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EXCESSIVE NEGATIVISM AND CONSTANT ATTACKS JEOPARDIZE ARMENIA'S DEVELOPMENT
By Benon Sevan
The California Courier Online
October 13, 2011
Commentary
Former Under-Secretary-General, United Nations
It is truly disheartening to read the ongoing negative reports and
columns in some news outlets in the Diaspora and Armenia regarding
the current political, economic and social conditions in the Republic
of Armenia, as well as the constant efforts by certain personalities
and political parties to denigrate the Government of Armenia and
its record.
Of all the hundreds of negative reports, is not there at least a
single positive development to report on? Contrary to the ongoing
politically motivated negativism, there are indeed many successes and
improvements achieved in Armenia which deserve to be congratulated
and encouraged. One gets tired of reading what is being said by all
these so-called pundits, rabble-rousers, including self-serving former
government officials pursuing their own personal agenda to bring about
a regime change not through the ballot box but through encouraging a
mob culture. Unfortunately, what we have been witnessing is indeed
tragic with the potential of dire consequences to the stability of
the young Republic that recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary.
No country has become democratic right away. It is categorically
wrong and naive to measure democracy in Armenia, which gained its
independence only twenty years ago, with the same measuring stick
used for democracies in other countries, such as France, the United
Kingdom and the United States, which took centuries to reach their
current stage of democracy. I ask all those who have adopted a negative
attitude to read history. It was not the Armenians who invented the
guillotine; it was not the Armenians who hanged their opponents from
the Tower of London; and it was not the Armenians who practiced slavery
and/or segregation based on color or race. How long did it take for
some of Europe's democracies to give their women the right to vote?
In as much as one can understand the impatience and frustration
expressed with regard to the current situation in Armenia, we have no
alternative but to be patient. One cannot simply bring about democracy
through legislation alone; nor can it be imported or imposed through
the barrel of the gun or by rousing the mob. We must fully bear in
mind our history: over 70 years of communist rule, preceded by about
two years of a most fragile independence, and by over five centuries
of Ottoman rule.
We simply cannot divorce ourselves from the burden and dire
consequences of having lived under occupation for so many centuries.
Regardless of our impatience and desire to witness a truly democratic
state of Armenia, we have no alternative to being patient, because
it takes time to develop democracy, economic and social development,
and civil society, as well as true democratic reforms. We need to
develop, among other things, political maturity, change of mentality
and outlook, which take time and cannot be achieved through legislation
alone. Nor can they be achieved through the mob.
Undoubtedly, the Republic of Armenia, similar to many other countries,
has its own share of serious difficulties, compounded by the current
political and economic crisis and uncertainties worldwide, and its
geographical location in a rather dangerous neighborhood, blockaded
by Turkey and Azerbaijan, and with an ambiguous relationship with
Georgia. Undoubtedly, there is much to be desired with regard to the
prevalent political, economic and social conditions in Armenia. There
are, among others, corrupt practices, inconsistencies in the
application of the justice system, as well as poverty and unemployment
that forces many Armenians to emigrate. Are these conditions unique
only to Armenia? How about the current high unemployment figures
and the deteriorating social conditions in some of the strongest
democratic states as well as their financial difficulties requiring
massive bailouts, and facing possible defaults?
It is long overdue for Mr. Levon Ter-Petrossian, the first President
of the Republic of Armenia, to stop his corrosive activities pursuing
his personal agenda through endless rallies to bring about a regime
change. He should look into the mirror and remember what went on
during his own administration and should review his own record
and legacy before throwing stones at others. Some of the current
practices, which he has been so critical of, started during his own
administration. Mr. Ter-Petrossian, if you want to become the next
President of the Republic of Armenia, organize yourself peacefully
and put your candidacy during the next election. Let the people decide
who should be the President through their ballots. Stop your divisive
and destructive actions, calling constantly for demonstrations which
might get out of hand with very serious consequences.
Irrespective of the negativism prevailing among certain circles, both
within Armenia and the Diaspora, Armenia has indeed a considerable
number of talented and fully committed professionals, both within
the Government, the ministries and the private sector, as well as in
different segments of the society. We should recognize and give credit
where it is due for all the progress being made. We should all unite
and spare no effort in supporting and encouraging them to speed up
the development of democratic institutions, as well as strengthening
the economy and raising the living standards.
In conclusion, I appeal to all political leaders, political pundits,
and the media, both in Armenia and the Diaspora, to refrain from
any action that may incite violence. I should also like to appeal to
all my compatriots to concentrate their efforts and energies towards
the strengthening of the young Republic. All Armenians should unite
because we complement each other; our survival as Armenians is
truly inter-dependent. The strengthening and the security as well
as good governance, economic and social development of the Republic
of Armenia should be the primary objective of all of us, above all
other interests.
By Benon Sevan
The California Courier Online
October 13, 2011
Commentary
Former Under-Secretary-General, United Nations
It is truly disheartening to read the ongoing negative reports and
columns in some news outlets in the Diaspora and Armenia regarding
the current political, economic and social conditions in the Republic
of Armenia, as well as the constant efforts by certain personalities
and political parties to denigrate the Government of Armenia and
its record.
Of all the hundreds of negative reports, is not there at least a
single positive development to report on? Contrary to the ongoing
politically motivated negativism, there are indeed many successes and
improvements achieved in Armenia which deserve to be congratulated
and encouraged. One gets tired of reading what is being said by all
these so-called pundits, rabble-rousers, including self-serving former
government officials pursuing their own personal agenda to bring about
a regime change not through the ballot box but through encouraging a
mob culture. Unfortunately, what we have been witnessing is indeed
tragic with the potential of dire consequences to the stability of
the young Republic that recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary.
No country has become democratic right away. It is categorically
wrong and naive to measure democracy in Armenia, which gained its
independence only twenty years ago, with the same measuring stick
used for democracies in other countries, such as France, the United
Kingdom and the United States, which took centuries to reach their
current stage of democracy. I ask all those who have adopted a negative
attitude to read history. It was not the Armenians who invented the
guillotine; it was not the Armenians who hanged their opponents from
the Tower of London; and it was not the Armenians who practiced slavery
and/or segregation based on color or race. How long did it take for
some of Europe's democracies to give their women the right to vote?
In as much as one can understand the impatience and frustration
expressed with regard to the current situation in Armenia, we have no
alternative but to be patient. One cannot simply bring about democracy
through legislation alone; nor can it be imported or imposed through
the barrel of the gun or by rousing the mob. We must fully bear in
mind our history: over 70 years of communist rule, preceded by about
two years of a most fragile independence, and by over five centuries
of Ottoman rule.
We simply cannot divorce ourselves from the burden and dire
consequences of having lived under occupation for so many centuries.
Regardless of our impatience and desire to witness a truly democratic
state of Armenia, we have no alternative to being patient, because
it takes time to develop democracy, economic and social development,
and civil society, as well as true democratic reforms. We need to
develop, among other things, political maturity, change of mentality
and outlook, which take time and cannot be achieved through legislation
alone. Nor can they be achieved through the mob.
Undoubtedly, the Republic of Armenia, similar to many other countries,
has its own share of serious difficulties, compounded by the current
political and economic crisis and uncertainties worldwide, and its
geographical location in a rather dangerous neighborhood, blockaded
by Turkey and Azerbaijan, and with an ambiguous relationship with
Georgia. Undoubtedly, there is much to be desired with regard to the
prevalent political, economic and social conditions in Armenia. There
are, among others, corrupt practices, inconsistencies in the
application of the justice system, as well as poverty and unemployment
that forces many Armenians to emigrate. Are these conditions unique
only to Armenia? How about the current high unemployment figures
and the deteriorating social conditions in some of the strongest
democratic states as well as their financial difficulties requiring
massive bailouts, and facing possible defaults?
It is long overdue for Mr. Levon Ter-Petrossian, the first President
of the Republic of Armenia, to stop his corrosive activities pursuing
his personal agenda through endless rallies to bring about a regime
change. He should look into the mirror and remember what went on
during his own administration and should review his own record
and legacy before throwing stones at others. Some of the current
practices, which he has been so critical of, started during his own
administration. Mr. Ter-Petrossian, if you want to become the next
President of the Republic of Armenia, organize yourself peacefully
and put your candidacy during the next election. Let the people decide
who should be the President through their ballots. Stop your divisive
and destructive actions, calling constantly for demonstrations which
might get out of hand with very serious consequences.
Irrespective of the negativism prevailing among certain circles, both
within Armenia and the Diaspora, Armenia has indeed a considerable
number of talented and fully committed professionals, both within
the Government, the ministries and the private sector, as well as in
different segments of the society. We should recognize and give credit
where it is due for all the progress being made. We should all unite
and spare no effort in supporting and encouraging them to speed up
the development of democratic institutions, as well as strengthening
the economy and raising the living standards.
In conclusion, I appeal to all political leaders, political pundits,
and the media, both in Armenia and the Diaspora, to refrain from
any action that may incite violence. I should also like to appeal to
all my compatriots to concentrate their efforts and energies towards
the strengthening of the young Republic. All Armenians should unite
because we complement each other; our survival as Armenians is
truly inter-dependent. The strengthening and the security as well
as good governance, economic and social development of the Republic
of Armenia should be the primary objective of all of us, above all
other interests.