It is a well-known truth: empires do not merge people, but move away, provoke enmity. In 1977, a new USSR Constitution stated that national differences are gradually disappearing, and a completely new historical unity is formed, “the Soviet people”. This is given that the Baltic nations hated Russians, Chechens, Ossets, we hated “Turks”, but Russians did not hate anyone, but are looking at people from above. When everything collapsed, the problems became apparent.
Once the independent states were formed, I think there were real chances to preserve own dignity and to respect all the neighbors (they are, of course, correlated substances). Where was it that…
After September 3, the Russians seem to be more convinced (or maybe the authorities “gave a tone” to nationalism “convinced”) that we are unshaved, ignorant, addicted to petty criminal “khachiks”: ordinary Russian, apparently confusing us with other nations, is confident that we are capable only to sweep the streets and clean toilets. Has “September 3” brought our nations closer? Unfortunately, no, it has moved away.
Could you imagine in 1990-91 that Russian will again be made our working language, and it will again be instructed from Moscow to develop common history textbooks in the territory under their ‘ruling’? It was impossible, because the intellectuals would revolt, and the society, which was then in the phase of establishment, would adhere to the revolt. Today, the very few intellectuals revolt, and the population (which did not become public) is either indifferent to these issues, or even more, falling after some nostalgic illusions, welcomes all of these.
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The problem, therefore, is within us, it is in degradation, which we have lived for 22 years. If you understand what the causes of degradation are, it might be possible to stop. Is it only the wrong management, poor economic conditions, migration, and as a result, so-called “nicknamed khachik”? Are these three factors sufficient for losing the national dignity? Maybe also the ones who have the chance to say a word (including me) have not paid enough attention to beyond political, national issues.
One of such issues, let me repeat, is establishment of normal, respectful relations with all neighbors, including, of course, Russians.
Aram Abrahamyan
