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Aravot, Armenia
Nov 8 2012
Is Moscow behind the statement of Prosperous Armenia party?
by Emma Gabrielyan
[Translated from Armenian]
While [Armenian] politicians were waiting for the leader of the
Prosperous Armenia [PA] party, Gagik Tsarukyan, to make a decision to
run [in the coming 2013 presidential election] himself or to back
[Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan, the secretary of the PA faction,
Naira Zohrabyan, made a statement on 6 November, in which the PA
called on other factions to start political consultations on the
transition to the parliamentary system of governance and 100-per-cent
proportionate electoral system.
The transition to the parliamentary system of governance implies that
the president to be elected in 2013 will take the office for maximum
four years and that the president, together with other political
forces, will implement respective constitutional amendments and
introdce a new system.
When speaking on the aforementioned issue, Zohrabyan said in the air
of the "Urvagits" TV programme of Kentron TV on 6 November: "This is a
matter of establishing a common agenda. It is not dogmatic. Any force
may present its own vision of system-wide changes we can discuss".
Zohrabyan continued: "We are not raising an issue of persons, but an
issue of system-wide changes, and we are open to discussion. This is a
major attempt to consolidate healthy political forces".
Then Zohrabyan explained that the suggestion is addressed to all the
forces, including the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia [RPA].
However, the PA's statement was received quite coldly by political
forces on 7 November.
Moreover, members of the RPA, describing the suggestion as Zohrabyan's
personal initiative, showed that they do not consider this a matter of
discussion, although they noted at the same time that they may assess
any suggestion.
Moreover, Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker and RPA speaker Eduard
Sharmazanov made quite noteworthy comments.
"It would be at least political short-sightedness not to see people,
who do not have a chance to come to power independently, behind the
people, who make sudden suggestions of transition to parliamentary
system of governance. This is more than obvious," Sharmazanov said.
"It is a simple step, and it is obvious, where it was programmed.
Further developments will unmask political forces and movements, and
their real faces will be unveiled, if one follows their steps
regarding this issue," Sharmazanov continued.
The reaction of the RPA's spokesman makes it possible to imply that
the RPA can see some other forces behind the PA's statement and can
even suppose, where this statement was prepared.
Does the RPA imply [former Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan,
considering Kocharyan as having no opportunity to come to power, and
does the RPA imply Moscow as the place where the statement was
prepared? ... Probably.
If this is the case, then Sharmazanov's statement clarifies the
situation in Armenia's political field.
This means that the RPA understands that the PA, together with forces
supporting it, and the published statement may set terms for Sargsyan
until the presidential election, demanding the position of prime
minister, which would possibly mean that Russia demands executive
power from Sargsyan.
On the other hand, the PA, considering itself to be an "alternative"
to the government, seems to follow Georgia's example with its
statement, raising the problem of consolidation of political forces
and assuming responsibility for establishing political agenda three
months ahead of the presidential election with the aim of stressing
its leading role in the political field.
On the other hand, does the PA sincerely believe that Sargsyan will
initiate the process of transition to the parliamentary system? Or the
political "bargain" with Sargsyan under the veil of political
consolidation will end up with satisfying Kocharyan's demands only...
Time will show this.
However one thing is obvious: Noteworthy developments are expected in
the camps of Sargsyan and Kocharyan.
[Ellipses as published throughout]
[Translated from Armenian]
Nov 8 2012
Is Moscow behind the statement of Prosperous Armenia party?
by Emma Gabrielyan
[Translated from Armenian]
While [Armenian] politicians were waiting for the leader of the
Prosperous Armenia [PA] party, Gagik Tsarukyan, to make a decision to
run [in the coming 2013 presidential election] himself or to back
[Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan, the secretary of the PA faction,
Naira Zohrabyan, made a statement on 6 November, in which the PA
called on other factions to start political consultations on the
transition to the parliamentary system of governance and 100-per-cent
proportionate electoral system.
The transition to the parliamentary system of governance implies that
the president to be elected in 2013 will take the office for maximum
four years and that the president, together with other political
forces, will implement respective constitutional amendments and
introdce a new system.
When speaking on the aforementioned issue, Zohrabyan said in the air
of the "Urvagits" TV programme of Kentron TV on 6 November: "This is a
matter of establishing a common agenda. It is not dogmatic. Any force
may present its own vision of system-wide changes we can discuss".
Zohrabyan continued: "We are not raising an issue of persons, but an
issue of system-wide changes, and we are open to discussion. This is a
major attempt to consolidate healthy political forces".
Then Zohrabyan explained that the suggestion is addressed to all the
forces, including the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia [RPA].
However, the PA's statement was received quite coldly by political
forces on 7 November.
Moreover, members of the RPA, describing the suggestion as Zohrabyan's
personal initiative, showed that they do not consider this a matter of
discussion, although they noted at the same time that they may assess
any suggestion.
Moreover, Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker and RPA speaker Eduard
Sharmazanov made quite noteworthy comments.
"It would be at least political short-sightedness not to see people,
who do not have a chance to come to power independently, behind the
people, who make sudden suggestions of transition to parliamentary
system of governance. This is more than obvious," Sharmazanov said.
"It is a simple step, and it is obvious, where it was programmed.
Further developments will unmask political forces and movements, and
their real faces will be unveiled, if one follows their steps
regarding this issue," Sharmazanov continued.
The reaction of the RPA's spokesman makes it possible to imply that
the RPA can see some other forces behind the PA's statement and can
even suppose, where this statement was prepared.
Does the RPA imply [former Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan,
considering Kocharyan as having no opportunity to come to power, and
does the RPA imply Moscow as the place where the statement was
prepared? ... Probably.
If this is the case, then Sharmazanov's statement clarifies the
situation in Armenia's political field.
This means that the RPA understands that the PA, together with forces
supporting it, and the published statement may set terms for Sargsyan
until the presidential election, demanding the position of prime
minister, which would possibly mean that Russia demands executive
power from Sargsyan.
On the other hand, the PA, considering itself to be an "alternative"
to the government, seems to follow Georgia's example with its
statement, raising the problem of consolidation of political forces
and assuming responsibility for establishing political agenda three
months ahead of the presidential election with the aim of stressing
its leading role in the political field.
On the other hand, does the PA sincerely believe that Sargsyan will
initiate the process of transition to the parliamentary system? Or the
political "bargain" with Sargsyan under the veil of political
consolidation will end up with satisfying Kocharyan's demands only...
Time will show this.
However one thing is obvious: Noteworthy developments are expected in
the camps of Sargsyan and Kocharyan.
[Ellipses as published throughout]
[Translated from Armenian]