Those Who Think Like Me Are Forced to Face a Dilemma: Aram Sargsyan

Aram Sargsyan, the president of the Republic party, wrote on his Facebook page that Armenia is one and it belongs to all of us. The conflict between the 'old' and the 'new' is increasingly becoming aimless, detached from substance and political essence.

He stated, “As a result, those who think like me are forced to face a dilemma. This is the case when, previously, we fought against the old daily, while the new also has numerous mistakes and shortcomings... Please forgive me and do not consider me arrogant, but I believe that I know the solutions to the main issues that are comprehensible for our kind, to get out of this situation.”

“Therefore... Revolution. One of the driving factors of any revolution is the establishment of justice, and the means to achieve that is to return the wealth stolen from the state and illegitimately acquired. Naturally, this demand must be satisfied after the victory of the revolution, but it should be legal, transparent (so as not to turn into confiscation), as short as possible, and through publicly comprehensible methods.”

“In my opinion, a professional group should be formed by involving experts from the ministries of the economic sector, the NSS, the police, the tax authorities, and academic circles, to study the operations of essential imported and exported monopolistic and well-known companies over the past years. According to my calculations, the number of such companies does not exceed 50. The group will assess the damage done to the state and will suggest compensation to the owner.”

“In case of disagreement, the amount of money and the repayment term can be contested in court. In the case of agreement, it should be made public on the same day, where the compensating contractor can state on television that he either had to adapt to the accepted rules of the game—bribing local self-government bodies to security forces—or leave the country and conduct business in legal countries.”

“That he stayed, and yes, enriched himself by violating the law, and is now ready to return the illegally acquired property. That he wants to work honestly and support his country in everything, and most importantly, wants his and his children’s wealth to become acceptable and just in the eyes of society after compensation.”

“In my opinion, only then will any political change mean that no authority can threaten any businessman or demand a report on activities from 2001. Only in this case will there be mutual solidarity and domestic businessmen will gain confidence and protection, stepping out of the realm of suspicion and unpredictability, and invest, including by engaging their foreign partners' connections and capital.”

“To attract large foreign investors, it is also essential to create an arbitration economic court in a very short time that can operate electronically, in a virtual space, which will involve judges from various countries, and whose rulings will have legal force in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.”

“Accept that no major investor will come to a country where there is an open vetting process, where judges are declared corrupt and politically ordered, where companies like ‘Lidian’, ‘Renko’, and ‘Sanitek’ have complaints against the state abroad.”

“Future plans… Now is the age of thought, and we have thoughts… I fully share Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's view that now is the age of thought, but I am convinced that thought must be produced; the times when one can shout 'Eureka' while pouring water from the swimming pool or deduce gravity from an apple falling on one’s head are long gone.”

“Thought is unreal, it must pass serious laboratory tests and costly experiments to become a product. Therefore, we must change our entire educational system and transform our universities from teaching institutions into laboratories of thought testing and knowledge production. Yes, knowledge is the most valuable product in the world, and it is the only way to rectify the situation of a country like ours.”

“If we, together with the Prime Minister, government, and people, come to this conclusion, we should start taking steps in this direction from today, and confidently, in 10-20 years, we can talk with the strong not just on equal terms but also make our agenda important…”

“And the money? To advance such an important process, we need to maximize the optimal benefits of our natural resources (copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, water resources) and sell them by turning them into the most finalized products.”

“Judicial system… Judicial reforms should be carried out without unnecessary revolutionary fervor and pathos, without ostentation, and as quietly as possible. Judges who have made political and commissioned decisions and have been vetted with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights must leave; issues concerning the remaining should be resolved no later than a three-month period.”

“Dozens of countries have gone through such processes, and none have displayed them to the world or turned them into issues of public confrontation. Whether through transitional justice, vetting, or another variant, it is essential that it is carried out quietly and without trenches…”

“Relationships: Changing the political situation through the use of weapons is unacceptable for both the government and the opposition. Those responsible for bloodshed must undoubtedly face jail time. Maintaining mutual respect, healthy competition, and solidarity is crucial for building the state, protection, security, and legality…”

“Any opposition between the old and the new, old Armenia and new Armenia, youth and elders, the Artsakh liberation movement and the revolution, the authorities of Armenia and the authorities of Karabakh, those who have taken steps and those who have not, blacks and whites—any confrontation and any processes directed towards this can be very dangerous and unacceptable. ‘The rust of doubt will eat us from the inside. Our jihadist, the country and state will consume us,’ my brother used to say. In a situation where a military coalition of Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia is being formed, with Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercises underway and Turkish forces ensuring a permanent presence in Nakhichevan, the existence of an atmosphere of barricading, tension, and opposition both internally and especially with regard to Karabakh can lead to irreparable losses.”

“Foreign policy… The method to rectify the prevailing military-political and economic balance in the region is not to serve Russian political whims and flatter them, but to strengthen relations with the EU and the USA to balance what exists and ensure security. The issue is not self-affirmation but establishing the ambitions of the state. Democracy and fair elections are good, but when social issues remain unsolved, and pockets stay empty afterward, authority will lose every subsequent election.”

“Naturally, there are many issues, and they are very sensitive. It is impossible to address all of them in one publication.”

“Conclusion. The task of making the 21st century ours is complex without Vazgen and Demirtchyan, but it is entirely possible by uniting all our strengths and forming unity. Our neighbors are shortening our time for changes, leaving only one exit—rapid restoration of economic and political sovereignty, the first condition of which is internal solidarity and stability.”