Political Life is Not Only “Political Corruption”

9:31 Yerevan | 5:31 GMT | Saturday 19 July 2008

Gevorg Sargsyan

Political Life is Not Only “Political Corruption”

On July 11 the leader of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian said in his address to the conference of the party that the ad hoc committee to inquire into the “case of March 1” is not credulous because the National Assembly is responsible for the events of March 1. Presently the reason for this evaluation is not so important. It is important that for the first time in Armenia the issue of responsibility of the political parties for the tragedy of March 1 is brought before the society to judge.

And in fact over the past four months the discourse on those occurrences was in the context of responsibility of the top figures of the executive and the opposition. And the political parties which have formed coalition remained as a judge. The strange actions of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Orinats Yerkir Parties which postured as opposition in the presidentiale lection were forgotten too early. It was forgotten how those tough critics of the present government became allies in to Serge Sargsyan who had seized the post of president in a wink on those tragic days of March.

Moreover, rounding up in the ad hoc committee of parliament inquiring into the occurrences of March 1, the representatives of the coalition, including these two parties, decided to act as the supreme instance, and pass a verdict on the “wrongdoers” of March 1. Perhaps it seemed to them that only they can “protect the interests of the nation” and they are the only “saviors of the statehood”. While the society and the political forces were silent, this behavior of the “former oppositionists” seemed out of criticism. However, it appears that everything ends. Time edits life.

And it is not accidental that the leaders of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun fussed, who performed the role of “terrible” defender of the Armenian state from the encroachments of “Zionists, masons and international imperialism.” Theirs “new father”, Serge Sargsyan, let Dashnaktsutyun down, through “brotherhood” with the president of Turkey. They made it clear to Dashnaktsutyun that they were not allowed to benefit from the feeder in vain. After all, there have been no fools in Armenia for a long time, everyone knows for the sake of which Dashnaktsutyun justified the shooting the citizens on March 1 in the streets of Yerevan and to justify Serge Sargsyan. And now they have been offered to justify friendship with Abdullah from the neighboring state. The jeopardized feeder requires that. The centennial slogan “Istanbul a sea of blood” can wait.

Dashnaktsutyun is thinking, whereas the leader of the Orinats Yerkir Party Arthur Baghdasaryan who obtained the post of Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia is still hopeful that those new disasters will pass him by. Let the “father” make a fuss with the Turks. His friends are Europeans, and the non-existent post of secretary of the Council of Security is not obliging in Armenia. If there is a feeder, no intellect is needed. It is not in vain that the “Damask sword of murders of March 1” is constantly hanging overhead. There is an ad hoc parliamentary committee, they will blame it on the opposition, and that is all. Hitler said who remembers the massacres of Armenians in 1915. And what is March 1 compared to the genocide? 10 people, they only need to deafen it by trumpeting “the large-scale reforms by Serge Sargsyan.” It is good, the European friends do not hinder, they are even helpful. “Long live Europe which inspires and guarantees all our victories both in 1915 and at present.”

So do the native coalition parties think. And they are going to think so long until someone asks them what their hope is. At that time they will have to think. After all, political life is not only “political corruption”. Sometimes they have to answer legal questions. And they have to answer not only in their own offices. Those who were sent behind the bars for the wrongdoing of others will also ask questions. For instance, what were you doing on March 1 and what are you doing now? Those whom they have not locked behind the bars will also ask questions. They have already asked. And not only have they asked but also blamed.

One way or another, four months past March 1 the issue of responsibility of the political parties of Armenia appears in the focus of attention of the society. The mines of March 1 are starting to go off. The accusation has been voiced, time will show what will be afterwards. However, independent from that, it becomes clear for the first time in Armenia that political activities are not only benefit but also responsibility. The Armenian parties have not got used to this circumstance yet. But soon they will have to get used to that, they will also acknowledge that there are no former sins, and they will be responsible for everything. And thanks God.

Monday, 6 September 2010

Political Life is Not Only “Political Corruption”

9:31 Yerevan | 5:31 GMT | Saturday 19 July 2008

Gevorg Sargsyan

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