What would our taxi drivers talk about 20 years ago? “We have lived in the Russian shadow for all our life and it should not change”. And they would put Putin’s picture next to a Jesus icon. But what are they talking about now? “The whole thing started because of the Russians, our enemy is the white Turk”. Both of those approaches, of course, are equally rejectable. I would even argue that it is the same approach, based on the delusion that states, their leaders, and political figures are not acting out of their interests, instead, they are acting out of their love or hate towards us Armenians.
While a small state like ours cannot be guided by such delusions, and if the nation believes in such tales and makes those affect their emotions, the only conclusion is that we have not gained a political mentality yet. On this occasion, let me quote Vahan Navasardyan (a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation), he wrote it in 1947. Making parallels between those times and 1915, he notes: “During today’s fierce struggle as well, England and America both protect themselves and present their interests while defending Turkey.” In politics, everyone is on their side, and they never do favor another party.
When we call Zatulin or Adam Schiff “pro-Armenian” figures, we should not think they are “in love” with Armenians.
Being “pro-Arminianism” means only one thing – they represent those groups from their state, which have an interest in taking favorable actions for Armenia or its nation. It’s just that in the US, where a lot of significance is attached to legality, the scheme of developing those interests is transparent. But in Russia, where the legality situation is a mess, the motives behind the interests are often behind the closed curtains. Surely, we should take advantage of the attitude of those people for our state’s benefit, not worsen our relationship with them under any circumstance. And never cheer for them being “pro-Arminians”.
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In the end, I want to talk about another delusion. Let’s put the governmental propagandists aside who say “America good, Russia bad” ex officio. The citizens, who get excited when Armenia adopts a “pro-western” policy, are in the wrong here. To adopt any kind of policy, you need to pre-calculate your steps and have the prospect in your mind. There is no such thing in Armenia. The Prime Minister hears Zatulin say something bad about him, feels upset, and exclaims: “Do not let him in Armenia anymore!”. That is the whole policy.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
