Diplomacy at the Brink of Nuclear War

Vahe H Apelian

 

I googled and found out that October 16, 1962 was a Tuesday when we were in our classroom in the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut Lebanon. We were 9^th grade students, that may be equivalent to high school soghomore or maybe Junior given that we graduated at 11^th grade.. Mr. Zaven Messerlian – who had not yet become the principal of the school, nor had he received his doctorate degree in. history - was our homeroom teacher and led the short general knowledge session in the morning before the class resumed its studies. We would be sitting in the same classroom and on the same desks, as teachers came for the different subjects. I remember distinctly when he told us that morning in a very solemn voice that the world is at the brink of nuclear war.

That was over 60 years ago. For many of my younger readers, the date may not say anything. It was the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviet Union had stockpiled nuclear war heads in Cuba that was only 90 miles away from the United States at its closest point. President Kennedy had given an ultimatum to have the war heads removed from Cuba.  The Cuban Missile Crisis became a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union and brought the world to the brink of nuclear war at no time closer after president Truman had authorized dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima, Japan and changed the reality of how deadly coming wars will be.

Today, a headline in NY times read that “Ukraine fired U.S. made missile into Russia for First Time,” and that the president Putin lowered the threshold of Russia using its nuclear might. (you may read the links below). These are not developments that can be taken lightly and gamble on who is going to blink first, Russia or Ukraine, the latter having received missiles from U.S. that can hit further into the Russia and Ukraine has hit further into Russia.

I do not want to hint to the internal politics whether it is the democrat Biden who is war mongering as he transfers power to republican Trump. In my book the war mongering countries are Russia and Ukraine. Let us face it, as saying goes in the U.S., “guns do not kill, people do.” It is Ukraine that used the deadlier weapons U.S. supplied. It did not have to, and could have resorted to diplomacy.

This brings me to Armenia caught in a region not far from Ukraine that is another tinder box for international conflict, South Caucasus. And when I compare the posturing of  Ukraine’s  president Zelenskyy, to that of Nikol Pashinyan, the prime minister  of the  tiny Republic of Armenia, I see more of reason to support Armenia’s prime minister’s policy of charting peaceful relations with its neighbors, than Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy’s militaristic stand.   “As has become something of a trademark for the 44-year-old Ukrainian leader, Zelenskyy wore his green military fatigues to meet the president at the White House Wednesday” said a report almost two years ago, on December 22, 2022. 

Let us not kid ourselves. No one among us is far away from dealing with the consequences of the nuclear was, as the doctor who worked in Kansas City was not in the movie “The Day After”.

It is a MAD, MAD, MAD world and I mean to say it is Mutually Assured Destruction world

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. 

                                                ***

Notes:

1.  Ukraine Fired U.S.-Made Missiles Into Russia for First Time, Officials Say; https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/world/europe/ukraine-russia-atacms-missiles.html

2. Putin Lowers Russia’s Threshold for Using Nuclear Arms; https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/world/europe/putin-russia-nuclear-weapons-missiles.html

 

Կէթիսպըրկի Ուղերձը - Gettysburg Address

19 Նոյեմբեր 1863 -ին, կէսօրէ ետքը, մօտաւորապէս 15000 մարդ եկած է Փենսիլվանիա նահանգի Կէթիսպըրկ գիւղաքաղաքը՝ նուիրագործելու համար ազգային գերեզմանատուն մը: Շուրջ հինգ ամիսներ առաջ, գիւղաքաղաքին մարգագետինները վերածուած եղած են արեան դաշտերու, երբ հոն տեղի ունեցած է Ամերիկայի քաղաքացիական պատրեզամին ամէնամեծ ճակատամարտերէն մէկը։ կառաւարութեան բանակը պարտութեան մատնած է Հարաւի ըմբոսթներուն բանակը։ ճակատամարտին նահատակուած զինուորները թաղուած էին հոն։

Գերեզմանատան նուիրագործման արարողությունը հետաձգուած է առիթ տալու համար գլխաւոր բանախօսին՝ քաղաքագէտ Եդվարդ Էվերեթ-ին (Edward Everett) որ ճանցուած  եղած է որպէս հրետոր, պատրաստելու համար իր ճառը։  Անոր ուղերձը տեւած է մօտաւորապէս երկու ժամ, որմէ ետք Նախագահ Աբրահամ Լինքոլնի ելոյթ ունեցած է։ Աբրահամ Լինքոլնի   ուղերձը տեւած է մօտաւորապէս երկու վարկեան եւ բաղկացած է մօտաւորապէս 275 բաոերէ։

Բայց նախագահ Աբրահամ Լինքոլնի այդ ուղերձը կը համարուի Ամերիկեան պատմութեան մեջ ամէնայայտնի ուղերձներէն եւ ճանցուած է որպէս Կերթիսպըրկի Ուղերձը։

Թէեւ Եդվարդ Էվերեթ-ին անունը յաճախ կը յիշուի այդ ուղեձին կապակցութեամբ, ան մեծապէս ծառայած է իր երկրին։ Եղած է Հարվըրտ Համալսարանին նախագահը, Մասաճուչէթս նահանգին կառաւարիչը, ծառայած է որպէս երեսփոխան (congressman), ծերակուական (senator), եղած է Ամերիկայի Անգլիոյ Հիւպատոսը, ինչպէս նաւե Ամերիկայի պետքարտուղար (secretary of state). Հրետորութիւնը ընդունուած սովորութիւն եղած է այդ շրջանին շեշտելու համար օրուան խորհուրդը։

Կցած եմ ուղերձին իմ թարգմանութիւնս։ Սրբագրութիւնը կը պարտիմ երբեմնի ուսուցչիս Արմենակ Եղիայեանին։ Վահէ Յ Աբէլեան

Կէթիսպըրկի Ուղերձը

«Չորս քսանամեակներ և եօթը տարիներ առաջ մեր հայրերը այս ցամաքամասին վրայ յառաջացուցին նոր ազգ մը բեղմնաւորուած Ազատութեան մեջև նուիրուած այն առաջադրութեան որ բոլոր մարդիկ ստեղծուած են հաւասար։

Այժմ մենք բոնկուած ենք քաղաքացիական մեծ պատերազմի մը, փորձարկելու որ արդիո՞ք այդ ազգը, կամ որեւէ ազգ՝ այդպէս բեղմնաւորուած և այդպէս առաջադրուած կրնայ երկար տոկալ: Մենք կը հանդիպինք այդ մեծ պատերազմին մարտադաշտին վրայ: Մենք եկած ենք նուիրելու այդ մարտադաշտին մէկ մասը որպէս վերջին հանգստավայրը անոնց որոնք այստեղ իրենց կեանքերը նուիրեցին որպէսզի այդ ազգը կարողանայ գոյատեւել: Բոլորովին տեղին և պատշաճ է որ մենք այս ընենք:

Բայց աւելի խոր իմաստով՝ մենք չենք կրնար նուիրագործել - չենք կրնար սրբադասել - չենք կրնար սրբացնել այս հողը: Կենդանի և մեռած խիզախ մարդիկ որոնք պայքարեցան այստեղ, արդէն սրբացուցած են ան շատ աւելի բարձր քան մեր աղքատ ոյժը կարողանայ աւելցնել կամ նուազեցնել:

Աշխարհը քիչ ուշադրութիւն պիտի դարձնէ եւ ոչ ալ երկար ժամանակ պիտի յիշէ թե մենք ինչ կ՚ըսենք հոս, բայց երբեք պիտի չի կարողանայ մոռանալ այնինչ որ ըրին այստեղ: Ընդհակառակը` մենք ողջերս ենք որ պէտք է նուիրուինք այստեղ ամբողջացնելու իրենց անաւարտ գործը, որուն համար անոնք մաքարեցան հոս եւ ազնիւօրեն առաջ մղեցին:

Աւելի շատ մեզի համար է որ հոս ըլլանք նուիրուած մեր առաջ մնացած մեծ գործին – այստեղի պատուելի մեռելներէն մենք նուիրում ստանանք այն դատին՝ որուն համար անոնք տուին իրենց նուիրումին վերջին ամբողջական չափը – որ մենք՝  մեծապէս ուխտենք որ այդ մեռնողները ի իզուր մեռած չըլլան - որ այս ազգը, Աստծոյ ներքեւ ունենայ ազատութեան նոր ծնունդ մը  - եւ որ ժողովուրդին կառավարութիւնը, ժողովուրդին կողմէ, ժողովուրդին համար չի ջնջուի այս աշխարհէն:» 

Աբրահամ Լինքոլն

 A synopsis of the blog in English

In the afternoon of November 19, 1863, about 15,000 people had come to the town of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, to dedicate a national cemetery. About five months ago, the village's meadows were turned into fields of blood when one of the greatest and most decisive battles of the American Civil War had  taken there. The soldiers who died in the battle were buried there.

The dedication ceremony of the cemetery had been postponed to give more to the main speaker Edward Everett to prepare his address. His message lasted approximately two hours, after which President Abraham Lincoln gave his address. Abraham Lincoln's address lasted approximately two minutes and consisted of approximately 275 words.

But that message of President Abraham Lincoln is considered one of the most famous addresses in American history and is known as the Gettysburg Address.

Although the name of Edward Everett is often remembered in connection with his oratory at Gettysburg, he served his country well. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen in Germany, becoming the first American to earn a German doctoral degree. Everett's career was as diverse as it was impressive, including stints as the President of Harvard, Governor of Massachusetts, a United States Congressman and Senator, Ambassador to Great Britain, and Secretary of State. In his days, oratory had been an accepted practice in order to emphasize the message of the day.

I have attached my translation of the Gettysburg Address above.

Vahe H Apelian

If you shall become an old person

A few days ago, I came across a poem titled “If you shall become an old man”. The poem was by an Apologetic Poet who noted that, the poem he wrote is an adaptation of the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling.

Let us face, there is no “IF” when it comes to age. We all shall become an old man or woman. In fairness for correct speech, I shall say that if we are lucky enough we all shall become an old person and hence comes the title of this blog. 

And if, the Apologetic Poet’s “IF” does not work for you, there is Julie Andrews, who is 89 years old, having born in 1935,  adaptation she composed of her "My Favorite Things" song she sang in the Sound of Music. So, children of all ages, here are the two poems for you. You may find solace in them.

Vahe H Apelian

 

IF YOU SHALL BECOME AN OLD MAN

(An Adaptation of The Poem IF By RUDYARD KIPLING)

THE APOLOGETIC POET

 

If you can move without stumbling, with dignity intact,

While others rely on walkers, their steps compact;

If you can wait for family visits, patient and kind,

Even when emergencies are just an excuse to find;

Or resist the allure of dating, not feeling quite refined,

Yet still cherishing beauty within your mind.

If you can dress with care, without vanity's hold,

And write poetry, sharing stories yet untold;

If you can face Dementia and Alzheimer's embrace,

Fight against their grip, with courage and grace;

If you can bear repeated tales, fellow elders' plight,

Understanding the importance of sharing their light.

Or see your dreams shattered, and still believe,

That new beginnings await, if you choose to perceive;

If you can rebuild relationships, taking the lead,

Showing forgiveness, as you plant love's seed;

And hold fast to love, when passion's flame has ceased,

Embracing companionship, a bond that's not released.

If you can remain part of the crowd, hand in hand,

Or reside in a home, where connection still stands;

If neither forgotten birthdays, nor fading memories,

Can wound your spirit, for love's legacy still carries;

If you can sing and dance, with joyous glee,

Embodying the vitality of what it means to be free.

Then rejoice, dear elder, for you are ever agile,

A testament to strength, resilience, and your smile.

***

 

And if the “IF”-s are no longer the answer for you, Jule Andrews has an answer, along the her famous song  "My Favorite Things" in the Sound of Music film. Enjoy the music as you read Julie Andrew’s adaptation.

Botox and nose drops and needles and knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,  these are a few of my favourite things

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses
Polydent and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
these are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak
When the knees go bad
I simply remember my favourite things
and then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads and bunions
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
these are a few of my favourite things

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinning,
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning,
And we won’t mention our short-shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things

When the joints ache,
when the hips break,
when the eyes grow dim.
Then I remember the great life I’ve had
AND THEN I DON’T FEEL SO BAD

A Bombastic reporting

Vahe H Apelian 

Horizon’s reporting in the November 15, 2024 issue titled that  “As Pashinyan Again Blasts Independence Declaration, Chief Justice Says Only the People Can Change the Document” is a bombastic reporting that serves to  muddy the political waters when a very important matter calls for restraint, and pragmatism in the press.

The PM, during the last session of the National Assembly, publicly declared that there is no need to amend the Constitution of Armenia. However, he also said, should the Constitutional Court rule against the constitutionality of the Crossroad for peace initiative the Armenian government signs, then the matter becomes a political issue and may call for amending the Constitution / Declaration of Independence.

In ruling in favor of the constitutionality of the border delimination and demarcation, the Constitutional Court has put forth the following argument. The preamble of the Armenian Declaration of Independence, calls for the “"Reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh". However, the Constitutional Court in its September 26, 2024 ruling in approving the constitutionality of the border delimitation and demarcation , has noted that the Armenian Declaration of Independence was worded on August 20, 1990, and in the context of the time when Armenia was one of the 15 soviet socialist republics that made the Soviet Union. Armenia declared itself as a sovereign state on September 21, 1991 and adopted its constitution on 1995. There is a long gap between the Declaration of Independence and the free and independent Republic of Armenia with its constitution. There is no direct or indirect mention of any territorial demand in the constitution of Armenia. (see the notes)

The Constitutional Court at no time invalidated or nullified the Declaration of Independence, Of course Armenia’s Chief Justice Arman Dilanyan said the obvious, that “only the people can nullify Armenia’s Declaration of Independence.” It is strange that people have put the Chief Justice in a such a bind that he would be compelled to state the obvious. 

I too have read the Declaration of Independence many times. I value the document in the context of its time. Otherwise, it would be a strange document to be the foundation of the Republic of Armenia. Whether it’s the Pashinyan government or whoever is going to assume power after him, will have to contend with it. I too find that the Declaration of Independence rules on an Armenia only in unison with the Mountainous Republic of Karabakh. I do not find that Pashinyan is too much off when he said that he finds that “the content of that Declaration of Independence is that the Republic of Armenia cannot exist”.

As I said cooler heads, pragmatism need to prevail and avoid politicizing the Declaration of Independence. If the political parties want to shoot themselves at their feet, they may continue politicizing the Declaration of Independence to their demise and hence Armenia’s demise.

The PM was being accused that he will give in to Azerbaijan’s demand and have the Constitution amended to comply. Now that the PM elaborated that there need not be amending the Constitution, it is the opposition figures who accuse the PM and the Constitutional Court of having subverted the Declaration of Independence and thus the Constitution. It is an inordinately impossible and contradictory impasse for political process! It would not surprise me that as a last resort the citizens of Armenia may take the matters into their hands and resort to amending the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Note 1: Declaration of Independence – Hrchagakir – Հրչակագիր: https://www.gov.am/en/independence/

Note 2: The PM discussing peace agreement in the National Assembly: https://www.facebook.com/nikol.pashinyan/videos/1141154374095638

Note 3: Will Armenian amend its constitution?:

http://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2024/11/will-armenia-amend-its-constitution_13.html

  

Crossroad for peace: Will Hrchagakir - Հռչակագիր - change?

 Vahe H Apelian 

During the last session of the Armenian National Assembly, a very important matter was discussed. It had to do with amending the Armenian Declaration of Independence / Armenian Constitution. I cited the two documents as one entity because that is what they are, although comments cite the Constitution and those who allege that the Pashinyan  government will amend the Armenian Constitution to comply with the demands of Azerbaijan, in fact knowingly or unknowingly, are alluding to the Declaration of Independence, because there is nothing in the Armenian Constitution that refers to any territorial claim, but there is in the Declaration of Independence, the Hrchagakir – Հռչակագիր - which is an integral part, if not the basis, of the Armenian  Constitution.. 

The Armenian Declaration of Independence, consists of a four paragraphs long preamble, that express the “united will of the Armenian people”. Following the preamble, there are 12 distinct declarations. The document is available on line. (see note 1)

 The lady who raised the question rightfully noted that the government has repeatedly said that Armenia has no territorial demands from Azerbaijan and that the Constitutional Court having on recently, on September 26, 2024 approved the border delineation and demarcation as being constitutional, affirmed the same. But, she continued commenting, Azerbaijan demands that the Armenian Constitution must be amanded because it makes territorial claims. She asked the PM to present to the public and to the National Assembly the Armenian government’s stand on this issue.

Nikol Pashinyan, in defense of the policies of his government, usually addresses the National Assembly without reading from a prepared text. But this time around he made an exception and read from a prepared text. Surely so, it is an issue that is vital to Armenia and to Armenians. Hopefully the text will be translated and presented to the public.

The PM noted the following:

First: The Azerbaijan government demand is based on the fact that in the preamble of the Armenian Declaration of Independence, there call for the “"Reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh", (see note 1). However, the Constitutional Court on September 26, 2024 in approving the constitutionality of the border delimitation and demarcation  of, noted that the Armenian Declaration of Independence was worded on August 20, 1990, and in the context of the time when Armenia was one of the 15 soviet socialist republics that made the Soviet Union. Armenia declared itself as a sovereign state on September 21, 1991 and adopted its constitution on 1995. There is a long gap between the Declaration of Independence and the free and independent Republic of Armenia with its constitution. There is no direct or indirect mention of any territorial demand in the constitution of Armenia.

Second: The PM noted that Azerbaijan makes note in its October 18, 1991 Constitutional Act to Azerbaijan declaration of independence on May 28, 1918 and on November 1919, Azerbaijan presented  its  territorial claim to The Entente, also known as the Triple Entente, which was an informal military alliance between France, Great Britain, and Russia that formed the basis for the Allied Powers in World War II. PM Pashinyan further noted as such Azerbaijan lays claim to 60% of the Republic of Armenia. 

But the PM noted that Armenia has not made Azerbaijan changing its constitution an issue for two reasons. First it will complicate the peace initiative. Second, the Crossroad for Peace initiative has provisions that claim the parties cannot make their internal stands as a pretext for subverting the peace initiative, and also the peace initiative stipulates that the parties do not have territorial ambitions from each other nor will they raise territorial claims from each other in the future.

 As for the ratification of the Crossroad for Peace initiative, The PM claimed that the process mandates that the agreement is approved by the National Assembly of Armenia. But prior to that, the agreement is sent to the Constitutional Court of Armenia to rule on the constitutionality of the agreement. If the Constitutional Court approves its constitutionality – as more likely than not it will approve given its September 26, 2024 approval of the constitutionality of the border demarcation and delineation - the agreement is presented to the National Assembly for ratification. However, should the Constitutional Court, rule that the agreement is not Constitutional, then the government, having already signed the agreement, may initiate amending the constitution, given that it has signed the agreement. It is naturally understood that the citizens of Armenia may or may not approve the proposed amendment or changes in the declaration of independence. 

The PM further noted that once the National Assembly ratifies the agreement, the agreement assumes higher legal force per article 5, part 3 of the Armenian Constitution that reads: “In case of conflict between the norms of international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia and those of laws, the norms of international treaties shall apply”.

Consequently, the PM said, Armenia has not asked Azerbaijan to amend its Constitution. By the same token within this context, there is no need to amend the Constitution of Armenia and the Declaration of Independence. 

Note 1: Declaration of Independence – Hrchagakir – Հրչակագիր: https://www.gov.am/en/independence/

Note 2: The PM discussing peace agreement in the National Assembly: https://www.facebook.com/nikol.pashinyan/videos/1141154374095638

  

Between the devil and deep blue sea: The Caucasian Armenian Anguish

 Vahe H Apelian

 

«moving forward, always faithful to its spirit of destruction, Russia, as in the past, as well as today, is a representation of a large-scale arena of general persecution, general destruction and violence. There was not a nation left in Russia that was not oppressed, there was not a people left that was not suffocated, there was no word, opinion, right, law - even proclaimed from the imperial throne - that was not violated. It is a terrible stage of rulers and slaves, predators and tyrants, spies and spiers, poisoned by the choices of mutual grudge and hatred. Russia competes with Turkey in all spheres of state life, equally successful in the negative, as well as in the positive. And the unfortunate Armenian is destined to live, to claim the right to see  the light of day, on the borders of those two brutal tyrants, "between the devil and the deep sea", as the English say.”(Բնագիրը կցուած է ներքեւը)

The above quote is from Kristapor Mikaelian (18.10.1859 – 17.3.1901) and is not meant to imply that it is still relevant. That will be a personal judgement. 

Kristapor Mikaelian is a founder of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation which, at its founding was called the Federation of Armenian Revolutionaries. His articles were mostly posted in the ARF organ Troshag, as editorials. After his death his articles were collected in a book titled “Thoughts of a Revolutionary – Յեղափոխանակի Միտքեր» and were published in 1906 along with his biography by his contemporary Pierre Quillard, in Paris, who was a French poet, playwright, literary critic, and one of the early proponents of the Armenophile movement in France, notably through his Pro-Armenia bimonthly publication.  There is no assurance that those were all Kristapor Mikaelian wrote.

In 1931, in Athens, “Thoughts of a Revolutionary – Յեղափոխանակի Միտքեր» was published again in its entirety including the Pierre Quillard’s biography and analysis of Kristapor Mikaelian as a revolutionary. In the preface of this second publication, the publishers made the following note: “There are few writings in Armenian – perhaps Raffi and his novels – who have made a decisive impact on the contemporary youth than Kristapor Mikaelian’s treatise “Mob Mentality – Ամբոխային Տրամաբանութիւն»։ Mob mentality is at times referred to as herd or crowd mentality.

In 1971 the ARF Zavarian Student Association in Lebanon published “Thoughts of a Revolutionary” book in its entirety as the first volume of a sequel that had to do with ideological and revolutionary writings. The books were not available on the market any more. 

This year, in 2024, at the 120^th anniversary of the ARF Zavarian Student Association, the director of the Hamazkayin Vahe Setian Publication Hagop K. Havatian, spear headed the publication of “Thoughts of a Revolutionary” along with five other books of ideological in nature, in a six-volume sequel. The publication of each of these six volumes was sponsored by a former member of the ARF Zavarian Student Association. They  were: Օhan Armenian, Adroushan (Andy) Armenian, Sarkis Kargodorian, Vera Yakoubian, and Vahe H Apelian. One of the volumes was sponsored by  Kessabtsi friends of Ara Demerijian. All six volumes were audited by Garo Hovhanesian

Each of the six volumes sequel was dedicated in memory of one or two deceased member of the ARF Zavarian Student Association.

Kristapor Mikaelian (Քրիստափոր Միքայելեան), “Thoughts of a Revolutionary – Յեղափոխանակի Միտքեր, is dedicated in memories of Serj Tovmassian (1943-1976),  and Sarkis Foujourian (1944-1976), 

Karekin Khajag (Գարեգին Խաժակ), What is Nationality – Ի՞նչ է Ազգութիւնը, is dedicated to Peno Tontian (1945-2014)

Լevon Shant (Լեւոն Շանթ), Nationality is the Basis of Human Society - Ազգութիւնը Հիմք Մարդային Ընկերութեան, is dedicated to Sako Sarkissian (.

Hovhannes Katchaznouny (Յովհաննէս Քաջազնունի)շ Nation and Homeland – Ազգ եւ Հայրենիք, is dedicated to Boghos Ghougassian (1945-2017), Hagop Yapoujian (1945-2018).

Alexander Khadissian (Ալեքսանդր Խատիսեան), Memoirs of a Governor – Քաղաքապետի մը յիշատակները, is dedicated to Shant Yakoubian (1959-2023).

Karekin Khajag (Գարեգին Խաժակ),What is Class – Ի՞նչ է Դասակարգը, is dedicated to Ara Demirjian (1948-2016).

The introductory quote is from the ““Thoughts of a Revolutionary – Յեղափոխանակի Միտքեր.” The book contains the following treatises from Kristapor Mikaelian:

Mob Mentality – Ամբոխային Տրամաբանութիւն

Historical Harm – Պատմական Չարիք

Union with Turks – Միութիւն Թուրքերի Հետ

Armenian-Kurdish Relations – Հայ-Քրտական Յարաբերութիւններ

And also,

Anguish of Caucasian Armenian – Կովկասահայ Տագնապ, from which the above excerpt was quoted.

Բնագիրը

«Եւ առաջ ընթանալով միշտ հաւատարիմ աւերման իր ոգուն՝ Ռուսաստանը, ինչպէս անցեալում, նոյնպէս եւ այսօր՝ներկայացում է ընդհանուր հալածանքի, ընդհանուր աւերածի ու բռնութիւնների մի լայնածաւալ ասպարէզ։ Ազգութիւն չմնաց Ռուսաստանում որ չճնշուէր, ժողովուրդ չմնաց որ որ չխեղդուէր, խօսք, կարծիք, իրաւունք, օրէնք չմնաց , - նոյնիսկ կայսերական գահերից հռչակուած – որ չտրորւոէր։ Իշխողների եւ ստրուկների, գիշատիչների եւ զռհերի, լրտեսների, եւ լրտեսողների մի ահաւոր բեմ է դա՝ փոխադարձ ոխի եւ ատելութեան կըրքերով թունաւորուած։ Ռուսաստանը մրցում է Տաճկաստանի հետ պետական կեանքի բոլոր ասպարէզներում՝նոյնչափ յաջող բացասականում, որչափ եւ դրականում։ Եւ վատաբախտ հային վիճակուած է ապրել, օր-արեւ տեսնելու իրաւունք հայցել այդ երկու մաբահեր բռնակալութիւնների սահմաններուն՝ «սատանայի եւ խոր ծովի միջեւ», ինչպէս ասում են անգլիացիք։»

 

Will Armenia amend its constitution?

 Vahe H Apelian 

During the last session of the Armenian National Assembly, a very important natter was discussed. It had to do with amending the Armenian Declaration of Independence / Armenian Constitution. I cited the two documents as one entity because that is what they are, although comments cite the Constitution and those who allege that the Pashinyan  government will amend the Armenian Constitution to comply with the demands of Azerbaijan, in fact knowingly or unknowingly, are alluding also to the Declaration of Independence, because there is nothing in the Armenian Constitution that refers to any territorial claim, but there is in the Declaration of Independence, the Hrchagakir – Հռչակագիր - which is an integral part, if not the basis, of the Armenian  Constitution.. 

The Armenian Declaration of Independence, consists of a four paragraphs long preamble, that express the “united will of the Armenian people”. Following the preamble, there are 12 distinct declarations. The document is available on line. (see note 1)

 The lady who raised the question rightfully noted that the government has repeatedly said that Armenia has no territorial demands from Azerbaijan and that the Constitutional Court having on recently, on September 26, 2024 approved the border delimination and demarcation as being constitutional, affirmed the same. But, she continued commenting, Azerbaijan demands that the Armenian Constitution must be amanded because it makes territorial claims. She asked the PM to present to the public and to the National Assembly the Armenian government’s stand on this issue.

Nikol Pashinyan, in defense of the policies of his government, usually addresses the National Assembly without reading from a prepared text. But this time around he made an exception and read from a prepared text. Surely so, it is an issue that is vital to Armenia and to Armenians. Hopefully the text will be translated and presented to the public.

The PM noted the following:

First: The Azerbaijan government demand is based on the fact that in the preamble of the Armenian Declaration of Independence, there call for the “"Reunification of the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh", (see note 1). However, the Constitutional Court on September 26, 2024 in approving the constitutionality of the border demarcation of the delineation, noted that the Armenian Declaration of Independence was worded on August 20, 1990, and in the context of the time when Armenia was one of the 15 soviet socialist republics that made the Soviet Union. Armenia declared itself as a sovereign state on September 21, 1991 and adopted its constitution on 1995. There is a long gap between the Declaration of Independence and the free and independent Republic of Armenia with its constitution. There is no direct or indirect mention of any territorial demand in the constitution of Armenia.

Second: The PM noted that Azerbaijan makes note in its October 18, 1991 Constitutional Act to Azerbaijan declaration of independence on May 28, 1918 and on November 1919, Azerbaijan presented its territorial claim to The Entente, also known as the Triple Entente, which was an informal military alliance between France, Great Britain, and Russia that formed the basis for the Allied Powers in World War II. PM Pashinyan further noted as such Azerbaijan lays claim to 60% of the Republic of Armenia. 

But the PM noted that Armenia has not made Azerbaijan changing its constitution an issue for two reasons. First it will complicate the peace initiative. Second, the Crossroad for Peace initiative has provisions that claim the parties cannot make their internal stands as a pretext for subverting the peace initiative, and also the peace initiative stipulates that the parties do not have territorial ambitions from each other nor will they raise territorial claims from each other in the future.

 As for the ratification of the Crossroad for Peace initiative, The PM claimed that the process mandates that the agreement is approved by the National Assembly of Armenia. But prior to that, the agreement is sent to the Constitutional Court of Armenia to rule on the constitutionality of the agreement. If the Constitutional Court approves its constitutionality – as more likely than not it will approve given its September 26, 2024 approval of the constitutionality of the border demarcation and delineation - the agreement is presented to the National Assembly for ratification. However, should the Constitutional Court, rule that the agreement is not Constitutional, then the government, having already signed the agreement, may initiate amending the constitution, given that it has signed the agreement. It is naturally understood that the citizens of Armenia may or may not approve the proposed amendment or changes in the declaration of independence. 

The PM further noted that once the National Assembly ratifies the agreement, the agreement assumes higher legal force per article 5, part 3 of the Armenian Constitution that reads: “In case of conflict between the norms of international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia and those of laws, the norms of international treaties shall apply”.

Consequently, the PM said, Armenia has not asked Azerbaijan to amend its Constitution. By the same token within this context, there is no need to amend the Constitution of Armenia and the Declaration of Independence. 

Note 1: Declaration of Independence – Hrchagakir – Հրչակագիր: https://www.gov.am/en/independence/

Note 2: The PM discussing peace agreement in the National Assembly: https://www.facebook.com/nikol.pashinyan/videos/1141154374095638