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SERZH SARGSYAN RECOGNIZED RAFFI HOVANNISIAN'S LEGITIMACY
HAKOB BADALYAN
15:50 22/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29041
As soon as the Republicans saw people's excitement about Raffi
Hovannisian's poll, and Raffi Hovannisian declared himself a winner
addressing the crowd on Freedom Square, committing himself to the
people's victory, they started showing signs of worry.
They extended hope that Raffi Hovannisian will refrain from the path
of clashes and will not cause a new March 1.
Basically, this is a hint that Levon Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.
There is no second opinion that as leader of opposition Ter-Petrosyan
has political responsibility. However, it is misleading to say that
Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.
A peaceful assembly of people demanding exercise of their rights
is not a cause of a clampdown. Ter-Petrosyan organized such rallies
without even one case of breach. March 1 was caused by the decision
of the authorities to dispel the peaceful rally followed by other
decisions passed by the RPA majority at the National Assembly. As
soon as the government lacked political arguments, it resorted to
violence to strengthen its foothold.
The Republicans are asking Raffi Hovannisian or expecting him not to
corner them so that they will have to use force.
It should be noted that with political adequacy and intellectual
potential any political force, experienced or not, may push the ruling
party into the corner of lack of arguments. The ruling force is an
entity of criminal economic groups and their proteges of opportunists
and career hunters who are totally deprived of political thought,
traditions and values.
This force is now trying to shift responsibility on the opposition
in advance. Five years ago responsibility was shifted post factum or
along with the developments. March 1 was a lesson for the authorities
so they are acting in advance.
Before Hovannisian would deprive or not deprive the RPA of arguments,
Serzh Sargsyan has already done that, including by means of the
meeting with Raffi Hovannisian.
Despite different opinions on this meeting, it was a concession on
behalf of Serzh Sargsyan because he thus recognized Raffi Hovannisian.
In addition, the recognition was followed up by the president's
spokesman's statement which was not noticed by many. Armen Martirosyan
said during the meeting Raffi Hovannisian supported an open format.
The president's office first issued a video which obliged Raffi
Hovannisian and afterwards communicated a correction.
Now it is not essential what Raffi Hovannisian wanted. The fact
is important that there is a compromise on both sides. And even if
this compromise is tactical in nature for any of the parties, Serzh
Sargsyan thus legitimizes Raffi Hovannisian's movement at least at
this stage and consequently deprives the RPA of its argument.
It is not accidental that the speaker of parliament who is known
for his aspirations to the post of prime minister stated a few hours
after Sargsyan-Hovannisian meeting that he does not want to be prime
minister, and is happy with his work in parliament.
In other words, by de facto legitimization of Raffi Hovannisian's
movement Serzh Sargsyan uses it as a bridle for the authorities
identified with the RPA. Perhaps it is also used to bridle Hovik
Abrahamyan's ambitions to the post of prime minister which he expected
as a reward for the "good" job.
To some extent, this bridle will be a lifebelt for Serzh Sargsyan
to tackle the "hotbeds" of resistance of the system because he will
face complicated issues during his second term to promote systemic
reforms and transfer of power. In both cases Serzh Sargsyan will be
under strong pressure and will have to take dynamic steps or translate
words to action or his second term may end up in bitter consequences.
Armenia has appeared at the front of important geopolitical
developments. The country is not fit for this role now so substantial
change has a strategic important not only for the nation and its
citizens but the geopolitical centers.
This is a historical chance for Armenia and its society. While the
level of self-organization of citizens is not enough to put pressure on
the ruling system, this pressure is not a problem for the geopolitical
centers. This opens up opportunities for Armenia.
Serzh Sargsyan cannot discard the reality which is beyond him and
is here to stay. So, he will have to seek for his legitimacy in
the legitimacy of the opposite side. Meanwhile, the problem is not
recognition of legitimacy of a force or its leader but the situation.
HAKOB BADALYAN
15:50 22/02/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29041
As soon as the Republicans saw people's excitement about Raffi
Hovannisian's poll, and Raffi Hovannisian declared himself a winner
addressing the crowd on Freedom Square, committing himself to the
people's victory, they started showing signs of worry.
They extended hope that Raffi Hovannisian will refrain from the path
of clashes and will not cause a new March 1.
Basically, this is a hint that Levon Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.
There is no second opinion that as leader of opposition Ter-Petrosyan
has political responsibility. However, it is misleading to say that
Ter-Petrosyan caused March 1.
A peaceful assembly of people demanding exercise of their rights
is not a cause of a clampdown. Ter-Petrosyan organized such rallies
without even one case of breach. March 1 was caused by the decision
of the authorities to dispel the peaceful rally followed by other
decisions passed by the RPA majority at the National Assembly. As
soon as the government lacked political arguments, it resorted to
violence to strengthen its foothold.
The Republicans are asking Raffi Hovannisian or expecting him not to
corner them so that they will have to use force.
It should be noted that with political adequacy and intellectual
potential any political force, experienced or not, may push the ruling
party into the corner of lack of arguments. The ruling force is an
entity of criminal economic groups and their proteges of opportunists
and career hunters who are totally deprived of political thought,
traditions and values.
This force is now trying to shift responsibility on the opposition
in advance. Five years ago responsibility was shifted post factum or
along with the developments. March 1 was a lesson for the authorities
so they are acting in advance.
Before Hovannisian would deprive or not deprive the RPA of arguments,
Serzh Sargsyan has already done that, including by means of the
meeting with Raffi Hovannisian.
Despite different opinions on this meeting, it was a concession on
behalf of Serzh Sargsyan because he thus recognized Raffi Hovannisian.
In addition, the recognition was followed up by the president's
spokesman's statement which was not noticed by many. Armen Martirosyan
said during the meeting Raffi Hovannisian supported an open format.
The president's office first issued a video which obliged Raffi
Hovannisian and afterwards communicated a correction.
Now it is not essential what Raffi Hovannisian wanted. The fact
is important that there is a compromise on both sides. And even if
this compromise is tactical in nature for any of the parties, Serzh
Sargsyan thus legitimizes Raffi Hovannisian's movement at least at
this stage and consequently deprives the RPA of its argument.
It is not accidental that the speaker of parliament who is known
for his aspirations to the post of prime minister stated a few hours
after Sargsyan-Hovannisian meeting that he does not want to be prime
minister, and is happy with his work in parliament.
In other words, by de facto legitimization of Raffi Hovannisian's
movement Serzh Sargsyan uses it as a bridle for the authorities
identified with the RPA. Perhaps it is also used to bridle Hovik
Abrahamyan's ambitions to the post of prime minister which he expected
as a reward for the "good" job.
To some extent, this bridle will be a lifebelt for Serzh Sargsyan
to tackle the "hotbeds" of resistance of the system because he will
face complicated issues during his second term to promote systemic
reforms and transfer of power. In both cases Serzh Sargsyan will be
under strong pressure and will have to take dynamic steps or translate
words to action or his second term may end up in bitter consequences.
Armenia has appeared at the front of important geopolitical
developments. The country is not fit for this role now so substantial
change has a strategic important not only for the nation and its
citizens but the geopolitical centers.
This is a historical chance for Armenia and its society. While the
level of self-organization of citizens is not enough to put pressure on
the ruling system, this pressure is not a problem for the geopolitical
centers. This opens up opportunities for Armenia.
Serzh Sargsyan cannot discard the reality which is beyond him and
is here to stay. So, he will have to seek for his legitimacy in
the legitimacy of the opposite side. Meanwhile, the problem is not
recognition of legitimacy of a force or its leader but the situation.