HELLO MR SARGSYAN, WE'RE COMING!
Naira Hayrumyan
11:36 05/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29176
The Armenian and American relations are, apparently, entering a new
phase. Congratulating Serzh Sargsyan on his re-election, Barack Obama
"threatened" that soon American investors will arrive in Armenia and
Serzh Sargsyan had better provide a democratic environment for them.
Apparently, Serzh Sargsyan's sign of agreement will be the opening
of the French Carrefour in Armenia. Although the prime minister and
others affirm there are no obstacles to Carrefour in the Armenian
market, the retailer has not arrived yet. Moreover, the U.S.
Ambassador John Heffern had to inquire on Twitter if there is any
news about Carrefour.
The press published articles entitled "Government is helpless against
Samvel Alexanyan" hinting that the prime minister and others will
not be able to cope with the oligarch who blocks the way for foreign
investments. But Samvel Alexanyan has no problems. On the contrary,
his income keeps growing, and he is still one of the major taxpayers
in Armenia. This means that Serzh Sargsyan either does not want or
cannot deal with the oligarch.
The U.S. has chosen investment expansion towards Armenia but it
encounters tough resistance by oligarchs. Civil activists in Armenia
think that if the U.S. really wanted to see Armenia as a democratic
country, Barack Obama would not have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan,
hence giving him carte blanche. Activists held a protest in front of
the U.S. embassy, and the famous human rights activist Arthur Sakunts
wrote a letter to Obama, demanding explanations of why the U.S.
assumes responsibility for the rigged election in Armenia. Sakunts
is even thinking about returning to the State Department the Freedom
Award he received last year.
Meanwhile, a protest was held in Glendale, U.S. to support the civil
society of Armenia against the rigged elections. The icon of American
rock Serj Tankian sent a letter to Serzh Sargsyan urging him to be
the president by the will of people, not by fraud.
America is a big and free country, and people there can have a
different opinion on the events happening in small Armenia. But
the position of the government is important. And now you need to
understand the attitude of the U.S. government to the elections and
the level of democracy in Armenia. Does Barack Obama hope that Serzh
Sargsyan elected through disputed elections will create a good climate
for U.S. investment and democratic reforms?
From: A. Papazian
Naira Hayrumyan
11:36 05/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29176
The Armenian and American relations are, apparently, entering a new
phase. Congratulating Serzh Sargsyan on his re-election, Barack Obama
"threatened" that soon American investors will arrive in Armenia and
Serzh Sargsyan had better provide a democratic environment for them.
Apparently, Serzh Sargsyan's sign of agreement will be the opening
of the French Carrefour in Armenia. Although the prime minister and
others affirm there are no obstacles to Carrefour in the Armenian
market, the retailer has not arrived yet. Moreover, the U.S.
Ambassador John Heffern had to inquire on Twitter if there is any
news about Carrefour.
The press published articles entitled "Government is helpless against
Samvel Alexanyan" hinting that the prime minister and others will
not be able to cope with the oligarch who blocks the way for foreign
investments. But Samvel Alexanyan has no problems. On the contrary,
his income keeps growing, and he is still one of the major taxpayers
in Armenia. This means that Serzh Sargsyan either does not want or
cannot deal with the oligarch.
The U.S. has chosen investment expansion towards Armenia but it
encounters tough resistance by oligarchs. Civil activists in Armenia
think that if the U.S. really wanted to see Armenia as a democratic
country, Barack Obama would not have congratulated Serzh Sargsyan,
hence giving him carte blanche. Activists held a protest in front of
the U.S. embassy, and the famous human rights activist Arthur Sakunts
wrote a letter to Obama, demanding explanations of why the U.S.
assumes responsibility for the rigged election in Armenia. Sakunts
is even thinking about returning to the State Department the Freedom
Award he received last year.
Meanwhile, a protest was held in Glendale, U.S. to support the civil
society of Armenia against the rigged elections. The icon of American
rock Serj Tankian sent a letter to Serzh Sargsyan urging him to be
the president by the will of people, not by fraud.
America is a big and free country, and people there can have a
different opinion on the events happening in small Armenia. But
the position of the government is important. And now you need to
understand the attitude of the U.S. government to the elections and
the level of democracy in Armenia. Does Barack Obama hope that Serzh
Sargsyan elected through disputed elections will create a good climate
for U.S. investment and democratic reforms?
From: A. Papazian