17 September 2005

AS A SIGN OF PROTEST

The rector of the State Institute of Stage and Screen Sos Sargsian said to "Azatutiun" b/s that he sent in his resignation as a sign of protest to the announcement of the deputy Minister of Education and Science Ara Avetisian that rectors who try to keep their posts and who complain of the decision of Government simply politicize the question. We must mention that the deputy Minister said it in the interview to "Aravot". "It was very offensive speech", - Sos Sargsian said who promised that he sent in his resignation just the following day.- My human dignity won't let them play with my name."

MODERATE ANTIDEMOCRATISM

Besides revolutionary and anti revolutionary thoughts of Aram Sargsian and Vardan Oskanian in the article of The Washington Times newspaper the most interesting was the observation of one of the Western Diplomat in Armenia; "The opposition is too weak and the Government is as democratic as the West will abstain from the assistance of radical changes. /According to "Mediamax"/. Though it is the opinion of some sort of anonymous official, it seems that it is the nowadays position of the West towards Armenia. That is the West / in particularly United States/ will assist radical changes in Armenia if a/ our opposition is strong, b/ if the Government is antidemocratic inadmissibly. And it isn't enough clear those two circumstances must be together or they are enough separately.
Let's observe these conditions separately. West supports the strong opposition. If anyone thinks that George Bush said to Sahakashvili three years ago; "This Shevardnadze bothered me. I appoint you next president of Georgia. Here a bunch of roses for you, do your revolution", those who think in that way are naive. Just the opposite, the Americans didn't want changeover of political powers when people were in the streets of Tbilisi. General law works here; they assist those who present something from themselves, who are strong and win. I guess that our oppositionists understand this.
Second condition is rather offensive for us. Who does determine the limit of being anti democrat? That is closing the only independent TV Company, rigging the elections and beating the peaceful demonstrators is moderate and permissible anti democracy on which the West is ready to close its eyes. But such a decision is rather justified; if this limit is admissible for our nation why must it be inadmissible for the West?
But it is obvious. West doesn't assist radical changes in Armenia today. Instead it assists the authorities that imitate non-radical changes. The Constitutional reform is such an imitation.

Aram Abrahamian

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Election Code of the Republic of Armenia

Yerevan	+21 +23
Tavush, Artsach	+19+24
Ararat, Armavir	+14+19