Aravot interviewed Aram Bekchyan, co-founder of the Future Armenian initiative.
– After the 44-day war, both Armenia and Artsakh face many problems. Do you imagine their solutions within the framework of the “Future Armenian” initiative, which is a rather ambitious platform for the situation, for the apathetic moods in which the two Armenian states and the people living there found themselves? How do you envision the implementation of ambitious programs when security is a priority for people?
– You know, the main part of our goals is the function of the state, but if we say that it is the function of the state and do nothing, it is not a way. For example, the issue of security is the issue of the state. I can take most of the automatic and go, that’s not a problem. But we must also do what we can. I communicate with the people of Artsakh, I know a lot and I know that before everyone came to Artsakh, now they do not come, it is abandoned, for that we have to do something, give people hope. If there is hope, there is a future, if there is no hope, we must close the last page of our history. There are nations, Assyrians, Kurds, etc., that do not have statehood. That’s fine – if we think about it… But we’re trying to be a little different. The issue of security is an important issue, the demographic problems are also security, if 30 thousand Armenians remained in Artsakh, then 20… that period is a small number in the history of mankind, after 20 years there is no one left, nothing will remain. Therefore, we must try to do everything to understand the existing problems, to have a more complete picture of their solutions.
– You said that part of the programs of the Future Armenian initiative is the function of the state, but the state, in the person of the current government, is trying to implement other programs today. They are striving for an era of peace, here, it seems, the roads are separated.
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– You know, our people elected those people. As for the era of peace, I think it will be difficult to do something without peace. There are two methods: we either take the machine gun and go, we can all go, but what will it give us today? I think it will not give anything, because we do not have the strength to fight against 80 million. But we have other forces. We have to bring the same opponent, the same enemy to our platform. To do this, we must find formulas in order to succeed.
– Do we have to go for peace at any cost?
– Of course not- at the cost of evicting Armenians from Artsakh, no. But as long as the Russian peacekeeping forces are in Artsakh, there is no such danger. Not with signatures, understand. Ukraine signed the Budapest document. Then? What is the guarantee? But tomorrow, if there is any way, a convenient geopolitical situation will be created. Are we ready? Are we not ready. We have not done anything for the army for two years.
– We did. We are destroying what was left.
– There is an internal political quarrel. Then? We have great risks. If suddenly there is a big conflict in Armenia today, we can lose everything. Now, there is a status quo and we have to find a formula. I do not know, I am not aware of the ongoing negotiations, agreements, of course, it is not necessary to sign at all costs, but somehow we have to find a way out of the situation. For example, Avetik Chalabyan was arrested. I know that person very well, he is a very correct person, but I do not understand why he was arrested. In general, everyone should come together to discuss visions of the future.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
