The Echmiadzin City Council unanimously deprived General Manvel Grigoryan of the honorary citizen title of that town. I know that many liked this. Indeed, a man who, according to the accusation, has stolen food and clothes from the soldiers, is not worthy of being called an honorary citizen. However, the Council should have waited until these accusations would have been confirmed. After the verdict, it would be natural to take that step. However, if I were to be a member of the Council, I would have held a small discussion before making that decision, at which a number of questions would be answered. For example, why have we have given Manvel this honorary title? For his heroic fight in Artsakh? Was it a lie? Has not he fought? If so, you should publish articles that reveal such a lie. If he has fought and then, with the permission of higher authorities, “became impudent” (as I believe), then you need to understand why and how. I would also try to understand the following: when giving the title of an honorary citizen to him, did not we know that Manvel was the “feudal” of Echmiadzin and nearby villages with his unearned businesses, arrogant and humiliating attitude towards people? Thus, back then there were also grounds for not giving an honorary title.
In general, is it possible to be both hero and anti-hero? It seems it is absolutely possible, and only the limitedness of our minds excludes such a “combination”. Recently, a businessman yerkrapah gave an interview and announced approximately the following: Vazgen Sargsyan is a hero and that is it, and whoever says something against him is immoral. The first half of that claim is beyond doubt, he is a hero, and streets, stadiums, parks, etc. should be named after him.
Yet, Vazgen Sargsyan was also the architect of the political system that existed until April 23 of this year, where the use of force in internal life, and impunity had brought “males” such as Manvel to the upper political, state and economic echelons. Perhaps it would be better not to talk about it now (not to defame the hero) if the system had been completely dismantled and did not resist. As long as the system exists, we must understand its origins, which are not only the first three presidents but also Vazgen Sargsyan.
There is “light and shadow” in each of us, just it is more obvious in strong and passionate individuals.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
