But first, we must decide what are our actual objectives
When a word is written about Russia, it does not matter whether it is good or bad, a heated debate begins as to which is better: Russia or the United States. It is a typical “Armenian” dispute, which is based on romantic emotion rather than a state pragmatism.
In politics, I am sure, there is no abstract “good and bad”, there are countries that have their own benefit, and Armenia’s goal, of course, is to possibly use these benefits to achieve the goals of its own state. The formulation of these objectives, however, is not clear with us, here too, we are infected by romantic emotions. I remember that during the New Year reception in 1993 or 1994, a Dashnak media representative asked President Ter-Petrosyan what eventually is our national goal. The President replied, “In any case, it is not the Armenian Cause and the Treaty of Sevres. Our national goal is the establishment of the state.”
It is certainly true but not sufficient. Because we must orient what kind of and what state we want to build by putting aside the promotional epithets, like “powerful”, “strong” and “prosperous”. And I this that all Armenians around the world should think on this issue, if unless they are indifferent to the national problems and are willing to raise from the level of household mumbling.
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25 years and before that, the Armenian Diaspora organizations were mainly engaged in the recognition of the Genocide internationally. Kudos to them! But if (let’s make a fantastic assumption) 193 UN member states recognize the Armenian Genocide and our state remains in the state as it is now, it seems to me that it would be a purely “moral victory.” I do not know whether I have the right to suggest something but perhaps our Diaspora brothers would also think about other national goals. The NKR recognition, yes, it is quite a different and extremely important issue associated with the security of our people, and in that sense, the American-Armenians efforts are highly appreciated, thanks to which, the US 6 states have recognized the right to self-determination of the Artsakh people.
But perhaps, it is worth thinking by “public level” about what benefits can the Armenian state obtain from the US, Russia, the EU and its relations with other states. Although, before that, I repeat, we must return to the question of what kind of country we want to build. There is no consensus here but it seems to me that it must first of all be a state, where the citizens trust the results of the elections, where the judiciary is independent, the media enjoys complete freedom, where most of the citizens believe in the state institutions. Can our compatriots living in Europe and the United States contribute to it? It seems to me, yes if they draw the attention of their governments to these problems and not to be limited to the “Armenian Cause”-type questions. It is not like “receiving a powerful backing” or “interfering in internal affairs”, it is a tangible support to our country not to change the rulers but to develop the institutions.
Our society, of course, should have a leading role here. It very often happens when a European or an American organization expresses interest in cooperating with Armenia’s public sector, the authorities finds or establish a government organized non-governmental organization (GONGO), offices are opened, projects on paper are implemented and that’s it, the cooperation is dead. Until the heavy and cumbersome bureaucratic administration of Washington or Brussels understands it, years and decades pass. Certainly, it is primarily up to the Washington and Brussels but also ours.
Indeed, Armenian society should develop ties also with Russia, Iran, Georgia, and as far as possible, also with Turkey and Azerbaijan based on the benefits of our state. But this comes next.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
