According to the February 13, 1999 TAR Int’l, a six-month investigation submitted on 
February 6, 1999 by an Armenian parliament commission, has concluded that out of 
$382,350,000 in foreign loans, $97,460,000 was wasted and $54,050,000 was 
misappropriated for a total of $151,510,000.   If true and barring any unavoidable 
circumstances, these monies could have gone a long way toward relieving some of the 
economic hardships plaguing Armenia’s economy.


In this same issue, it has also been reported that on February 6, 1999, President Kocharian 
threatened to dissolve the Yerkrapah majority Armenian Parliament for granting 
immunity of prosecution for former Interior Minister Vano Siradeghian on alleged 
murder charges. 


And again in this same issue, there was also a report that Major General Artsrun 
Markarian, Deputy Minister of Interior and National Security of Armenia was 
assassinated on February 10, 1999.  According to the report there was also a failed 
attempt on his life on January 22, 1998 which left him gravely wounded.  This makes a 
total of seven high profile unsolved assassinations since 1992.


Furthermore, the editorial in the February 13, 1999 TAR Int’l, cites many such abuses of 
power.   It mentions Armenia’s Defense Minister Vazken Sarkisian as being Armenia’s 
most powerful power broker  " . . . is seen as actually running the country with the 
President (Kocharian) given mostly ceremonial duties such as attending international 
conferences, presiding over the openings of hospitals, schools, and trade fairs, and the 
like."   This editorial also goes on to say that, "Corruption is evident in practically every 
country of the world.  But, in the case of Armenia, very little is done to prosecute high 
ranking officials who are simply removed from office.  No accounting is asked of funds 
embezzled, nor are the guilty individuals tried in open court."  


Further on, this editorial makes, perhaps, the most damning if not the most critical 
statement of all.  "The latest event that further exacerbates the prevailing tense situation is 
the adoption of a new electoral law that clearly favors the leading parliamentary group 
Yerkrapah, and it will certainly open new doors for the forthcoming parliamentary 
elections to be rigged in favor of the ruling party."   If President Kocharian dissolves the 
present parliament, how much change will it effect?


Wow!  If only half of these things remain unsubstantiated or unresolved, then our little 
Republic of Armenia is truly in bad shape.  Large scale corruption?  Unable to charge and 
prosecute alleged suspects for murder and corruption?  Power brokers in control of 
Armenia’s parliament?  Passing laws which may insure rigged elections?



Fellow Armenians, our people in Armenia, present and past, have had to survive through 
too much suffering to allow this most miraculous opportunity of becoming a most 
respected freedom loving democracy to slip through their fingers because of parasitical 
self-seekers.  And as Diaspora Armenians, we should not be comfortable with some of 
the recent allegations that have been making print.


We must exert every influence at our Diaspora disposal to get an honest hands on 
indisputable appraisal of what’s going on over there.  Regretfully, whether true or false, 
news of unpunished assassinations, unpunished corruption, deaths in Armenia’s military 
caused by beatings in the name of discipline, beatings and torture of government 
detainees by government officials, and power mongering by government officials in high 
places, will turn off even the most faithful, if not disproved, or justifiably addressed by 
Armenia’s present government.	


In the meantime, let us not succumb to false pride by believing that Armenians are 
incapable of betraying a trust or of committing capital crimes for personal gain.   Whether 
Turkey, Azerbajian, America, or Armenia, no nation in this world has a monopoly on 
scoundrels.


Joseph Vosbikian