A USUAL STORY ABOUT ORGANIZING DEBATES

In last week the topic of my program (“Crossroad of views” on Armenian service of Radio Liberty) was whether the possible social unrests in Armenia- taking into account the increase of prices and so on. 

Searching for the opposition representative 

Vahagn Khachatryan

First, I called ANC member Vahagn Khachatryan. He has been a former mayor of Yerevan, but was expressed in favor demonstrations merchants making trade on the street. A contradiction. It may be interesting. Vahagn Khachatryan agreed, but when I enumerated the names of his potential opponents, he named the one a dishonest man, the second-non serious one. 
After that he suddenly said that he cannot come to debate on Saturday, because on Friday he is going to Tsaghkadzor and will return on Sunday.

Bagrat Asatryan

Then I called the Central Bank former chairman Bagrat Asatryan.  Well, he is now the opposition, and surely would speak in favor of social unrest. After a call, I realized that I’ve joined roaming. Bagrat Asatryan was in Austria. Then I remembered that I read his comment in one of the newspapers that having a Holiday in Austria is cheaper than in our Tsaghkadzor.

Artsvik Minasyan

I called the member of "Armenian Revolutionary Federation" parliamentary Faction Artsvik Minasyan. His first reaction was negative. “I’m too much in the arena”, he said. But perhaps the sound a note of despair had been found in my voice and Minasyan agreed. Only condition laid down. “No debate on Saturday, as usual, but organize on Friday”, because he is going to the village. I agreed. Half of work is done. 

Searching for an authority representative

Hakob Hakobyan

 I called the NA Social Affairs Committee chairman Hakob Hakobyan. He agreed, but said- we will meet next week. I said- Mr. Hakobian, but it is the main topic of THIS week. He laughed. “I think that it will be an important topic next week too”.  In a word, he disagreed.

Then I called the Chairman of Committee on Economic Affairs Vardan Ayvazyan.  By his voice I felt that something is wrong. It turned out that he got food poisoning, and even call for ambulance. But he said to me. “Call tomorrow even if I feel good, certainly I will participate in the debate”. Thus, I will call again on Thursday.

The next day I called and asked how was he. Could he participate in debate? He answered. “Call tomorrow afternoon, I will say that, especially at what time we will meet”.

I called Artsvik and told him about present situation. I asked him not to plane for all day something else, because every minute Vardan Ayvazyan could assign debate time. Artsvik agreed: Thanks God, we studied together under the auspices of the Council of Europe's School of Political Studies.

Vardan Ayvazyan

Thursday. It was our Army Day. And when in the afternoon I called Vardan Ayvazyan, he says that he will visit to Yerablur- honoring the memory of soldiers with the other members of the Republican Party, than he will take part in the solemn concert. I asked desperately, but when shall we meet. He answered. “Well, I do not know. Call me”.

I called him five minutes later to clarify my doubts. And when in ear trumpet I heard the voice- I immediately said previously prepared speech “Mr. Ayvazyan, maybe you do not want to participate in the debate. If it so just say!!!!!!!!”: I got this response. “This is Mr. Ayvazyan’s driver. Call him after half hour or an hour”. Not from half an hour, not from an hour no one answers my calls. And I'm very close to break the phone and to curse my work. But suddenly HE  called. And Vartan Ayvazyan said. “You know, this week we can’t meet”.

Eduard Sharmazanov

I desperately called Republican Party spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov. He is very sociable and always helps in such cases. I told him- Edik dear, I stood before the fact, Vartan Ayvazian beguiled. Edik as always helps. Shortly after he said that in our debate would participate MP Gagik Melikyan.

Gagik Melikyan

Well, thanks God, finally I could have a dinner, which I couldn’t manage in the whole this nervous day. In the cafe phone calls do not reach. And when I came out, I received a message that Sharmazanov called me several times. I called him back and asked what happened? He answers that Gagik Melikyan’s aunt died, he could not come. But also said that the issue is settled and Artak Zakaryan would participate.

I said Artsvik Minasyan about Artak (he is another MP from Republican party). Artsvik answers. “But he is not an economist!!!!!!!!!!”. I promised him that we wouldn’t talk about this problem economic side, as with political side. He finally agreed.

The end! The opposition and the authority representative were sitting side by side: The evidence: Debate video: My operator- Levon Grigorian said-we trundled one program too.