One of the users of “Aravot” website, who lives in a distant country, has commented insulting words on the article entitled “With weapon to Europe and Western values?” by Emma Gabrielyan. Within that article, our journalist (me together with her) expresses a hesitation how one can be an encourager of contemporary European values or a human rights activist and welcome the armed attack on police station. Nevertheless, aravot.am published the letter of the spokesman of that group, Varuzhan Avetisyan the same day, where he urged to view the actions of his group in a certain logical chain. Another user responded to that letter, who, unfortunately, was anonymous: In his opinion, “Aravot” is the “microphone of terrorists.”
Maybe our position is difficult to understand indeed. Regardless of the fact that that very person is accused of making a heavy crime, he has right to express his opinion anyway, but if it does not comprise urges of violence, hostility propaganda and other plots banned legally. And it is not important at all whether I personally agree with that opinion or not? A lot of people call on to “decide” and join “pro-Tsrer” or “anti-Tsrer” propaganda, but in case of “Aravot” it will never happen: Our opinion is in place, a lot of other opinions are present worth a respect as much as ours, and there are laws which we are all to obey.
A suchlike incident happened relative to a question of fatal “decision” for Armenians. One of the citizens has named me a “Russophobe” in his “flyer” once again, I frequently hear that blame addressed to me. The extremely fervent fans of Putin and Kremlin give that label to all people who dislike the policy the current authorities of Russia conduct and who do not find it possible to restore the empire in any way. Assuredly, it seems to me as well, that Putin, wishing good for his country, is obsessed with the irrational ideas and phantom pains of restoring the “glory of the empire”. But as a counterbalance to “Russophobe”, another user thinks that I write at Kremlin’s request, inasmuch as I think that Georgia has paid an extremely high price for integrating into Europe, a price, which I myself am not ready to pay. (Assuredly, Georgians have made a conscious choice which should be respected.)
Do you see how different the perceptions of a single opinion may be? It is ordinary, eventually: I expressed my opinion and I cannot comment on those perceptions. However, it does not mean that “Aravot” is not ready to publish both the opinions of “Putinists” and similarly enthusiastic “anti-Putinists” if they are properly expressed. Without a respectful dialogue, we will not move forward.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
