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1. Thanks for balanced analysis and something beyond oversimplifications and hypocrisy.

2. No doubt Mr.Mensoian´s in depth analysis is worth the while to read and re read it.it includes near all or all issues that are to be solved por resolved,in that tumultuous region-Rather, regional race,I´d say for the main actors to cope with.
   What concerns us Armenians ,as rgds,e.g.Armenia-Diaspora more enhanced relations.having our say at the Minsitry of Diaspora…comes to mind my ¨ssuggested¨
   1. MODE that of having from 5 main Armenian community areas(not countries9N.&.S.Americas, EU.RF.and the Middles East, 5 permanent delegates in said Ministry to attend to Amrenian Global affairs indeed with the haireni(fatherland co workers…Anyone in favour or in opposition w/this?????
   You see Mr. mensoian, rather than do analysis (which you perfectly)I offer-suggest format alwasys,take it or leave.Now then
   2. Suggesting to Gov.t of RA to issue passports to all Armenian Young the special residency one so as they go on their vacations to learn,on top of language,culture and history,UNDERGO military cadet trainings for couple months.have in view that in most of the Diaspora countries our young do not undergo any such military trainings..most are pay Armies….
   3.I wish Raffi & co. would take time to study a bit ,the Gerogian and Persian way of diplomacy…the one that drives home their aspirations home, as they do it flexibly.Never making a BEEN LINE so to say…
   Dear Raffi has inherited the Armenian last cnetury fedayeioin spirit, the fighter.in short and that does deserve praise.however, some ¨Hazgerdian¨ very cunning Persian king…tactics are used in these dayus as well…..especially in dealing with the Powers that are there….
   Mr. Mensoian speaks of our many pains(Tsav) we have inclusive of Javakhk..who does not know that,if a bit familiar w/our history…we let that slip out of our hands ,QUITE RECENTLY TOO.When georgia was at war with N.Ossetia and Abkhazia(viz. Russia , really…at that moment RA should have seized the moment and helped javakhdeti GAin at least Autonomy if not outright Independence,like above two..bygones are bygones..
   Right now Catholicos is trying to persuade RAffi8am also listening watching H! T.V. from rA9 to be brotherly and solve problems(another hazgerdian approach)but it will not help…Raffi is bent on one thing now!!!
   No Not craving for presidency but to make stick the fact that the people of Armenia is up on their feet, pressing for more S A Y…I am with the option though that this can as yet be resolved step by step.If Raffi himself takes the first step asks ARF,PAP(oskanian thereinnow)alsoParuyr¨s if not latter personally his comrades to JOIN IN BECOME ONE,asking for C H A N G E

3. Interesting article, but a bit of wishful thinking , due to the following facts:
   1- President Sarkisian won with 59% of the vote. In any democracy, that is considered a big win.
   2- His Republican Party has 69 seats in the parliament. That is a solid majority which whether we like it or not can dominate the legislature.
   3- All the opposition parties combined, have a total of 62 seats. Even if by some miracle they all come together , they cannot stop the Republcian Party or force it to change course.
   4- For me personally, it is mind boggling that in a small country , we have 6 political parties. Why do we need six? What are the platforms of each party? What diffirentiates them form each other? What has each party contributed to the well being of the country?
   5- With all that has been written and commented about Hovanissian, his party has only 5 seats in the parliament. As great and influencial he seems to be, his party has not been able to attract other ” good candidates” to be elected. A one man show cannot win elections. Had he won the election, how was he to govern?
   The only path and solution is for the opposition parties to come together and form a united front to influence the parliament to reform and act for the benefit of the people. Sadly, on that front there has been no tangible progress, which clearly indicates that not only the opposition is fragmented, but its leaders are myopic and worried only about their positions of power.
   What will be a major acomplishment for Hovanissian is to unite the opposition rather than go on a hunger strike. There will be other elections.

   Vart Adjemian

   • “Had he won the election, how was he to govern?”

     The same way as other “made in America” color barevolutionist presidents:

     1. Saakashvilli in Gurdjistan – came to power in a coup called “Rose Revolution” sold out his country to Turkey-Azerbaijan-BP
     2. Yuschenko in Ukraine – came to power in a coup called “Orange Revolution”, stole natural gas from Russia
     3. Vīke-Freiberga – huge fan of Azeris
     4. Kurmanbek Bakiyev – won “Tulip Revolution”, established his clan of thieves on top of the medieval feudal system

4. A few points for clarification:

   1. The democratic process will never function in Armenia under the existing regime. Five more years of Sargsyan and the Republican party will mean five more years of oppression of Armenian citizens, the continued violation of civil rights, and further enriching the pockets of government officials as well as those close to them at the expense of the Armenian people’s interests. The authorities do not compromise with anyone, that is the main impediment to democracy, civil empowerment and the rule of law. Their “it’s all about me” motto cannot ever be applied to serving the needs of Armenia, period. They will not cave in to diplomatic pressure, whether internal or external. Therefore, this popular movement for change must succeed.

   2. Replacing the regime will not give a green light to Armenia’s aggressors. We need to finally once and for all give this paranoid sentiment a burial. Armenia’s borders are secure and will remain so. The only thing that will be destabilized is the oligarchic structure that has been strangling the country for 20 years.

   3. Although the author does raise some good points, it is clear that he is unfamiliar with what is occurring on the ground. He really needs to visit the country and talk to ordinary citizens and civil society leaders to find out for himself what their needs are and how they suffer on a daily basis at the hands of a criminal ruling regime that continues to pass laws and take actions that consistently run against their interests. Serzh Sargsyan as president has done very little if not nothing for the welfare of Armenian citizens. Nearly a hundred thousand people migrate every year, that alone is a strong indicator of how desperate people are socially and economically. They are not leaving because emigration is a natural phenomenon. Raffi’s movement is empowering people, and their struggle for justice and the rule of law should not be discouraged by anyone living comfortably in the Diaspora.

5. I observe,both Vart and Chris in their posts are in tandem with my above one.
   One very important issue or point that has been overlooked by both is:-
   My first paragraph lightly hints to :-
   ¨Regional race for the actors…to cope with….¨
   by which I am implying the roles that these ¨´actors¨ are performing, in a race that is to have hegemony over the area….
   Now that is the main issue.S.Srgsyan and /r anyone else that might be placed in that position , as Chief,shall we say of tiny Armenia (and his cabinet) are to be ¨their¨ people….
   Raffi , in this case is the UMBOST(rebel) not in the real meaning of the word..though…quite the contrary so far he has been(and I´m sure will continue) to be peace-preaching and not diverting to agitation..
   In brief, (without nameing actors) on the one side those who wish this mode of Gov.t (ISHKHJANUTYUN) hell this does not suit Armenia and Armenians(It did in the old ages) meaning Princedome(yet another aArmneian word for you BDEHSKHK) PRINCELING SHALL WE SAY…
   People in armenia all!!!! should stop using that word,instead,say GARAVARUTYUN(Government)….for that word leaves the G.Dmaned impression that we are as yet in the in 1500´s centuries back….And believ e it or not, it is what the ordinary people of Armenia think of the Oligark´s as ISHKHANS-BDESHKHS….i REALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM.
   Sadly, our few to the left leaning politicla aprties have not been able to change the understanding/mentality of our people from that to a different one.
   Here now…..I beg to differ with many many not only here online but also all over Diaspora as well. That the word Democracy (in my vocabulary means……you guess it-though on the surface what you guys think and preach-however not PRACTICED…it is the shall I say it????
   Democracy on the surface, undernmeath the ¨´kick back¨¨ methodology…in the ex soviet structures called in armenian´´ GOGHMNAGI YEGAMOUD¨, TRANSLATES AS.- side-income!!!!!!!!! in short thievery, bribes, kick back you name it.70 yrs of that and carried on another 20 yrs more under that NEW one. Poor Armenian people, from one extremity to another…
   Though some nice kid here will protest that I write in capital letter the rest..
   WHAT ARMENIA NEEDS IS AT THE VERY LEAST A SCANDINAVIAN STYLE UNGERVARUTYUN(democratic socialism) I RATHER PREFER ORU OWN UNGERVARUTYUN!!!.This is the only way out,Take it or leave it.
   For Chris now.Please ..democracy that you think is good on paper, not in Armenia,they will transform that into GOGHMNAGI YEGAMOUD,as above, but probalby getting used to use the phrase Kaci-Het(kick back ) style.
   For so has been prepared the ground from those 70 plus 20 yrs to now!!!
   Raffi, to surmise NEEDS REAL BACK UP,SUPPORT FROM ALL NON -Republican side,plus some from L:A.Yes L.A.Los Angeles……His father and friend(s) to come adn give him a hand .Otherwise this will continue and Heaven forbid ,may lead the Armenian homeland and its Diaspora to…….

6. Mensoyan cannot think outside the box and assumes the truthfullness & validity of the outcome – as endorced by the world powers – of the alleged “democratic election” in Armenia on February 18 . The trap into which the author has fallen is the original fallacy of, # 1. Seeing Armenia completely in isolation without consideration of her inseperable connection to all the regional disputes, extending to the highest level of international conflict; and, #2. Seeing the whole armenian affair within the limited scope of the traditional East-West conflict, Armenia being part of either “this” or “that” camp. This does not give the full faith & credit Armenia deserves as a fully independant and free Nation, and not a lackey of any world power or the UN. After 20 years of “independance” Armenia should have accomplished complete economic freedom – it has not. The opposit has happened with hundreds of thousands leaving the country and the oligarchs takingn over led by Sarkissian, the lackey of the Kevorkov dynasty in Baku – the safe haven for the communist imperial apparatchik since Taleat. However, the problem is not necessarily the SS Brigate. Rather, the apparatus which permits lack of transparency shrouding the entire electoral process in post-Soviet Armenia,i.e., the presidency itself.

   The reform which the peoples and Nation of Armenia have undertook through Raffi today is, at its heart, foundational, ergo a constitutional process, hopefully fruitful one. It involves participation by every armenian without exception – however they deem fit to express their voice! My question to Raffi – from the Diaspora perspective – what exactly is his plan for reform, Constotutional reform?

7. I fully agree with Chris and Sarkiss. The article sounds exactly like the backbone-less reaction that the Diasporan organizations had in 1988 towards the brewing revolution in Armenia. There were those in the Diaspora and in Armenia who warned against upsetting the social order of the then-Soviet Armenia, saying that it could destroy Armenia. It’s a good thing the people did not listen to them, otherwise we would not have free NKR now.

   We should totally reject the argument that a democratic regime change in Armenia will risk Armenia’s security. That’s the argument of the ruling regime, and as long as we swallow it, there will never be any change. Without democratic change, Armenia will eventually be destroyed. The Azeris will not attack simply because there is push for democratic change in Armenia. They will not attack as long as our troops protect the borders. They may attack if the government takes the troops off the borders to use them against the people, in which case the blame falls on the government. And they will attack if Armenia continues to depopulate, weakening the army.

   By the way, we should be open and honest about the 2008 Martakert clashes, or else we will keep deceiving ourselves. I think it is likelier that the Armenian government provoked the clashes just to use it against Levon’s movement. From Azeri point of view, it made no sense to start an attack at that point, when the Armenian government was still in control. The logical step would be to wait and attack NKR later, when it was clear that the government was no longer in control of the country. I have heard from families of Armenian soldiers that whenever there is any trouble in Yerevan, the government orders our army to provoke shootings.

   Our own history, the glorious 1988 revolution proves that a democratic revolution will not lead to a destruction of the country. Democracy is a strength-multiplier. That’s why tiny Greece defeated the mighty Persian empire, the same empire that enslaved our own Armenia.

   Even in the unlikely event that Azeris are stupid enough to attack Armenia following a change, it does not mean that they will win. After the French revolution, when pretty much every country in Europe attacked France, every single one of them was defeated. And this was before Napoleon. So, we really need to reject this regime-driven idea that a democratic regime change will somehow lead to Armenia’s demise. Exactly the opposite is true.

8. I think vart adjemian raised an interesting point–why Armenia has six parties. To me, there is nothing mind boggling about that. We Armenians are humans, just like anyone else, and no matter how small a society is, there will always be different opinions and interests which will form into different organizations. The problem is not with our people, the problem is with the system. The cure is to adopt a U.S.-style two-party system, and the way to do it is to get rid of the proportional representation. This is where I disagree with Raffi, who wants to make the entire parliament proportional. No, it has to be entirely majoritarian, as it in the U.S.

   Under the proportional system, each party gets so many seats based on proportion of votes received in the ENTIRE republic. This encourages fragmentation of the opposition, because each party hopes it will get its share of the seats. This works perfectly for the Republican party, because it keeps the opposition fragmented and weak. Actually, the Republican party has best of both worlds–Armenia has both majoritarian and proportional representation in the parliament. This way, the majoritarian seats are secured for the Republican party (much of it through fraud), and then the Republican party gets the majority of the proportional seats. The rest are split between numerous parties. This system will ensure perpetual Republican control.

   Under all-majoritarian system (as it is in the U.S.), the party that gets most votes in a district wins. This will force the opposition parties to unite, because if they don’t, none of them will get any seats. It will also force the voters to vote for the most likely opposition party, as opposed to splitting their votes between various parties. This will lead to one large strong opposition party, which will be able to accomplish much more than the little parliamentary factions. This is why I advocate the U.S.-model of democracy for Armenia.

   Of course for that, you first need to adopt a new constitution for the republic, which will be done either by forcing the authorities to compromise, or by changing the regime and then adopting a new constitution. But regardless of how regime change is achieved, the new authorities will need to adopt a new constitution as soon as possible, otherwise the democratic government will slip into an authoritarian one, just as it happened in the early 1990’s.

9. The intent is not to have an argument with Vahagn, but to clarify a point that he has made.
   The US does not have a style of two party system.Indeed in addition to Democrats,Republicans,there are three other parties ie Libertarian, Green Party and Constitution party. Moreover, there are more than a dozen other parties, not known or active nationally but play a role in State Elections. Neither US law nor the Constitution states that US is only to have two parties.
   Over the years, the Democratic and Republican parties ended up being the two parties that dominated the elections and the majority in the Congress.
   However, I agree with his point on proportional representation. In most democratic countries the winners of elections are decided by 50% of the vote plus 1 (one).
   The point I was making is that the Republican Party in Armenia has absolute majority in the parliament ; in any democratic country,the majority, or a majority formed by coalition(s) , rules the parliament .
   The only way for the opposition to be effective and successful, they have to come together and form a solid coalition for the common cause and purpose.
   I still have no idea what is the difference between these parties. If their only intent
   is to have few seats with the proportional representation, Armenia is sadly doomed.
   Hovanissian and the party leaders should come together and see what they have in common. Indeed as humans we all have different opinions and interests, but it is undeniable that Armenians of integrity, love of country and love of each other can definitely agree on what is needed to fix the ills of Armenia.
   Vart Adjemian

   • I agree that the U.S. constitution and laws do not mandate a two party system. It is a natural result of the majoritarian (or rather, plurality) election system.

     It would be desirable if the Armenian political parties united out of the love of country, but in the long run, ambitions take over. The beauty of the U.S. system is that it does not assume that people will put their ambitions aside but in fact expects them to and makes sure that these ambitions benefit the country. One of the principles underlying the U.S. system was “ambition against ambition,” as stated in one of the Federalist papers ( I think it was number 51).

     However, for Armenia to get to that point and adopt such a successful system, I agree, either the opposition has to unite now and push for change, or Raffi and his followers need to be able to galvanize greater numbers of the population to bring about change.

   • Correction to the above: The U.S. system expects politicians to have ambitions and makes sure that these ambitions benefit the country.

10. I have to point out that the two party rule is originallly from England the Tories and the labpour party. These are not actually representative of the today´s world.
    For in other european countries that does not exist.Instead there are many such with their own party liens , Agendas and do not stick to White or Black so to say.The Christian Democrats, Democrats ,Social Democrats ,Socialists, the comuunitsts, even others..
    These are in conflict with ea other.They do have their MPs in Parliament and sometimes form coalitions to win over another side etc.,
    Armenia even from the 1918´s had chosen latter rule…
    Now to think of a two party rule rather difficult to implement…
    Question is to have a REAL opposition IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY…
    That would solve many problems ,help press the ruling political party that has won the Governance to heed the other side´s propostions ideas etc.,

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