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FORMER OWNER OF CAFE DE PARIS: "I DON'T BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT'S PROMISES ABOUT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS"
Grisha Balasanyan
HETQ.AM
10:22, May 4, 2012
Valerie-Ashkhen Gordzounian, the diaspora Armenian who was recently
forced to close her Cafe de Paris in Yerevan due to pressures brought
to bear by the tax authorities, sat down with Hetq to answer a few
questions. She has since left Armenia on a temporary basis.
You ran in business in Armenia for a number of years and are acutely
aware of government policies and the general situation prevailing in
the country. Do you believe that poverty can be reduced, the economy
developed and emigration halted if such a state of affairs continues?
No, because the economic sector isn't cleanly regulated. First off,
anyone who invests in Armenia is hit with very hefty taxes for such
a small country and competition doesn't exist. It's expensive to
get goods cleared through customs and raw materials are costly. The
government is doing nothing to improve these conditions. The government
must launch a credit policy because everything is so expensive and
the currency isn't stable. This is why emigration continues.
When young people see that they get nowhere after graduating, that
the government is doing little to assist them so that they can get
a foothold in the economic sector, naturally, they will leave. The
border opening with Turkey hasn't been resolved, issues related to
army service remain, bribery persists - these all lead to mistrust in
the government. The people will decide to pack up and leave. This is
a real danger and concerns me greatly. I do not list all the problems
because the problem of social stability has, in my opinion, already
reached terrible proportions.
So what is necessary to change things as quickly as possible?
First off, we need fair elections and a legitimate government. Later
on, with such a base, perhaps the International Monetary Fund will
assist us again. Everything must be changed. The tax and legal systems
must be just and there must be free competition so that we can attract
outside investment and in order for the people to want to stay in
the motherland. It would seem to me that a legitimate government can
instill a degree of hope in the people.
In two days, parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia. Have
you been following political developments from afar? What are your
thoughts?
As regards to following the political situation, let me state that only
those who have truly remained Armenian are following what is taking
place. Here in France, everyone is following the upcoming second round
of the presidential elections to take place on May 6, the same day as
elections in Armenia. Those in my circle who are following the election
campaign in Armenia, sadly, do not really believe that things will
change for the better. We follow the news from all the outlets and
are shocked to hear about the bribes, the money, the jams and cell
phones being handed out to people. Our European friends are doubly
shocked. It's very interesting to compare the election campaigns in
France and Armenia.
Do you believe it is possible to change the political situation and
the regime in Armenia via elections only? Are other mechanisms needed
for such systematic change?
I believe that these elections are the last opportunity for changing
the reality in Armenia. If the three political forces - Armenian
National Congress, Prosperous Armenia and the ARF - can get their act
together and guarantee free and fair elections, then the outcome will
be a positive one. If not, it is clear that things will get worse. But
we need to ask ourselves, isn't the public also to blame in all this?
You are now living in Europe. Don't they try to buy votes for 5,000
or 10,000 AMD her as well?
Are you serious? If anything like that was attempted in Europe,
especially France, there would be an immediate revolution. Bribery
exists here but those involved are brought up on charges, even at the
highest levels of government. Even former French President Jacques
Chirac is being tried in court for past irregularities. Thus, your
question makes me laugh.
What must be done to get rid of this tainted practice of vote buying
in Armenia?
The people must develop to the point where they understand that they
just can't sell their future for 5,000 AMD. Only then will vote buying
be dealt with for good.
You know, perhaps young people will one day understand this. As
a person who loves my country, this issue pains me greatly. I would
like to hope that the people this time will not sell their futures for
5,000 AMD. I urge and beseech our people to make the right election
choice despite the difficult conditions. Let us make Armenia's National
Assembly truly democratic.
During your years of running a business in Armenia you had to deal
with a variety of government officials and functionaries. Based on what
you know, do you believe their promises that the May 6 elections will
correspond to international standards of a free and democratic ballot?
If we are talking about the authorities in charge today, then I'd say
no, no and no. They are only lying or preventing normal democratic
elections from taking place. However, there are intelligent, educated
and cultured people in Armenia and they are my source of hope.
You know, I really want to see all this change quickly.
Grisha Balasanyan
HETQ.AM
10:22, May 4, 2012
Valerie-Ashkhen Gordzounian, the diaspora Armenian who was recently
forced to close her Cafe de Paris in Yerevan due to pressures brought
to bear by the tax authorities, sat down with Hetq to answer a few
questions. She has since left Armenia on a temporary basis.
You ran in business in Armenia for a number of years and are acutely
aware of government policies and the general situation prevailing in
the country. Do you believe that poverty can be reduced, the economy
developed and emigration halted if such a state of affairs continues?
No, because the economic sector isn't cleanly regulated. First off,
anyone who invests in Armenia is hit with very hefty taxes for such
a small country and competition doesn't exist. It's expensive to
get goods cleared through customs and raw materials are costly. The
government is doing nothing to improve these conditions. The government
must launch a credit policy because everything is so expensive and
the currency isn't stable. This is why emigration continues.
When young people see that they get nowhere after graduating, that
the government is doing little to assist them so that they can get
a foothold in the economic sector, naturally, they will leave. The
border opening with Turkey hasn't been resolved, issues related to
army service remain, bribery persists - these all lead to mistrust in
the government. The people will decide to pack up and leave. This is
a real danger and concerns me greatly. I do not list all the problems
because the problem of social stability has, in my opinion, already
reached terrible proportions.
So what is necessary to change things as quickly as possible?
First off, we need fair elections and a legitimate government. Later
on, with such a base, perhaps the International Monetary Fund will
assist us again. Everything must be changed. The tax and legal systems
must be just and there must be free competition so that we can attract
outside investment and in order for the people to want to stay in
the motherland. It would seem to me that a legitimate government can
instill a degree of hope in the people.
In two days, parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia. Have
you been following political developments from afar? What are your
thoughts?
As regards to following the political situation, let me state that only
those who have truly remained Armenian are following what is taking
place. Here in France, everyone is following the upcoming second round
of the presidential elections to take place on May 6, the same day as
elections in Armenia. Those in my circle who are following the election
campaign in Armenia, sadly, do not really believe that things will
change for the better. We follow the news from all the outlets and
are shocked to hear about the bribes, the money, the jams and cell
phones being handed out to people. Our European friends are doubly
shocked. It's very interesting to compare the election campaigns in
France and Armenia.
Do you believe it is possible to change the political situation and
the regime in Armenia via elections only? Are other mechanisms needed
for such systematic change?
I believe that these elections are the last opportunity for changing
the reality in Armenia. If the three political forces - Armenian
National Congress, Prosperous Armenia and the ARF - can get their act
together and guarantee free and fair elections, then the outcome will
be a positive one. If not, it is clear that things will get worse. But
we need to ask ourselves, isn't the public also to blame in all this?
You are now living in Europe. Don't they try to buy votes for 5,000
or 10,000 AMD her as well?
Are you serious? If anything like that was attempted in Europe,
especially France, there would be an immediate revolution. Bribery
exists here but those involved are brought up on charges, even at the
highest levels of government. Even former French President Jacques
Chirac is being tried in court for past irregularities. Thus, your
question makes me laugh.
What must be done to get rid of this tainted practice of vote buying
in Armenia?
The people must develop to the point where they understand that they
just can't sell their future for 5,000 AMD. Only then will vote buying
be dealt with for good.
You know, perhaps young people will one day understand this. As
a person who loves my country, this issue pains me greatly. I would
like to hope that the people this time will not sell their futures for
5,000 AMD. I urge and beseech our people to make the right election
choice despite the difficult conditions. Let us make Armenia's National
Assembly truly democratic.
During your years of running a business in Armenia you had to deal
with a variety of government officials and functionaries. Based on what
you know, do you believe their promises that the May 6 elections will
correspond to international standards of a free and democratic ballot?
If we are talking about the authorities in charge today, then I'd say
no, no and no. They are only lying or preventing normal democratic
elections from taking place. However, there are intelligent, educated
and cultured people in Armenia and they are my source of hope.
You know, I really want to see all this change quickly.