Sliding constant dilemma of the nation
Rafayel Harutyunyan
Once, long time ago, I’ve considered, that each person has the right independently to accept any decisions even such ones that form the future destiny of an individual. Today from position of a father I begin to understand all injustice of such decision. In many respects family as the basic cell of the nation has the right to solve in the long term the destiny passing over national situation.
Unfortunately such choice of family will be always justified in opinion of associates. So was earlier and so will be in the future.
On this background there are families which do not demand any special awards, any regards, but live and will live on a small part of the historical Motherland. Their award is monthly pension on the old age of years, which is equal to cost of one dinner in one of countries in Shengen zone where we dream to enter. The monthly salary is sufficient to 1 or 2 times to fill Central European car. People departing only to get in any country where could eat and put on. These countries, as well as their own cannot promise work. In many places take a subscription forbidding underground employment. They find an opening. Own fellow countryman takes for work and generously pays... Sometimes for 10 hour work they earn how much that the naturalized native is receives in one hour. People are satisfied. In fact that is a ray of light in dreadful darkness of poverty in foreign land. Courtesy of the native will disappear, as soon as he finds out that the guest from Armenia has serious intentions - has arrived and by infringements of a passport system to stay in the given country, and there will see.
I describe events, witness of which I’ve been during all my conscious life. Anyway last 40 years without ceremony are possible to put in this asphalt of a vital way.
Many my friends with tears explained, that were compelled to do it, understanding necessity of formation of the future for their children.
Has passed almost 30 years and my friends again in tears because neither grandsons, nor children do not remember them and they live surrounded with another's crowd, as on a desert island. They don’t need anything, even help another’s, but there is emptiness in soul.
Also caravans of Armenians from all countries of the world came to Promised Land... not to Israel, but to Armenia. They buy houses, apartments, attain the Armenian passports, as the second passport. Since our legislators in heat of polemics and debate till now sensibly have not thought up anything clever. They basically afraid, that eventually more educated and more skilled people will take their place. It can be observed in Lithuania and Latvia.
There is special conversation on the passport. I am really proud and I am not going to compete with V.Mayakovsky. All is thought cleverly up. If only there were financial opportunities it is possible to know the world and the world gradually will recognize us - Armenians. However the annoying oversight has been allowed, again Armenians were shared on Armenians of Diaspora and locals. The surnames of locals terminate on (yan), and at Armenians of Diaspora on (ian). They speak for this achievement we should thank one academician nowadays living.
We have distracted. In fact a theme is infinite also it is possible to tell and tell about pain in neck. But it is a very time to verify a rate on a compass on the future for our historical nation. Pay attention, that I have missed an opportunity to use an adjective "distressful". Our life is similar to navigation in a fragile shuttle. Because speech has gone about navigation on the seas and oceans, I would prefer navigation under a sail because, it will be easier to me to lead comparison with a condition of my Armenia. Till now about our country it is possible to meet the term that we try to survive all time. In case of translation into the sea term, it is equivalent to navigation under primitive sails, catching a fair wind. In that case we’re practically in Columbus's situation, also we do not know when and where we shall reach the desirable coast of a worthy life for our people, especially for them in who’s pocket is the only one, desired and getted by expensive price the passport of the Republic of Armenia. I am not going to accuse anybody from heads because they have decided without help from the outside, themselves to solve all problems which have collected in last 1000 years after loss of statehood by Armenia. It is possible to say that it is the third attempt. Only it will be wrong to pass by another's experience.
Seafarers in the historical plan have achieved much and have made many openings and enrich the countries by foreign riches when have learned to float against a wind. Such sails have been invented and all has changed. It’s time for us to invent such sails too. On this way most of all is made the ministry of Foreign affairs headed by Vardan Oskanyan. Despite of numerous critical remarks, it is possible to say that this part of state apparatus has recommended itself. At last from all countries of the world second time armenians have gathered for an exchange of opinions, for comprehension of all that occurs inside the state and around it. One became clear. It is necessary to separate problems of a history, language, culture, literature, theatre, the fine arts and armenological sciences from business. It became clear, that they are incompatible. We have successfully overcome this dilemma, spending for it almost three years. At once two new dilemmas are arising. One dilemma concerns language, and the second Armenian business.
Language. In Diaspora has remained last mohicans in the face of educated editors of the Armenian newspapers. Even in 80-s' years I was amazed to their great feat that is possible by such small amount of people (1-2 persons) to issue the newspaper and to make great feat - to keep the Armenian language and to throw bridges between the generations, who wish to stay armenians. Far from them behind the Iron Curtain too true patriots too hardly having changed some principles of a great historical heritage - the Armenian language, for some decades have been reached almost 100 % of literacy. Witnesses of that are libraries of each peasants of each village in Armenia. Everyone has some hundreds of books with the worn out pages. Yes, our worker of socialist fields working in sweat very often having rest reading last novelty of the favorite author on callused hands. Purpose justifies means and it has been achieved. Last year publishers and writers have gathered in a hall of the Union of writers to try to find ways of increase of circulation. Today at the best they are 500 - 1000 copies and for textbooks 30000 - 50000 copies. Anything clever have not thought up also the cleverest among acted has suggested addressing to the president of republic that he has assisted. It’s necessary only emblems of a sickle and hammer to feel during Soviet time. And in fact it is possible to get to the bottom of the correct decision very quickly. But to do is not too easy. It is only necessary to improve social conditions up to such level that countryman and the city reader could allocate from the family budget financial assets on purchase of books, in fact on daily purchase of separately issued crossword puzzles our people annually spends millions of drams. As the wreath of big circulated edition may be considered the Armenian Encyclopedia and that is not fault of publishers that selection carried out by ideologists of the Soviet epoch has not allowed this edition to take worthy value place. I headed some years print shop named after Hakob Meghapart and then and today proud that has joined this great business incorporated by Victor Hambartsumyan. I want to inform participants of new armenological forum, that this encyclopedia has been issued by circulation of 100000 copies and all the same in the second-hand market in 80th years it was impossible to find. Our neighbours, too not silly people, having estimated the real opportunities under the social order printed encyclopedias in circulation: Georgia - 20000 copies and Azerbaijan - 10000 copies. All this is achieved due to language "deformed" by Acharyan. My dear friends in the West cannot be praised even by little comparable achievements.
And yesterday my newly appeared familiar on a field of journalism with pride has shown his creation in his Berlin apartment. The newspaper giving information to readers in three languages: on Armenian, in German, on Turkish. It is necessary to know and apply many languages for preservation of decaying pulse of Diaspora.
The last year during a forum I had pity 3 minutes, in comparison with 2 x 20 minutes given to Mr. Pambukchyan. I have tried to explain a situation again in allegorical form. And today I think the decision of dilemma N1 is my short statement.
In literature devoted to Second world war repeatedly is emphasized the fact of Stalin strategists and generals at any cost to grasp height in concrete front of developed offensive operation and then only go on. Hitlerite generals has another approach, the coming weight of troops flowed round height and moved further, well understanding that defenders of height are doomed.
And so during an era of a unification of ideas and actions of our nation it is not necessary to open language confrontation and to reduce the further cooperation of Diaspora and motherland to a language problem. Personally for me there is no such problem and many people from Diaspora who had arrived in first years of independence have no such problem.
It is possible to count as a good example of reunion of two branches memoirs of Vahram Papazyan written by extremely magnificent language. Both the Diaspora and Armenia equally count “ the Sight back ” a sample of throwing bridges between Diaspora and motherland.
We pass to dilemma N2. Whether special, hothouse conditions are necessary for development of national capitalism. During the creative games, which took place in 1991 there were attempts to prove, that will be formed the Armenian capitalism, and it almost panacea for rescue of Armenia. In the game form I proved, that newly made capitalists will never put before themselves so narrow national purposes and they will always follow the formula of the maximal profit. Today blockade of Armenia promoted, that Armenia in the accelerated rates entered a postindustrial epoch of becoming of the economy and more actively created the firms working in the field of information technologies. The first technopark in this area is already created. All these undertakings are maintained by the capital of Armenians from Diaspora, and in some cases by transnational firms. According to magazine “ United States and World Report ” for October 8, 2001 amazing figures 10 billion dollars are given about the total national income. National gross income per capita in one year, according to the same magazine has reached 3000 US dollars. So much has also Azerbaijan with its oil. In the National Academy of sciences during discussions together with economists from the State University of the project of downturn of a threshold of poverty I declared above-named figures and asked a question as far as this information and these figures are real. The answer was brief - about 80 % of economy of Armenia operates in sphere of shadow economy, i.e. the republic without appreciable social investments for the population turns out to offshore. Forwarding of the basic socialist property passed in 7 years, whereas to the advanced countries of the Western Europe need from 70 to 170 years. Honor and praise to our newly made capitalists. However the further movement of this train is stopped. Despite of efforts and support of the government the USA the market of the capital of Armenia isn’t fact. It is possible to count on fingers firms and banks, which give the public transparent annual reports.
On New-York's stock exchange of shares during unsuccessful time, all 2 months prior to September, 11, 2001 have appeared shares of HPL. Let us consider it as first swallow.
Where are you Armenian capitalists? Will you again refer to specifically difficult Armenian conditions. Before carrying out panarmenian conference of 2002 the basic scarecrow for the population was, lose of national property cognac, the Armenian electric power, Armenian phone! And other nonsenses. Having polarized attention of the simple population to any such rubbish, at the same time solving problems of payment of cheaply sold objects of privatization.
Today I’m writing this material in number of the Berlin hotel and I drink the water of the Berlin waterpipe cooled in a refrigerator, which was bought by the French firm. Inhabitants of Berlin joke that they will have only trees in city streets in cost 10000 Euro each and Berlin air.
And I ask, isn’t important belonging, it is necessary, that any transactions from privatization brought the income as taxes to people and provided social payments. And all of us try to make all so that benefits got to elite. In due time, up to a default of August, 1998 there was an idea of sale in some economic zones of the Russian Federation of production of the concrete provinces of Armenia. Among others there were registered 40000 tone carbide of calcium of the Vanadzor chemical combine. So visited Vanadzor for final specification. In a courtyard of institute of polymeric glues were carried out gas-welding works. Having convicted the moment I come nearer to the welder and asked a question on an origin of carbide by which he worked. He answered, that outside of checkpoint on opposite sidewalk there is a household shop where he has bought this poor-quality turkish carbide. With fear in heart we work, being afraid to think of consequences of explosion (carbide was in very fine pieces). But I as the beginning expert in marketing asked a question if on distance from chemical combine all on 60 meters already trade turkish carbide, on what we hope planning sales in far Russia where carbide should be delivered by motor transport.
A good example for perception of realities developed in Armenia. However it is not necessary to make hasty conclusions. It is necessary to explain only to our dear Armenians from Diaspora, that if they will not take into account the most elementary laws and rules of housekeeping of newly organized enterprise they will deeply disappointed, despite of any levels of the state support.
To love motherland is a great deal, it is given not to everyone. But correct conduction of calculation and correct determination with investments is a great art. In 1991 I had been created the theory and the program of spinal economy where entered branches of economy, which could exist and develop in conditions of blockade. These branches are the following:
Processing of natural diamonds
Synthesis of artificial diamonds
Manufacturing of tools from these two kinds of diamonds
Synthesis of technical stones
Manufacturing of devices with use of the processed technical stones (solid-state lasers)
The Facet of technical stones for jewelry manufacture
Jewelry
Personally I am completely satisfied, because this program is completely materialized, though very few people heard about the author of this program. To the named branches today it is possible to add information technologies. And this is all bouquet of special Armenian achievements for these years of independence. They are not small comparing with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Except oil, in all other branches, especially in the field of processing of agricultural products we compete both with Georgian and Azerbaijanian companies.
But today speech is not about it. Today many citizens of Armenia and I are disturbed with the unique question - is the economy of Armenia ready and whether will be integrated into the world economic? From whom depends our welfare and the decision of a problem of the future generations without prospect of resettlement in the fertile countries. The further development of the nation, without worthy adjustment of trading economic relations with the advanced European countries is impossible. The example of Poland is very instructive, headed by Lech Valensa party "Solidarity" in all socialist camp has led people all over again to the deepest crisis, and then went to social well-being of all people and conducts the active trading company with all countries of the world. Both they and we have signed the world trading agreement. We only - only make activate the unique trading - industrial chamber. In Poland there are some tens. Industrialists and dealers are grouped in various trading - industrial chambers depending on interests of own business. There are existing Polish-French, polish-British, polish-German, etc., trading - industrial chambers with the organization trading - industrial exhibitions, exhibitions of catalogues of produces production and telecasts. By such program are integrated into the world economic, but not by taking of two casks of honey and going to sell in Germany and then declare, that Europeans don’t let us to their markets and do not allow to make commercial transactions. In my opinion our capitalists will achieve the maximal profits in case of a successful choice and realization of thought over innovative policy, having lead this policy both in East countries, and in the advanced western countries. But if investment projects needed good business plans and deep marketing researches, innovative projects are based on the deep analysis and an estimation of prospects of development of branches on 10-15 years beforehand and well thought over patent activity. For the good innovative project it’s necessary to spend from 100000 up to 500000 US dollars. And only so we shall be integrated into the world economy.
If to rise on a position of our newly made capitalists these ten years too were uneasy, it was necessary to test much and much to sustain, under critical remarks and caustic publications of press. And now they are before new dilemma, from them depends, whether become a brake of the further development of the nation on a way of a civilization and progress or will be the locomotive of the same processes. If they voluntary do not stand on this way, the nation should find in itself forces that without blood to force them to stand on this way. Here there is already nothing to choose, in default they will ruin also themselves, both the future of the nation. And here is the decision of the second dilemma - integration into the world economy.
Please take into account, that if we for facilitation of a life for our manufacturers confirm standards on the basic products made in Armenia much lower than are world standards, thus lay bases for the future loss of statehood.
Already we once passed it.
As soon as we have coped with this dilemma on horizon has appeared the next dilemma - to achieve opening of turkish border or not. And as we shall see in the forthcoming future and in forthcoming discussions it becomes a problem number one. Here is interesting situation. To numerous turkish officials (except for the governor of Kars) and Azerbaijanian dignitaries were added numerous false patriots which consider, that there is no greater treachery of interests of the nation, than to demand and put efforts for the opening of armenian-turkish border.
They consider, that yet not got stronger Armenian capitalist will be lost under an impact of the cheap turkish goods, that Turks on a way of realization of creation of the uniform communications of Great Turan once again will crush the small snowdrops of the Armenian statehood. Arguments are really strong, however let's argue soberly. Ìany our sportsmen due to financial support of our new capitalists sometimes reach world tops in the kind of sports and for them never were created special conditions, as to representatives of newly formed state. Sometimes even they win in contrary to additional obstacles. And our capitalists should harden and accumulate experience in an unique world competition. Time and a global situation will not allow them and therefore all nations to stay idle, providing hothouse conditions for super vegetative development.
And next and last dilemma is to achieve opening of armenian-turkish border or to pretend, that we have reconciled to a developed situation of blockade and live under sails of a fair wind, obeying to destiny. It is the very time to recollect about “ iron curtain ”. These old men in the Political bureau of the CPSU understand something, when have flatly refused the project of socialism of Dubchek with a human face. By the youth I thought the same, that it won’t be anything special if we shall remove this damned Iron Curtain. I write these lines after visiting of the Berlin wall, which becomes a symbol, personification and materialization of the Iron Curtain. One combine driver was found who has put an end to this myth and has removed the Iron Curtain and together with it automatically there was no huge empire, which during many decades did not allow sleeping to western inhabitants. Today Gorbachev is the hero and the favorite of Germans. Advertising of Gorbachev vodka flaunts on panels of city buses and his memoirs in German are sold by numerous circulations.
An instructive history, especially for those Armenians, who for the lack of the basic material (our oligarchs waste all the metal) creating a straw curtain.
I ask to register into the archive of national inventions the new term - “ straw curtain ”. If we during time shall not ripen and become wiser, we are expected with the same destiny, as the USSR. However it is necessary to take into account, that then the opportunity of construction of the fourth Republic will not be given to Armenians.
Berlin
On August, 11-12 2003
