Most people who pursue public service believe their perspective on policy is essential. When accompanied with the interpersonal dynamics of political life, we sometimes find ourselves unable to compromise. It’s commonly referred to as partisan politics. Party loyalty is admirable, but it also contributes to legislative and governing gridlock. When does a parochial view begin to limit what’s in the national interest? The easy part is forming a view. The hard part is implementation. The only time in politics when compromise is not required is in a dictatorship. I always find it interesting when a politician wins an election by, say 52 to 48 percent, they declare they have a “mandate.” A mandate for what? To govern or to push their agenda? The mandate is that you have been entrusted in a democratic society to govern the entire population. They certainly have no issues with the 52 percent that supported them, but what about the responsibility to the 48 percent? Successful leaders know how to bring everyone along for the journey. That requires compromise without abandoning the national interests.
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Let’s not forget that Kocharyan murdered an ARF member. Shame that the Party’s Bureau chose to sheepishly side with this criminal and never sought justice for the murder of Mr. Poghosyan. If Armenia is to heal, locking up these killers and restoring trust with the Armenian people is the first step. Amnesty comes later.
It’s clear Mr. Pashinyan has failed to keep Rob K. behind bars. It’s up to the ARF to break off this foolish, unfruitful alliance with corrupt K and seek his permanent arrest for the myriad of laws he has broken. And for the sheer extent of damages he has caused to the Armenian nation and people. Everything from theft, intimidation, tax evasion, to murder. Or at minimum, for a murder of a party member. Instead, there are reports of party members being removed from the party for questioning the partnership and bringing this injustice to the fold.
“Conditional amnesty” is great in theory as a form of restorative justice, but that requires guilty parties admitting guilt, which they refuse to do. There is no way psychopaths like Kocharyan and his cronies will bring home or give back to the military the funds they have laundered from the State or admit wrong to their violent crimes. They have powerful friends and voracious greed. For this reason, we need an alternative to conditional amnesty, something more firm and demanding.
Once the ARF removes the yolk of the murderer Kocharyan, then the country can be led by civil individuals (even if they disagree) that are not selfish, petty killers that hinder Hye Dat.
I totally agree with Stepan Piligian. We need “national reconciliation” to get out of current impasse. For me, one of the greatest men is Nelson Mandela. Why? Because he led his compatriots, both blacks and whites, to “reconciliation”. Can anyone say that during apartheid the South African people were better off than Armenians during the regimes that preceded Pashinian? Note, Armenians have not seen segregation. Corruption, perhaps. But Nelson Mandela did not dwell on apartheid and used it as a weapon, an excuse, argument to “punish” the “guilty” who had put him in jail for over 25 years. Nelson Mandela asked his people to “reconcile” and move on to build their countries future (Read his views and biography, this winner of Nobel Peace prize, Sakharov prize, and other recognitions of his greatness). In 2018, after winning the people’s confidence, unfortunately for us Armenians, Pashinian never stopped his witch hunt. At the time, I thought, I hoped, that Pashinian would at least partially be at the level of Nelson Mandela. But alas, he did not. I agree with Stepan Piligian, it is never too late for reconciliation. We need it. We are able to. Such a move, philosophy to implement, can come only from the top, from those in authority. Can Pashinian withstand the challenge?
Political conflict is an integral part of human society. It exists everywhere but with very different consequences. For “mature democratic” societies such as France and England, elections are used to decide the “next four years”. There is a healthy turnover of different political parties and ideas so that each side feels that they have a “say” in the running of the country. There is also a healthy civil society outside parliament where many different ideas can be aired and debated.
But most societies are not democratic and violence is often used to impose one particular viewpoint. Examples are China, Russia, Egypt, Syria, Belarus and Azerbaijan to name a few. Yet another example is dispossessed people like the Kurds or Palestinians who are unable to have a healthy political culture, partly because of external pressures by their enemies and partly because of the tribal nature of their societies.
Finally, another category are emerging democracies who have some features of all of the above. Examples are countries in South America and Eastern Europe. Armenia lies somewhere in this last category. Its political culture is dominated by “personalities” rather than ideas. Unfortunately, these personalities tend to be rather uninspiring leaders, lacking in imagination and maturity (no Washington, Adams nor Jefferson need apply here !) . I always hoped and thought that the Armenian historical experience would produce a Yitzhak Rabin or a Nelson Mandela but alas not so far. On the other hand we have fortunately been spared mass civil violence.
Political conflict is part of social life and can be healthy if it is channeled correctly. The Armenian version tends to be more toxic because it is a) narrow minded, b) based on family, friends, clan, c) not very confident- every opposing view is a “mortal threat”, and d) maximalist – my way or the highway. In a recent interview on Civilnet(12/2021), Nubar Afeyan said that he and other diasporic leaders had not been consulted about the future direction of Armenia by the present government. Many analysis and studies to improve the economy and institutions have been ignored by successive governments. The pages of this newspaper are full of stories about the diaspora being ignored during the past 30 years, when there was so much opportunity for collaboration. On the other hand, diasporic Armenians demonstrating in front of Armenian consulates and calling Pashinian a traitor, also shows immaturity. What ever happened to the idea that national politics stays within “Armenian boundaries” and that we present a united front to the outside world? With Turkey pointing a gun at Armenia’s head, if this is not the time to come together, when is it?
What to do about the current political situation in Armenia? A reconciliation process as described by Mr Piligian is a good start. Another idea is massive investment by the diaspora (both human and financial) to revitalize Armenian society and open new political spaces. But in order for that to happen, there must be a real “partnership “, along the lines proposed by Mr. Afeyan. Yet another idea is to have a prize given to an individual or organization that brings “civil good” to Armenia and the diaspora. Finally, an internship program for young people in Armenia and diaspora to work in government and NGOs to encourage citizenship. This could build on existing programs run by AGBU, ANCA and other organizations.
Another brave and nationalistic article by Piligian that tries to bypass the politically strangulated Armenian culture, external pressures and take a sensible view of present day realities. Thank you for the maturity and wisdom shown. Hope our leaders take notice and come to their senses, both in Armenia and the diaspora. The recosiliation idea is an excellent proposal for our nation and situation but it must be “universal” in nature. That is to say it needs to be reciprocated by all parties involved. Pashinyan needs to get the ball rolling and at the same time previous leaders show appreciation of the realities and confirm unity of purpose and make a one off donation to the nation from their amassed wealth. Pashinyan needs to form an all inclusive government, representing the other major parties and aim for a government of proportional representation in the future, like they have in Lebanon. New laws need to be passed to stop future corruption and enforced vigorously. This could present a win win scenario for all parties involved and be a blessing for the nation. The “maturity and unity” shown needs to be from all, including the diaspora, otherwise the problem will repeat due to human nature, where if we can get away with it once we will try again. Just like genocide.