Both USA and Armenia interested in democracy – opposition leader
Aravot, Yerevan
11 May 05
US President George Bush’s statements that democracy in Georgia should
be an example to other CIS countries will have an impact on Armenia,
the leader of the opposition party, Aram Sarkisyan, has
said. Explaining that Bush’s statements are important as they are made
by the “head of the most powerful state”, Sarkisyan added that the
Armenian people “are able to establish democracy in their own
country”. The following is text of Anna Israelyan’s report published
by Armenian newspaper Aravot on 11 May headlined “The USA and the
opposition have mutual interest”. Subheading inserted editorially:
An interview with the leader of the Republic Party, Aram Sarkisyan,
who says that they [his party] will reach democracy in Armenia through
their own forces.
Is Georgia an example?
[Aravot correspondent] US President George Bush announced in Georgia
yesterday [10 May] that “the rose revolution that shook this country
[in 2003] was a powerful moment in history and an example for other
nations seeking democratic change. To what extend, do you think, his
statement can affect Armenia and the region, in general?
[Aram Sarkisyan] I am absolutely sure that his statement will have an
impact as it is very important. But anyway, without Bush’s statement,
it was clear to the Armenian people that democracy has no alternative.
Bush’s statement is of greater significance to [Armenian President]
Robert Kocharyan, as the US president mentioned that other peoples of
our region should also make an example [of Georgia]. The head of the
most powerful state says this, and he is a person who keeps his own
words. Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan are further evidence of
this.
Bush also said that peoples should establish democracy themselves. I
do not support the idea that the USA should arrive and establish
democracy here. On the contrary, I think that our people are able to
establish democracy in their own country. The USA helped the peoples
who made efforts to establish democracy.
[Correspondent] After training the activists of the Republic Party,
members of the office of the US National Democratic Institute [NDI] in
Armenia started attending party conferences and news conferences. Does
this mean that American structures have made their choice, or it is
the opposition that has finally decided to determine its position?
Democracy is mutual interest
[Sarkisyan] I think this is a problem of mutual interest. The people
have taken up their position and are going to take to streets to show
that they support democracy. For this reason, all international
organizations promoting democracy, including the NDI have determined
their duty to help our people on the way to democracy.
We have good relations with the NDI and have worked together for one
year. Fifteen members of the Republic Party have undergone training
in the NDI.
[Correspondent] Is it a coincidence that [the leader of the National
Unity Party] Artashes Gegamyan said that the Justice bloc and the
National Unity Party will soon stage a joint rally? Has the opposition
become more active as a result of the American support or …?
[ellipses as published]
[Sarkisyan] This rally will be staged and everything will be clear by
the end of it. I am sure that Robert Kocharyan will announce that he
does not have the force to direct against people. I cannot say when
and at what time the rally will be staged. But I should say that the
process of organizing rallies has changed: they will be held to
promote democracy but not somebody’s power.
Parties should act independently
[Correspondent] It was for the first time that our opposition adopted
a joint statement together with the coalition parties. The most
surprising point is that after Robert Kocharyan expressed his
dissatisfaction, the ruling coalition refused putting its
signature. Is this the logic an election campaign? Or there is
something else?
[Sarkisyan] This is the result of the moral and psychological
atmosphere in the country. It has become clear to the pro-government
parties that Kocharyan will not be in power forever and everybody
wants to find its place in the future of Armenia. And Kocharyan
becomes an obstacle for achieving this. If he stands next to any
party, that party will lose. And it is clear to the members of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun as well as the
Republican Party of Armenia. For this reason they are trying to get
rid of Kocharyan, to act independently and we welcome this. We shall
welcome the parties which nominate their own candidates for president.