“First Armenian News and Analysis” had an interview with the director of the Armenian center of Strategic and National Studies Richard Kirakosyan on recent developments in the region and in Armenia specifically.
Quoting the elections in Georgia and the following change of the government, Mr. Kirakosyan was questioned whether this was the result of pressures of people or continuation of western plans. “We have really two amazing events in Georgia. First is the results of the elections and second- Saakashvili’s reaction. This occurred, because Saakashvili had no alternative, but let’s not forget that the loser is the party, not Saakashvili. Thus, in countries with parliamentary majority and president like France, there occur conflicts. If we look at Georgian opposition, we will see that they are united against Saakashvili, but they are not a unity by itself. Moreover, it’s concerning that an excentric; oligarchic, wealthy person wins the elections.
Speaking on the influence of Georgian elections on Armenian inner political developments, Kirakosyan said that this election is a lesson for Armenia, a lesson about why the authorities failed.
To the comparison between Bidzina Ivanishvili and Gagik Tsarukyan, the expert disagreed saying that oligarchs should be excluded from parliament. “Today we witness the dawn of oligarchy in Armenia like Mr. Ruben Hayrapetyan. They become weaker as they turn to be dangerous for the state.
The expert agreed with the correspondent of “First Armenian News and Analysis” that change of power is hardly possible in coming elections. “Reelection of Serzh Sargsyan is quite real. But the opposition must keep on demanding reforms. We can hope only that recent reforms have been real. One thing is clear, there is no way out except stopping the oligarchs and fighting corruption. When newly- appointed Tigran Sargsyan announced in NA that they must fight monopoly and oligopoly but he failed.”
The correspondent then touched upon Robert Kocharyan’s impact on inner politics and the possibility of his arrival.
“This ever-living question is enetertainting. There is boosted interest towards Kocharyan. But he won’t come back. Russians, Europeans and Americans are against his arrival.”
Referring to the development around Vartan Oskanian, the expert refrained from commenting explaining that nobody is aware of the details. “the burden is on the authorities they must prove that Oskanyan is guilty, and Oskanyan’ doesn’t have to prove his innocence.
Correspondent Armine Avetyan noted the recent announcements by special EU represemtative Peter Semneby and British expert of Caucasian issues Lowrens Bowers that Karabakh conflict has reached the worst pitch in the last 5 years. The expert elaborated: “Azerbaijan is the only country in the world that doesn’t realize that Karabakh will never belong to it. This peaceful process has one aim to maximum veil the conflict, and find a proper solution for Azerbaijan to give up Karabakh.”
Speaking on Madrid principles that contradict Karabakh sovereignity, Richard Kirakosyan said that the parties haven’t even agreed on these principles.
Years ago Armenia agreed that NKR should come out off negotiation process, but now Azerbaijan doesn’t agree to include NKR back. To this issue the expert reacted: “RA and NKR always hope that Azerbaijan will make a false start. This doesn’t depend on Armenia, it is wholly dependant on Azerbaijan, and the issue is not for Armenia or Karabakh, but for Minsk group. I am sure that no progress will be observed in coming 10-15 years. The only thing is the war threat from Azerbaijan”
In the conlusion Richard Kirakosyan said: “I agree with Davit Shahnazaryan that Safarov’s case was a gift for Armenia. This case showed that Azerbaijan is dangerous because it’s unpredictabele.”
