BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)—On Dec. 1, Transparency International released the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 183 countries with scores between 0 (highly corrupt) and 10 (very clean). Armenia scored 2.6, ranking 129th.
Armenia shares its rank and score with Syria, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. As for Armenia’s neighbors: Turkey ranked 61 with a score of 4.2; Georgia ranked 64 with a score of 4.1; and Azerbaijan ranked 143 with a score of 2.4.
Armenia ranked 12th (out of 19) among Eastern European and Central Asian countries. Turkey and Georgia ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively, while Azerbaijan came in 13th.
Transparency International defines corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.”
The index report explains that the use of “perceptions” as a key indicator is necessary because corruption occurs behind the curtain, and “over time, perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption.”
New Zealand ranked the least corrupt, closely followed by Denmark and Finland, while Somalia and North Korea came in last.
“This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor. Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government,” Huguette Labelle, the chair of Transparency International, was quoted as saying.
The index relied on data from 17 surveys that monitored laws, the bribery of public officials, embezzlement of public funds, and access to information, among many other factors. To determine Armenia’s 2.6 score (with a confidence range of 2.4-2.9), the index relied on eight sources. Two thirds of countries ranked by the index scored less than 5.
Click here to view the index.
Nanore Barsoumian
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Yep, another fantasy list; election time must be near! It’s very encouraging to see that Saudi Arabia, an Islamic cesspool administered by bloodthirsty tyrants, “scored” better than Armenia. Even Turkey scored better! LOL
I am ashamed.
While you concentrate your energy to sting Turkey like bees, you have forgotten to clean up your beehive! :-)
I know, I’m ashamed too. I hope we are ashamed of the same thing – our beloved USA is more corrupt then Canada, right?
Very sad and disappointing. Most government officials are remnants of the Communist Regime.
We do not gain anything by throwing stones to other countries; We have to deal and face our own problems and the only way to do that is to enlighten and educate the population in Armenia to use their voting power by kicking out the corrupt officials.
Unfortunately there is too much apathy. Efforts to educate the electorate must be stepped up. This should be a top priority for the ARF in Armenia.
Vart Adjemian
Dear Vart et al,
Corruption is unfortunately as you all have described rampant in RA as well.I write as well,because in all countries,as someone above mentioned. However……………
In light of the Economic crunch(crisis,if you prefer) that has enveloped the world,the possible way out of it or at the very least curb it a bit will be TRANSFORMATION of Governance to a more Democratic Socialism(my invented… ISM)or easier and shorter way to describe it like it is employed in the SCANDINAVIAN countries.In brief(I know a bit about that9 and quickest mode to start curbing…the crisis then bribing etc.,
IS TO LEVY HIGH TAXES TO INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS(samples?:-Cell phone communications providing companies that have sprung up in Armenia Sure..they make donations are philanthropists…but I mean the Government (like Scanunuvia) apply it STRICTLY.Biznesses also to be submitted to same mode,say, if X industry ,IT communication company or etc., makes equivalent of 10 million dollars in ADM, LEVY 85% income tax,plus capital gains tax as well…
To smaller ones proportionally decreasing it to %65, %45 and down to 10/15% if earnings are less…
Then INCREASE quite a bit to good workers, whether blue collar or labour their salaries and or incentives…so s they get to be the MUCH NEEDED MIDDLE CLASS in Armenia. I don´t believe the bribing will cease, but it will DECREASE ,IF ABOVE IS DONE. I have to suggest this to ARF.they should be the Vanguard being a member of INTERNACIONAL SOLCIALISTA!!!
What is more I also ¨suggest¨ to this 121 old political party of ours(indeed doing what it can) try NEW strategies as (I have written that in my book) small but important ;change name to AEF(Armenian E v ol u t i o n a r y federation…
For we must keep in mind our country does not need to undergo revolutions!!! we are not to a standard that needs that.but also apply this sample to other issues too.
Such as the Red flag that it uses should be changed to a WHITE BACKGROUND ONE,since many in far flung areas and/or less educated , when they see that automatically think of the RED Flag of yesteryear…..This is PSYCHOLOGICAL..but also effective.
Now this to the Editors and co.If I have taken the Liberty to make a ¨Critique¨ to them it is allowed in their KANONAGIR DZRAGIR, I have what´s more Ruben Ter Minassian´booklet that somewhere in it mentions that the arf welcomes from the PEOPLE ADVICE. No I never advise, I suggest.Especially with related issues.
best to all
All Soviet era politicians must go, no Serge, no Levon, and no Robert, there is no room for them in politics..
Ahmad Bey, don’t jump to your conclusion, if it wasn’t Western influence on Turkey, your beloved Turkey would have been same level as AzerPYchan…Armenia is a very small nation the correction will take only 6 months, if nationalistic and patriotic party, such as ARF take over governing position of Armenia, and I assure you sooner or later will happen, that will be a Turkish nightmare!!Remember since 2-nd world war, until 1970, Italy runs by mafia gangsters, For Turkey took 95 years with the help of “Christian club” of EU to reach today’s level, but there is no guarantee that corruption do not exist in Turkey, especially in Muslim world, there is too much politics involved, behind these kinds of ranking, that you and I can not imagine!!If Western world take into consideration of Turkey’s mounting bribe giving habit, who are filling Turkish delights in the pockets of those corrupted Western honorable politicians, attorneys, so called “scholars”, who make money out of Armenia Genocide, Turkey would have been ranked the bottom of the most corrupted country of the world!!
Grish,
You really do live in a delusion world of fantasy and dreams! Your attacks on Ahmet, and your comments, are disproportionate with the topic, and border on being ludicrous and desperate! Wake up already!!!
I missed a name when I was posting …
No “Robert The Turk” and “Ahmad” and “????” either!!
As long as there is no Diasporan-Armenian at the helm, our homeland will be under the feet of corruption-infested officials who are fed by the native mafia.
These people will not see a single penny from my pocket donated to government-driven fund raising. I rather donate my money directly to the needy people who live at the fringes of Yerevan or at nearby villages.
I wish Zoravar Andranik’s jokats were alive today to teach a descent lesson to the mafia-backed officials and pave the way for the progress of our sacred homeland. Then we could get back to our national liberation struggle and continue to build on the victories of Karabagh.
I wish the solution was that simple – just bring a Diasporan-Armenian and everything will be fixed.
Unfortunately, the way many of the Diasporan-Armenian leaders conduct business shows that it could be even worse for the regular folks that you promised to help. Just look at the way they sue each other and run their organizations as family businesses with corruption and nepotism.
“Armenia is a very small nation the correction will take only 6 months, if nationalistic and patriotic party, such as ARF take over governing position of Armenia…” Are you joking???
At the end of the day, this pointless/senseless/bullkaka report acts as psychological warfare operations (psyops). Its intent, like all government sanctioned psyops, is to break the Armenian spirit. They are succeeding in using the fledgling nation’s growing pains against it – simply because geopolitically Armenia refuses to align itself to the West. Thus, Armenia is seriously being targeted by special interest controlled Western institutions and news media. This is a very serious matter, and it goes way beyond “fighting corruption” in Armenia. This is also the reason why all self-respecting Armenians (I know there are only a few of those in the English speaking world) to refrain from recklessly attacking the Armenian government. I emphasize working with the current authorities to bring about change, not work against them. Armenia needs political and social evolution, not a Western funded revolution.
Well said! Thank you.
I would add that this “report” is not Armenia-focused. The same could be said about almost any country that happened to be in the way of the Big OIL and Military Industrial Complex in their quest to rob the world.
Harutik,
I don’t know what the best course of action for Armenia with regard to corruption but working with the authorities doesn’t sound like it’ll work. Many of the authorities are part of the corruption problem. How did you exactly want to work with the authorities to solve the corruption problem? What’s your gameplan?
Probably the best place to start is to just fire people by starting with the most corrupt at the head of the ministries.
Dear Voskanapat,
I just entered your site.While it is good to have more such sites.i had one (now to be recovered and reconstructed) I often think the Armenian Mass Media should really(ESPECIALLY IN DIASPORA) RALLY AROUND one main Entity,aas i have outlined in my ¨paper¨s It is one of the 15 Prof. colleagues Associaitons that of the Communications IT, or better yet the one denominated the MEDIA.
have you thought of one in Yerevan,Armenia?
Pleae do with your colleagues establishing the MEDIA or PRESS(whichever you prefer) Colleagiues Association there.
Best rgds,
G.p
Why do you always compare AR to Turkey?
How many articles have you written without mentioning about Turkey?
inferiority complex?
Turkey is a model for you?
Necati,
Turkey, in general, has a huge inferiority complex as well.
@Random Armenian
In reality, there has never been a pan-national effort to work with the authorities. The ARF beats its own anti-state war drum, the opposition beats its own anti-state war drum, the nation’s Western agents beat their own anti-state war drum, etc… The result: a tiny, poor and fledgling nation surrounded by enemies is currently being pulled apart from all sides. Even with his faults, Serj Sargsyan has proved that he is taking his position as president of Armenia very seriously. He has been by far the best leader we have yet had, although that’s not saying much it is progress nonetheless.
Therefore, instead of partaking in the Western agenda to demoralize our people by constantly fear-mongering, hate-mongering and engaging in destructive criticism, we should be collectively supporting the current regime implement its reforms faster. More importantly, we must realize that this will be a slow evolutionary process because Armenia and Armenians need to be reworked from the ground up.
Stop the Western alliance from alter your minds towards our homeland (always read between the lines of what they write). Stop engaging in destructive criticism. Stop expecting things from an embattled young nation that even the best nations of this world achieved only after generations of peace and prosperity. In other words, Rome wasn’t built in a single day, so wasn’t the most prosperous nations of the developed world. Armenians need to be patient, objective, rational and pro-active.
There is corruption everywhere on God’s green earth (the most severe forms of corruption exists right here in the USA, but American corruption has become institutionalized and it is secured for the nation’s political/financial elite). Corruption, however, is no excuse to bad-mouth or disengage from your homeland. At the end of the day, stopping you from supporting your homeland is what our numerous enemies want. Since they can’t bomb Armenia like they bombed Serbia, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria (?), Iran (?), they are resorting to bombarding us with psychological warfare.
We are living in very dangerous times. We Armenians can no longer afford to be oblivious to the highly explosive geopolitical affairs of the region.
PS:if you are a typical Amerika-hay, none of what I said here will make any sense.
Dear Gaytzag,
Thank you for visiting the Voskanapat site. I’m just one of the readers there and want to promote it as well as many other sites that I like to read.
Please contact them directly from the website.
good post to Random Harutik. All true.
you write like a saner version of Avetis.
Harutik,
Might it be that you’re the same ‘Avetis’, the fierce proponent of unelected, illegitimate, and inherently corrupt regime in Armenia? If yes, or even if you’re not, both of you are perhaps the only ones here who’d rather prefer to keep your people in poverty and lawlessness and as émigrés under semiliterate ruling thugs than to advocate constructive criticism and liberal changes in Armenia. What makes you think that those who criticize partake in ‘Western agenda to demoralize our people by constantly fear-mongering, hate-mongering and engaging in destructive criticism”? In your view, who’s more patriotic: a voiceless subject subservient to a regime or a citizen voicing his or her criticism of injustices in the homeland? Why do you think it is the current regime that all of us collectively need to support in implementing reforms? Why wouldn’t we collectively support an elected, public-spirited, and, most importantly, a popular government? Posters like you beat the state propaganda drum: collectively support the current regime or else the West will bomb Armenia or a war will resume in Karabakh. People living in Armenia know this cheap governmental trick too well, and I don’t think we need another state propagandist on these pages.
Harutik,
Where do you live? Are you originally from Armenia? Are you an America-hye yourself?
“Stop engaging in destructive criticism.”
I’m sorry but you’re having a defensive, knee-jerk reaction to this whole corruption index report and seeing conspiracy theories. Corruption is everywhere but it’s considerably worse in some places than others. The police in the US do not regularly try to get bribes out of tour buses like they do in Armenia. It’s these little, in-your-face, everyday things, that start eating at the people.
“Corruption, however, is no excuse to bad-mouth or disengage from your homeland.”
Who is saying this? If your entire post was addressed to me, then I never said this nor insinuate it.
Speaking up against corruption is not bad-mouthing Armenia. It is the correct thing to do in trying to improve a bad situation. Armenia, being a tiny country is much more vulnerable to corruption and it’s destructive effects.
One must support and applaud progress in Armenia while at the same time speak up about continuing problems. That’s the one thing to take away from the American experience. If there is a problem, you speak up about it, and things can change and improve as a result.
Corruption is a cancer. I’ve been to Armenia several times and have connections there. There is discontent in that country about it, and no it’s not some Western induced exaggeration. The people in Armenia feel it themselves. I’ve heard the comedians talk about it, as best as they can, in their shows and I’ve talked to people. One person talked to me about what he saw as improvement in Georgia by the mass firings of corrupt officials. Anecdotal, yes, but I heard it while in Armenia, from Armenians.
Corruption happens when people know they can get away with it and when people won’t speak up and shine a light on it.
Mr. Harutik,
Istanbullu musunuz?
Harutik,
“we should be collectively supporting the current regime implement its reforms faster.”
And how do we exactly do this? That’s what I want to know from you, because you’re implying that you know how to do this. What is your gameplan?
@Random Armenian
The simple fact that you are looking this matter as a “game plan” sets the whole thing up for failure. That is typical American mentality and part of the problem we have. There cant be a game plan because this is not a game.
I don’t have any answers for you. I just know that what we have been doing with regard to our homeland is wrong and its time to change our approach. We can only come up with a new approach collectively. Sadly, I don’t see this happening. Why? Simply because Armenians are too individualistic and egotistical. Moreover, many Armenian organizations here in the diaspora have been penetrated by Western agents.
Nevertheless, we need to work with the Armenia we have today instead of destroying the Armenia we have today pursuing the Armenia of our fantasies. To work with the ruling regime our activists, our political parties and our organizations must first put aside their self-righteous attitudes and self-serving agendas. Different Armenian organizations have different agendas. Sometimes these agendas are conflicting with Armenia’s national interests, something they are oblivious of Armenia’s national interests and sometimes they are working against Armenia’s national interests. The fiasco over the protocols are an example of what I mean. The opposition’s destructive actions in Armenia is an example of what I mean. ARF’s constant attacks against Armenian authorities without providing reasonable or rational solutions is an example of what I mean.
Constantly attacking the embattled young republic because of “corruption” without rationally or objectively looking at the matter as adults is what I mean…
As individuals, what we can do is we can stop participating in the dissemination of poisonous propaganda and political gossip. We also need to better understand the psychology mentality of Armenians in Armenia. Diasporan Armenians are more Arabic, French, American or Turkish than Armenian. We have to somehow overcome this cultural divide. We also need to better understand the ruthless geopolitical environment Armenia finds itself in; perhaps the worst neighborhood in the world. We also need to understand that it may require generations of peace and stability before Armenia fully develops as a nation-state. In the meanwhile, we should also accept that Armenia will suffer from severe growing pains.
The one thousand year old damage Armenia was forced to endure simply cannot be remedied in a single lifetime.
As I sad, we need to work with the government, not against it. More people need to begin realizing this. It is obvious that Serj Sargsyan is taking his presidency very seriously. This is an opportunity for our political parties, organizations and individuals alike – yet I hear no one calling us to come together and work on Armenia’s problems as a collective body. If only ten percent of diasporans bought houses or apartments in Armenia and regularly spent their summers or vacations there, Armenia would develop at a much-much faster pace.
We need to be constructive, proactive, politically aware and patient.
Dear Voskanapat,
Thanks for the info.Just went to site.it is also (to the right) named TIMES.AM.Anyhow, there was an article entitled THE ROBUST MAN OF EUROPE¨AS FOLLOW UP,IF YOU REMEBER THE MUCH REPEATED the sick man of Europe for a long time..
I started my post with´THE CONVALESCENT MAN OF EUROPE!¨¨AND WENT ON EXPLAINING AND GIVING DETAILS AS TO MY VIEWPOINT AND WHY IT SHOULD BE ENTITLED SO.
After añll the trouble I took to write it(and mind you my name and e-mail addres was there on top of the box,even before i started to type fast like I do now..then at the end
when clicked to send, comes back reply ACCESS DENIED…I wrote more telling them how come my name and address wass there ,but not allowing me to post otherwise very courteously et.c, go figure out why we Armenians sometiems act like this…
Statistics on Bribes
You opened a door,
For something
We are aware of
Which we don’t need
See the letters from our enemies…
Write something which give us
Happiness…pride…
The bribe is in every place
Don’t believe the arranged statistics…
Who says they don’t have bribes
They have already paid for those
Who gave them the information not to write
Awake…
We know it all
Don’t open pandora’s box
On a people who takes few less than few cents
While some take millions…
All politicians are bribed
But that doesn’t enter in the count…
I am sorry to say this…
But awake…
The numbers are numbers
You can add the way you like
And deduct in the same way…
If you don’t like…
Sylva
December 8, 2011
Voskanapat.info is under constant Azeri-Turk attacks. Not only virtual, they also organized an assassination attempt inside Armenia…
I believe that to post there you would need to register your permanent ID with this secure site first: http://www.unet.com/register/
I’m sure they’ll appreciate your help with translations and editing especially into other languages.
Harutik,
Thank you for your well written and balanced answers to people who try to attack you personally because they don’t agree with your point of view.
All Armenians should do everything in their power to maintain unity and help Armenia. Unfortunately, our tax $$ here help Turkey to maintain economic blockade of Armenia for so many years.
“Everyone loathes his own country and countrymen if he is any sort of artist.”
Lawrence Durrell
I have published many papers in medical statistics…As a junior I did a paper with another Physician,
Our results were different…His English Language was better than mine but not his calculation,
Mine was detailed like any typical Armenian…While at that time he was engaged and enjoying his happy life…He cooked What he wanted to cook to finish the subject…and pass his paper…At the end the tutor was satisfied with my results…and mine was presented and published…
Also those people who work in this subjects are not very clever…There are endless variation how to calculate what are the basis…poor versus rich countries and endless variables which can never properly assessed…
Sylva
Voskanapat et al,
As a former “hayastantsi”, I personally do everything in my power to maintain unity and help Armenia. I belong to no political party or an activist group nor am I an agent of influence, thus putting in my ‘2 cents’ in maintaining unity of the nation. I provide help on monthly basis. To organizations in Armenia. To Diasporan projects for Armenia. But I have hard time understanding why voicing a concern qualifies someone as partaker in “Western agenda to demoralize our people by engaging in destructive criticism”?! Why is criticism of an unpopular, nepotic regime, a regime incapable of curbing emigration, destructive? How else in the history of the mankind a society has undergone transformation from an unpopular, self-centered regime to a liberal, participatory government, if not through popular criticism, civil dissatisfaction, political activism, etc.?
@Arsen – Thank you. I’m honored to be associated with “Harutik”.
@Random Armenian – In real terms, Georgia is worst-off than Armenia. Again, it’s the Western propaganda as well as the window dressing in Tbilisi that gives our backward/primitive peasantry that impression.
The difference between Georgia and Armenia:
With tens of billions of dollars of Western loans – as well as military/intelligence support from Turkey, Europe, Israel and Americat – Saakashvili was able to curb many of his nation’s oligarchs and become the biggest oligarch himself. In the process, however, he also made his nation deeply indebted to the West, dependent on Turkey, made enemies with the Bear, lost almost 1/3 of his country during a military aggression it initiated – and most Georgians today live actually on the same level as most Armenians. Also, there is actually less political freedoms and press freedoms in Georgia. But our peasantry is impressed by the fact the Georgian police, who I heard make several thousand dollars a month (thanks to Western loans), don’t take bribes.
Georgia is a Western experiment superficially propped up in the Caucasus to be used as a center of operation against Russia, Armenia and Iran. Georgia, however, has been placed under severe debt and it has been mutilated by the Bear. Saakashvili’s time in office is also running out. He will sooner-or-later be coming back to Washington with a one way ticket or in a body bag.
At the end of the day. Armenian idiots that bring up Georgia as an example for Armenia are mindlessly parroting Western propaganda and they are actually wishing suicide for Armenia. The Georgian experiment will destroy Armenia. Having said that, I need to also mention that Georgians in general are actually interested in state-building, while Armenians are interested in real-estate in Glendale.
“The one thousand year old damage Armenia was forced to endure simply cannot be remedied in a single lifetime.”
“Armenia needs political and social evolution, not a Western funded revolution.”
During my last visit to my hometown, Rize-Pazar , i saw many Georgians making business there. and their business in size is getting bigger and bigger.
Visa is no more needed between Turkey and Georgia. They just show their ID card and pass through passport office.
Georgia is developing very fast unlike Armenia.
Avetis,
Most of us likes to see happier, healthier Armenian population in Armenia, of course with less corruption and more freedom of speech and stronger army, this has nothing to do with US or Russia or Georgia….Armenia still needs improvements, what ever we have now it is not acceptable for most ordinary Armenians living in Armenia, and diaspora, this situation must improve on daily bases!!
@Random Armenian
My comments were not directed at you, they were general observations.
I also agree that Georgia is a dangerous experiment that will backfire. One of the differences between Georgia and Armenia is the fact that in Georgia power is more centralized whereas in Armenia there are several power centers that sometimes collaborate and sometimes compete – but always stagnate. We need a powerful leader that will break a few heads and consolidate power. Although I like him, Serj Sargsyan is not that capable, or courageous. Moreover, as already pointed out, Georgia is provided tens of billion of dollars in loans to pro-up the Turkish/Israel/Europe/American backed regime. God-willing the next twelve years will see Putin in power. Georgia is most probably one of the top five agendas on Putin’s desk, the others being protecting Syria, Iran and figuring out what to do against Washington’s offensive “missile defense” sites.
Harutik,
I find your comments regarding Western influence and agenda in dealing with corruption in Armenia to be red herring. You’ve said things such as “Therefore, instead of partaking in the Western agenda to demoralize our people by constantly fear-mongering, hate-mongering and engaging in destructive criticism,…” The demoralization in Armenia is not being imposed from outside, it’s generated internally by the corruption and the behavior of the officials of the Armenian government itself. And I’m not refering to the political fighting by the parties, but what the people in Armenia see, feel and percieve in their everyday lives.
“The simple fact that you are looking this matter as a “game plan” sets the whole thing up for failure. That is typical American mentality and part of the problem we have. There cant be a game plan because this is not a game.”
This response makes no sense to me. How does labeling a word I used as “American mentally” show that there is something wrong with what I said? And no, corruption and young people leaving Armenia for better opportunities is not a game. I see this as a serious issue that Armenia cannot afford to live with.
You keep insisting we should work with the Armenian authorities to implement reforms faster, but I see no actual concrete ideas on how to go about doing this. How about we hash out ideas right here and right now. So many times, in forums such as this, people call out that we should do this for Armenian and support this ultimate goal, but they are vague and emotional cries that only says “we should help Armenia be better.” But nothing comes of it. So how do we encourage the current authorities to implement reforms, which I think you agree needs to happen. What is preventing Sargsyan from implementing them, if that is his intent.
“We need a powerful leader that will break a few heads and consolidate power”. I like the breaking a few heads thing, vague as it is, but not the consolodate power part. That’s asking for trouble given that power corrupts.
Harutik, please note, this is nothing personal. I disagree with some of your points you’ve written about.
I don’t like Putin any more than I like US foreign policy. And based on recent developments in Russia, Putin’s popularity has started to decline. Is this good or bad for Armenia?
Necati, you just be quiet and drink your bloody raki…yes you are right I see Turkish and Georgian cross border prostitution businesses getting better and better every day. Unemployment in Georgia is way lower than Armenia, due to Turkish mosque building habits in Georgia, you should take your “halal raki” go to Georgia for vacationing as well..
“The one thousand year old damage Armenia was forced to endure simply cannot be remedied in a single lifetime.” –The two thousand year old damage Jews were forced to endure was, in fact, remedied in a single lifetime. Western aid that the Israelites were able to invite for achieving the goal was a part of the remedy.
“Armenia needs political and social evolution, not a Western funded revolution.” –Undeniably, but is political and social evolution actually happening? If we admit it’s happening, Armenia loses its population in the excruciatingly slow process. As Random stated, concrete ideas need to be hashed out to support this concept. How do we achieve the political and social evolution while semiliterate self-centered thugs rule the country and disgruntled segments of the populace continue to emigrate?
On Georgia. –Armenia cannot and should not blindly copy the ‘Georgian experiment’ or an experiment of any other country, for that matter. But there are certain universal reforms that the ruling regime must implement to help Armenia be better. It’s simply not true that the Georgian police’ making several thousand dollars a month is the reason why they don’t take bribes. Another reason is that Saakashvili has at the time preventively fired several thousand policemen so that others learn the lesson. Serj, too, made his nation deeply indebted to the West and Russia, dependent on Russia beyond measure, as well as on Iran, maintains far less amicable relations with the West, and is reluctant to make a breakthrough in relations with Azerbaijan because of a fear to lose power if the Artsakh problem is resolved. Politics is a variable, and if Georgia behaves herself, the same Bear, to whom Saakashvili lost almost 1/3 of his country, will recognize back Abkhazia and South Ossetia as parts of Georgia.
On Putin/Russia. –At this historical moment, with the kind of regime we have in Armenia, with Armenia’s russocentric foreign policy, and given the geopolitical environment Armenia finds herself in, weaker Russia is probably bad for Armenia. But a professionally capable and public-spirited government must contemplate what Armenia’s steps will be if Russia becomes weaker or disinterested in the peripheries given the gravity of her domestic situation? Has Serj and Co. ever given it a thought? Is there a provision in Armenia’s national security doctrine addressing such an option?
‘…and is reluctant to make a breakthrough in relations with Azerbaijan because of a fear to lose power if the Artsakh problem is resolved’
Arsen: what breakthrough in relations with Azerbaijan do you propose ?
What would you do if you were the President of RoA ?
Avery,
I lack careerist ambitions, leadership mania, provincial narrow-mindedness and geghci odor to be the president or a government official or an oligarch of RoA. As an elitist, i.e. a well-bred, well-mannered, and educated member of intelligentsia (not to be mixed with a member of ruling elites), I have, however, an ability to observe and think through: qualities that are generally not welcomed by regimes. As such, I fundamentally disagree with those who think that to voice criticism of mismanagement, lawlessness, inherent corruption, nepotism, and de-population is to “partake in the Western agenda to demoralize our people”. Are masses of dissatisfied locals Western agents? Are those emigrating in despair Western agents? Is Charles Aznavour voicing criticism in interviews to Life Showbiz and Nouvelles d’Arménie a Western agent?
Leave your e-mail, if you will, with admin and I’ll do the same, and I’ll share how I see the breakthrough and why any breakthrough doesn’t sit well with the thugs clinging to power.
Necati,
The article you will find following the link below is written by a Georgian.
http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/articles/50484.html
It explains pretty well the point Grish is making and what it means to do “business” with Turkey. It always has to be so as to serve the “superior” Turkish interests, first and foremost, and on Turkey’s terms, of course.
Here is another one by a Georgian author. It’s not in very good English but the point is well made.
Try and you may comprehend.
http://www.bakutoday.net/guram-sharia-turkey-is-slowly-but-surely-masters-of-georgia.html
Avery,
Tit for tat. You said Harutik’s post was “all true”. Do you concur that masses in RoA and beyond criticizing the regime are all “partaking in the Western agenda to demoralize our people”? Do you agree that counter to the free will of RoA citizens who didn’t cast votes for the current regime “we should be collectively supporting it”?
Arsen: I have no problem giving you my email, but I’d rather we exchanged views in the open for the benefit of the rest of AW posters/readers. There is nothing secret we’d be discussing anyway.
If I remember correctly, you and I had a long, long exchange of views a while back about RoA.
Back to “all true”: not everything Harutik said I agree with. But I was not going to parse every sentence, and then drill down on this or that item I disagreed with. I agreed with the post in general. I don’t take “all true” to mean every word of every sentence. I take it to mean the general message. One can find something to object to in every post.
I have mentioned this before, but will reiterate: I prefer to spend the bulk of my blog-time budget confronting Turks, AzeriTurks, and Turcophile agents both at Armenian and Turk sites. I go out of my way not have arguments with fellow Armenians. I do confront Armenian posters on occasion, but rarely.
I withdraw my questions to you, and that relieves me of the obligation to answer yours.
If my memory serves correctly, Avery, we did have an exchange of views a while back.
I respect your patriotism and firmness in confronting adversaries. I do the same in a different venue, occasionally posting here, too, re: RoA, because I believe one must build up the home front in order to be successful on the offensive.
I understand I also need to withdraw my questions to you, which relieves me of the obligation to answer yours.
Arsen said – “As an elitist, i.e. a well-bred, well-mannered, and educated member of intelligentsia (not to be mixed with a member of ruling elites), I have, however, an ability to observe and think through…” I say – hahaha…
OMG! Behold the arrogance of our peasantry!
Avetis, get help…
Statistics: human rights mostly violated in Turkey
December 14, 2011 – 17:30 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey led all of Europe in terms of the number of cases at the European Court of Human Rights that were related to violations of rights between 1959 and 2010, according to recent numbers released by the court.
The most violated right in Turkey is the right to be judged fairly, according to the statistics, Hurriyet Daily News reports citing state-run Anatolia news agency.
In the 1990s, 90 percent of the cases against Turkey were opened because of the country’s alleged violations of the right to life and the prohibition against torture; now, however, the country is most often charged due to long periods of imprisonment without conviction and violations of the right to a fair trial.
Turkey has been ordered to pay compensation in 2,245 out of 2,753 cases related to the infringement.
The European court currently has 153,850 pending cases on its books; Russia tops the list, while Turkey is second at 16,800.
The court had 15,200 cases pending against Ankara in 2010, but the number has increased this year.
Meanwhile, the European court recently ordered Turkey to pay compensation of 18,000 euros to the family of Ekrem Kurt, who committed suicide during his military service in 2007, according to reports.
Although Kurt was diagnosed with a neurotic disorder, he was still drafted into the military. On March 6, 2007, Kurt was found at his guard post with a bullet wound to the head.
Did I just read what “Arsen” wrote about himself… or am I experiencing a really bad dream? My God… what is it about the Armenian gene that compels people to be this obnoxious?
Harout-ik,
Could you specify what caught your little sharp eyes as ‘obnoxious’ in my post? That based on one’s upbringing, pedigree, family traditions, and education one may consider himself a member of intelligentsia and not one of geghcis currently dominating the Armenian leadership? Does belonging to a noble societal stratum necessarily means that one is ‘obnoxious’?