What will they talk about past 25 years 50 years later? That question was hinted by the presidential candidate, Armen Sargsyan when I was taking an interview from him. Therefore I cannot say anything confidently. A thing is for sure – emotions which we now feel will seem not important and not interesting for our citizens 50 years later. For example, no chemical reactions emerge in my organism when I hear or read Robert Kocharyan’s name.
I understand that it is wrong, it is not professional, but I cannot do anything with my organism. I assume, 50 years later he will be perceived as the 2nd President of Armenia and he will be placed in the row of the 1st and the 3rd Presidents both from positive aspect (Artsakh liberation) and negative aspect (corruption, heavy social conditions). I understand that today one of the supporters of the 3 former (it will be possible to say “former” referring to 3 of them) Presidents or the ones who are full of hatred against them might dislike my assumption. They, as well as I, are led by feelings. Our grandchildren will be free of this all, for them all of this will remain as a sole history.
I remembered all this because the coming days will celebrate (or it will not be celebrated) the 30th anniversary of Artsakh Movement. And I become surer that 30 years is not enough for cold and just assessment. The primary reason is that the majority of the participants of that Movement are not only alive (let God give them long years of life), but also are in the field, even formally. I speak of Levon Ter-Petrossian, Vazgen Manukyan, and Ashot Manucharyan. If they make any right or wrong assumptions then, naturally, they have opponents. And want it or not, the debate on the contemporary politics starts which importantly has an influence on our perception of 1988.
Another reason is that people who have lived under the Soviet regime for half of their lives are still the ones who create an atmosphere in Armenia. The majority of those people has suffered in these 25 years, been deprived of a life with good conditions, the majority has left the country and their offense leaves a seal on the perception of Artsakh Movement – “we were living in good conditions, the ANC [Armenian National Congress] came and destroyed everything.”
I have never considered myself a “Movement guy”, I do not approve of mass events. However, my attitude towards Artsakh Movement is overall a positive one. I will talk about it the next time.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
