SERIOUS ISSUES ARE MAINLY SOLVED THROUGH BRIBING IN ARMENIA, YEREVAN RESIDENTS ASSERT

NOYAN TAPAN
June 11, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The subject of Noyan Tapan’s June
11 blitz survey was Corruption in Armenia. The survey was held in
Yerevan. Below are the answers of the respondents completely and
without editing.

QUESTION. IN YOUR OPINION, ARE ISSUES SOLVED EASIER THROUGH BRIBING
IN ARMENIA?

ANSWER. To tell the truth, I did not believe it was possible,
but it can be said that there is some progress in that issue. As
an example I can mention the fact that last year my son entered a
higher educational institution withiout bribing, which I think was
impossible several years ago.

A. Serious issues are mainly solved through bribing in Armenia.

A. At present in order to solve simple clerical issues in our country
one should either give a bribe and solve his problem within some
minutes or get nervous applying for solving his problem for many days.

A. I think not only in Armenia, but also in any country of the world
bribe is considered the easiest way of solving issues, besides, in many
cases it is beneficial for both those giving the bribe and taking it.

A. In my opinion, it depends on the bribe amount: the bigger is the
bribe, the easier the issues are solved.

A. Certainly, they are solved easily, for instance, give me any
problem that is considered unsolvable, some X sum of money, and I
can make solvable that problem considered to be unsolvable.

Q. CAN WE SAY THAT CORRUPTION HAS REDUCED IN ARMENIA: IS BRIBE TAKEN
MORE SELDOM?

A. At present bribery has reduced a little, as a new power has come,
and many are afraid of taking a bribe. However, I think it will be
this way until everyone is firmly established on his post.

A. For instance, if we compare the current situation with that of 10
years ago, it is possible that we record a progress in this issue.

A. I think bribery has not decreased, but increased for even more
in Armenia.

A. Corruption is becoming more and more in our country, and I do not
hope that it will reduce.

A. As long as those having posts and positions in Armenia only think
of their pockets, no reduction of corruption can be spoken about.

A. I think fish begins to stink at the head, and bribery has always
been and is becoming more and more in our country.

Q. WHAT SPHERES HAVE REMAINED THE MOST CORRUPTED ONES IN ARMENIA. WHERE
IS BRIBE TAKEN MOST OF ALL?

A. In my opinion, there will hardly be a sphere in Armenia, where
solving a problem through a bribe will be impossible.

A. As far as I imagine, the most corrupted sphere is the judicial
sphere in Armenia.

A. In my opinion, it is no secret for anyone that Armenia’s defence
sphere is considered a sphere taking bribes: soldiers go on leave
with a bribe, with rather big sums children of wealthy families do
military service at military units they prefer, etc.

A. I think no official and no human being in general is able to
resist the tempting proposal to receive a round sum for signing a
few papers, therefore I think that bribery has always been and will
exist in all spheres.

A. The deepest roots of corruption in Armenia are in the educational
sphere: many of our students spend a lot of money until they graduate
from an Institute.

Q. DO YOU HOPE THAT IN COMING FIVE YEARS IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO EASIER,
WITHOUT BRIBE SOLVE PROBLEMS IN ARMENIA?

A. Though they say that while there is life, there is hope, I do not
hope that problems can be solved without bribing in Armenia.

A. No, I do not hope. I think there will always be people, who will
take a bribe.

A. In the coming five years no, but it may be possible in ten years.

A. I do not even believe that even in 15 years there will be such a
law and order in Armenia, not to mention the coming 5 years.

A. Nothing of the kind is possible, bribery has always been and
will exist.

Q. WHO IS MORE TO BLAME, WHETHER THOSE GIVING OR TAKING A BRIBE?

A. If all problems are solved through bribing, people have nothing
else to do but to give a bribe.

A. Certainly, those giving a bribe.

A. If those taking a bribe do not demand it, no one will give a bribe.

A. Those giving the bribe, it is them who promote bribery.

A. Both are equally to blame.

A. Unequivocally those giving a bribe, unless people give a bribe,
bribery will be liquidated in our country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress