In the end, we have to come to our senses…
Posted on June. 2. 2021
Dear Mr. Jabarian,
Please allow me to make some additional comments on your article of May 27, 2021, “Is Armenia Targeted by Russian-Turkish-Azerbaijani Political Love Triangle?”
As always, I enjoy reading your well thought articles. As you have written in your article, it is clear the old oligarchy including the former three kleptocrat presidents, Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan and Serj Sargsyan are actively campaigning to come back to power. With them, as it has always been the case, corrupt and shameful Karekin II and his cronies have habitually forfeited their religious obligations and are actively supporting the “Ancien Régime.” Unfortunately, the ARF/Tashnagtsutiun of Armenia, which has always collaborated with the corrupt former two presidents, has not learned from its mistakes and is making the same error by actively supporting Kocharyan’s ticket in the upcoming June 20th election. Surprisingly, most of the other Armenian Diaspora organizations who were always accommodating and serving the interests of the former corrupt presidents have chosen to remain silent.
Unfortunately, in this political drama, the promises made by PM Pashinyan, when he came to power some 3 years ago, remain mostly unfulfilled. Corruption is still rampant, the former presidents and the oligarchy who have robbed Armenia remain free and unpunished, the rule of law and the judiciary is not reformed, more than forty percent of its citizens live in poverty, half of the houses in the rural areas are abandoned and the residents have left the country in search for a better life.
Adding salt to injury, the Forty-Four- day war has created one of the most unstable eras, since our independence from the Soviet Union. The entire Armenian population has been humiliated because of our losses in the war. The general morale of the population is extremely low and the aura of confusion has dominated the atmosphere of all Armenians living in the motherland and in the diaspora. Not only have we been humiliated, we have found out that we have no friend in this world, including Russia, who has a military pact with us and the obligation to assist when we are attacked.
As Mr. Khurshudyan said in this article, “Russia is not a reliable partner.” Indeed, that is true and we have seen that in the 44-day war and the present violation of our borders by Azeri soldiers in the Syunik Region. What President Putin or Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov say does not serve our interests as Russia only cares to preserve, maintain, follow and sustain its interest. Russian cares only for Russian interests and that’s all!
Henry Kissinger who was the master of “Realpolitik,” said “America has no friends but country interests.” Realpolitik is a political system that’s not based on beliefs, doctrines, ethics, or morals, but rather on realistic, practical ideas that only take the interest of the country in its policy formulation. For Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan are more important than a small and poor country like ours. Obviously, Russia has strong economic benefits from these two countries which brings Realpolitik as the epicenter of its foreign policy. Border violations, killings, holding and enslaving our hostages etc. do not mean anything for Russia. The sooner we understand that, the better.
As for the lukewarm support, we receive from the United States, France the European Union, Iran, China, India and other friendly countries, it should be regarded as insignificant with no teeth to bite and no assurances to come to our aid in times of our troubles.
In the end, we have to come to our senses, stop bickering and fighting with each other. We have to focus on building a strong country with a robust and modern military that utilizes state of the art hardware, including advanced drones which are within the reach of our military budget, as well as light tanks that are suitable for mountainous terrain and a well-trained army.
Our leaders and citizens have to abide by the rule of law, focus on social and economic justice, build an economically vibrant country where every Armenian has the opportunity to live a decent, happy, healthy and prosperous life.
GARBIS KORAJIAN | BSC MPA INTL,
UN, WORLD BANK CONSULTA NT | CONSULTA NT IN GOOD GOVERNANCE
Very well analyzed and expressed, Garbis! Is anyone heeding this sound advice…?