Yesterday, I heard a Martin Luther King, Jr. quote that well describes where I—and many others—find myself regarding the last two weeks’ events in that proto-Armenian, Urartian site, Yerepoonee (Yerebouni/Erebuni), and of all places, at a police facility:
“Cowardice asks the question: ‘Is it safe?’
Expediency asks the question: ‘Is it politic?’
Vanity asks the question: ‘Is it popular?’
But, conscience asks the question: ‘Is it right?’”
What to do, and what to say in the Diaspora and in the homeland? I’m torn.
Does/should conscience dictate a condemnation of the action because of its fratricidal results?
Does/should conscience dictate full-throated, whole-hearted support because the action represents a desperate act to draw attention to a corrupt system that is damaging Armenian statehood/state-building?
Does/should conscience dictate criticism because of the use of arms, something which many contend is never appropriate in modern, democratic societies?
Does/should conscience dictate energetic response to police misbehavior and mistreatment of peaceful protesters rallying to the location to assert their rights and use the opportunity to record their grim dissatisfaction with the oligarchs ruling the Republic of Armenia?
Does/should conscience dictate a dismissive approach?
Does/should conscience dictate learning from history? If so, which case(s)? Which governmental response to similar situations is best? U.S. examples include the 1985 bombing of MOVE headquarters in Philadelphia; the takeover of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge that ended earlier this year; Cliven Bundy’s illegal grazing of cattle and the standoff with the FBI it led to; the Waco, Texas siege of the Branch Davidians in 1993; or the Black Panther party’s armed, but totally peaceful, action at the California Capitol in 1967 that led to then governor Ronald Reagan signing a gun control law.
There’s no question that the system in the RoA stinks to the high heavens of corruption. There’s no question that the armed takeover of the police building tugs at our Robin Hood heartstrings. There’s no question that Artsakh heroes being shot along with police being injured and killed is a VERY bad outcome. There’s no question that some activists’ hyperbolic language (describing videotaped police behavior that is actually reasonable as abusive) devalues the cause they seek to serve. There’s no question that police beating up or otherwise abusing demonstrators before, during, and/or after arrest/detention is unacceptable under any circumstance. There’s no question that the government’s ham-handed handling of the situation—the extended initial silence, shooting one of the gunmen when the latter was not acting in a hostile fashion, arresting the likes of Arsine Khanjian, mistreating a blind detainee—undoubtedly has made it worse. There’s no question that expecting a president to resign over an action such as this is ludicrous, regardless of whether you find that president to be in office legitimately or illegitimately.
But, the demonstrations have been surprisingly low in numbers. They have not even reached the levels of last year’s Electric Yerevan protests. What does this mean? Do our compatriots living in the homeland, overall, not support the takeover and attendant demonstrations? If so, is that because they don’t agree with the calls for improved governance that are at the heart of this crisis, or because of the tactics used? Is apathy rampant? Have people fallen into hopelessness? Are they too distracted by the urgency of earning a living, at least those that still have jobs in the country’s messed-up economy? Has an environment of fear been created that’s analogous to the Soviet era? Are people afraid of losing what little they have?
In another vein, there is criticism of political parties and Diaspora organizations that purportedly enable the government’s misdeeds. At best, that assertion is a significant overstatement. Far more problematic is the unwillingness of activists to organize. There is an aversion among them to joining established groups AND to forming their own. Seemingly the only organization born in the current Armenian political setting, and relatively recently at that, is the “Founding Parliament” which is connected to the take-over group and has not demonstrated its efficacy yet.
Criticizing existing organizations, especially political ones, may be legitimate. But: when activists, people whose hearts and minds are in the right place and aligned with the ideology of a political group/party do not join and integrate their efforts with those of others; when they create, as a result of not joining/organizing, a false dichotomy of us-and-them, “people” vs. organizations; when the fear of being organized or being in an organization leads activists to perceive organized groups in the same way they perceive the government; then you have an impossible situation, an impasse, that will lead to the persistence of the status quo.
After all this, I’m still uncertain, I can only hope that wisdom and cool heads will prevail and some good will come of this crisis. I’m looking for other ideas and perspectives, since nothing I’ve read has been completely convincing. Please share your thoughts on this matter, extensively.
Garen Yegparian
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I DID NOT LIKE THE WAY THE Armenian Government handled the situation, they handled it like a guilty person , trying to hide behind kidnapped police and played like a victim, TIME FOR A CHANGE.IF YOU CAN`T LEAD PROPERLY ,MOVE OVER !!!!
This is a well reasoned and well written look at the issue. Clearly, there are no easy answers. History show that very rarely is power surrendered voluntarily. All too often it must be taken. It seems taking power at the ballot box in Armenia is not a viable alternative. Those holding power are very comfortable with their lifestyle, even at the expense of the general public, and so have no incentive to initiate meaningful reform.
American history bears witness that unfortunately violence can bring about positive change as in the American Revolution form English oppressors, the American Civil War, the American Civil Rights Movement, ec. It required dramatic action to effect change.
As you expressed it is a question of conscience or do the ends justify the means. I think sometimes the answer is yes after all else is exhausted.
My prayers go out to all of you I would suggest the power of prayer in groups while it may seem lame to some its only because they truly do not know the greatness of the power of prayer
This is without a doubt one of the best columns written by G. Yegparian. It is thoughtful, well articulated and raises valid questions, to which there are no easy and straight forward answers.
It is a complex situation; the solutions cannot come about overnight.
In my opinion there are several influencing factors:
1- The Diaspora is not united. Indeed it is fragmented to such a degree, that the different activities/voices are causing more damage than good.
2- In my opinion, there is a deep rooted apathy in Armenia. It is unclear whether it is because they have accepted the sad reality, are fearful to make waves, or have just given up. They simply want to survive. They are not desperate and hopeless yet. The ones that are
are emigrating.
3- The opposition in Armenia has been ineffective and has had no influence on introducing the reforms necessary to have a just and fair society. They are as fragmented as the Diaspora. They do not seem to agree on anything to form a unified stance on any of the issues/ills that faces the nation.
4- Whether the elections in Armenia were fraudulent/corrupt or not,
The Republican Party has absolute majority in the parliament. Positive changes happen only when there is a strong and unified opposition.
5- Any change in Armenia, including regime change, has to come from within. The Diaspora cannot force a regime change; It can provide support, express opinion, may be take a position ( if a unified position can be agreed upon) but has no vote.
6- Some of the ” comments ” posted in the Armenian Weekly and other publications, are not objective, are unrealistic, and often unachievable. Suddenly we have too many pundits.
7- If and in case it happens, there is a regime change by “violence”,
like it happened in many countries in the world, there is no guarantee that the new regime will be better and really change things.
As of now, based on all indications/signs there is no “leader” .
Sadly, also in the Diaspora there is no apparent leader that can unite us.
8- At the present time, Armenia is facing serious threats from the East and the West. It is a very critical time for a small landlocked country, with limited resources and a hostile worldwide political environment.
It is imperative that we have unity of purpose and objectives.
Vart Adjemian