RICHARD GIRAGOSSIAN MENTIONS FOUR NAMES

Lragir.am
13-06-2007 17:13:44

Richard Giragossian, a Washington-based Armenian analyst, repeated
on June 13 at the Friday Club his opinion that Armenia is exposed to
the internal threat, namely corruption and uneffective governance. He
said he views the parliamentary election neutrally, as someone from
the Diaspora. Saying that he is perhaps the only person in Armenia
who mentions names, Richard Giragossian enumerated three figures,
who are able to bring about change.

"I see three people who are highly important. The first is Davit
Harutiunyan. The new National Assembly is a new stage for Davit
Harutiunyan.

As minister of justice he carried out reforms, amendments to the
Constitution. Now as a lawmaker he gets an excellent opportunity to
make much more important, much smarter steps. For me, this new National
Assembly is different. Generally, not in terms of individuals. It
is more important from the point of view of institutional democracy
rather than individual democracy. I want such a body, I mean a body
not a person. A parliament rather than some Sahakashvili. The second
is Arthur Aghabekyan. General Aghabekyan, I am happy these two are
chairs of standing committees because especially General Aghabekyan
as a real reformer in this National Assembly will be able to make
more powerful moves with the military budget in terms of NATO and the
Collective Security Pact. And the last name, a new name, since for
me not only the name is important but also its being a new name and
what it implies. This person is Nerses Yeritsyan, the new minister
of trade and economic development. It was a surprise for me, but as
a professional, as new generation, I say bravo, because Yeritsyan
is bound for future, because in order to develop Armenia needs such
a new generation, with a clear reputation, and professional, more
importantly, in the economy, because for the future of Armenia the
economic power is more important than the army and soldiers," says
Richard Giragossian.

The second essential thing for the future is democracy but
institutional democracy. The political scientist says he views the
parliament as a whole, not the victory, strengthening or weakening
of one force or another. Richard Giragossian particularly refers
to the change, progress in the thinking of the Armenian businessmen
as compared to Georgia and Azerbaijan. In this connection, Richard
Giragossian points to Khachatur Sukiasyan. He congratulated him on his
recent statements on promotion of reforms, effective efforts against
corruption and monopolies. Richard Giragossian endorsed this change,
especially that there is more stability than elsewhere, he said.