THE ICE IS MELTING?
By R. Hayrapetian

AZG Armenian Daily
27/09/2007

Getting acquainted with the readers’ reaction of to the interview of
Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian to Editor-in-Chief of "Azg" newspaper
Hagob Avedikian, one comes to conclusion that the entire Armenian
people, both in homeland and in Diaspora, were greatly impressed by the
emotional and homelike speech of the high-ranking official. Probably
this is the first time when such a statesman tried simply to speak
with the people, and, surely, the people needed it.

It would be inconsistent to analyze the content of the conversation,
as it contained no professional comments on the ways of development
of economy (it is impossible to improve the economy by sending the
rich to the Heavens or to Hell). On the other hand, nobody can blame
Avedikian for flattering the Prime Minister.

Mr. Avedikian always wrote that there is a huge gap between the people
and the authorities of Armenia, there is no conversation between them,
and the protest of the people has become "vox clamantis in deserto", as
the Latin phrase goes. Who can argue that Vladimir Putin’s popularity
with the masses is also explained by his readiness to speak with his
people with the most common, understandable language. No, Avedikian
was not staggered by Serge Sarkisian, as some readers say. He just
gave way to his emotions and tried to establish a link between the two
"parties", the authority and the people.

The highest Armenian officials have indeed become daemons for the
people. No, they are not infernal creatures, as the dictionary
explains, but they seem inaccessible, insensible, egoistic,
self-determined and self-willed (I guess this is too much, but let
it be). Now it comes out that they are quite ordinary men, who are
able to speak heartily to the people. If the candidates for the Chair
afford themselves to share their thoughts with the people from time
to time, many things will go much better. If their speeches are not
to become pre-election vain outpourings, of course.