MAKE-UP WORN ON DECAYING FACE

Interview with writer Vahram MartirosyanMr. Martirosyan, what differences and similarities are there between the elections of 2007 and 2012? I was not in Armenia on the eve of 2007 so I cannot compare but the society has definitely undergone quality change, young political activists who are honest and courageous have appeared in the opposition movement, and it will influence the elections now. I am a little disappointed with the passiveness of Nikol Pashinyan during the elections. My main concern is that our society does not have the maturity to consider this election at least as important as the presidential election.You mentioned Nikol Pashinyan's passiveness during the elections but the recent election in Hrazdan was quite lively. But the results were not disputed. Please let me not compare Nikol Pashinyan and Sasus Mikaelyan, the presidential elections and the local election. The opposition tended to consider local elections as inferior. One may look for logic behind this approach or not but I think it will mislead us. I consider this election more important than the presidential election next year because we can have political forces in parliament which are not false as the semi-criminal and semi-administrative Republicans, Bargavach Hayastan, let alone the Orinats Yerkir Party. Now there is a strong and good opposition, the Armenian National Congress, and the parliament may transform from a titular body to a real one involving principled people whom we need. On a day in February 1998 Vazgen Sargsyan turned the parliamentary majority into rats, he died, while the rats stayed. Now these rats are the government, and we wonder why these problems occur or why such simple problems are not resolved. However, all these rats care for is pilfering. They don't have other principles.Mr. Martirosyan, you said the opposition is strong, where is that strength when everyone, even most ANC members say this force has weakened and is not the same?It is noticed, of course. I can speak about some missed opportunities but I don't think it will be productive, I mean analysis should be there but it must focus on the present and the past. Nevertheless, the ANC remains strong with its intellect, principles, the political features of the people who went to prison but refused freedom by way of admitting doing something which they had not done. The ANC has become weaker but it can become strong, there is nothing surprising. The important thing in politics - the internal resource - is there. I think the utmost must be done to overcome the apathy of the society.Do you mean the apathy for the elections?Yes in order to make people believe that the parliamentary elections are a serious instrument. For me personally, they are an important instrument to change something in Armenia. The president of the country is one person. Even one with the best characteristics may make mistakes, limited by pressure. A serious political force in parliament may achieve a lot. Other forces besides the ANC may participate in the reanimation of the parliament. It depends on their will to refrain from fraud and deals for their own petty interests. Mr. Martirosyan, everyone believes the Republicans and Bargavach Hayastan Party will form the majority, the results of public polls also indicate this. In fact, the lion's share will remain with them, while the Congress will get very few seats. Will it be worth working with the rats as you refer to them, being so few in number? First, it is necessary to do everything one can in every situation. Second, I don't trust these public polls. Third, the pre-election period has just started, and the so-called street democracy wave is still to come. The Republicans and Bargavach Hayastan will seize each other's votes, it is inevitable. The same pro-government voter or the person who accepted the election bribe cannot vote for both. I think the difference between the results of polls and the results of elections will be huge. There is an opinion that bright people are needed in politics like the people who are fighting for saving Mashtots Park, to achieve change. There is such resource which is unused. The events in Russia are still fresh, the creative class which is mainly of young and average age did a revolution. I think in Armenia it is time for this class to join the movement for changing the country. I mean the TV reporters who already have two apartments and a nice car each, and if they are fired, they will not starve, they will find a job. I mean people who work in the IT field who are apolitical but must realize that this is a crucial period to live in a freer and better country. This is a selfish urge to live well, which for me is not just the salary and income but the free society and fair government. So I call for selfishness and urge to do everything to remove the ruling force.18 years past the war, I look at the emigration statistics and cannot imagine how the president, the prime minister, the government can sleep at night. The pensions, even the salaries are not enough to pay for the utilities. In other words, there is no hope from the government, there is an urge to make up their faces. The ministers you look at and are not disgusted are the make-up worn by the government, such as Hrair Tovmasyan. Earlier Tigran Sargsyan was, but this make-up was washed away soon. In the field of the media this make-up is heavier. I noticed after my return from my latest trip that there is change, there is more criticism, there are more modern TV shows. The opposition media outlets are stronger, more in number than pro-government media outlets but I am speaking about television because in underdeveloped societies television has a stronger position. In other words, this make-up is worn by television as well. They would be a real revival were the first steps towards serious results, real change. But this is make-up worn on a decaying face because the challenge is the reproduction of the violent government fed with corruption.Is the intention of journalists to enter the parliament and change the situation make-up? Is it possible to achieve change through the journalists? The people who feel the pulse of the society? Has the government understood something? I think not. Some laws may become better, the speech of the members of parliament may become more articulate but since these journalists are not a union, their presence will not change anything. Siranuysh Papyan

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Headlines for February 21, 2012

CONSCRIPT DIED /UPDATED
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MAKE-UP WORN ON DECAYING FACE
Interview with writer Vahram MartirosyanMr. Martirosyan, what differences and similarities are there between the elections of 2007 and 2012? I was not in Armenia on the eve of 2007 so I cannot compare ...