By Seta Kbranian-Melkonian

The loyal readers of hetq.am probably have figured out by now that for many years, every November 25th, I have been sharing excerpts from Monte's personal letters with the people he so loved.

I choose the sections considering the issues of the given time and the letter’s relevance, in my opinion, to similar matters. Correlations that everyone finds for themselves, or they don’t. More importantly, the quotes from Monte tend to preserve his actual words.

I recognize that there are passages in these letters that are unpleasant to certain readers. I also know that there are people who think that these dispatched written more than thirty years ago are obsolete.

There are those for whom Monte’s own words are incompatible with the Monte character they have created. Anyone who truly respects Monte would do everything possible not to distort his true personality, even if they disagree with some of the things he said. Thus, the excerpts from these personal letters are an attempt to safeguard Monte's authentic image, especially in view of current distortions.

Monte's greatest fear has already been partly realized, although some of us even now remain in the stupor of denial. However, it is possible that the greatest danger is still at our doorstep. The names mentioned in the below letter written on 23 October 1988 are not too surprising either.

"Today I read new things in the newspaper about the latest incident in Yerevan. According to this lengthy article, it seems that Ter Petrosian has become more serious and is now saying things that contradict some of his September statements. Now he admits that there is no question of "independence" and there should not be one. On the other hand, this Ashod Manucharian has a little interesting and a little unfortunate things to say. Clearly, there are conflicting opinions in this Karabakh Committee (that is, among the eleven members). This means that they have not prepared/adopted a clear plan or direction. This is very bad, and I think it is for this reason that some extremely reckless elements have taken advantage of the people's feelings and the movement to adopt their anti-Armenian expressions since September. This Committee really needs to decide its own positions. When they promote the slogan of "independence" in September, they completely contradict their name, the Karabakh Committee. In other words, it is independence that will guarantee that Artsakh never-never-never joins Armenia.

We know well that S. Armenia will never be "independent", but again this slogan is very harmful. The statements of enemies like Aliyev and Bagirov "prove" (at least many see it this way) that the Armenian movement is the work of extremely anti-Soviet, anti-Communist, and reckless elements. In February and March, those types of people and the press directed such insults against us. Let the fabrications of the past not become reality today. Maybe I write too much about this topic in my letters. But why? You know very well that it is an extremely important issue for us and for me. It is a turning point that may have fatal results. How should I feel when such negative currents begin to cease a wonderful movement, perhaps even destroy it? But it has not been destroyed yet. We should have a little more patience (and until then do our best to straighten the situation at least a little) and encourage the good side. I have much more to say, but I will leave it there now. When we are together, we will talk in length."

Monte was realistic enough to know that truly "independent" countries do not exist in the modern world. On one occasion he told me that "a truly independent country is Albania, but who wants that kind of a country?" In those days, Albania followed a principle of self-reliance and pursued a policy of isolationism. Monte also knew that if we as a nation, as a country, do not create a presence on the world stage with united efforts, no one will take us seriously. As a country, we must earn that respect and trust. Otherwise, no one will take us into consideration.

I hope we all understand that there is a place where we are all obliged to put our differences and even oppositions aside and combine our efforts. That place is called the motherland along with its nation.