WHO WILL ALLOW IDEOLOGICAL STRUGGLE
Haik Aramyan

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 1 2007

Apparently, the "electorate" of Armenia again will not witness
ideological struggle of political forces. Meanwhile, the beginning
was so promising: the first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan stepped onto
the stage and in the rally on October 26 he spoke about the necessity
for establishment of constitutional order, presenting the structure
and essence of the system that has formed in Armenia.

Earlier he had met with the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and they appeared to
have agreed to wage an ideological struggle. Generally, in Armenia
there is a tendency to think that there are two ideological forces
– the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the Liberals. Therefore, the society
expected civilized ideological struggle of these two forces.

Apparently, however, it is not likely to happen.

We may state with confidence that they will not allow it to happen.

In fact, the ideological struggle is the greatest threat to this
system, which Levon Ter-Petrosyan described in his address. This
system seems invincible with its relations and internal rules. This
system cannot be dismantled through either a "constitutional" or
"unconstitutional" ways. The only option is that society defines the
main problem of Armenia and forms its pole. At the moment it is very
difficult, considering the perverseness of the political sphere,
the poor state of non-governmental organizations and the media:
everyone has something to be reminded of.

And the system has got down to work. The "common joint" past, bitter
memories, the ratio of the budget to the GDP and the "savior" issue of
Karabakh were brought up to distract from the main problem. The Minsk
Group is always handy – Bryza stated in Baku Armenia and Azerbaijan
may sign a framework agreement before the presidential election. It
seems to be the best opportunity for "bringing the nation together"
and bringing Dashnaktsutyun "to its senses". And in order not to let
the ARF Dashnaktsutyun think long, an outstanding member of it Gegham
Manukyan lost the Duel show on Armenia TV to Ashot Bleyan in voting
of viewers. This is not the end, however. They announced later that
the telephone line was not operating properly and there will be a
new voting. Dashnaktsutyun had never received such a blow.

As to the others, it goes without saying. In this debate it is
difficult to expect any important move from them except joining one
pole or the other. The system seems to succeed, involving everyone
in two trenches, once again depriving the society from a chance for
a real vote.