A PERSPECTIVE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FROM INSIDE ARMENIA
AZG Armenian Daily
20/03/2008
Opinion
Since Tuesday’s presidential elections in Armenia, I have received a
number of well-intentioned e-mails from diasporan Armenians who have
strong opinions about the outcome, and the methods with which that
outcome was reached. Many of these authors have used language bordering
on the hysterical and offensive to characterize the current situation
in Armenia. Some state that they have received their information from
sources within Armenia, including a number of "opposition" websites.
Well, since I am actually in Armenia, I would like to explain a
few things, which may not occur to those who don’t live here. And
as a resident of this country for the past seven years, I think I
have earned the right to make certain observations and criticisms
emanating from personal experiences.
Armenia is not the United States. Therefore, there is no accepted
tradition or institutional culture when it comes to many political
activities to which Americans are accustomed. Democracy and democratic
principles in Armenia are developing and progressing. It may not be
happening at a pace that is acceptable to many; nevertheless, it is
happening. Notwithstanding the pace, however, each and every Armenian,
whether in Armenia or in the diaspora, has a solemn responsibility
to support and encourage the maintenance, strength and endurance of
our statehood.
Stability for our state is a high priority, one that may be difficult
to comprehend for anyone or any people who, having enjoyed free and
independent statehood for centuries, thus take it for granted. In
the U.S., we accept America as no longer an experiment – it is a
fait accompli. By contrast, Armenia is at a crossroads, and our
very survival is at stake. Turkey continues its illegal blockade
of Armenia and refuses to establish diplomatic ties with us. We are
still technically at war, and although the cease-fire with Azerbaijan
has held for more than 10 years, it is still a fragile and tenuous
one. The threat of resuming hostilities and aggression by the Azeris
is one that we live with every day, and has been one of the reasons,
I believe, that unlike Georgia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet
countries, Armenia has persevered and remained free of major civic
unrest in recent years. We understand that unity is our weapon and our
strength. And although internally we may have sharp disagreements and
heated political arguments, Armenians know well that at the end of the
day, no one, no nation, no country and no international organization
can be relied upon to save us this time from complete annihilation. I
am sure many of you would agree.
It is true, the elections were not flawless.
Deficiencies of all sorts were observed and are an unfortunate
reality. However, the constitution of the Republic of Armenia worked:
scheduled elections did take place, and a president who is term-limited
is willingly stepping aside and giving up the power entrusted to
him by the people. This may no longer be a revolutionary concept in
California, Massachusetts, or Illinois, but for the former Soviet
Union, it’s an important, if symbolic, step. (For those who need
further info, see Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)
Furthermore, international observers from the United States,
Europe and Russia were present before and during the election
to monitor the campaign atmosphere and balloting. They issued an
11-page report on the day following the elections. You can read it
here: [See page A8 for the executive
summary.] The report is available in English and Armenian, and
was prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission. The report is
critical in some areas, and offers praise in others, which was to
be expected. In a nutshell, the monitors presented their findings,
stating that the 2008 presidential elections were "mostly in line
with international commitments."
This is not an apologia. We all want Armenia to do better. We all
wait for the day when elections in Armenia are completely fair and
transparent. And that day will come when our citizens fully become
aware of their rights and responsibilities, and when the western
"culture" of elections, voting, campaigning and political platforms
become better integrated into Armenian society.
But just because that day is not here yet, does not mean that we throw
up our arms, give up on democracy and think it merely an experiment
gone bad. It has been said that democracy is a very bad form of
government – it’s just much better than anything else that’s been
tried in history. It would be hard to find anyone today, whether the
authorities of Armenia or the opposition, who would seriously argue
that abandoning our republican form of government because we haven’t
yet perfected it, is a logical or preferred path to follow.
We must therefore take great care before making frantic accusations,
for they are heard by us as well as our adversaries. The mental
laziness of giving in to wild conspiracies does not serve the
long-term endurance of Armenia or the diaspora. For the first time
in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are
therefore obligated to place our national interests ahead of our
personal gains or aspirations.
By Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Fr. Ktrij Devejian is the foreign press secretary of the Catholicate
of All Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Born and
educated in the United States, Fr. Devejian has lived in Armenia for
the past seven years.