Lragir, Armenia
Feb 14 2008

ONE PROVISION VS ONE BILLION

The Armenian presidential election would in fact be imperfect if it
did not become known which candidate the Union of Armenians of
Russia, the president of which is Ara Abrahamyan, endorses.
Fortunately, this cataclysm was successfully avoided prevented, and
with some time to go before February 19 Ara Abrahamyan stated that he
supports Serge Sargsyan. In addition, he not only endorsed but also
awarded for the great contribution to the promotion of the Armenian
and Russian friendship. The award was from the World Congress of
Armenians, of course. However, it makes no difference because the
founder and president of the Congress is also Ara Abrahamyan, who is
a citizen of Russia. It means that Abrahamyan has no right to
participate in the Armenian presidential election. Certainly, the
Armenian origin gives him the moral right, at least from the national
point of view, which is a popular practice in Armenia. However,
despite the Armenian origin, he lives and works in Russia. Therefore,
as the Armenian origin gives him the moral right to participate in
the life of Armenia, residence in Russia deprives him of the moral
right to participate.

Ara Abrahamyan provides considerable assistance to Armenia and
Karabakh, makes investments, implements charity programs. However, if
it gave the right to participate in the internal processes, many
Iranians might participate as well, because they also make
investments in Armenia, create jobs, moreover, unlike Ara Abrahamyan,
they also live in Armenia. As well as other foreign investors who
implement definite programs in Armenia. In addition, nobody has done
more donations and charity in Armenia than Kirk Kerkorian, but it
never occurs to Kerkorian to spell out his stance on any Armenian
presidential election, although he would have the greatest moral
right to do.

Nevertheless, it is very interesting know how Ara Abrahamyan’s
endorsement will be expressed. He has no legal way of providing
practical support, because the Armenian legislation bars foreigners
from politics, electioneering, financial assistance to candidates.
Therefore, support can be only psychological. In other words, Ara
Abrahamyan will bolster up morale in Serge Sargsyan, which will be
very difficult to prove because morale is invisible. However, the
problem is not proving because in Armenia many other proved breaches
are waiting for a sincere legal evaluation, and one more or one less
will not solve the vital problem of establishment of legality in the
country. The problem is other than this and is part of this invisible
and psychological plane, which is the most horrible, because
violation of laws and rights gnaws the body of the society, and
violation of its dignity causes decay of soul which is the most
difficult to restore.

What would threaten Serge Sargsyan if Ara Abrahamyan did not announce
about endorsement? And what would threaten Ara Abrahamyan if he did
not announce? Perhaps nothing. After all, they both know that they
only have common interests, not friendship. If they had no common
interests, Ara Abrahamyan would be unable to make investments in
Armenia, and Serge Sargsyan would not expect his endorsement with
`consequence’ stemming from it. In other words, endorsement is mere
formality and the purpose is to display something to the society
rather than to display something to each other.

Perhaps Serge Sargsyan wants to demonstrate that he is everywhere,
and everyone obeys him, even the Russian billionaire, and Ara
Abrahamyan wants to demonstrate to everyone that he has an important
role in shaping the future of Armenia, and no problem can be solved
without him. And they want to demonstrate this to people, to instill
in them they people make no decisions, they make decisions instead of
people. In addition, they present this as a gift, as if people cannot
do without them. For this purpose they are ready to neglect the law
not to have anyone doubt that even the law determines nothing as long
as they are there. Meanwhile, it does not even occur to Ara
Abrahamyan that his single move offsets all the assistance that he
provided to Armenia, maybe out of sincere wish to help. One violated
provision of the law inflicts three or four times more damage on the
country than the use of one billion dollars of charity of investment.
It may sound strange but a real patriot and benefactor is the one who
honors the law of the Republic of Armenia.

JAMES HAKOBYAN