BETWEEN JUSTICE AND DEFENSE

All through the history of the ruling elite of Armenia no high-ranking official had expressed so much dissatisfaction with others as Serge Sargsyan expressed with Davit Harutiunyan and Aghvan Hovsepyan within a press conference. It refers to the case of Mataghis, and Serge Sargsyan wondered January 19 how the different levels of the same judicial system make controversial decisions, and the prosecutors take innocent people to court. In other words, Serge Sargsyan directly expressed no confidence for the institutions headed by Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan.
The defense minister’s no confidence has reason. It is a surprise that he expressed it with regard to the case of Mataghis because there had been a number of other cases which made think about the imperfection of the procuracy and the judicial system. In this respect, it is interesting whether the case of Mataghis was the first time when Serge Sargsyan came to know the judicial system and the procuracy more closely or the case of Mataghis was an opportunity to express an opinion. In this case, it is interesting why Serge Sargsyan had not expressed his opinion before. Perhaps because Serge Sargsyan did not consider his opinion so important before. In other words, he would express it but nobody would listen to it. And now the defense minister thinks, perhaps, that they already listen to his opinion. Consequently, it is important whom he wants to listen to his opinion, Robert Kocharyan who appoints the heads of these bodies or the public who elect Robert Kocharyan who appoints the heads of these bodies. Maybe both. In other words, Serge Sargsyan lets Robert Kocharyan know that if he declines to take into account his opinion on the heads of these bodies, the public will take it into account. It appears that Serge Sargsyan is addressing the public saying that Aghvan Hovsepyan’s and Davit Harutiunyan’s bodies are not effective, and if they still remain in their offices, it means Robert Kocharyan fails to make sufficient efforts as well.
Perhaps Robert Kocharyan is expected to respond. Either he has to take into account Serge Sargsyan’s opinion or he should back Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan. At this point the game is becoming more complicated. If he takes into account Serge Sargsyan’s opinion, he unintentionally signals to the public administration system that he takes into account Serge Sargsyan’s opinion. Naturally, afterwards everyone will take into account their opinion; after all, they would not ask Robert Kocharyan if they understood the signal right. And it means that Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan will also be guided by Serge Sargsyan’s opinion.
If the president does not take into account Serge Sargsyan’s opinion, he is supposed to support them. And support would mean that either the president should endorse the judicial system and the procuracy or approve that Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan take this step. But in this case Robert Kocharyan should show that in reality the system operated well. And in order to show it it is necessary to launch real struggle against the criminals in the system of public administration. However, it would not be reasonable to chop the branch one is sitting on. The defense minister has perhaps taken into account all these steps when he dared to criticize Hovsepyan and Harutiunyan openly, and even stated that he will pursue punishment of the guilty and encouragement of the good. Meanwhile, it should be taken into account that Serge Sargsyan’s rank is not higher than that of Davit Harutiunyan and Aghvan Hovsepyan. Moreover, the latter deal with the guilty and the innocent by their position rather than Serge Sargsyan.
It would be wrong to state that Serge Sargsyan is not good at the matters of subordination. He even asks the president for permission to buy the sword and decorations of Andranik. Ostensibly, Serge Sargsyan has already asked for permission to distinguish the guilty from the innocent, or maybe after buying a sword they do not ask for permission but give.
HAKOB BADALYAN

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Headlines for January 24, 2007

BETWEEN JUSTICE AND DEFENSE
HAKOB BADALYAN
All through the history of the ruling elite of Armenia no high-ranking official had expressed so much dissatisfaction with others as Serge Sargsyan expressed with Davit Harutiunyan and Aghvan Hovsepyan ...
UNITED STATES STARTED SPENDING OF 6 MILLION FOR FAIR ELECTION
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