WHO WILL DARE MAKE A BREAKTHROUGH
Naira Hayrumyan

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14:44:29 – 26/02/2010

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, in Armenia the first
breakthrough was made in a new formation. Private property was
declared, land and means of production were privatized, and market
mechanisms were introduced. It was happening very roughly causing pain
but these steps took Armenia out of the Soviet system. Unfortunately,
the process was not taken up to the end, mainly, "thanks" to Russia
where Putin, fleeing nostalgic for Soviet, came to change the liberal
Yeltsin. The political, economic, gas and psychological dependence from
Russia did not let Armenia make another breakthrough and disengage
from the Soviet chains. The West and the Armenian Diaspora, which
supported Armenia’s liberation from the Soviet economic slavery,
had to abandon hopes when it became clear that in Armenia, soviet
nomenclature figures reached power in Armenia and they cannot and do
not want to govern otherwise.

In order to come out of the marsh, as Baron Munchausen advised, you
have to pull yourself from hair. Another breakthrough is needed. For
this, 100 and more steps are not necessary. Just, soviet times are
to be forgotten.

The invitation of the former prime minister of Singapore to Armenia
has offered hope that the government understood the need for such a
leap. In Singapore, just one day, they decided that they repeal any
kind of bribes – starting from "kickbacks" during the construction
tenders and ending with a bribe for a certificate from the housing
office. The penalty for bribery was set strict – until death penalty.

Once the Institute of bribes stopped working, market-based mechanisms
started working.

Apparently, the former premier of Singapore told his Armenian
counterpart about the need of a breakthrough. Possibly, such a version
was even discussed "above" but in the end, they did not have enough
courage and the "evolutionary" way was chosen- cash register machines,
tax inspectors etc.

Hardly the government does not know about the need of the 100 steps
proposed by Hrant Bagratyan – those who work there are not fools
either. They also understand something is to be changed. The question
is who will dare make that breakthrough.