it into a marginal political party. Gagik Tsarukyan’s "spirit" is
threatening the Republicans more and more.
Is there anything else to do? Hence, the old and wise leaders of
the Republican decided to corner everyone. If Serge Sargsyan is so
courageous, let him make Galust Sahakyan’s son head of the community
in such a "difficult area". Thereby he will display how courageous
and devoted Serge Sargsyan is. It appears that the old Republicans
have thought it out; how will the "almighty" defense minister get away.
In fact, he cannot get away. Serge Sargsyan will have to persuade
President Kocharyan to "place" this place in his disposition to
live up to the expectations of Galust Sahakyan. At the same time,
they have again started whispering in the corners and confidential
circles who the real head of the country is, and who solves all the
problems instead of the president.
The problem is that Robert Kocharyan may not help, although Serge is
his brother-in-arms. Aghvan Hovsepyan and especially Gagik Tsarukyan
may not like the permissiveness towards Republicans in Ajapniak,
especially on the eve of the parliamentary election. But there is
no problem here either. The leadership of the Republican Party will
make Serge Sargsyan "force" Robert Kocharyan to go away together with
Aghvan Hovsepyan. There is no other way. They say he has everything
under control, therefore he must display it beforehand, not to allow
the Republicans foresee his own fate during the election.
All this is true. Only one thing is unclear and difficult to explain
why they need to take such a risk and try the patience of Robert
Kocharyan, even if he has decided to retire in 2008. For there are
more than one ways to retire. He can retire as a "frightened duck" or
he can retire showing them a thing or two. There is one explanation:
nobody can make head or tail of it without such attempts. Moreover,
nobody can tell who the real government of Armenia is. And with such
a mood everyone may quickly run away.
In 2007 Galust Sahakyan will not be able to repeat that the government
used illegal methods against him. It would look like an imitation. An
imitation for not only his friends but also the entire country who
are bored by the petty preferences of the "supers".