The current authorities value propaganda too much while often forgetting about work. They care more about the light in which they will be perceived and how they will be understood than what they actually did. For example, it is said that Aliyev was going to return our prisoners of war, but the opposition rallies in Yerevan prevented that. Unfortunately, those with a certain (zero) level of awareness and logic about the captive problem will believe it, but that assertion will not be a propaganda invention. In any case, it will remain a primitive lie designed to play on people’s emotions. But deep down, there is something else going on here: these fantasies are designed to cover up the fact that the corresponding agencies of the government are not making the appropriate effort to have the prisoners of war returned.
The same goes for improving the quality of food at the military bases or providing soldiers with undergarments. They were good shows, but they were unable to replace modern weapons and everyday organizational work.
The situation in the border regions of Armenia and the steps taken (and mostly not taken) by the government are other manifestations of overestimating propaganda. It is a recurring story. Footage appears on the Internet that testifies Azerbaijani servicemen with their signs and flags are a few hundred meters away from Armenian settlements. This is followed by the official ‘angry’ denial, which ends with ‘we ask that you refrain from following fake and false information.’ And the NSS, instead of carrying out its work, attempts to prohibit anyone from taking videos (which, by the way, is nearly impossible to enforce). But even if it were possible to prohibit information and hide the truth, would that truly mean that the situation is under control? What, don’t the people living in those villages see what is taking place?
What should the government’s approach be in these cases? In my opinion, the ‘prescription’ is clear- it needs to tell the truth instead of putting the blame on people in order to avoid negative opinions. In other words, they need to say clearly, “We made an agreement with the Russian peacekeepers and Azeri side that Azerbaijani soldiers must stand in their positions with flags and signs.” Or, if that isn’t the case, state structures must announce, “We do not agree with Azerbaijani soldiers standing in those positions, and we are holding negotiations so they can leave.” But to constantly deny and hide facts in the third decade of the 21st century is meaningless, I think.
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When the authorities are thinking about what they should do in order to lie to as many people as possible instead of solving problems, we find ourselves in the situation we are in today.
Aram Abrahamyan
