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ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: PANEL ASSESSES INDEPENDENCE IN ARMENIA
Armenian Weekly
Thu, Sep 29 2011
YEREVAN (A.W.)-The Civilitas Foundation hosted a public forum called
"Assessing Independence in Armenia and the Region" at Ani Hotel in
Yerevan on Sept. 27 to explore Armenia's accomplishments, missed
opportunities, and regional and international relations.
(L to R) Ghazarian, Schmidt, and Evans.
Part of a series of forums to promote dialogue about democracy and
development in Armenia, the panelists were John Marshall Evans,
former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, and Hans-Jochen Schmidt, current
Ambassador from Germany to Armenia. The conversation was moderated by
Salpi Ghazarian, Director of Civilitas, and former Special Assistant
to Vartan Oskanian inArmenia's Foreign Ministry.
Ghazarian began the Forum by asking panelists whetherArmeniahas met
the high expectations of the world during the past 20 years. "People
ask me whyArmeniaisn't doing as well asEstonia," remarked German
Ambassador Schmidt. "Armeniafaced lots of challenges at the beginning.
There was the conflict withAzerbaijan, economic issues, and the first
wave of migration." He urged people to not underestimate the successes
and said the country has excellent experts in government, though he
stated that the Central Bank is the only institution inArmeniathat
pays adequate salaries.
Evans, who left his post as ambassador five years ago this month,
noted the importance of looking at the past 20 years against trends in
the world, including the end of the Soviet Union, the rise of internet
and globalization, and advancements in democracy and for women.
"Armenians are already globalized," Evans said, "a good foundation
was laid during this time, but it's not perfect."
When asked by Ghazarian whether other decisions could have been made
during that time, Ambassador Schmidt noted that former president Levon
Ter-Petrossian should recognize that he is responsible for how it
is today. With regard to European relations, Schmidt said that, "You
have to live up to challenges if you want to be part of European Union.
That means creating a competitive environment and good investment
climate, improving customs, and addressing corruption. We'll be
watching the next elections closely."
Evans stated that theU.S.is still arguing about its constitution 230
years after its creation. He continued to say that, "What's great
about elections when they're perceived as fair is that they confer
legitimacy. Democracy is a work in progress. No democracy emerges
as a fully formed democracy. In the five years I've been away, I see
great improvements, mainly in the capital, because I haven't visited
the countryside. But there are clearly shortcomings."
The U.S.has invested inArmenia's development since its independence
from theSoviet Union. When asked what efforts have worked, Evans noted
the U.S.-funded vouchers for those dislocated in the earthquake zone
proved to be a good model for generating the local housing industry.
Additionally, he stated the United States Department of Agriculture's
work in the countryside with goat husbandry, slaughterhouses, and
developing wine production consistency was particularly successful.
Unfortunately, Evans said, "The Millennium Challenge ended [this
month] becauseArmeniais falling behind on ruling justly. TheU.S.has
showed much, maybe too much, tolerance, hoping [the situation] would
improve." According to the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia
website, the program was intended to refurbish major sections of the
country's main canal systems, modernize pumping stations, introduce
new gravity irrigation schemes, re-build tertiary canals and restore
sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system. Evans acknowledged
that the project's cancellation has been widely criticized.
As relates to the region, Ghazarian asked whether theSouth Caucasusis
considered a region or three separate countries. "Everyone sees it
as a potential region. It's a troubled region, but if the problems
can be overcome, there's tremendous potential," Evans said, adding
thatArmeniashould not lose sight of relevant changes in theMiddle
EastandTurkey.
Ghazarian notedGermany's close relationship with neighboringGeorgiaand
asked whether that is a topic discussed. The Ambassador responded that
they have made efforts to promote regional cooperation, but have not
been able to promote economic cooperation. Additionally, "Armeniais
excluded from energy cooperation. I am concerned thatArmeniawill fall
more and more behind. It will be detrimental toArmenia. Opening the
border withTurkeywould help economy."
In response, Ghazarian stated, "We've given all we have to give. We
want the border open." Asked whether theU.S.can encourageTurkeyto open
the border and place the blame onArmeniato appeaseBaku, Evans stated,
"This is a problem of post-Soviet era. They'd just send the problem
toMoscowbefore. There weren't institutions of problem solving here.
The Minsk Group will not impose a solution andAmericacan't
tellTurkeywhat to do." He went on to argue that the first step should
be diplomatic relations withTurkey. "No one is doing anyone a favor
by having diplomatic relations - it doesn't mean friendly. TheU.S.had
diplomatic relations with Stalinist Russia with the goal of defeating
Hitler.GreeceandTurkeyhave full diplomatic relations despite ongoing
border issues."
In response to patriotic comments from an audience member, who
was three years of age whenArmeniacelebrated its independence from
theSoviet Union, Evans noted that this may be the age of the small
state, calling outSingaporeas an example of a special environment. He
continued to say, "You're the independence generation. You've grown
up with the internet. You are creating new ways of doing things."
Armenian Weekly
Thu, Sep 29 2011
YEREVAN (A.W.)-The Civilitas Foundation hosted a public forum called
"Assessing Independence in Armenia and the Region" at Ani Hotel in
Yerevan on Sept. 27 to explore Armenia's accomplishments, missed
opportunities, and regional and international relations.
(L to R) Ghazarian, Schmidt, and Evans.
Part of a series of forums to promote dialogue about democracy and
development in Armenia, the panelists were John Marshall Evans,
former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, and Hans-Jochen Schmidt, current
Ambassador from Germany to Armenia. The conversation was moderated by
Salpi Ghazarian, Director of Civilitas, and former Special Assistant
to Vartan Oskanian inArmenia's Foreign Ministry.
Ghazarian began the Forum by asking panelists whetherArmeniahas met
the high expectations of the world during the past 20 years. "People
ask me whyArmeniaisn't doing as well asEstonia," remarked German
Ambassador Schmidt. "Armeniafaced lots of challenges at the beginning.
There was the conflict withAzerbaijan, economic issues, and the first
wave of migration." He urged people to not underestimate the successes
and said the country has excellent experts in government, though he
stated that the Central Bank is the only institution inArmeniathat
pays adequate salaries.
Evans, who left his post as ambassador five years ago this month,
noted the importance of looking at the past 20 years against trends in
the world, including the end of the Soviet Union, the rise of internet
and globalization, and advancements in democracy and for women.
"Armenians are already globalized," Evans said, "a good foundation
was laid during this time, but it's not perfect."
When asked by Ghazarian whether other decisions could have been made
during that time, Ambassador Schmidt noted that former president Levon
Ter-Petrossian should recognize that he is responsible for how it
is today. With regard to European relations, Schmidt said that, "You
have to live up to challenges if you want to be part of European Union.
That means creating a competitive environment and good investment
climate, improving customs, and addressing corruption. We'll be
watching the next elections closely."
Evans stated that theU.S.is still arguing about its constitution 230
years after its creation. He continued to say that, "What's great
about elections when they're perceived as fair is that they confer
legitimacy. Democracy is a work in progress. No democracy emerges
as a fully formed democracy. In the five years I've been away, I see
great improvements, mainly in the capital, because I haven't visited
the countryside. But there are clearly shortcomings."
The U.S.has invested inArmenia's development since its independence
from theSoviet Union. When asked what efforts have worked, Evans noted
the U.S.-funded vouchers for those dislocated in the earthquake zone
proved to be a good model for generating the local housing industry.
Additionally, he stated the United States Department of Agriculture's
work in the countryside with goat husbandry, slaughterhouses, and
developing wine production consistency was particularly successful.
Unfortunately, Evans said, "The Millennium Challenge ended [this
month] becauseArmeniais falling behind on ruling justly. TheU.S.has
showed much, maybe too much, tolerance, hoping [the situation] would
improve." According to the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia
website, the program was intended to refurbish major sections of the
country's main canal systems, modernize pumping stations, introduce
new gravity irrigation schemes, re-build tertiary canals and restore
sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system. Evans acknowledged
that the project's cancellation has been widely criticized.
As relates to the region, Ghazarian asked whether theSouth Caucasusis
considered a region or three separate countries. "Everyone sees it
as a potential region. It's a troubled region, but if the problems
can be overcome, there's tremendous potential," Evans said, adding
thatArmeniashould not lose sight of relevant changes in theMiddle
EastandTurkey.
Ghazarian notedGermany's close relationship with neighboringGeorgiaand
asked whether that is a topic discussed. The Ambassador responded that
they have made efforts to promote regional cooperation, but have not
been able to promote economic cooperation. Additionally, "Armeniais
excluded from energy cooperation. I am concerned thatArmeniawill fall
more and more behind. It will be detrimental toArmenia. Opening the
border withTurkeywould help economy."
In response, Ghazarian stated, "We've given all we have to give. We
want the border open." Asked whether theU.S.can encourageTurkeyto open
the border and place the blame onArmeniato appeaseBaku, Evans stated,
"This is a problem of post-Soviet era. They'd just send the problem
toMoscowbefore. There weren't institutions of problem solving here.
The Minsk Group will not impose a solution andAmericacan't
tellTurkeywhat to do." He went on to argue that the first step should
be diplomatic relations withTurkey. "No one is doing anyone a favor
by having diplomatic relations - it doesn't mean friendly. TheU.S.had
diplomatic relations with Stalinist Russia with the goal of defeating
Hitler.GreeceandTurkeyhave full diplomatic relations despite ongoing
border issues."
In response to patriotic comments from an audience member, who
was three years of age whenArmeniacelebrated its independence from
theSoviet Union, Evans noted that this may be the age of the small
state, calling outSingaporeas an example of a special environment. He
continued to say, "You're the independence generation. You've grown
up with the internet. You are creating new ways of doing things."