I think Russian officials who are somehow “dealing” with Armenia (including the responsible officials of the Russian Embassy) are in delusion about the causes of the sentiments in our country). It seems to them that the whole problem is that there is a sinister group of public figures and the media that are fed by Western grants and inflame “anti-Russian sentiments.” Certainly, there are people or organizations in our country whose words and writings are directed from abroad, including from the Western structures and countries. But even if 1000 media and 1000 NGOs embark on “anti-Russian” agitation, or the US Embassy to Armenia were at the size of Aragatsotn region, it would not create the negative attitude towards Russia which now exists in the Armenian society.
Because, today, every ordinary citizen of Armenia knows that Russia, allegedly being our ally, is arming our military opponent that this country represents the Azerbaijani view in the Karabakh talks, that the Russian soldier who murdered an Armenian family in Gyumri was not under the jurisdiction of law enforcements of Armenia not a single second, that Russia impedes our economic ties with Iran, Georgia and the EU countries.
These are facts rather than estimates or interpretations. Moreover, the kind of facts that are not denied and concealed by no one, including Russia. If I do not list these facts, they will not go anywhere and will not disappear. Every street sweeper in Armenia and every academician knows it, and there is no need to “poke” people to have their relevant opinion. The arg of the authorities that yes, it is bad but if not for the Russians, it would be worse, it is set forth by a conventional manner, and therefore it does not leave a big influence.
It seemed to Russian officials “dealing with Armenia”, however, that someone is “poking” our citizens, that Armenians have loved Russians for 200 years, and suddenly they stopped loving instigated by “evil West”, the NGOs “servicing the West” and the media. Naturally, every country has its own interests, and Russia as a state should do what stems from its own interests: only people like Zori Balayan believe that the foreigner should be explained about his own interest and he will “understand” and become a “pro-Armenian.” But to wait that the fulfillment of these interests will cause a big delight is simply unrealistic by the mentioned officials.
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Generally, I have noticed that overly significance is attributed to the agitation in the post-Soviet territory. It always seemed to our functionaries that if you correctly explain the situation to a man who keeps his family, let’s say, with 150 thousand drams, he will not complain about his life and will “approach the matter with understanding.” But not a single word and no agitation will make this 150 thousand drams to 160 thousand drams. The reality remains the same, irrespective of who agitates what.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
