Gurgen Shirinyan

An event took place in Yerevan a few days ago devoted to Javakhk and jailed Armenian activist Vahagn Chakhalyan.

Attending were Artsakh War veterans and generals, historians, artists, MP’s and people from all age groups.

They all spoke out in defense of Javakhk and its people. Many of those who addressed the crowd had publicly come out in support of Javakhk on previous occasions.

But we all know that there remains much hard work ahead of us before these welcomed words become action.

This process is made all the more difficult because of the disunity that plagues the people of Javakhk and their representatives. They differ both in terms of mentality and lifestyle.

Look at the reality on the ground. Whenever someone speaks out on the Javakhk issue, another Javakhk group immediately goes on the attack or else resorts to praising the pro-Turkish Georgian authorities.

Such incidents can be attributed to jealousy, an order from above or being just plain delusional, despite the fact that criticism is to be expected. After all even religion, the most powerful concept of humanity, is also subject to critique.

What’s the reason for Javakhk disunity? Let’s start with the Republic of Armenia.

There are thousands of Javakhk Armenians living in the RA but they aren’t united, belonging to this or that political party or organization. Thus, they follow the dictates of the respective party or group.

This is fine and natural only if we are talking about domestic affairs and the battles taking place in Armenia.

Sadly, this situation has pitted Javakhk Armenians against themselves when it comes to the Javakhk issue as a whole.

This is wrong and will never lead to a solution of the Javakhk issue.

The same sorry state of affairs exists in Javakhk itself and is made worse by the traitors in our midst and the terror tactics of the Georgian law enforcement authorities.

In addition, there are life style problems in Russia that negatively impact of Javakhk unity.

Yerevan cannot solve the problems facing Javakhk on its own, given Armenia’s geographical position and its own domestic and external problems.

Neither can the residents of Javakhk solve their problems single-handedly. Neither can Javakhk parties or groups working on their own.

The adage “You can’t make a fire using just one stick. It will smoke and then die out”, is appropriate here.

Diplomatic and political processes have also failed to deliver solutions during the past ten years. In fact, they have done more harm than good.

The EU and the UN see more profit in collaborating with their little pro-Turkish ally Saakashvili. The rights of the people of Javakhk don’t concern them.

One avenue remains open to the people of Javakhk that will unite them and resolve the problems they face.

That avenue is armed struggle.

This is a proven fact. Just look at the Caucasus.

Artsakh, Ossetia and Abkhazia were able to defend and preserve their rights at the cost of war.

The right to live as humans can only be won by the gun. End of story.