Let me first say that I am totally in favor of establishing normal relations with our neighbors. In my opinion, stereotypes about the “age-old enemy” do not contribute to the solution of our state and national problems.
Flag burning, as I have said before many times, is a sign of weakness and powerlessness. “The Armenian Cause” is acceptable to me as a personal or community mentality, but not as a state vision.
Naturally, the only way to establish peace is to hold negotiations and make mutual concessions. But the issue lies in when, how, and from what positions we must negotiate with our neighbors.
It is possible to negotiate when the forces are almost equally powerful. It is possible to make mutual concessions when you consciously and willingly concede something in exchange for something else. Now, when it is said that the negotiated solution is the same as the solution you’re forced to agree to after losing the war, it is either a manifestation of mental weakness or what is considered “manipulation” in modern terms, or “whirligigs” in everyday language. You will not make any mutual concessions when you are broken and defeated; the victors will force you to do what they want you to do.
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Japan and Germany lost World War II, but their leaders at the time did not say, “We will now establish relations with the Soviet Union; there are no more obstacles standing in our way.” But those two countries became so powerful politically and economically over the course of 2-3 decades that they began to speak with the Soviets as equals in the 1970s (and, by the way, relations between Russia and Japan have not been fully established). When I was a child, I would often hear about “Bonn revanchists” or “Japanese militarists” on the radio. Most likely, the Soviet authorities felt threatened by those countries becoming more powerful, but they couldn’t do anything to stop it. And “revanchism” took place without the Second World War, thankfully, simply due to economic competition. I must add that Turkish expansion against Armenia is also not necessary for revanchism to take place. The majority of Armenians who tolerate our defeat and who would “delightfully” sell their homes to Turks to find better homes in the Tambov Oblast.
Therefore, there is no need to use fraternal rhetoric or to aimlessly swing “the sword of revenge.” It is necessary to focus on internal solidarity and stability for some time. Moreover, it is doubtful that this will be possible under this current government.
Aram Abrahamyan
