Yesterday, the “YES” and “NO” camps were eventually formed. Incidentally, here it is appropriate to use the plural number, because “YESs” and “NOs” are different, as well as the reasons for the citizens to say “yes” or “no” to the new draft Constitution are different. Therefore, each of them will organize the campaign in its own way and will find its arguments for saying “yes” or “no”.
But we can say with confidence that during the “meeting with people”, the citizens being an “object” of the meeting will not talk about the Constitution. They were not interested in this topic at all. They will talk about the complaints: “I do not have a job,” “How can I keep my family with this salary?” “How can I pay the utilities with my retirement fee?”, “My grandchildren are long ago in Russia”, “Soon, I will also leave everything here and go.” In response to this, a part of the “YES” supporters will say, “Bring me your backlog of dues from the shop and the receipts of utilities, we’ll see what we can do.” The “NO” camp supporters will say, “Well, this is why we tell you, say ‘no’ to the Constitutional amendments, in that case, Serzh Sargsyan will not be reproduced, and you will begin to live well.” But none of the advocates say, “Stop for a minute. But what have you done not to appear in this situation?” No one would dare saying such a thing.
In a very interesting site dedicated to Karabakh movement, Liza Chagharyan recalls an important detail from the 1988 demonstrations. “I remember after this (the “Karabakh” Committee – A.A.) “lessons”, the microphone was given to a person who had suffered inhuman tortures in the jail in Baku and he began telling how he was tortured and humiliated, and an amazing thing happened at the Liberty Square. A creepy hum of discontent passed thru the human ocean and the whole Square began to exclaim like one, “Do not tell, do not tell, do not tell.” Indeed, we had a huge supply of dignity, which, evidently, helped us a lot during the Karabakh war. Although, still for the unclear reason for me both during this was and especially after it, this beautiful dignified posture was replaced by a common “self-compassion” when the vast majority of ordinary citizens on opening their mouths begin telling about their sufferings.
So, dear party members, advocate whatever you want, “yes”, “no”, regime change, “preservation of regime,” “Poghos, go away!” “Petros, come close,” against “the current criminal regime”, against “the previous criminal regime” and so on. But, please, do not give tribute to compassion and despair, do not accompany the “suffering” stories. Following the example of the 1988 people, say, “Do not tell.” Following the example of the “Karabakh” Committee, advocate also dignity.
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Aram ABRAHAMYAN
