LIBERATION SOLDIERS AGAIN INVOLVED IN POLITICAL INTRIGUES
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
24 Aug 06
Although few of the actors in the political sphere of Armenia deserved
this right to be there, having entered this sphere everyone has the
right to do something for some purpose. Once you enter, you have to
act, independent from whether you are wanted or not. And anyone entered
and anyone was made to enter the political field of Armenia. Such was
life, and for over 15 years the ruling elite have been busy adjusting
and making others adjust this life rather than changing it. However,
the ones who want to think that they can adjust this life on their
own are immediately adjusted by the government.
This was the case with the district attorney of Malatia-Sebastia
community of Yerevan Hamlet Hovsepyan. He and his son tried several
months ago to have the import of cell phones adjusted to themselves.
But "what is allowed to Zeus is not allowed to the Ox", and the
president did not forgive the disrespectful attitude of the Hovsepyans
to the Kocharyans.
They did not allow to become adjusted, and somehow they arranged the
dismissal of District Attorney Hovsepyan. But as we have mentioned
above, once you enter, either you have to get out or you have to go
all the way, no matter how difficult it is to find a place… under
this sun. So, several days ago, there was a roundup the Union of
Veterans of the Liberation War led by Hamlet Hovsepyan at the hall
of meetings of the government, which is usually busy for the radical
opposition. It is notable that the roundup took place in a month
after the scorching (the ideological Republicans will explain the
meaning and connotations of this word) conference of the Republican
Party. The Union of Veterans of the Liberation War decided to run in
the parliamentary election 2007. It not a surprise that the UVLW is
becoming engaged in the political process. This is what it was set
up for.
This organization was set up in 2000, at the height of confrontation
of the president-Serge Sargsyan pair and the Yerkrapah-Republican
tandem. The union was set up versus Yerkarapah, which opposed to the
president of the Republic. Hence, a union of veterans of the Karabakh
was opposed by another union, which was more loyal to the president.
Later on as Robert Kocharyan solved the problem of both the Republican
Party and Yerkrapah, appointing the leaders of these organizations
to high positions, the existence of the UVLW lost its meaning. The
government lost interest in this organization, and in order to avoid
trouble, the famous method of division was applied to the UVLW. The
Union underwent a stage of inner controversies, divided and stopped
being an actor in the home political processes.
Apparently, the leaders of the UVLW did not care for political activity
either, for they got different positions, unofficial quotas in culture,
economy and law enforcement. And naturally the one who loses the quotas
again becomes willing to return the political role, especially that
there is demand. Judging by the fate of Hamlet Hovsepyan, especially
over the past few months, it can be supposed that the Union of
Veterans of the Liberation War is going to be opposition in the next
parliamentary election. It is natural that since the president did
not forgive Hovsepyan, he will not forgive the president. After all,
we deal with the Armenian environment where a drop of honey may cause
a row, let alone cell phones.
The current political situation is an excellent opportunity for Hamlet
Hovsepyan to "return the debt" to the president.
Especially that Hovsepyan may get assistance. It is also possible
that Hovsepyan himself is helping someone "return the dept".
In the political processes of Armenia, especially in a period of
elections, the factor of liberation soldiers has always been great.
The government has always used them for its own reproduction: in 1995,
1996, 1998, 1999, 2003. Although reproduction is increasingly becoming
reliant on the criminal, the factor of veterans (it does not matter
who fought and who heard the shooting) remains rather significant and
will probably remain such as long as the majority of participants of
the liberation war live in hard social conditions.
This is also a planned policy performed by the government, because
it is easier to involve a socially insecure liberation soldier
in political intrigues and make a tool out of him for their own
reproduction.
And perhaps it is quite natural that the Union of Veterans of the
Liberation War is again becoming involved in a home political game.
Maybe the president gave Hamlet Hovsepyan a second chance to "expiate
his sins", offering him to play in his team. Or maybe the Republicans
use the opportunity to shelter Hovsepyan, who is offended. It is not
important, however, in whose team they will be playing. It is evident
that they are going to play against one other, and maybe also against
the state.