DECENT FEELINGS IN THE MOST CORRUPT SOUL
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
08-11-2007 17:25:01

It was the year 2001 when Armenia adopted a national anti-corruption
strategy which was financed by the World Bank. The money was not
little, 300 thousand dollars. At that time the World Bank surprised
many people, and it continues to surprise. People were amazed to
hear that the World Bank gives the Armenian government 300 thousand
dollars. They could not imagine how one can trust money to our
government, especially 300 thousand dollars, especially when the
exchange rate was so high. However, the decision of the World Bank was
probably conditioned by the fact that the anti-corruption strategy
was worked out in the symbolic year of the 1700th anniversary of
conversion to Christianity in Armenia. Perhaps the expectation was
that this symbolic date would arouse decent feelings in even the
most corrupt soul, and unlike Judas who was tempted by 30 silvers,
it would not be tempted by 300 thousand.

Six years have passed, since the adoption of the anti-corruption
strategy of Armenia, not of Judas. Now Armenia has started working
out a new anti-corruption strategy. 300 thousand dollars finished,
many might think.

Maybe. It is gratifying, however, that it finished in 6 years,
not earlier.

It means they have nevertheless fought corruption, and in
detail. This is the reason why the ministers are now riding in
foreign luxuries rather than old Soviet cars. Now they are free and
do not fear accusations of corruption. How can they accuse a person
of corruption if there is no corruption in the country? Many may
doubt that these particular ministers cannot live such a luxurious
life on their salary. However, everyone has the Constitutional right
to doubt. However, it does not mean yet that the ministers and other
officials do not have the right to live a luxurious life.

In this case, people may ask why Armenia is starting to work out the
second anti-corruption strategy. An option of answer was mentioned
above: 300 thousand finished. However, there is perhaps a more forceful
option. There is no corruption today, tomorrow it may reappear. The
foe never goes to sleep, and our government knows that corruption
is the third foe of Armenia after Azerbaijan and Turkey. Therefore,
we must always be ready to resist.

Therefore, whenever an international organization holds a seminar or a
conference, the Armenian high-ranking officials land there immediately.

People watching from aside wonder how they can bring corrupt officials
together and seek for ways of fighting corruption together with them.

Certainly, they cannot. It is probable that nobody gets them together,
simply they necessarily take part in any anti-corruption event,
perhaps to keep their finger on the pulse of struggle against
corruption to understand the nuances of this struggle and the
directions of the offensive to be able to fight effectively. Why do
they come personally, and do not send their informers? Not because
informers cost much. Simply they need to come to show that they do
not fear anti-corruption.