Vage Avetyan on forming of ideology of the ruling party of Armenia

Difficult dialogue between the authorities and the opposition in Armenia is not effective. Criticism of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia becomes heavier. One of its first members, the Armenian writer Vage Avetyan, who migrated to Sweden, told VK about circumstances of foundation of the party in 1990 and transformation of its ideology.

-    What ideas were basic for RPA when it was founded? Were there other ideas along with national liberation ones?

-    RPA was founded by the Independence Army, which separated from the National Self-recognition union, which used to be one of leading players in political space of the republic. Fighting entity needed political support, as it couldn’t exist only as a group of weaponed people. The initiators were the former members of United National Party and the National Self-Recognition union. Ideas of independence were out of question, as compromises meant betrayal. The only argument in favor of separation of RPA was the fact that ideas of independence were deeper in minds of military men than in the National Self-Recognition union. Many had swallowed the bait.

That’s how RPA was founded. In 1992 it cooperated with special services of various countries and became the party of KGB servicemen, which should help them to return to office in Armenia and establish control under all spheres of social life. And we can see it today. The authorities and the founder of our party, AshotNavasardyan, understood it in 1992. All his life he thought that the main path of RPA is fighting for independence and patriotic spirit. The authorities do not refuse from these ideas even today.

-    What about ideology of RPA?

-    Initially the ideology was national democratic. The movement Tsekharon, initiated by Garegin Nzhde, was interesting to some members of the party, but it has never been the political creed of RPA. But discussions of Tsekhakron people were heard by some members of the party and distorted them. Andranik Markaryan, self-proclaimed prime-minister, used it.

I speak about it as the second member of the party. To be fair in 1990-1992 RPA, in that time the foreign special services had no absolute control over the party, developed the political program, due to which it is the only party in the country, which has its own program. That is why it still rules.

-    How did those days ruling Armenian National Movement, headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, react at RPA?

-    At first reaction was very negative. The war didn’t promote expression of positive emotions. However, when in 1992 RPA became the KGB service similar to ANM, relations improved. Later the defense minister of Armenia, Vazgen Sarkisyan, “captured” RPA and relations became inside-ANMish.

-    Did RPA support privatization of state enterprises?

-    Speaking about ideology, that time few people understand it clearly, today there are even less people, who can do it. RPA and ANM stated that they are liberal. Initially they had no ideological contradictions. Both parties stood for privatization. But ideology wasn’t enough for implementation. Thus, the national legacy was taken by tycoons.

-    Did political and economy discussions between RPA and AMN take place those days? Were there any contradictions?

-    Contradictions took place not between RPA and ANM, but between separate persons, who could represent two different organizations or one and the same unity. The defeated person admitted lower status, or died, or was imprisoned, or left the country. Discussions concerned only market and contradictions were characterized by pragmatism. The war and army weren’t interesting for these people, they were self-governed. Thanks God! If they decided to interfere with the war, I cannot even imagine how it could end.

Interview by David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK.