The fact that there is an incredible confusion in the Russian military base No. 102, and Permyakov was not the first, nor the last, who goes to the city with a gun in his hand, it is indisputable. The fact that the Russian border guards, if indeed they arrested Permyakov who was trying to cross the Armenian-Turkish border, should have handed him to our police rather than to their military base, it is also clear. The fact that the Russian investigators, officials and official media are doing and will do their best to cover up the case, it is beyond doubt. Finally, the fact that the Russian officials, without any solid reason, consider us, the Armenians, a “secondary”, “subject” nation, it is also clear. I have also no doubt that Permyakov will be transported to Russia, where he “just informally” will be in jail for 2-3 years and then released.
However, I always prefer to speak of not others, but our weaknesses. Let’s try to understand what is wrong on “our part”. First, I think that there should be a mourning at the state level. It is clear that emotionally we mourn those who were killed, and we share the pain of the relatives, but announcing mourning in the country is not an emotional but a political act with participation of government and non-governmental organizations, diplomatic representatives and others.
Our government, of course without scandals and adventure, should make military base representatives and other partners clear that we, although being friends and an ally, but are different states, Russian soldiers are in a foreign country and should respect the laws of given country.
In particular, the claims of handing Permyakov over to the justice of Armenia should be made more clearly and more vocal.
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Anyway, the problem, indeed, is deeper and under the stereotypes developed over 200 years. One of them is that Armenia’s and Armenians’ defender is the Russian soldier. Over 25 years, we should have understood that expect for the Armenian soldier, no one will defend our country and is not obligated to defend. Hence, we can draw a conclusion that there is no need to cringe to anyone and fawn. Collaboration is a must, but on the grounds of mutual benefit. If your partner pretends that by cooperating with you, he is doing a great favor to you, then you should very politely tell him, thank you, brother, there no need for it. But if you also consider that they are doing a favor to you, then do not be surprised that the attitude to you will not be respectful. What we are witnessing now.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
