The Reality that Is Armenia

Special for the Armenian Weekly

Now that a new year is here, maybe we can resolve to spend some time thinking about what is happening in and to Armenia. We can recall the joy and the pride we felt when the second free and independent Republic of Armenia was declared in 1991 (please don’t equate the Bolshevik-dominated republic as our second republic). It was a moment that many thought would never come, but it did. Since then Armenia has been beset by many crises: The devastation of the Spitak earthquake that occurred in 1988 was coupled with the total collapse of an economy that eschewed proven economic principles in order to meet the political objectives of the Bolshevik’s new order. The liberation of historic Artsakh and the uneasy truce along the Line of Contact has created its own lingering set of problems, as has the presently moribund issue of the Turkish-Armenian protocols; looming large over all of this is Russia’s influence that has, for the moment, shifted our orientation from the West to closer ties with Moscow. These have been difficult years, but Armenia has not only survived, it has made some palpable gains. Unfortunately, there is always the however that has to be considered.

The however refers to the pernicious problems that plague Armenia. First is the high rate of unemployment and underemployment that is responsible for many families and most pensioners living below or close to the poverty level. Apologists will immediately point to the devastated economy (already mentioned) that Armenia inherited as the reason, or the shop-worn excuse that other countries have similar problems.

They do, but in large measure our problems stem from the institutionalized corruption within the country that has its roots in the chaotic conditions that accompanied our independence. Unfortunately, what has evolved is a symbiotic alliance of governing politicians and monopolists able to exploit the economy for their personal enrichment. Unemployment, poverty, and the absence of opportunity are written off as collateral damage as these Apex predators within society amass wealth and influence to the detriment of the nation and its citizens. Whatever legitimate economic gains the administration has made (and to its credit, gains have been made), it is the shameful disparity in the distribution of the wealth that is produced that keeps poverty at over 30 percent; encourages emigration; and allows unemployment and underemployment to exceed 20 percent. One might question how this disparity in the distribution of wealth relates to unemployment. Oligarchs or monopolists (or however you wish to identify them) are not necessarily driven to expand the economy, because the more expansive and diverse it becomes, the more difficult it is to manipulate. Consider that in the poorest of poor countries where unemployment and poverty are rampant, the Apex predator is still able to amass wealth well beyond his needs from economies that barely seem to function. It belies the adage that you cannot get blood from a stone.

Given this unhealthy concentration of power, Armenia is closer to an oligarchy in practice than the democracy that is defined by its constitution. A patina of social justice that can be burnished when necessary not only misleads us, but the great pride we have in our country encourages us to overlook the reality that is Armenia.

Our problems are not due to a lack of resources that can be developed; or to the absence of a pool of intelligent and ambitious workers who could be retrained if required; or to the lack of energetic and creative entrepreneurs within and outside Armenia who would enter the marketplace to provide a range of goods and services that would increase employment and provide much needed competition.

Rather, it is the powerful alliance of politicians and oligarchs that controls the marketplace by determining who can participate; the goods and services that may be offered; as well as the prices that consumers must pay. And in subtle and blatantly obvious ways, they are able to profit from the various public and private projects at the national, district, and local levels. The end result is an ever-widening gap in the distribution of the wealth produced (wealth includes wages/salaries, access to medical delivery systems, education, leisure time, housing, opportunity for self-improvement, etc.) to the detriment of the worker and his family. As long as Armenia’s small economy (its present Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, is estimated at $10-$11 billion) can be manipulated by those who have acquired wealth, power, and influence, the quality of life for the majority of the people will not dramatically improve.

For a country supposedly suffering from a battered economy that has resulted in high rates of unemployment and poverty, a recent study (Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2002-2011, D. Kar and B. LeBlanc, Global Financial Integrity, December 2013) determined that Armenia had an illicit outflow of $6.2 billion during the 10-year study period. Illicit outflows are defined as “…all unrecorded private financial outflows involving capital that is illegally earned, transferred, or utilized, generally by residents to accumulate foreign assets.” The annual outflow during the years 2008, 2010, and 2011 exceeded $1 billion annually. This is about 10 percent of Armenia’s estimated GDP.

The second problem is the lack of opportunity available for our educated and talented young men and women just starting out in life. Rather than the administration coming up with creative policies to underwrite opportunities for them to spread their wings (and be able to contribute to the nation’s development), the system essentially ignores them. These are the men and women who, in the normal course of events, would be the foundation upon which our country’s future is built. Having few to no options, many are literally forced to emigrate to other lands where their talent, professional skills, and creativity allow them to flourish. What a waste of human talent for Armenia. Yet, there appears to be no urgency on the part of opposition leaders or the majority of the hard-pressed citizens to confront an oligarchy that weakens the country and is destroying their future.

The third problem is the continuing annual decrease in Armenia’s total population. In 1991, the population of Armenia was estimated at about 3.5 million. Assuming a closed population (no immigration or emigration) and a slightly above replacement level fertility rate, the population of Armenia in January 2014 should have been no less than 3.6 million (a very conservative estimate), rather than the present estimated population of 2.8 to 3 million. This represents a decrease of from 600,000 to 800,000 people. How many of that number have permanently relocated is debatable. Without a significant increase in the birth rate and immigration, the population will likely continue to contract. And as the population decreases with more and more young people and families emigrating, the population will get older as the average age of those remaining increases.

How will the needs of this expanding number of elderly people be met? As it is, most pensioners presently live below or close to the poverty level. A decreasing population has a wide range of serious implications for the country’s future, such as family formation; birth rates; the size of the work force; ratio of retirees to workers; revenue collections; budget appropriations; the number of males available for future military service; the loss of potential leaders in all aspects of service to the nation; and the political status of the country within the South Caucasus.

The approximately $2 billion that is remitted annually by Armenians working “overseas” (outside the country) keeps the economy afloat. However, for families separated for extended periods of time from the husband or father, there are serious emotional and psychological downsides. For Armenia, exporting workers is a stopgap necessity brought about by a combination of government policies and corruption. Unlike such countries as Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan, to name only a few, where serious population and resource imbalances exist, exporting workers is an absolute necessity.

President Serge Sarkisian will complete his second term in 2018. Armenia must endure four more years of the same failed policies. Four more years of corruption. And four more years of favors to be dispensed. In what condition will our country be at the end of his final term? Of greater concern is the fact that his hand-picked candidate in the 2018 presidential election will be elected, one way or another, to serve until 2023. Why? Simply because it is highly unlikely that a strong, energetic coalition candidate will oppose Sarkisian’s alter ego in the 2018 presidential election, given the inability of the political parties to put the welfare of the nation ahead of their petty interests and jalousies.

No change means that Armenia’s future hangs precariously in the balance, along with the hopes and aspirations that fall under the rubric of Hai Tahd. The continuation of a Sarkisian-dominated administration beyond 2018 to 2023 should be cause for concern. Although some of the Apex predators may change (even they have to age or may opt to retire in comfort), the policies, corruption, and favoritism will continue. Is there another likely scenario to consider?

Obviously there are individuals and families who have no reason to seek change. They are fortunate that life in Armenia does not present the hardships experienced by those living below or close to the poverty level—those who are unemployed or underemployed, forced to emigrate in search of a better life, or have a husband or father seeking employment outside the country to provide for his family. If the leaders of the opposition parties and the majority of the electorate who have legitimate reasons to seek change are unable or unwilling to confront the issue in 2014, will it be any easier in 2018? And if the oligarchy continues to 2023, what then?

Michael Mensoian

Michael Mensoian

Michael Mensoian, J.D./Ph.D, is professor emeritus in Middle East and political geography at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a retired major in the U.S. army. He writes regularly for the Armenian Weekly.

50 Comments

  1. This is so spot-on, I’m truly impressed by your assessment of the current situation and historical perspective.

    My view of the bottom line is this: As long as the old Soviet ways of stealing from themselves exists, there is no hope for improvement. Bribery is the way of life for many elites, and I can guarantee you – none of them will be ready to give up such practice any time soon. That’s just how it’s been for 100 or so years, and probably will be for another 100. That’s a conservative estimate.

  2. With all due respect to Mr Mensoian, who has put his finger on many of the ills affecting the Republic of Armenia, I just have to ask what he would have us do in this situation. The United States Government, that is, American tax-payers, have invested well over two billion dollars in Armenia since independence in well-crafted assistance efforts; Armenian-American groups have pumped in even more. There is a lot to show for it, for example, the American University of Armenia, the TUMO Center, villages rehabilitated by COAF, and so on. Should we give up on Armenia? Of course not. One glance at the current problems in Ukraine is enough to convince me at least that Armenia is not alone in its predicament, and may even enjoy some relative advantages. I don’t think we should blame everything on Serzh or on Russia. These problems run very deep and it is going to take time and a lot of effort to correct them.

    • It’s nice that you’re trying to look at the bright side of Armenia by comparing it to Ukraine, I do not deny corruption is one of Ukraine’s most serious problems, but population is a huge factor also. While Ukraine has about 45 million inhabitants, though decreasing, Armenia’s situation is much more alarming, according to this article, around 3 million people and thousands leave the country each month. If this goes on any longer, within the next 20-30 years, Armenia will lose any string of power it had. Has Sergh Sarksyan even considered adressing this problem? Never! Simple solution: He must be replaced by someone who actually cares. Someone who isn’t as devoid of life as he is. Someone who will work for the nation, not for himself.

  3. Just returned from Armenia and this is a very accurate analysis. Everyone I talked to is depressed and fed-up.
    The greedy bastards at the top keep milking the country.Who will come to save Armenia?

  4. No, Mr. Evans

    “We should not blame everything on Serzh and Russia” Who else is ruling Armenia ?
    “It is going to take time”. How much time is left over ? We are maybe
    1,8 mill. inhabitants, loosing 100 000 yearly. T I M E ?

    • actually the number is down to 500,000.
      and 500,000 leave RoA annually.
      So by the end of 2014, there will be nobody left in RoA.

  5. Ambassador John Evans,
    You ask Major Mensoian ¨what would you have us do..¨and go on pointing out what the U.S. has done so far,which let me add immediately quite a bit.At least more than, mother Russia(for some)much more.For which the Armenian people should be grateful indeed.In the past also the U.S. has helped a lot.
    Your query is addressed to the author of the article,who will or will not answer to them.However, there is one important issue that so far many have overlooked. I have , matter of fact written to the Govt. there to allow and admit 5 permanent Diaspora Delegates from the main 5 continents/communities,i.e., North and S.Americas, EU, RF and the Middle East within the Ministry of Diaspora.Where,they can on a daily basis cooperate with ea other and the Ministry.Secondly Armenia needs to have a second higher Legislative Chamber,namely a ¨senate¨ wherein not only ex Gov.t functionaries, academicians and ex diplomats, plus some form the aforementioned Armenian community countries would have some of their Merited representative ,participating.After all, Armenians aare supposed to cooperate and get involved,in the country of their ancestors-even if it were for a few such.These could be on a rotation basis,say for stints of two yrs or so.Bringing new breath new ideas into the atmosphere….
    I very much believe,above changes might help some in shaping up the 22 year old Young Republic,and help administer a bit better, in many ways Governance thereat.Aftger all all those ex-functionaries ,whether from the opposition or Govt. sector are there sitting pretty,or should I say marginalized?

  6. “Who will come to save Armenia?” The person is alive and lives in Armenia. He or she will have the intelligence and integrity of a Hrant Dink. The modesty, honesty and kindness of Gandhi. A statesman not a politian is needed. The person will be a threat to the powers that be. The person will be shot to death just like Hrant and Mahatma. Armenia will have a martyr to look up to and rally behind to take back thier country. That brave Armenian hero is alive today and lives in Armenia. Does someone have to die to wake up the Armenian people?

    • I hope you are joking!
      This comment is distressing, not comforting. A diasporan community in LA can never create a new Armenia. Only a diluted version, a ‘hologram’ of the original, emphasis on ‘hollow.’ I am glad the Armenians of LA enjoy the freedom to create a community where Armenian is spoken, culture is transmitted and Hai goods are sold—but this is not and never will be Armenia. It can never have the soul that comes from breathing the air and drinking the water of the homeland. Plus, who wants the ‘Kardashianization’ of Armenians to be our legacy?
      The survival of Armenians after the genocide and the long period of Sovietization, and the miracle that is Artsakh, is a testament to our intellect, creativity and dogged perseverance. I can’t and don’t believe that there are no fighters left in Armenia to stand up against our latest enemies—greed and resignation. Where is our Ghandi? Where are the social justice crusaders?

  7. While the comments and opinions stated here are true, the question needs to be how to make the change. Where can we make the changes so that Armenia is set in a better direction. The answer needs to simply be technology. That is it! There is no other primary industry that allow Armenians the freedom and income to prosper. http://www.iTechnology.am is the leading publication focused on moving Armenia in that direction.

    I have created http://www.digitalpomegranate.com in Gyumri and am training people there on programming, web development, graphics design, animation and eBook development. If you want a solution to Armenian’s employment issues here you have it.

    What you did not say was that there simple is no investment in manufacturing to create any job. Armenia is like Detroit or Pittsburg. The old jobs are simply NEVER EVER coming back. The leadership has understood the change in the economy and technology in the world. Their failure in the leadership has been in finding out a way to make the changes happen like Estonia.

    There are many examples of great tech companies in Armenia, it is over 20% of the economy in Armenia now. But more needs to be done. I understand not everyone can work in the industry, but the down stream benefits are HUGE. We are holding Gyumri’s first tech conference on March 22nd and we invite anyone who wants to see what an incredible impact these grassroots startups are having.

    There is a way – It is small tech startups. I have been to Armenia several times and I am a strong believer that this is the ONLY road to a better Armenia.

    • Absolutely correct Mr. Fabacher. Though I do not know you I greatly respect what you are doing. I personally know MANY extremely bright young men and women who are leading the technological vanguard in Armenia. They’re not simply cheap tech labor like in India for instance (no offence meant), but actual digital pioneers. What is needed is investment to bring their ideas to the wider marketplace.
      During Soviet years Armenia had the highest number of scientists and engineers per capita in all the Union, and many of the advancements and breakthroughs were done here. We were leaders in laser technology for examply. It was the Silicon Valley of the USSR. I strongly believe we can bring this back. Our biggest resources is the people, the so called “human element.”

  8. Good or bad, as the situation might be in any country, fingers are always pointed to its leaders. Simply put, if the situation is considered “good” in a country, the general living standard improves and citizens are content with their lives, the leaders will be praised and will receive full credit. Adversely, in the case of Armenia, a border line failed state, or to be one soon, the President will undoubtedly be directly held responsible. A state consumed with rampant corruption, abject poverty, hopelessness and mass exodus of its citizens, one cannot see who else to blame but its leaders. If Serzh Sargsyan was a capable, hones and carrying president, the situation of Armenia would have been entirely different. Unfortunately, Mr. Sargsyan and his cronies are running the country as their own Mafia Fiefdom with absolute selfishness and greed at the expense of its citizens. Sadly however, it appears to be no short, medium or for that matter, long term solution in the horizon. From the organizational structure and deeply rooted tentacles of these criminals within every segment of life in Armenian society, our nation will soon become a dysfunctional state swallowed by our Russian neighbours.
    Let me make a prediction, as terrible as I feel….. In ten years or so, if the situation in Armenia continues to deteriorate as it has done for the last 21 years, we will have a new country. This new country will be known as, “The Regional Armenian State of the Russia Republic.”
    Let’s all be aware of such a possibility and remove these tyrants out of leadership positions before it is too late. I am sure, as Armenians, we deserve to have a better country.
    Long live the Republic of Armenia

    • Garbis, you’re late. Armenia already is the “Regional Armenian State of the Russian Republic”. Unless, of course, you believe that a flag, an anthem, and a coat of arms are the determinants of independent statehood… Even if we become a better-governed country tomorrow, we will still be the “Regional Armenian State of the Russian Republic” given our current geographical location. If Russia cuts the natural gas supply for a month and people freeze, no one will care whether we have tyrants or patriots in the government.

  9. Reading this article is painful but sadly true. Now with that being said, pointing fingers at the Bolsheviks or politicians will never be the answer. Yes, we all know Armenian politicians are corrupt.

    We have a system problem that needs a systemic solution. We need a growing population, we need to regain human intellectual capital, we need a stronger military, we need a border with Russia, we need a legitimate president, we need to develop another city besides Yerevan.

    How we will get all those thing and more is unknown to me.

  10. Dear Todd,
    I went through the 2 sites highlighted in your post ,above.Fantastic ,the least I can say.This ,plus another one or two like TUMO and then the other -actually the first one-organized by Toroyan of S.Francisco (So
    Sylicon valley).Yes he took a few of those talented Armenian kids there, to train more-..
    Anyhow.I do commend your reccomendation to pursue this Internet technology,more than any other.what´s ,more a lot less than it would be ,say to get one or two of those ex soviet factories going.
    Above I have yet another post (oending moderation) which ¨´suggests¨´ that the Armenian diaspora be allowed to participate in RA ,at the very least through the Diaspora Minsitry it helped be created…for we need to be there,a few delegates from our huge diasporas.mot those r ecently formed but the major ones such as U.s. France, Russia etc.,
    best,

    • Thanks Gaytzag,

      I agree and will think about how we can reach out to the Armenian diaspora. We are holding Gyumri’s first tech conference on March 22nd and I will make it a point in one of the group discussions bout how to create an easy way for Armenians from all over the world can participate and profit. I like the idea of involvement, but I also what people to profit so they will stay engaged. Here is the conference:
      http://www.itechnology.am/igyumri/

  11. Never thought my sarcastic comment would be interpreted literally. Such degree of passion, however, is admirable. I’m one of Baku’s refugees thought, so for about 25 years my sense of passion gradually turned into bitter sarcasm. My apologies.

  12. I am sorry to say but Armenia needs a bloody revolution.I like to know if in todays armenian army there is someone like Karekin Nehjde,or even an army general who is patriotic enough to lead a revolution and create a coup d etat,put all the oligharcs in jail including Serge Sarkissian and have new elections.If we do not have such general in the army ,in a few years we will loose Artsakh and Armenia.Sitting and talking will not do anything.When you are dealing with a mafia government ,the only thing they will understand is the gun in their heads.

    • great idea, Richard.
      why don’t you go to Armenia and start the bloody revolution: we will join you later on.
      thousands of Diaspora Armenians have been waiting for years for a leader just like you.

      go and put a gun to their heads yourself – and see what happens.
      (psst: RoA special police or NSS will work you over some before they throw you in jail, where you will meet very interesting people. I am sure there is an Armenian version of Bubba in the RoA jail where you will spend the rest of your life)

  13. More worthless fluff by the emotionally disconnected and intellectual challenged “America-Hay” community. Armenia’s biggest problem is the 24/7 predictions of doom and gloom by its the Western led political opposition and its geographic location as a small, desolate, remote, landlocked and a double blockaded nation surrounded by hostile neighbors. Armenia’s very natural growing pains are being exploited and used against the state on one hand by Western assets throughout Armenian society and the geopolitical situation in the south Caucasus is suffocating Armenia on the other hand. The aforementioned is why Armenians are demoralized. As long as the above situation exists, even if every single one of Armenia’s oligarchs turn into angels overnight, Armenia will continue suffering from a very severe socioeconomic situation. This is what has to be remedied. This is what was remedied when Yerevan announced its decision to enter the Russian led Customs Union.

    PS: Had Armenia been in the pockets of Western powers or under their boots, Armenian officials would do no wrong. As long as Armenia remains in a strategic alliance with the West’s number one geostrategic competitor, there is nothing that Armenian officials can do that will be acceptable to Western powers and their assets throughout Armenian society.

  14. Avery, I was asking if there is anyone in the army that has enough patriotism to protect the people from those low life rats in the armenian republican party and their oligarcs.If even in the army there is no one to side the poor people,then we are done with armenia.Do you want the life of those poor villagers or the people who are beeing thrown out of homes or people beeing killed and the criminals get away??What kind of life is That?I rather die then live a life like that.No wonder people are leaving the country.

    • Richard:

      You are either a Turkish/Turkbeijani shill advocating for a military coup and chaos in RoA so NKR can be invaded and re-occupied by the nomads, or are clueless about what actually goes on in Armenia.
      The military men in RoA and NKR serve the Armenian Nation and obey the Constitution.
      Their duty is to destroy _foreign_ invaders: nothing else.

      For better or worse, the candidate of RPA, incumbent President Serj Sargsyan, was elected by a popular democratic vote of 58% vs 37%.
      A landslide win by any measure.
      There were certainly irregularities, but the vote was widely recognized as open and fair by neutral observers.

      Shortly after the Presidential election, Yerevan held elections for the City Council in May of 2013.
      Note that Yerevan is about 30% or so of the RoA population and electorate.

      The results of that election are as follows:
      RPA – 56%
      Prosperous – 23% (Dodi Gago’s party)
      Barev Yerevan (Heritage) – 8.5% (Raffi Hovannisian’s party)

      Again, as the Presidential election, Yerevan elections were adjudged as fair and democratic by multitudes of neutral observers.

      Armenia’s electorate – the vast silent majority – chooses to stay with a known, rational entity that has done a good job steering the country, in a very turbulent, dangerous neighborhood, and in the face of incredible challenges it has encountered – most of which are not under its control.

      The _real_ reality of Armenia and NKR is vastly different and far more positive than what honorable Dr. Mensoian’s article makes it out to be.
      I may later post a refutation of many misconceptions and inaccuracies therein: but it will take some time to research, and right now too many thing on my plate.

  15. I fully agree with Avery and Harutik. Enough of this nonsense already. Armenia is not going to be depopulated. Armenia is not losing its independence. Armenia is going through natural growing pains in a very bad neighborhood. As bad as they may seem at times, Armenia’s leadership is the lesser of the evils in the country. Armenia is slowly but gradually moving forward with or without the diaspora.

  16. What seems to be the main defining distinction between Armenia and other more developed countries with regards to the relationship of State and it’s public is the perception of corruption. Corruption is omnipresent and I challenge the contention that Armenia is more or less corrupt than any other state. When we look to gauge the corruption of nations by index, we can not tell the crimes not committed, thus we aim to gauge perception. The need here is not that we must take down the oligarchy, or even replace the current leadership, but to simply find a way to change the perception of our own Armenian public and then the public-at-large as to what are the defining features of our nation.

    I was born in New York. I moved here in 2012. I live here. I see what disconnected perspectives can do to cause harm to a greater image we Armenians worldwide are working toward creating. You can easily point fingers at one or another leader and point to their flaws, but there are so many great programs, institutions and organization that have started over the past 8 years that need recognition. The Luys Foundation, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, UWC International Dilijan School, COAF and other organizations that have taken a cooperative approach to the government and oligarchs alike.

    People who say the “government is corrupt” and rest on their laurels only to shout their criticisms while offering no physical presence, no action and no step forward toward making a change by solid decision-making on-the-ground, can be seen as a grinding oil on a millstone; the wheels keep turning but produce no results.

    I encourage anyone, including Mr. Mensoian, to live in the country you criticize.

  17. Ahura Mazda,

    I think your words of wisdom will go right over the heads of most of those who read this website. Most of the problem I see here is perception. Better yet, perception deformed by an active information war being waged against the state by those that want to drive a wedge between Armenia and Russia. We would not have any of this the “sky is falling” hysteria had Armenia been one of Washington’s playgrounds.

    There is also a hidden psychological factor to all this, For those born in Armenia: By partaking in the anti-Armenia hysteria they (consciously or subconsciously) justify their desire to abandon their homeland for greener pastures. So, of course they will complain about “corruption” – even though they enthusiastically fully partook in it. For the Armenian Diaspora: By partaking in the doom&gloom campaign against Armenia they (consciously or subconsciously) justify their reason to remain within their greener pastures. What Amerika-Hay is going to permanently leave his or her suburban lifestyle in the US to truly and honestly (in other words not working for Western NGOs or serving Western political interests) participate in the long and tedious task of nation-building in Armenia? So, of course they will complain about corruption… beggars, stinky toilets, dilapidated housing, dirty streets, Russians taking over everything…

    • Harutik, please avoid generalizations. The reasons people emmigrate vary. If the homeland provides no jobs and no prospects for jobs and parents cannot sustain their children, the family leaves. Just how does this mean that they “abandon” their homeland for “greener pastures”? And, please, do not demonize all those born in Armenia in that “they enthusiastically fully partook in corruption”. Many who left were educated, highly-literate people, members of intelligentsia who, after the collapse of the Soviet empire, refused to undergo a castration from urban intellectuals to modern-day provincial thugs.

  18. Dear Todd,
    I did click on the link,that of yours,below your post.And there he was Arman Atoyan,whom I know from my visits to Yerevan and his offcie,as well as to a conference he had organized.
    Also the Young girl Gayane if hse is ghandiljyan,not ghandilyan.She does resemble to the pone I know from a Team that I organized to come and help me set up the first Disc Golf Game in memory of my grandson Ivan.It is on the web his Ivan´s Disc Golf Course Armenia…what a coincidence.
    I wish you best in your enterprise.I am to be in
    Yerevan later ,in April probaably otherwise would indeed attend the Conf. in Gymri.Was in latter some 3 yrs ago …
    best of luck to you and Arman Atoyan…

  19. The good Major’s observations regarding concentration of wealth would seem to apply to what is taking place in the United States as well.

  20. I am a diaspora Armenian and I proudly consider the Soviet (“Bolshevik-dominated”) republic as our second republic. In many ways it is preferable to its miserable antecedent and successor. It was, you know, a viable state, with a population of over 3 million (not counting Artsakh) before the Soviet collapse. Armenians enjoyed free health care, education, travel, arts and culture sponsorship, etc. Were there problems? Was it authoritarian? Was there corruption and forced adherence to a certain version of Marxism-Leninism. Yes, there were those things and of course the fact that the diaspora could only visit with Moscow’s clearance and permission was humiliating and unfortunate. But if you polled the people of Armenia on which of the three republics was the best, I bet the second would win in a landslide.

    • Hagop,

      The problem is that during the Soviet times, the Soviet Union as a whole propped up Armenia. We now have an Armenian that needs to support itself without the benefits of a large system. As unsustainable as the SU was in the long term, it was much larger than Armenia and able to support her with resources.

      I’ll leave it up to more knowledgeable people to say whether I have this right or not ;)

    • Random, you have it right but my response was to Mensoian’s assertion that the “Bolshevik-dominated” republic was some sort of aberration not worth paying any attention to when it was in fact much better than the shortlived first republic and the one that exists today (this could change in the future, who knows).

  21. There is a very old saying in the U.S.:
    “People get the kind of government they deserve.” It some ways it is cruel and unfair, but for the most part it is true. Nations in which the peoples’ collective will is insufficient will suffer the consequences.

  22. Perhaps democracy (or even the idea of it) and/or unrestrained, American-style capitalism are not for Armenia, or any fledgling state, at this stage of the game? When a new country is born from a set of dysfunctional parents (USSR/Ottoman Empire), how can it, the child, be expected to be ‘normal’, especially when both parents died during childbirth? The expectations of today’s Armenia are flawed from the outset and to think of Armenia in western, European terms is bound to lead us to disappointment. Yes, Armenia very dysfunctional and this is hurting it as a country as well as everyone living there. The base culture, developed during Soviet times, is a legacy culture that is fighting, stealing and obstructing efforts at modernity. Very sad to watch this from a distance. It seems that Armenia needs an iron fist in the form of laws and regulations that will diminish the power of the oligarchs, who are homegrown parasites sucking the blood out of their host. At some point, once they’ve destroyed it, they will move on, money intact, and continue the process elsewhere. Without a strong system that will either tax them into oblivion or just put them out of business, Armenia and its hardworking, intelligent people will continue to suffer needlessly. Note that no amount of international aid is going to help this situation, which is too large and too ingrained to change unless a major catalyst can stop the internal bleeding, thus allowing Armenian society to heal. How can that happen? I have no idea, but it seems no one else does, either, or else we’d see a change for the better, rather than for the worse, as we do now.

    • {“Yes, Armenia very dysfunctional…”}

      No: Armenia is very functional.

      What do you compare Armenia with to come up with the preposterous qualification that it is, quote, “dysfunctional” ?
      Are you back to praising your old favourite Ottoman Turkey and Turkey, pal ?

  23. “Perhaps democracy (or even the idea of it) and/or unrestrained, American-style capitalism are not for Armenia, or any fledgling state, at this stage of the game?”

    The American democracy is not unrestrained. It’s the most optimal form of democracy – the stablest, most successful, and the longest lasting form of democracy, that has turned the U.S. from a fledgling country of 3 million into a superpower. If it can work in the United States, it can work in Armenia. We Armenians in the United States cannot enjoy the benefits of the “unrestrained” American democracy while telling those in Armenia that “they are not ready.” When Armenians leave Armenia and come to live and prosper in the U.S., that means they are ready.

    The people in Armenia know that they deserve the kind of country that we Armenian-Americans live in, and they will keep leaving their country and choose to have a new one. To stop that destructive trend, Armenians need to install a successful, U.S.-style democracy in Armenia now, or Armenia will be cease to exist in a few decades. The way to do it is to increase the pressure on the Armenian government. Someone wrote about a bloody revolution. Armenia’s government needs to feel the threat of a bloody revolution in order for a change to come. As long as the regime feels that the Armenian people will not dare to resort to a revolution for the sake of “preserving the republic,” they will not change.

    • What exactly is democratic about a country where you could legally own another human being? That takes us to 1865. What exactly is democratic about a country where half the population- women- can’t vote? That takes us to 1920. What exactly is democratic about a country where racism is institutionalized and legal- segregation? That takes us to 1964. Guess it all depends on what you consider to be a democracy.

      Btw: in 2012, the US was ranked the 21st most democratic state in the world. Oh also, in the 2012 Economist Intelligence Report, only 25 states qualified as “full democracies”. US= 21 out of 25. Norway was number 1. Even Mauritius ranked higher than the US.

      https://portoncv.gov.cv/dhub/porton.por_global.open_file?p_doc_id=1034

    • Why don’t you go to RoA and start that ‘bloody revolution’ yourself, and see what happens to you and your fellow ‘revolutionaries’.
      Take your idol, the ‘fearless’ Ara Manoogian with you: he will video the ‘revolution’; we can watch on Youtube how RoA’s security services haul the lot of you to jail.

      Or, for lots more fun, you can go instead to your own homeland of Turkbaijan and start a revolution there, nomad: see if you can unseat your Sultan for Life and Beyond, Aliyev II. Lots of luck: Aliyev’s Turkbaijani goons don’t care if you are one of them. You will be beaten savagely, and then you will be ‘suicided’.

      The nomadic savages even beat up and tortured a 77 year old Armenian man with dementia who got lost and ended up in Azerbaijan: the Terrorbaijani psychopaths are holding him prisoner for “…leading an Armenian commando team into Azerbaijan” (!).

    • So says Washington’s Turkish cyberwarrior. We see what “democracy” has brought to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and Syria. No thank you.

  24. If only Armenia, suffering from that, you know, Sovietski disease and that horrible corruption mentality it inherited from Soviet rule had joined EU instead of CU, the corruption in RoA would have vanished overnight.

    What ? Did somebody say there is corruption in EU also ?
    I don’t believe it. It’s a lie, I tell you. Just a vicious, dirty lie.

    Au contrair, mon ami, au contrair.

    [Study Details Graft in European Union]
    { PARIS — Despite its relatively clean image, the European Union is losing at least 120 billion euros a year to corruption, and more than three-quarters of citizens believe that the problem is widespread in their countries, the bloc’s home affairs commissioner said on Monday.}
    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/business/international/European-Union-Report-on-Cost-of-Corruption.html?_r=0

    Did I read that right ? 120 BILLION euroes @ year lost to corruption ?
    “…and more than three-quarters of citizens believe that the problem is widespread in their countries”.
    In EU ? Lord have mercy: what the world has come to.
    We are shocked, shocked. Is there no decency left in this world ?
    Et tu, EU?

    “…corrupt RPA….oligarchs……Soviet mentality…hopeless…..revolution now!…..democracy now!….”
    “…we are 99%…occupy Wall Street…”: wait, sorry; that was in the US.

    btw: where is PFA when we need it; how about writing one of them your infamous ‘RoA doomed’ hit jobs about EU, guys.

    • “Did I read that right ? 120 BILLION euroes @ year lost to corruption ?”

      Our resident pro-Serzh apologist is back with his irrelevant comparisons. Time for some more education.

      In terms of the ratio of corruption to the overall economy, buddy boy, EU’s “corruption” does not even come close to the debilitating corruption in Armenia. The overall GDP of the European Union is 16 TRILLION (as in 16,000 BILLION). 120 billion is a drop in the water. Armenia’s meager GDP is barely 10 billion. The $2 billion that the Armenia’s ruling thugs are stealing from the country is 20% of the economy. In other words, Serzh and his fellow criminals are stealing from an already impoverished country, which is the real crime.

      Here is another way to give the apologists a perspective on the “comparable” corruptions in Armenia and the West. These are corruption perception ranks by Transparency International:

      France: 22
      USA: 19
      Armenia: 94 (!)
      http://www.transparency.org/cpi2013/results

      Armenians would dream to live under the “corruption” of EU and US. Here is a more picturesque example of the corruption in Armenia: apparently judges in Armenia have a sliding-scale bribe-schedule:

      “According to findings published on December 9 by the country’s human rights ombudsman, Karen Andreasian, bribe-taking is so rampant in Armenian courts that judges even use an unofficial price list for kickbacks.”

      “bribe rates fluctuate within the following range — from $500 to $10,000 at courts of first instance, from $200 to $15,000 at the Court of Appeals, and from $10,000 to $50,000 at the Court of Cassation.”

      http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-judicial-corruption-price-list/25197495.html

      This is why Armenians are fleeing the “republic” in droves. This is why democracy is a matter of national security for Armenia. Unless Armenia becomes a democracy, in 20 years there will be no Armenia. There will, however, be Irevan rayon within Azerbaijan.

    • http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/report-on-eu-corruption-could-spur-russian-recrimination/493896.html

      120 bln = less than 1% of the EUs GDP
      In Russia: 300 bln= 15% of GDP

      Also: Population of 28 EU member states= 507 million
      Population of Russia= 143 million

      So….. about 3.5 x MORE people and about 3 x LESS corruption?

      Under normal circumstances Armenia should want to join the EU. Those normal circumstances currently do not exist so it is practical and the right decision to stick with Russia. But I think we all know WHY this decision is being made by Armenia’s leaders: security. Let’s not pretend for a second that the EU is some totally corrupt entity that one should avoid or that Armenia wouldn’t make significant economic gains under the EU (as would Turkey).

    • If it’s not corruption or economy they will start attacking Armenia on social issues. But… take Hungary, EU member in the middle of Avropa – according to their constitution abortions are prohibited because human life starts at conception, LGBT are outcast because marriage is defined as a union between one woman and one man, etc. Neo Nazi and Pan-Turan parties having a field day there.

  25. [Ahura Mazda // January 31, 2014 at 7:56 pm //: “What seems to be the main defining distinction between Armenia and other more developed countries with regards to the relationship of State and it’s public is the perception of corruption. … The need here is not that we must take down the oligarchy, or even replace the current leadership, but to simply find a way to change the perception of our own Armenian public and then the public-at-large as to what are the defining features of our nation.”]

    No, fellow Aryan god, the defining distinction between Armenia and the developed countries is democracy. They have it, Armenia does not. Perception, unfortunately, is everything. It’s perception that drives a population away (as in Armenia) or brings people in (as in the USA). You can’t change the perception of Armenians by lying to them or forcing it upon them. Armenians have seen too much to be fooled that way. The only way to change the perception is to change the behavior of the government, and the only historically proven way to do it is democracy: when rulers misbehave, people replace them, so the next round of rulers will behave better. For this to happen without bloodshed, Armenia needs frequent elections that are not rigged. Otherwise, bloodshed is inevitable. Armenians are patient, but not without limits.

  26. Avery
    I got that message-News yesterday by kin in EU….what a farce.what a shame.
    That person ,my kind repeated it a few times,as it is some real BIG fraud.I read the link you inserted, from NY times…my God !!! Mon Dieu. But yrs ago there was some such (much small one,in Italy France and Spain9 but nothing of this DIMENSION!!! 120 billion a yr?
    So really, the wolrd has come to be an open field for those who have long hands,so to say.Even in one of the aforementioned countries the Ministre of Edu and culture made off with some 80 million not Billion.So to me it does not come with too much surprise,but it did shock me to hear that the dimension is so huge!!!
    Possilbe that is one motive for great Turkey for wishing to cut in there….to have a piece of the CAKE.CU is small fry for people like Armenians to profit no not from that kind of corruption but at least pay less CUSTOMS DUTIES AND OR WHO KNOWS, maybe some small AID from Dzadzya Putin to loan us for 30 yrs some couple billions to build New Nuclear Power grids etc., Like he promised to great Turkey in the amount of 10 was it or 20 billion dolalrs w/technition going over to erect them ..
    Take care..

  27. “Btw: in 2012, the US was ranked the 21st most democratic state in the world.”

    RVDV, full democracy does not mean best democracy. The founders of the U.S. intentionally refused the idea of a full or “extreme democracy” and put limits on the role of the people, because sometimes people can be wrong. Hence, you have Electoral college, a Senate that is non-proportional, etc. The U.S. democracy is so far the most optimal form (i.e. with the right balance), not necessarily the most democratic. It’s evidenced by its longevity, stability, and prosperity. Whether the 20 democracies ranking higher will do better in the long run is yet to be shown. Of course, if they prove to have better features, the U.S. most likely will adopt them. The U.S. democracy has not been perfect, but one of its features designed in its system is that it has periodically self-corrected itself.

    “//Gurgen// We see what “democracy” has brought to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and Syria. No thank you.”

    Spoken by one of Kremlin’s apologists. No, we don’t see what democracy has done in these countries because true democracy was not installed in these countries. Still, they are in a better position now, as they got rid of their crippling tyrannies.

  28. I think establishment of a be-national US-Armenian foundation for supporting science and technology development in Armenia and for establishing strong ties between Armenian researchers and US Universities and Companies could be great help for Armenian science. Technically it can be realized through US governmental organizations, e.g. through CRDF. If each year, through CRDF directly feed Armenian scientists of about 2-3 million USD, it will be great support.
    The money could be from Armenian organizations for Armenian researchers, and from US government for US researchers.

    This idea is so simple, that I am surprising why it do not working yet.

    Thank you.

  29. Armenia has been and will continue to be targeted by multiple competing manipulative forces due to its geographic location. Currently, the mounting campaign of anti-Russian propaganda in the US (for reasons that are largely beyond the scope of this discussion), is coloring many of our views and opinions regarding Armenia.

    Yes, there is a disturbing level of corruption in Armenia. However, let us not fail to mention that there is also a disturbing level of corruption in the United States. There are some significant differences – some of the corruption in the United States (“oligarchs” getting special treatment) has slowly incorporated itself into law (e.g. “Citizens United”) and is thus not called “corruption” any longer, while in Armenia there is a significantly higher level of integrity still remaining on paper, which makes the corruption appear that much more egregious.

    Yes, there are problems in Armenia, and the problems are multiplied and exacerbated by Armenia’s historically disastrous geographic location with a misbegotten array of neighbors, small population, dearth of globally valuable natural resources (e.g. oil), and the fact that the current incarnation of its sovereignty is in its infancy.

    Armenians benefit and suffer from an interesting national character trait – we expect ourselves, as a nation/whole, to achieve perfection in the least amount of time with the least amount of resources and the least amount of personal commitment to the whole. In my humble opinion, herein lies the secret of both our longevity (as a people) and our historical inability to maintain our sovereignty. We are constantly unhappy with ourselves and seeking improvement, which keeps us from becoming obsolete. At the same time, we quickly become frustrated with our inability to attain immediate perfection and begin pointing fingers and seeking outside “saviors.”

    Armenia should be forging and restructuring alliances based on its present needs, not based on the personal views and current citizenship allegiances of vociferous or wealthy diasporans. Those of us living in the US may wish to see Armenia politically allied with the US rather than with Russia. However, the reality remains that the US has much greater interest in keeping a strong alliance with Turkey and suppressing Russia, and we would be foolish to dismiss the fact that the US would not hesitate to sacrifice Armenia for either of those causes.

    Armenia is a tiny, landlocked, resource-poor country, stuck in the most hostile imaginable neighborhood, filled with a small population of ancient people who carry a significant collective psychological trauma burden (in just the last 100 years, which have a direct impact on the currently living generations: genocide, mass displacement, two revolutions, two consuming wars, a devastating earthquake), and yet despite all this there stands a sovereign Armenia – an imperfect, delicately balanced on the edge of the abyss, Armenia, but still… Armenia!

    I invite myself, and anyone who is willing to join, to stop ringing the bells of doom, and to commit our own personal best to the task of improving Armenia. It is not panicked rhetoric, a coup or revolution (least of all a “bloody” one, I shudder even typing the word, as has been suggested here), or some great outside force that will bring Armenia forward. It is the sum of the individual efforts of all Armenians and non-Armenian supporters, that will move Armenia closer to the perfection, which we all want “yesterday, wrapped in a bow, and delivered on a silver platter.”

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