RELATIONS OF KARABAKH AND ARMENIA FOUNDATION SHOULD BE DISCUSSED PUBLICLY
Naira Hayrumyan

KarabakhOpen
29-11-2007 18:19:18

The tenth annual telethon which raised 15 million drams finished a
few days ago, and the Karabakh delegation has already returned home.

Different opinions were expressed about the telethon, from
optimistic to pessimistic. Along with cheerful exclamations about the
unprecedented sum concern was voiced that the dollar is depreciating so
fast that if converted this sum will have a lesser value than earlier.

Some people also said that control of spending and quality of work
is not strict enough. Special focus was on the topic of the debut
of Bako Sahakyan as president in the telethon: some people ascribe
this considerable outcome to his personality, others say it is no
confidence in the government of Arkady Ghukasyan.

The relations of Armenia Foundation and the government of Karabakh is a
separate topic. Over the past few years the ex-prime minister Anushavan
Danielyan and the leadership of the foundation have voiced accusations
against each other which were not discussed publicly but made think
that these two organizations were not getting on well. The reason
is not clear: it could be personal motives, competition for control,
unregulated relations, but this misunderstanding had a negative effect
on the work. For instance, they say one of the sections of North-South
has not been finished yet because the government of Karabakh and
the experts of the Foundation disagreed over the budget and other
technical matters.

Evidence to mutual "dislike" was that the Foundation did not have an
office in Karabakh for a long time, and has had no representative to
Karabakh. Only the director of Artsakh programs Michel Tancrez works
in Karabakh, but it is rather enthusiasm of a good man.

Another topic is, and it is almost already voiced, that this telethon
may be the last, and Armenia Foundation needs to invent new forms of
work. Firstly, the board of trustees will undergo changes which will
not affect the style of work. Secondly, time has changed, and it is
time to replace social programs by others, and the rural development
program probed for several years now should be made to comply with the
new conditions. Thirdly, the foundation has turned into a heavy and
sophisticated structure the decisions of which are hopelessly delayed,
and it may take the conclusion of 50 experts to modify a project.

The society needs distinct answers to all these questions. Nothing
is known about the rumored news conference of Bako Sahakyan during
which all these answers could be asked to him. However, the longer
backstage discussions within elite circles continue, the more
negativity accumulates around them.

These questions worry everyone, and everyone has the right to know
about them. The society dislikes the rule accepted by certain circles
to talk about patriotism but not problems. It is important to solve
problems unless they are voiced.