TIME FOR REVELATION – IN THE PAST
Haroutyun Gevorkyan
Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Sept 26 2007
Interview with ARAM SAFARYAN, Secretary of "Prosperous Armenia"
parliamentary faction
"Mr. Safaryan, in what stage do you think is the internal political
domain in terms of preparing for the presidential elections?"
"I can’t insist that the internal political domain is in full swing at
present. Although, the developments prompt that the political life has
a tendency of livening up. Some statements and potential predetermined
nominations, as well as some pretenders desiring to run for presidency
are now introducing an intrigue in the political atmosphere.
The preparations and developments of summer have not yet finished,
and they may still continue for a month. I think the conclusions on the
principal political players during the upcoming presidential elections
will become clear only in mid-October. I expect that there will be
many candidates of presidency. In spite of this, it is true that many
of the potential candidates do not publicly manifest themselves.
The thing is that the parliamentary elections served as a very
important demarcation line, and the political factions that suffered
a defeat are facing a serious necessity in terms of changing the
strategy and tactics of their activity. This interval that lasted a few
months and is still being delayed is probably used by the Opposition
for introducing itself to the public in the best manner during the
pre-election campaign.
Of course, many of the candidates will, with certain exceptions,
participate in the presidential elections not with purpose of
winning, but rather, with the purpose of specifying their identity
and displaying themselves."
"In short, the Opposition was trying and is still trying to propose an
alternative to the Government, but it won’t succeed in its efforts. Is
there a political substantiation for such an alternative?"
"Actually, there is only one leader on the political arena, i.e. Prime
Minster Serge Sargsyan, leader of the Republican Party. The continuous
economic progress of the country speaks in his favor, and he has no
equivalent rival as he enjoys support by the major part of society.
Although time may have not only positive but also negative consequences
for the Prime Minister, because, unlike the Opposition, he can’t remain
silent and sit in idleness. The Executive Power is currently engaged
in active work; it initiates the second stage of reform implementation
and may also adopt unpopular decisions and solutions. And the National
Assembly, where the Republican has a majority, also circulates bills
containing no populist elements.
In spite of this, the Opposition leaders, i.e. the potential rivals
of tomorrow, are free from such a burden of responsibility.
Many of them still appear on the arena with old, well-known and
unrealistic slogans. I am confident and I insist that the slogans
that were adopted as far back as a year ago but have already been
defeated cannot promise a tangible public support and political
rating tomorrow either. It will be naivety to hope that the same
unjustified and unsubstantiated criticism may change the public moods
and orientations."
"Having broken his 10 years’ silence, did L. Ter-Petrosyan say anything
new? Did he propose any alternative?"
"There is really a certain layer of society anticipating a
revelation. All the activists on our political arena know one another
well, and no revelation is possible. Our internal political domain
is very complex, and there is no need to wait for revelations. But
the attitudes of the potential pretenders have not only been clear
for a long time but also expressed long ago. Levon Ter-Petrosyan did
not even make use of an alternative new device. He appeared with old
ideas, known to the public for a long time and introduced a topic
that was once denied by society.
How is it possible to re-appear politics with old, ineffective
technologies and denied ideas and try to return the political arena to
an atmosphere of mutual hatred again. And this happens in a situation
when we are facing a new situation confirmed by the people as a result
of the Parliamentary elections as well as a political culture of a
higher level.
I am convinced that in the context of the presidential elections,
the factions operating in our internal political domain will not only
advance their candidates, but also make a demand of not frustrating
the internal political situation and turning the elections into a
destabilizing factor. Otherwise, we will be involved in an atmosphere
of hostility, and this will give advantage to our enemies only.