The more things change in Armenia, the more they stay the same

The title is derived from a French expression which I have used to describe the situation in Armenia.

After 30 years of independence, one would expect substantial changes in the conditions in Armenia. Regrettably, that is not the case.

In the initial years of independence, whenever someone would point out the flaws in the leaders’ decisions, they would respond: “We are still a young republic.” They continued giving the same excuse without having the slightest interest in listening to any advice and wanting to make any changes. Three decades later, Armenia is no longer a young republic, but the same mistakes are being repeated by Armenia’s current leaders.

In 2018, a neophyte with no experience in governing came to power as a backlash against the despised former leaders. The new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, cleverly capitalized on the public’s resentment of the previous presidents and gained the people’s trust by making numerous promises for a better future. Armenians everywhere, desperate for a change, believed what they were told and blindly followed the new “savior.”

Regrettably, in the last 3.5 years, nothing substantial has changed in the country. In fact, the situation has gone from bad to worse, culminating in the devastating defeat Armenia suffered during last year’s war. The lavish promises offered by the new leader did not materialize. Pashinyan, the self-described democrat, shockingly campaigned during the June 20 parliamentary elections, while holding a hammer in his hand, pledging to smash the heads of his political opponents. Even though he came to power as the man of the people, he quickly turned his government into a one-man rule, ignoring not only the public, but also the advice of his own cabinet members, resulting in the resignations of two successive foreign ministers.

Not surprisingly, Pashinyan also mishandled Armenia’s relations with the Diaspora. He began by closing down the Diaspora Ministry without consulting with any Diasporan leaders or organizations. When some of them cautioned him not to make such a misguided decision, they were completely ignored.

Pashinyan’s excuse was that the Diaspora Ministry had not been effective. Instead of shutting it down, wouldn’t it have been preferable to restructure it with better leadership? With the same faulty logic, he could also eliminate the Defense Ministry if he thought that it was not operating properly!

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, June 14, 2019

After disbanding the Diaspora Ministry, the prime minister appointed Zareh Sinanyan, one of his devotees from Glendale, California, as the “High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs.” In the 2.5 years since becoming “High Commissioner,” Sinanyan does not have much to show for his efforts. He has repeatedly engaged in partisan politics, disparaging the regime’s critics in the Diaspora, which is not his job. Incredibly, he suggested that Armenia attract Arab migrants to boost the country’s dwindling population, forgetting that immigration is not a part of his duties. His job is to improve relations with Diasporan Armenians, not other nationalities.

On October 21, Sinanyan announced the government’s new plan to appoint “Diaspora Commissioners” in various Armenian communities around the world. These commissioners are to be appointed by PM Pashinyan at the recommendation of Sinanyan. Their purpose “is to develop the Armenia-Diaspora partnership and increase the efficiency of both sides. It also seeks to ensure sustainable relations between the Armenian communities, involve the entire potential of the Diaspora, as well as support the preservation of the Armenian identity, repatriation and the organization of events aimed at the integration of Diaspora Armenians in Armenia.”

This is the modified version of an idea copied from the former Diaspora Ministry which had appointed a Board of Directors to represent the ministry in various countries. I served on that board for 10 years. In addition, the Diaspora Ministry in conjunction with the Foreign Ministry appointed staff in Armenian Embassies and Consulates to serve as a liaison between the government of Armenia and the local communities.

It remains to be seen whom Pashinyan and Sinanyan will appoint as their representatives in Diasporan communities. But given the blatant partisan politics of the current government, no one should be surprised if they appoint their own unqualified supporters whose real task would be to engage in pro-regime propaganda.

Interestingly, it was reported that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had objected to seeking the approval of foreign governments before appointing local commissioners. He pointed out correctly that such approvals are only needed to appoint diplomats, such as ambassadors, in foreign countries. Therefore, the plan was amended eliminating the need for such approvals. Nevertheless, Sinanyan surprisingly announced that the National Assembly had to adopt a law before appointing local Diasporan Commissioners. It is unclear why the government has to pass such a law. These individuals are to serve in an advisory capacity with no official powers and without pay.

Given the serious split among Armenians both in Armenia and the Diaspora, no matter whom the government appoints he or she will be criticized for belonging to this or that organization, church or political party. There will be endless complaints about these appointees.

There was no need to reinvent the wheel. The proper way to select a Diaspora representative is to have each Diasporan community elect its own representative by popular vote. Only then can it be said that the elected individual is the true representative of his or her community. No one, including the government of Armenia, has the right to appoint such a representative. Ironically, the prime minister and Sinanyan were personally informed of this formula and chose to ignore it. The representatives elected by their communities will then constitute the future Diaspora Armenian Parliament.

Once again, the Pashinyan government is making decisions without consulting with anyone. It is time for the government to consult with the people in Armenia on internal matters and with elected Diasporan representatives on pan-Armenian issues.

Harut Sassounian

Harut Sassounian

California Courier Editor
Harut Sassounian is the publisher of The California Courier, a weekly newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. He is the president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization that has donated to Armenia and Artsakh one billion dollars of humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, since 1989 (including its predecessor, the United Armenian Fund). He has been decorated by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. He is also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

13 Comments

    • Why would he do a foolish thing like that before a REVOLUTION takes place to boot out all the Soviet Leftover Garbage infesting Armenia?

      Anyone moving to Armenia now for anything other than VIOLENT REGIME CHANGE risks losing everything and getting taken over by “Azerbaijan” or something, just like happened by those who thought “Armenia will defend Artsakh because we have Mother Russia on our side” or some such Bulls**t.

  1. “Pro regime” ?

    Really? This would be the regime the people elected despite the vote buying of the corrupt opposition.

    This is why Diasporan figures are losing all credit, having leaders who have a complete disconnect with what’s going on in Armenia.

    As for local communities electing their representatives, would this be the same representatives that argue amongst themselves as to who should stand where on genocide marches? Get a grip.

    • Next you would argue Pashinyan performed his duties well in the last war. Personally, I enjoyed the outright lies he was spreading. The man is never at fault.

    • Excuse me? Who are you to be making conclusions about what the Armenian people are and how they voted? Nikole’s REGIME supposedly got half the votes of half the population. There are at least two times the number of Armenians outside of Armenia as inside of it. 750 thousand (supposedly) ‘Armenians’ do not represent the Armenian nation.

      The Brandon Regime is currently in power in the USA. Yet there is a near zero chance he got all those historically highest votes, and it is being proven through audits. And you have the audacity to talk about a destitute post Soviet Republic as if it is at the height of democratic principles? You’re the one that needs to get a grip.

    • As if you really care Andy. The regime IS a proven incompetent loser acting treasonous. Pashinyan is responsible for the deaths of 4500 Armenians and the loss of historical lands to invading Asian Turkish parasites. And currently, along with the vile Zionists, have an eye on stealing more from Armenians using your “elected man”..Your mistaken to think that the diaspora is for the past thieves. What a joke. The Diaspora has the best interest of Armenia and supports it unconditionally and has the right to be concerned when a proven loser is at the helm. Hes a traitor. BTW how long is his misrule allowed to be blamed on the past thieves?

  2. I will set you straight about your last sentence. You did not read my article carefully. I suggest you go back and read it again, slowly. What are you talking about representatives who argue among yourselves? I am talking about something that does not exist: the community elects by popular vote their representative. These representatives from throughout the Diaspora will form the Diaspora Armenian Parliament. I suggest you go to the website HyeID.org to get to know the details.
    Regarding Pashinyan political party’s June 20 election, I suggest that you don’t get too excited about it. Did you know that he got around a quarter of the eligible voters? Furthermore, in the more recent local elections his party lost in several major cities, including in Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. I know a hell of a lot more about Armenia than even most Armenians who live in Armenia.

    • What I am talking about is how do you expect to elect leaders to a representative body of Diasporans, when these same people are more concerned about their legacy political parties than the well being and survival of the Armenian people. These people are the same people who would rather distinguish themselves in April 24 marches with their party flags, rather than present a political front. The Diaspora needs to see itself as part of Armenia not separated from it, we belong to that land, not to Glendale, Beirut or Tehran. The quicker we realise this the better.

      You really are clutching at straws saying Pashinyan got 25% of the eligible vote. If that’s how you analyse elections, what did your preferred (I assume) gang of bandits get?

      The government clearly has shortcomings (I won’t go into how 30 years of criminality destroyed any cadre system for good governance) but having a go at Sinanyan in the context of how Diasporan youth have been enlisted, and publicly endorsed in government departments is outrageous and shows your sectarian approach.

      Do we have more diasporan youth in government ministries? Yes for the first time. Do we need to improve and have a minister (or multiple) who are repeats? Definately.

      So instead of being so bitter, let’s encourage our Armenians who live outside our country to move and contribute to Armenian development. I’d rather have repats who have diametrically opposed views to me in Armenia offering solutions, than keyboard warriors on twitter all day Makin Turkish references to an elected prime minister, much to the amusement of actual Turks. We can do better than that…surely.

  3. ” I know a hell of a lot more about Armenia than even most Armenians who live in Armenia.”

    This sadly is the attitude of most Armenians everywhere. And this is also why I don’t think we will have Armenian unity in my lifetime

    • Oh, it’s the “attitude of most Armenians everywhere”?

      Wow, there may be hope for us yet in that case.

      I know a hell of a lot more about Armenia than even most Armenians who live in Armenia too, and I’m nowhere near the involvement in Armenian affairs as is Mr Sassounian.

      Have you actually considered that you will not see Armenian unity in your lifetime because of the likes of YOUR ATTITUDE and not those that make factual statements? Remember: you didn’t show up here suddenly, looking for an explanation or answers to your dilemma. If you did, you would have enlightened us as to why the average poor Armenian in Armenia, looking to escape from Armenia, knows more about Armenia than diaspora Armenians involved in their culture who always try to help by their abilities and who in most cases have seen a lot more of Armenia than have those magical “Edumacated Yerevantsis” who are clueless enough to vote for a Manlet Clown as their “Prime Minister” who lies and hands away lands at the speed of light.

      And that brings me to the subject at hand: it takes just a little bit of imagination to realize that the reason why patriotic Armenians outside of Armenia know more about Armenians living inside of it is that they are 1. Soviet bred, resulting in a damaged mentality, and 2. Poor, primarily preoccupied with stuffing their tummies or escaping to greener pastures. Yes, it’s THAT simple.

  4. “patriotic Armenians outside of Armenia”

    Oxymoron of the century.

    So you know about Armenia more than those who are building new posts and trenches on our eastern borders while you tap away on your keyboard? Some self reflection and even humility needed here.

    Joe, As for Pashinyan he has his fair share of blame and mistakes in this, but certainly not most of it. Not that it’s a competition.

    If youd have lived in Armenia for the last decade you would see how rotten the entire state structure was, from top to bottom, including that rag tag Army we had. We had 30 years to make Artsakh into a fortress, even trenches, dug outs. If our budgets were inadequate, why didn’t we build tunnels to make Artsakh a hell for any army? We didn’t do anything, instead those generals took conscripts to build their summer houses. We have a huge task ahead of us, stop dreaming!

    • “patriotic Armenians outside of Armenia”… “Oxymoron of the century”

      Yup only one who has no clue about Armenian history and culture would make such tone-deaf “rebuttal”. Additionally you also have no clue about what went on inside of Armenia’s borders for the past three decades it seems, using “we” liberally enough as if the crooks that ran (and continue to run) Armenia were screaming for help from the “we” class. I’ll have to tell you the second time to GET A GRIP.

      Speaking of Oxymoron… you want to know what the real “Oxymoron of the century” is? Claiming that 18 year old conscripts forced to dig trenches are experts on Armenia, and next conflating those on the front lines with the average Pashinyan supporting IGNORAMUS OF YEREVAN, who is just looking to fill their fridge at any cost, and who doesn’t actually have a clue about anything else, including where Artsakh is actually located. For the third time, get a grip.

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