The statement of the infamous and unsuccessful king Lukashenko of Belarus has become the most talked about topic in the world today. In terms of politeness, of course, what he says describes the author’s low class, first of all. But I think the problem is not that, but that someone as low-level as him dares to speak in such a tone. The first culprit here is ourselves and our authorities, who on other occasions, as they say, could not replace such rude people.
For example, when he extradited Lapshin to his caviar relative, disregarding the norms set by international conventions, we remained silent instead of embarrassing him around the world. We did the same thing in another case when a murderer convicted by a Hungarian court was extradited. Was the severance of diplomatic relations alone enough in that case?
Did we demand an apology from NATO to the Armenian people? Were we able to make this extraordinary phenomenon a subject of discussion of the international community? Why did Europe remain deaf? Or another example. Did we respond to Tokayev in any way when he sent warm congratulations to his friend Aliyev on his victory in the Karabakh war? After all, during the Kazakh events, when he asked for our help, it was possible to answer him more seriously, and not to show our greatness.
In my opinion, a dignified answer should have been given, something like this. As a presiding state in the CSTO:
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1) We will organize the necessary steps to support you;
2) However, as far as your relative is constantly encroaching on our borders, Armenia is not able to provide military assistance at the moment;
3) International terrorists also operated during the Karabakh war and it was necessary to condemn their activities in time. Of course, formulating all this in diplomatic language.
Other examples can be mentioned, but for now let’s be content with this. If we used to show a dignified attitude in these and other cases, today Lukashenko and others like him would not dare to speak contemptuously and violate our dignity. The same goes for other types of international relations. For example, what are the Armenian-Turkish relations like? My impression is that we are in favor of improving these relations and we are acting as a petitioner, and the Turks, taking advantage of that, are starting to make demands and preconditions in return. We are not saying, Turks, you are acting as a democratic country, a civilized people, you want to become a member of the EU, what else are you playing with? As for your preconditions, we have more preconditions.
Today you are dissatisfied with the Armenian Diaspora, forgetting that that Diaspora was created as a result of your atrocities. Also, improving relationships is more beneficial to you than it is to us. So we suggest moving forward in a way that is specific to civilized countries, such as EU member states. Otherwise, we are looking for intermediaries. As for the policy of establishing regional peace, I think that peace should not be begged for, but pursued an aggressive, proactive policy, of course, not forgetting that if you want peace, you must prepare for war. I mean, it is necessary to constantly come up with various proposals and initiatives of economic, scientific, cultural, and other natures. If our neighbors accept them, they should be welcomed, and if they oppose for various reasons, it is still good, it will just become clear who is who.
I deviated a little. Let’s return to Lukashenko’s speech. In terms of content, he made a serious revelation in that speech. The point is that it turns out that Armenia is in danger of joining the new alliance. And this is not a proposal, but it has already been decided and imposed, that is why he thinks that we have no alternative. It is obvious that he is announcing this not just on his own behalf, but by the compulsion of his very dear older brother. It is another thing that he says all this not in diplomatic, vague language, but in a slurred way specific to his rude temperament.
Naturally, our authorities are obliged to inform us about that and demand a proper and dignified response from him and his older brother, from the other member states of the alliance. Otherwise, isn’t it time for our authorities to show that they are the government of a sovereign state and not a vassal?
Maybe it’s time to say that we can not be in an alliance of which such nothingness is a member and we suspend our membership in such an alliance. It is interesting, does that self-proclaimed president have a place to go, which even his people do not need? Yes- he can go to hell. In order to be sent on a business trip there, Armenia, which has “nowhere to go,” must play a large role.
Valery Poghosyan
