"THE OPPOSITION IS WAITING FOR ITS MOSES"
By Hasmik Haroutiunian

AZG DAILY
28-02-2009

Professional sociologists usually don’t conduct surveys in winter
months – it is forbidden. The reason is that the opinions of the
people are changeable because of cold weather.

At present, the members of "Sociometre" led by Aharon Adibekian
are having a rest and waiting for the spring to carry out new
surveys. Probably, the sociologists will have plenty of work to do
this year as well. Though there is an economic crisis in the world
and jobs of thousands are endangered, the future of the sociologists
is guaranteed as long as the opposition goes out to a demonstration.

Meanwhile, on February 25, Aharon Adibekian was the guest of "De facto"
press club. He touched upon the completion of the first year of March
1 incidents and made predictions about the Sunday mass meeting.

According to Adibekian, 10 percent of the Republic’s population lives
in extremely poor conditions. He assessed the life and being of the 30
percent as hard, and the rest of the population – as middle and good.

Today, according to Adibekian, the "protesting" electorate is 40
percent. He is confident that the opposition figures in reality
don’t defend the interests of the protesting society, as they are
the inseparable part of the present and past authorities.

"The opposition is waiting for its Moses", Adibekian added.

People often speak of democratic principles in Armenia, but the
difficulties are not yet overcome, the sociologist mentioned.

According to him, today it is not possible to come to power with the
help of opposition wave. "If you want to come to power, you should
be a part of the authority, for example the only opposition force in
the Parliament – Zharangutyun (Heritage) Party", Adibekian said.

The sociologist mentioned that today the society is divided into
two parts; one part wants rapid changes, the other one doesn’t need
any changes. Adibekian said that a civil war didn’t start as all
the members of the society were concerned over one issue – how to
overcome poverty.

According to the sociologist, March 1 mass meeting may become a
beginning of a new stage, if new programs, ideas, projects are
presented, and the authorities express willingness to implement them.

"The two sides should sit at a negotiation table and solve the issues
through discussions. There are no preconditions for a dialogue, as
the representatives of the two sides think that making concessions
equals defeat. They should understand that national interests are
higher than their personal ones", Aharon Adibekian added.