By Seta Kabranian-Melkonian

During the last month, two Armenian schools asked me to send them a message for an event. One of the schools chose to call it "I am Monte".

But what does it mean to be Monte? I would like to stress that such a statement comes also with responsibility. The wish to be Monte should also come with the virtue that is compatible with that name. Certainly there are people who would want to impose their image of Monte and convince everyone that their version is correct.

I've repeated many times that at the beginning these comparisons of Monte upset me, but during the years I’ve learned to look at these discrepancies with forgiveness. I’ve asked Monte to show me the way to protect his true image. His letters do that.

On 25 August 1984, Monte explained to me what was important for him.

"Perhaps it is clear to you that I love to implement my principles, my work and my beliefs, and produce in practical ways. Also, it is probably clear to you that I try to do all this within the limits of the Armenian liberation struggle or, at least for the benefit of the Armenian people as I understand it (I also would like to mention that I seriously have tried to scientifically approach this issue and I am convinced that if my approach is not right 100%, at least it is a sincere and realistic approach). "

Thus, Monte means national dedication, decency and diligence.

In an article written in 1990, Monte presented the independent Armenia he envisioned.

"To be salutary for our people, and to be consistent with national self-determination, independence must presuppose the means to put in practice the policies which members of the nation must possess, the means to develop its domestic economy without a great deal of foreign manipulation. In order to feely develop its own domestic economy, however, external relations must be sufficiently balanced, to allow for a more or less unhindered domestic policy.

... An impoverished Armenian nation-state would lead to massive emigration. As in the case of other "lesser developed countries", the first to leave would be the best trained and educated segment of the population, thus leading to the downward spiral so familiar in other countries: poverty­–emigration­–further poverty–further emigration.

... Of course, it is practically impossible to avoid mistakes in organizational work, even grievous mistakes. Those of us who are aware of ASALA’s many mistakes of the early eighties know this very well. The important thing is to correct mistakes and to ensure that they are not repeated. Since February of 1988 it has become clear that our people are solidly convinced that past mistakes must be corrected."(The Right to Struggle, 1990)

Being Monte would mean not to be afraid of difficulty and to be stringent.

"... I endure hardships if I feel I am working in accordance with my principles and convictions. For me, true tranquility comes from the mind and the heart. "

Being Monte means to learn from mistakes and to identify priorities.

"I learned many lessons in recent years and believe me that I have learned them in practice. That is, on many levels I have changed the way I approach issues."

Being Monte means being realistic and impartial.

"I love to learn, I love to move forward, to change for the better. More than ever I am filled with emotions, but I have really learned how to put my emotions aside when making a decision. All of us should accept the reality, should be realistic. I love facing reality,  love understanding the reality, I love being realistic and I love to take practical steps. And that’s the way I will continue my work."

Being Monte means being principled, loving family, homeland and humanity.

"I am bound by my principles, my beliefs and my work. I hope you understand this. I hope you understand that one’s value is in their ideas and work."

Being Monte means to care about world problems and their impact on Armenia. Being Monte means to recognize the rights of all people, nature and beings. In an unpublished article written on 24 September 1990, Monte wrote:

"All throughout the world environmental issues are rapidly becoming a high priority. Popular consciousness concerning the environment has been long overdue, and despite considerable advances it still remains at a level much too low to correspond with its truly pressing importance. Huge, widespread and irreparable damage has already been done to a vast proportion of our planet’s waters, landmass and atmosphere. Hundreds (if not thousands) of species of plant and animal life have gone extinct within the past 30 years alone while many scientists estimate that at least 2 species of plant life go extinct every day. The combination of the depletion of the ozone, greenhouse effect, acid rains, worldwide pollution (not to mention local forms of pollution and contamination), and the destruction of both tropical and non-tropical forests is causing damage similar to that of a gradual nuclear and chemical world war. The complex interdependence of the world’s ecological systems gives such a trend awesome implications for the future of humankind."

A long and complicated series of interrelated factors is responsible for this rapid and ever accelerating degradation of the world’s environment.

Monte points out these factors: capitalism, centrally dictated economies and demography.

At this point in history, to continue Monte's work would mean to recognize our civic responsibility and not be indifferent to injustice. Only by demanding justice one can build a country where all members of the society, regardless of their race, gender or religion, have equal rights and lead a humane life.

Let's take a moment to consider what kind of country Monte wished for. We all know the common quote - "A Fair Country Without Corruption."

To build that fair country, Monte was ready to dedicate everything. Now it is our duty to finally achieve that righteous country, where people lead a life worthy to live.