Saturday, May 24, 2008

"I AM NOT AS PATIENT AND PATRIOTIC AS RAFFI IS"

A1+
[05:44 pm] 23 May, 2008


Professor of California, historian Richard Hovannissian is concerned over Armenia's political scene. He expressed his concern to A1+ saying that "he is first of all concerned as an ordinary human being."

"March 1 was a great tragedy. I cannot name those guilty or innocent. I think we are all guilty as we couldn't avert the occurrences. The Armenian Diaspora is shocked as blood was shed in the capital," he says.

As a solution to mutual antagonism Richard Hovannissian offers to forgive each other. "We must forgive each other. We must treat each other with endurance. Both policemen and people died. Sorrow and hatred will deepen even more if they don't free the jailed people."

Mr. Hovannissian is also concerned over ongoing migration from Armenia. Asked whether he might take his son's model and settle in Armenia, he said, "I am not so patriotic and patient as my Raffi is."

While summing up Armenia's background over the past 90 years Richard Hovannissian said, "The creation of this small country was unexpected as the whole revolution and the Armenian Cause were concentrated in Western Armenia. No matter where the representatives of our intelligentsia were they never thought of Western Armenia. They never thought that they might come together and Yerevan might become the country's capital. Sometimes history plays tricks on us.

The country once occupying 10 000 square kilometers expanded to the slopes of Ararat covering 50 000 square kilometers. We hoped to unite Western and Eastern Armenians but our dream didn't come true.

Mr. Hovannissian is surprised at the fact that Yerevan shops are open on April 24, the day of the Great Armenian Genocide. He thinks that people are absorbed in everyday problems and thoughts even on that day.

"People are not given equal footing in Armenia. While walking in the streets one has the impression that nobody cares for the vulnerable. The authorities should constantly take care of them. Though I am in Armenia for a short period I am seriously concerned about the country's state."

Hovannissian says he had more respect towards the authorities of the first Republic than the acting ones. "The authorities of 1918 came to suffer with their people. No official or prime minister abused his powers or pursued personal interests. Neither did they enrich their relatives and acquaintances. They suffered with their people. For instance, Aram Manukian died of typhus."

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