Until 1991, my homeland and state were Soviet Armenia, and after that, they became the Third Republic of Armenia. I believe the vast majority of citizens from my generation would say the same.
The previous state had terrible, monstrous flaws, and glory and honor to those of our compatriots who fought against it. And yet, that same state—despite its core ideological aspirations—managed to foster science, culture, and a certain value system that ultimately paved the way for the Karabakh movement of 1988, a movement for national identity and dignity.
The Third Republic was established as a state with the fundamental obligation to ensure the survival and security of our compatriots in Artsakh. In the early 1990s, that state achieved brilliant victories—victories that, after 1998, began to be denied for purely domestic political reasons.
Now, denial has become a trend. It sounds something like this: “My neighbor’s cousin saw with his own eyes how Levon blew up trains just to sell matches and dry alcohol.”
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I believe that the seeds of today’s self-seeking, nihilism, and indifference were planted back then.
Today, my homeland and my state are once again the Republic of Armenia. But this is not the republic that was founded in 1991. This state is not only unwilling but also incapable of protecting the rights and security of the people of Artsakh. Worse still, it actively spreads hatred and hostility toward our compatriots at an official level.
Everything has turned upside down.
The very ideological foundation of the Third Republic is now considered an obstacle to our sovereignty.
And what supposedly “contributes” to that sovereignty? According to the official narrative, it’s a “peace agreement”—one that was never negotiated but simply dictated by Azerbaijan.
Apparently, our sovereignty will also be strengthened by amending the RA Constitution—at Azerbaijan’s request—and allowing Azerbaijanis to return to Armenia.
At that point, there will be neither a homeland nor a state left.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
