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ACNIS Holds Special Briefing On Lessons From Ongoing Unrest in Tunis

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  • ACNIS Holds Special Briefing On Lessons From Ongoing Unrest in Tunis

    PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian Center for National and International Studies
    75 Yerznkian Street
    Yerevan 0033, Armenia
    Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
    Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
    Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
    Website: www.acnis.January


    Jan 20, 2011

    ACNIS HOLDS SPECIAL BRIEFING ON LESSONS FROM ONGOING UNREST IN TUNISIA


    Yerevan--The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
    (ACNIS) held a special briefing on January 20 entitled, `An Assessment
    of the Recent Revolution in Tunisia: Are there Lessons for Armenia?,'
    with a presentation by ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian focusing on
    the recent unrest in Tunisia that resulted in the overthrow of that
    country's long-serving president. Giragosian analyzed the events in
    Tunisia with a focus on the possible lessons for Armenia in terms of
    the need for political consensus, compromise and dialogue, and the
    relationship between the authorities and the opposition.

    After showing a video of recent demonstrations in the Tunisian
    capital, Giragosian noted that `the wave of unrest was largely a
    leaderless revolution that was both sudden and spontaneous.' He
    traced the lack of leadership to the fact that `most of the
    demonstrators were driven by a spontaneous reaction to the
    accumulation of frustration, hopelessness and humiliation of years of
    corruption, restrictions on political freedoms and a general arrogance
    of power exhibited by the Tunisian government.'

    He further noted that the recent developments in Tunisia were
    especially significant for Armenia, as the situation demonstrated five
    key factors: (1) the inherent weakness and vulnerability of states
    hindered by little real legitimacy; (2) the sudden and explosive power
    of public rage and discontent; (3) the economic and demographic roots
    of such popular discontent; (4) the power of the Internet and social
    media tools in terms of activism and organization; and (5) the
    cumulative effects of an `arrogance of power' by the ruling political
    elite. The analysis also examined the impact of economic pressure on
    political stability and development.

    Giragosian concluded by stressing that `although there were several
    broader lessons from the Tunisian situation, what was most crucial for
    Armenia was the recognition of the danger of ignoring public demands
    for change and the need for deeper and durable reform.' He also
    stated that `the lessons from Tunisia were even more applicable to the
    case of Azerbaijan, mainly due to the dynastic nature of the
    Azerbaijani government, making Baku especially vulnerable to growing
    discontent and possible unrest in the face of a pronounced lack of
    legitimacy and its notable disregard for democratic reforms.'

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
    a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
    Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
    conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
    raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
    engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
    and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
    institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
    Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
    acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
    independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
    and international policy issues.

    For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
    27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
    or visit www.acnis.am




    From: A. Papazian
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