Here we are, 23 years on—really, a quarter century since the rebirth of a truly independent Armenian state was more than just a pipe dream among circles of die-hard believers who were mocked and smirked at.
But, boy, what a letdown!
Even by the interconnected, interdependent standards of international relations today, the Republic of Armenia (RoA) is far too dependent.
Dependent on remittances from compatriots living/working/getting assimilated in Russia. These funds constitute 18 percent of the RoA’s GDP.
Dependent on remittances from other diasporan communities, amounting to an aggregate 25 percent of the GDP.
Dependent on fuel from Russia and Iran.
Dependent on Russia for security guarantees against very threatening neighbors to the east and west of the country, but with Russia simultaneously supporting those potential aggressors at different times.
Dependent on “leaders” who are anything but that.
Dependent on “leaders” who are occupied embezzling every penny they can get away with.
Dependent on “leaders” who brought us the infamous “protocols” with Turkey, which are still hanging over our collective head, awaiting the day when the fractious Parliament of Turkey gets its act together and approves them, as did the RoA’s assembly of lackeys.
Dependent on “leaders” who are in turn dependent on external support for their legitimacy, rather than their own constituent citizens’ backing and confidence.
Then we have other ongoing, grinding, indignities foisted upon us:
The corruption that rots the country’s economy and drives proud Armenians away from their homeland.
The almost regular murder of Armenian soldiers by both Azerbaijan’s forces and internal abuses.
The free reign given to oligarchs and government officials to surround themselves with “bodyguards” who behave more like B-movie versions of Chicago’s prohibition-era thugs.
And the abuse and exploitation of the conscience, nationalism, and goodwill held by Armenians the world over towards Armenia.
Meanwhile, we have contrasting, and attractive, alternatives and options that draw out the natural urge in us to help better our societies and planet.
Changes occurring in Turkey have enabled people who have been covertly Armenian for two and three post-genocide generations to come out with their identity, even if they are only a quarter Armenian. You are no doubt reading about these. I tear up almost every time, whether it’s when a picture-postcard showing Kevork Chavoosh’s widow is found hidden in a wall in Aintab; Islamized Armenians revert to Christianity; a few of these lost compatriots learn Armenian; a group of them visits the RoA; or diasporans relate heart-rending responses to seeing their ancestral hometowns and meeting those of us who remained on our lands and suffered in silence for a century. While all these bits are arguably less significant than the state- and economy-building that we should be engaged in throughout the RoA, Artsakh, and Javakhk, how can you not be inspired by this progress and want to do something in Hajin, Hamshen, or Havav to incrementally restore our presence on Western Armenian lands?
While I even have trouble remembering that Armenia’s Re-Independence Day is Sept. 21, I’m very aware of the massive climate mobilization scheduled for the same weekend in New York and elsewhere to save our planet from humanity’s worst excesses. Can you blame me? May 28, 1918’s independence was the product of immense labors of love and self-sacrifice, very inspiring stuff. The leadership then was starving with the people, while today’s leaders are (figuratively) starving the people.
I think I’ll spend some time in the mountains and try to imagine being in the highlands of Armenia, specifically in the Anti-Taurus Mountains, home to my great-grandfather’s (Missag Der Boghossian) birthplace, Hajin.
Garen Yegparian
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