By Seta Kabranian-Melkonian

(Monte Melkonian was born on November 25, 1957. Below are passages of notes he sent to Seta, his wife at the time, from prison.)

In 1988, my friends and I were exhilarated. As soon as we heard about the demonstrations, we hurried to Opera Square from our NairiDormitory rooms. Being part of our people was a wonderful feeling. In a tiny notebook I described what was happening. Only my best friend Hourig, one of the few people at that time who knew my relationship to Monte,understoodwhy I was taking notes of everythingas if writing a diary. During those days it was dangerous to even whisper Monte’s name. And not because of the KGB, but because ofvengeful people who were ready to attack anything connected to Monte, even if it was a fly. I indirectly sent my notes to Monte in prison.  He did his best to follow the events in Armenia. Below are some excerpts from that period.

7.10.88

“Today, I listened to some recordings of the speeches at the demonstrations in Yerevan on 9.9.88. It was only a short section, but there were very bad things in it. Seems people are confused. It is really very sad. “Independence” for Soviet Armenia does not mean “national self-determination”, but national, collective suicide.

9.10.88

“Now it’s been 2 days that I have not heard any news about Artsakh and S. Armenia.  Of course I think very-very much about it. Always, you and our motherland (with all its aspects) occupy the vast majority of my thoughts. I have not seen the demonstrations in Yerevan; therefore I am almost forced to try comparing it with something from my life experience.  I know that the 2 situations have minimum resemblance, but again, since I haven’t been in Yerevan, naturally my thoughts go to the demonstrations in Tehran. There, too, the demonstrations were very big, people were excited and brotherly. They knew one thing: the Shah had to go and a new government needed to be established. This was a very fair demand, but it was not enough. Finally the Shah left but there was a politically unprepared and confused current that started to destroy the real revolutionary forces. And now it is clear that the present government has harmed the Iranian people (as well as other people in Afghanistan and Iraq) much more than that fascist Shah. Why am I writing about this? Because I am worried. I am worried about our S. Armenia and the people there. I know, that they will not allow S. Armenia to be “Independent”  (even if the Armenian people really take such an anti-Armenian step) that is very-very unrealistic, but it is already obvious, that the previous rationality and seriousness has given way to turmoil, confusion and political immaturity. I am worried because from experience I’ve learned, that for every mistake there’s a price to pay, every mistake brings certain harm. I do not want our people to take a step back or bring harm to itself. They have started such a great movement… It’ll be extremely bad if now that movement is spoiled. No, it is not acceptable.  For the people of Artsakh (at least) we do not have the right to lose seriousness. Beyond that, if this movement is taken with political seriousness, it will completely change our S. Armenia. This movement has opened the door to real progress. It’s a turning point for our national history.”

12.10.88

“I have not heard any news from S. Armenia lately, but there were quite interesting news from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. As in S. Armenia, same as in these Baltic republics, seems there are quite a bit of confused people, but the general progressive current remains healthy. The last years I have thought a lot about Lenin’s and Shahumian’s (although I have not yet read Shahumian’s articles about this specific topic. I’m impatiently waiting for those volumes) and others’ opinions about the issue of national self-determination.  I have also thought about now how these principles can be better interpreted in today’s S. Union. In my opinion, whatever is happening today in the Baltic republics can develop Leninist principles, corresponding them to the present reality.  Although many people still don’t try to understand Lenin’s (and others’) principles in full depth and prefer to give the idea  of “national self-determination” a square definition, in my opinion it is quite clear, that it has a pliable meaning and can only be pliable. There is no reason for all the republics within the S. Union to have exactly the same relationship with the Center, or have the same approach toward different aspects, when it concerns internal affairs. I have very complex and long explanations here; therefore I will leave it there until we are together. You will be able to help me a lot regarding this matter: you know S. Armenia very well and you have visited many other republics. I think, I mean I am even sure, that the real gains of all the republics will be realized by staying in the S. Union, but this does not mean that they should follow the exact same politics as if they are cut from a mold. Of course they should have unified and harmonized politics in some fields, in other aspect there is room for flexibility. The situation in S. Armenia is very-very different from the situation in the Baltic republics, but the developments and actual experiences there can be interesting for all in the future.”

10.10.88

“…During those first years you didn’t even know what my real feelings were for you, but even those years I recognized the depth of my feelings, I felt it’s real nature. Every day I remembered you, I longed for just one more time to sit with you, to converse with you. And believe me Seta, I think several times I was saved from death by remembering you. Yes, that’s the truth. Remembering you I told myself “Don’t be too crazy. Think seriously and be careful because there’s Seta, and at least for her you should take your life seriously. You should explain to her what you feel and she would understand and you should understand her…” When we’ll be together I’ll explain to you about those very difficult times and you will see how, unknowingly, you have immensely helped me. In any case, I am here, I’m alive and waiting for you.”

About three months after this letter we were finally united. The following few years Monte and I were gradually forgotten even by some friends. Having contact was both dangerous and bad for the pocketbook, since both of us could not win our bread, living underground. The comrades from France sometimes provided money, often sent by the family. In the summer of 1990, comrades in France sent one last donation, a sum to cover Monte’s air ticket. I spent days in the trains and with the help of my friends in Yerevan, I arrived “home” to the Nairi Dormitory. Monte had to reach Armenia at any cost. As soon as he arrived in Yerevan, he started to think of ways, to bring his most trusted friend there. 

“Whoever touches that man, I will show them. Really!” Monte’s voice echoed one evening in our small dormitory room and his eyes burned with anger. I’m sure that people, who’ve known Monte, can hear his voice in their ears. The issue concerned a visit from a long-time acquaintance from Lebanon, a person who knew both sides of ASALA well. The visitor mentioned that Alec was pressured by pro-Hagopian cronies. The news outraged Monte. More than anything, he was frustrated for not being there for Alec. It hadn’t even been six month for his arrival in Armenia when in March, 1991 I took his letter to Alec, suggesting that he relocates to Armenia. After our wedding,with the monetary gifts, my Michigan University salary and assistance from Monte’s parents, we bought a house for 15K. Monte said, “We will prepare a room for Alec so he can live with us.” I gladly agreed. Alec was the inspiration and pride of my generation.

It’s not difficult to imagine what Monte would have done in view of last month’s events concerning Alec. Quoting Monte’s words: “It is difficult to believe that Armenian people, can do things like this.”