Mensoian: Karabagh and the Credibility of ‘Hai Tahd’
Karabagh occupies a very small piece of the earth’s surface, but it represents the sum and substance of Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause) and the political fortunes of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Some may view this as hyperbole, but Karabagh does represent a defining moment in the history of the ARF. Not only were ARF members part of the Karabagh government that declared its independence from Azerbaijan, but ARF combat units were effective participants in the war for liberation. And it was an ARF unit in a well-coordinated surprise attack on May 8, 1992 that defeated the Azeri forces entrenched in the historic mountain fortress city of Shushi that marked the turning point in the war for liberation.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement “establishing” the de facto independence of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR) represented a major victory for the Armenian nation and the ARF in particular. However, much needs to be done before Karabagh and the liberated lands of Artsakh are recognized as a free and independent state. Achieving de jure independence would give credence to Hai Tahd, a Dashnaktsutiun manifesto, and would affirm to the Armenian people that the injustices rooted in the genocide, in the Treaty of Sevres, and the Bolshevik’s territorial dismemberment of Armenia can be overcome.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
A superb article by Michael Mensoian.
A question to Mensoian and anyone who wishes to answer it:
To what extent is Russia dictating Armenia’s policies (military, economic, negotiations, public relations) regarding Artsakh/Karabagh and thus – and in no way do I mean to excuse the failures of Armenia’s and Artaskh’s leaders – to what extent can we lay the article’s criticisms at the feet of Russia?
Russia has its own agenda, and it may well be that Armenians could have addressed some of the problems cited above had not Russia told Armenians “No.”
Once we know the full extent of Russia’s control, we can answer the above.
Is there even an Armenian policy, or is it a Russian policy?
it is not so difficult to multiply the population of artsakh, if each family had 8-10 children, with the state assisting in providing each family with a plot of land, zero credit loans to built their modest homes initially, and then add-on and improve as living conditions change, organize and manage agricultural cooperatives, to feed the people, provide free education and health care…
where are the thousands of armenian refugees from azerbaijan, why aren’t they being encouraged to return to artsakh to be compensated for the lands they lost in azerbaijan, and become artsakh citizens???
it is not as diffucult as it seems,
we are an intelligent people with resources and friends throughout the world, technology and scientific advancements, a highly educated battalion of worker bees in armenia,
so what’s holding the powers that be to move forward and start implementing the revitalization of U.S.A. united states of armenia…could it be an internal power struggle??? if so, what a shame (HAZAR AMOTH)…if not, what a tragic delay and lost opportunity to build greatness???
if we cannot support an artsakh with a population of at least a million armenians, then we really don’t have the right to exist, or be proud of self
It takes courage for Mensoian (and the Weekly) to state that the prestige of the ARF is at stake.
The ARF’s one-foot-in/one-foot-out dance with the Armenian government lacks a certain credibility, to put it mildly.
Another point: The three OSCE chairs (US, Russia, and France) have a long history of betraying Armenia and Armenians to death, especially in the period just after WW I. France especially was just flat-out treacherous in its lies and its support of Ataturk. It broke virtually every promise made to Armenians. I guess we’re now supposed to love the French because they eat brie?
Why does Armenia not mention any of this betrayal? Armenia just sits there and lets 3 betraying countries “help” determine the fate of Artsakh? Are Armenia’s leaders so lacking in their knowledge of history? And why doesn’t Oskanian and his “Civilitas” lambaste these counrtries instead of asking for them to fund his organization?
Some will say that Armenia must accept that the major powers have a say in Artsakh and that, say, it is unrealistic to expect that lesser countries could mediate a peace settlement.
That may be true, but does Armenia have to just sit there and say nothing about how utterly deadly these OSCE countries have been for Armenians? Armenians need to put not just Azerbaijan but also the Three OSCE Stooges on the defensive. Maybe the ARF will do this. But probably not.
david,
did you notice that you and i are the only 2 armenians who commented on this very important issue…
do you remember how many people responded passionately to the holly cross renovation ordeal,
do you see where our priorities are as a people???
you made valid remarks about the high-rollers, if you cannot throw your weight around, you have to use your brain, which by the way has proven to produce positive results throughout history
brawns win big battles…brains win at the end
Sireli Hayrenaser,
I agree with you. This article deserves more comment than it has gotten. There are a lot of subtleties to the Artsakh issue that are rarely discussed in public but should be.
Armenians need to move the issue from one of being perceived as “frozen” to one where Armenian rights are put front and center. Many have said this over the years, but for various reasons we have seen little success in the area of public perceptions. Some of this is due to the hostility of the major powers, including Russia, to Armenian rights.
Some of it is simply our own failure to put forth our best arguments.
The scenario is a far cry from WW1 days. Today’s big boys can stretch realpolitik just so far. Settlement will come when the oil wells run dry. Without doubt the adversary arsenal has a galloping maintenance bill and can go obsolete.
NO HAS SO FAR HAS DWELT ON THE ERRONEOUS ACT/premise OF SIGNING A “CEASEFIRE” IN n.k> I DO NOW!!!!
IT IS EXACTLY FOR THAT ERROR that Artsakh ,NK Republic is not being dejure confirmed as such. Ordinarily when one side is victorious it imposes conditions . At the very least unconditional SURRRENDER,which would imply that the winning side ccan still dictate!!!
Alas this was not the case to be . FAct is LTP, then should have phoned Aliev Sr. making him understand that either the above mode “signing’ or Armenian forces would push on…That is one overlooking of his that persons such as self will not forget adn forgive.
Another.Now don’t get overenthusiasmed ,since I am non partisan…He should have had the grace of a learned man that he still advocates he is, NOT TO DEPORT HRIAR MARUKHIAN FROM ARMENIAN Soil.Every Armenian has claim to it!!!! He could have banished him to a far flung Armenian Provincial town or village<BUT NOT OUT OF ARMENIA!!!
Now then up above someone kept bombarding that ARF jogads did this that. I don’t a[pprove of such bipartisanship.Whether a marxist Maoist Armenian or Nzhdehagan Tseghagron or any other ,even Presbyterian Armenian,note not ideological, who fought there is ours…period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hama Haigagani SIRO
Please forgive my fast typing missing first word’s beginning.it should read. No one has..
Now ADDENDUM to above.Indeed like David Boyajian writes “it has subtleties…the NK resolution issue, i.e.
Few think or wish to think that NK so called conflict can only be SOLVED when Turkey feels secure that Armenians NO MORE pursue Genocide Recognition by great Turkey especially. They fear ,once the Turco Azeri’s loose on NK and it becomes dejure independent , next will be the turn of Kars Ardahan, Van etc., etc., etc.
I have always insisted that whether in Diaspora or Homeland these two must always be considered as ONE, hence mentioned so and pursued so. Otherwise, without actually officially stating so R.of Turkey will support Azerbaijan to the end. We must wake up and say NAY, not only NK, is an issue that we pursue but also NAKHIJEVAN, Kars , ardahan etc.,
Dear Mr. Mensoian,
I read,rather prefer to read short posts.I just read part of yours above,re Javakhk..
state/imposed.Though you do not mention by what state,it is clear by Georgia.You see, I participate in many a Havak/gathering when in Yerevan.Summer 2009 I did at one at Congress Hotel organized jointly by French Embassy, AGBU. US something, whatever, 6 Georgians were having their go on the mikes blasting their protests as to Russians having invaded S.Ossetia and Abkhazia….etc.,
I waited until they had near exhausted theirs GAVE IT TO THEM!!!!
By teh by language was only english and russian with simultaneous Translation///
And I said” How about you putting so much pressure on our brothren and sisters in javakhk, also changing names of our churches in Tbilisi… ” when he started to chew the words and after a whole 5 minutes trying to justify himself , near admitted saying” it is being attended to”. My foot,I read later this year in a Book in Armenian ,given to me at “Armenian Center for Nat’l and Int’l Studies” |Raffi Hovanissian’s Esstablishment..entitled “Hayastan, the imperative for a New Strategy”…etc., in it I read the Georgian attitude/stance towards javakhk has not undergone any significant change
You see, I like what you , they and others write and advocate. BUT MINE IS DIFFERENT!!! it encompasses the Re/organization of the Armen Diaspora to become a Powerful Structure with a Supreme Council with 5 depts.A/ Legal /political in Strasbourgn next To RA delegation,not sitting with them but in same town.B. Executive in NY next to RA delegate to U.N.,C. Economic in Geneva,CH with 16 offices of our ‘professional colelagues Asso.c’ ,D. In mOscow the social Services and Future Repatriation organizing Dept. E. spiritual st.Etchmiadzin/Antillias,only one we have.
Then strive through the PCA’s a 1000000 strong establish our national investment Trust Fund, nucleus by our 5/6 magnates, down to millioniares down to One thousand dollar invdestors..You calculate what an Investment Fund it will grow into…then we can talk.\
Hamahaigagani sIRO,
gaytzag palandjian