Opinion
Mensoian: Alice in Fantasyland
If we were like Alice we could live in the comfortable world of fantasy, although at times it seems that is exactly where we are living. Like Alice, we would be able to ignore the reality that Armenia is getting weaker and that Turkey, which we like to depict as a toothless tiger, is getting economically stronger and more influential in the international arena. We would be able to blot from our mind the pandering by President Obama as he heaped unwarranted accolades on Prime Minister Recep Tayyi
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Definitely criticism is beneficial to correct our mistakes & head towards the better path & we should continue on criticizing our downfalls.However the positives are much more than the negatives.You have to look at our recent history of 100 years & compare where we stand at present & reflect.I see a republic of mine which I never had,I see free Artsakh,I see vibrant very well educated population,I see more of a bright future than the opposite.
VTiger: the undeniable reality is that the “vibrant, very well educated population” is leaving the country in droves. There are villages that are populated almost completely with women and children, the men having left, some permanently. Mensoian is saying that the solution lies in the population being “liberated, not from Ottoman Turkey or Imperial Russia, but from an oligarchic system that bleeds Armenia of its wealth, both human and physical, and its future potential as a viable and vibrant nation.”
We can’t afford to quickly dismiss his assertion. Ostrichs are not native to Armenia.
We need such critisicisms, though what we as a diaspora at this point must do is, either work towards preserving our communities through education and follow Jewish examples or consider repatriation. With a large portion of our diaspora slowly assimilating in the United States, the status Quo is unbearable. We need to help resolve the Artsakh conflict so everyday Armenian citizens don’t have the stress of war looming over their heads.
Perouz,oligarchy is part of the cancer & not the main one,which needs to be eradicated.At least we complain about it openly & lately steps have been taken by the Armenian government to tackle this cancer.Moves as such encourages the diaspora to be more active in investing,participating with Armenia issues.Criticism should never stop.
The day will come when these oligarchs will be put on trial,even after 30 years similar to Mubarak.The nation does not forget.
On the positive side,we are building a nation with our own efforts with no natural wealth… we have a vibrant educated generations & above all a strong dedicated army.20 years of independence is similar to a newborn’s few days.Our nation has the eternity ahead.
I agree with VTiger:
There is too much emphasis on negatives. And not enough on positives.
Lots to improve still in RoA, but these doom&gloom prognostications have got to stop. Both enthusiasm and dejection are infectious.
‘Big picture’ positives for RoA overwhelmingly trump the piddly negatives that many people keep their focus on.
Ditto to Avery.
Unfortunately, Mensoian is backed by the reality of hard numbers, and those numbers are high. Too many are leaving Armenia, and they are leaving permanently. How does a country progress and grow without an increase in population? And with oligarchs draining what’s left? It’s great to see a half-full glass, but it’s better to ask how we can fill the glass.
I cannot argue with the article or the comments posted so far. They are all right.
We all want to have a Republic of Armenia that is vibrant, economically strong, strategically secure and politically non-corrupt where every single Armenian has hope to improve his situation and well being.
The road ahead is tough and full of obstacles, external and internal. It will take time.
The Diaspora’s hands are somewhat tied with what it can influence in Armenia.
If there will be change, it will be borne by the new and younger generation of Armenians in the Homeland. In my personal and humble opinion, the Diaspora’s critical role is to find a meaningful and effective way to communicate with and encourage the electorate to use the power of their vote to elect representatives that put country and its citizens first.
Armenia’s independence is still young and it is still burdened with the remnants of the communist regime, or the oligarchs that resulted with the collapse of the Soviet Union. What is needed is to vote them out. It has happened in other countries, and I am hopeful that it will also happen in Armenia. In the meantime, we have to accept the positives and hope that they outweigh the negatives.
Vart Adjemian
Vart Adjemian
yes, Vart, you are correct in saying that what is needed is to vote out the remnants of the Bolshevik regime and the oligarchs. There are indications that the Armenian population is well aware that this is the only viable solution. The problem is – how do you ensure an honest election- one that has not been tampered with- one that accurately expresses the will of the people?