“We should be very, very proud and excited that today our people…have taken the role of vanguard. It is a big thing. Also, it is big that our people are mobilized, broke the stagnant traditions and learned how to democratically and massively take their destiny in their own hands. Our people have started a new course, a course that may have positive and constructive results in all aspects. It is true, that presently…the problem runs into a brick wall, but this situation is temporary. If our people continue to get involved and mature politically, if they bring forth even more socialist and internationalist principles, if they continue to make decisions massively in democratic ways, in the future both the Artsakh issue will be resolved and our people’s and motherland’s life will get a new dynamism. This will be beneficial to all of us in every way … Personally I am very happy and I salute our compatriots over there for their vanguard activities.”

Monte Melkonian

Letter to Seta, 19.8.88

When the above letter from Monte was written I was among the demonstrating people in Armenia. These days, like numerous Armenian patriots, I stare at my computer screen to follow the events in Armenia. I have to emphasize that I am very proud of our youth and students. I impatiently wait for the day when, from the ranks of this generation, women and men will rise to guide this vanguard force along a clear political path. There is much to do.   

It is obvious that many of the people who had the title of “deputy” in the past years do not understand that they were there to fulfill the wishes and desires of the people. That is, people voted them as their representatives to protect the interests of the motherland. These deputies have forgotten that they are the servants of the people. They are the people’s workers. If they don’t understand this simple truth, and do not fulfill their responsibilities, then the Parliament is not their place.

The proprietor and employer of a deputy is the people. Thus, a member of a parliament should know what is expected from them. Anyone who disregards responsibilities in work, is fired from the job. It’s that simple.

Those deputies who not only disregarded the people’s will but harassed the country are not qualified to give lessons on patriotism.

Thanks to some of these deputies the aquifer and groundwater of this small country is being used indiscriminately with no regard for the coming generations. They do not care about the motherland’s nature, environment, or animal habitat when it comes to their mining industry profits. They replace the magnificent historic buildings of my Yerevan with their architectural misconceptions. They distribute import and export monopolies among themselves making the existence of small businesses impossible. Shamelessly, clergy and secular alike, ride in cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars while Armenia endures a thirty percent poverty rate. Lost in decadence and ignorance, those deputies do not have the right to preach about patriotism to the people. They should be ashamed a million times over and leave the job of peoples’ deputy to those who care about the people. Good bye and good riddance!

I am certain, that among the risen youth are intelligent and perceptive people, wonderful “vulgar feminists”, representatives of minorities who would be able to devise a political manifesto where human rights are a priority, where all political parties (including those currently with tarnished reputations) and religious and non-religious organizations, despite their differences, all have equal rights. I am certain that the youth of this generation understand the demands of the times, understand that all people, notwithstanding national, racial, religious and gender affiliations, have equal rights, and understand that the interests of the people and the country are paramount.

I am waiting for the Armenia of Monte’s dreams. Amen. 

Seta Kebranian