Despite quite “peace-loving” statements made by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Sochi, it is clear that the neighbors’ provocations by this-or-that intensity will keep on at Armenia and Artsakh borders. If even Aliyev had sworn that there would be no subversive acts or fires by them, anyway, no one would believe it. Especially when the notions by Azerbaijan about peace and compromise are quite specific.
Therefore, we should every minute be ready for recurrence of fiery battles in early August. This does not mean that we should forget about all the other matters. I know that many Armenians do not like this example, but I cannot avoid reminding that Israel is living in similar situation for decades, but it is not an obstacle for the country to have some kind of democratic institutions (it seems to me they are more established than in Armenia), to develop the economy, science, culture, and tourism.
Accordingly, when our opponents try to bring people out to the street by this-or-that agenda, no one has the right to say, it is not the time, there is a threat of war. Followed by this logic, “its time” may not come in the nearest decades. Or, when people express dissatisfaction with their social status, we should not say, “Well, what did you want? Do you know how much money is spent on defense?” It’s not an excuse, and in fact, has never been so.
But, of course, the unfinished war should always be kept in mind. I think our society needs to be proactive rather than reactive here, too. In other words, when the situation becomes fiery on the borders, different groups of people under this-or-that degree of sincerity announces if necessary they are ready to go to the front line or are ready to be next to our soldiers. In other period of time, they become passive.
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To be in the front line, certain skills are required, and an official status should be given to people’s such aspiration. Therefore, there are reservists, National Guard and other similar operating institutions in many countries. When such structures are established, it will be clear who is actually ready to go to war, and who just blusters and is engaged in self-advertisement.
As to being next to the soldier, the need for it is always there, regardless of whether the situation on the border is tense or relatively peaceful. Here also certain mechanism and organizational work is required. People’s patriotic feelings should not depend upon the number of shots by the opponent, should they?
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
