Exclusive interview of the second Armenian President Robert Kocharyan to Mediamax

- Can we think that your consent to give us an interview on the last but one day of the election campaign suggests your desire to take part in the campaign one way or the other?

- I didn’t have and still don’t have any desire to get involved in the parliamentary election campaign one way or the other. In fact, I think that it shouldn’t concern presidents (acting and former ones). But there were so many publications about me in different contexts during the pre-election period that I can’t merely avoid giving explanations. I will try not to turn the interview into a pre-election campaigning.

- The most urgent and discussed question as of now: what links do you have with “Prosperous Armenia” Party (PAP)? Is it true that it’s your party - especially taking into account the fact that Vardan Oskanyan entered the party?

- I closely cooperated with the parties but I have never linked myself to them with interests beyond the borders of political partnership. I am convinced that in our conditions, President’s non-commitment to any party enables him to be a full arbiter and guarantor for political competition in the country.

The PAP is one of the parties with which I have cooperated in the format mentioned above. If it were my party the majority of ministers and governors might join that party not the RPA by the parliamentary elections of 2007.

As to Vardan Oskanyan’s joining the PAP – I will share a little secret with you. It was me who dissuaded him from his joining the PAP and taking part in 2007 parliamentary elections (he had such a desire then). I didn’t want to change the Foreign Minister over the past 9 months of my presidency and I am glad that Oskanyan understood me then. In fact, if “belonging” to the PAP is evaluated by presence of a Minister who has long worked with me on the list, look at the RPA list.

On the whole, I am glad for the successes PAP has made and the significant growth in its popularity. I think it’ll seriously be reflected at the level of its representation in the parliament of the next convocation.

- What relations do you have with the current authorities? It’s said you have some behind-the-scenes agreements with the authorities which will be known later.

- I don’t have and I couldn’t have had any secret agreements with the authorities. The authorities bear a public and direct responsibility for the results of its activities and any shadow patterns of its participation in ruling the country are just dangerous as they deform the linear link between the power and responsibility - no matter who is meant.

My relationships with the authorities are diverse. I sincerely wish them success but I am disappointed with the results of its activities especially in the economy. By the way, I frankly spoke on this matter to the President as well.

I don’t regard myself an opposition and I have maintained balanced personal relations with many people who held the power during my presidency and are in power till now. I tried to be useful by my advice during the 1-1.5 years after my resignation. Then I understood that my experience and knowledge are not in demand and gave it up. November 2008 was the last time I spoke about the economic situation with the Prime Minister.

I work in a very serious Russian company for already 3 years and I try to be useful for it and it’s interesting to me. I attentively keep track of what’s happening in Armenia (I live here though I travel a lot). I try not to get involved in internal political processes.

- You say that you are disappointed with the economic results of the authorities’ activities. But over the past several months and especially during the election campaign, those responsible for the economy have repeatedly said that people’s life hasn’t much deteriorated and the economy is in quite a good condition. Moreover, economic success of the government has been presented against this background for many times.

- Every person knows best of all whether his life has deteriorated or improved. He fixes it on a daily basis opening the door of his fridge or entering a shop. People get puzzled when they are convinced their life has improved. It takes a turn for the society’s apathy and total distrust. And these are not at all the moods to accomplish the great deeds with.

Migration is the “alarm system” of economic and political health of a country. Its threatening sizes are the most faithful indicator of fundamental problems. People don’t run away from good things.

- Do you think that the conditions you spoke about in your latest interview to our agency exist? And if that’s the case can we speak about your possible return to big politics now or in the future?

- There is a strong public expectation for changes in Armenia and that means that the degree of apathy of the society is not irreversible and it’s a substantially positive phenomenon. To what degree the people relate the changes to my return to active politics – that’s what I am concerned about. I don’t have a full answer to this question yet.

- What do your periodic meetings with Vladimir Putin mean?

- I have effectively cooperated with special mutual understanding with Vladimir Putin over 8 years. If one analyzes those years he’ll see that a real fundament for bilateral relations especially in economy has been formed in deed and not in name. Wouldn’t it be strange to you if the relations didn’t continue? You don’t think that presidents are depersonalized robots adjusted to only official relations, do you?

- Many chess terms occurred in our inner political vocabulary some 1-2 years ago. If looking at the current situation in that light which game is now played and what role do you play in it?

- In fact, comparison of this game with politics is extremely lame for 2 reasons:

1.The goal of ruling a country is not in beating anyone. It’s only the sense of retaining the power. What we should “beat” is migration, unemployment and corruption.

2. The goal of chess is retaining “the head” of the King at any rate. One can sacrifice the half of the “kingdom” to this end. I don’t think such an analogy with ruling a country can make anyone happy (except the King).

So let chess be just an intellectual game and it’s good that it’s a popular game in Armenia.