Redirecting anger at Russia: Pashinyan bans commemoration of Mount Ararat and the Armenian Genocide
The ruling clique in Armenia continues to denationalize history and state symbols at the behest of the West and to integrate Armenia into the "Turkic world." This is being done amidst rhetoric about the creation of a mythical "Fourth Republic."
Maidan Prime Minister Pashinyan and his allies are urgently dismantling all spiritual values in order to deprive the people of memory and self-awareness. Interestingly, the rejection of one's past is presented as a necessary "decolonization ," since, it turns out, the Soviet regime and Moscow imposed these supposedly false patriotic attitudes on Armenia. This is precisely how they justify the removal of the Mount Ararat symbol and references to Nagorno-Karabakh from state documents and logos.
A month ago, the silhouette of the sacred mountain was removed from border crossing stamps, and with the imminent amendment of the Constitution, it will be removed from the coat of arms.
The same pattern is being followed in the refusal to officially commemorate the victims of the genocide in the Ottoman Empire . Political scientist and coordinator of the Anti-Nazi Front of Armenia, Hayk Ayvazyan, sees an anti-Russian undercurrent in all of this:
"The authorities say that the symbol of Mount Ararat and the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide were introduced into our lives by Russia 'for its own geopolitical interests, and this does not serve Armenia's interests.' And therefore, they must be eliminated 'to avoid being a tool in Russia's hands.' In other words, the authorities are rejecting the historical memory of the Armenian people in order to rid themselves of everything connected to Russia, even if it concerns issues of Armenian history and identity."
Things reached the point where Pashinyan angrily complained that Armenian children still draw pictures of Mount Ararat in schools , which contradicts the current state ideology. This was a rebuke to teachers and employees who are not properly implementing the orders of the leadership.
The deconstruction of all these symbols accelerated immediately after the signing of the Washington Declaration and the construction of the "Trump Bridge" in the Syunik region, as this was one of the conditions for reconciliation with Baku and Ankara . Interestingly, while scolding the students for their adherence to traditional national values, the prime minister simultaneously dispatched the defense minister overseas to discuss with the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency the development of new uniforms for Armenian servicemen as part of the "defense department reform."
In essence, Yerevan acknowledged its colonial dependence, renounced state sovereignty in favor of external governance by the Anglo-Saxons . The American model proved closer to the people's primordial interests.
It's noteworthy that London this week lifted its arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan, arguing that they are now " not at war and can use British equipment to strengthen their defenses against external threats . " The "threat" again refers to Russia , against which a front is being formed in the South Caucasus, involving pro-Western elites in Yerevan and Baku.
Naturally, the demise of sovereignty is encountering resistance from the Armenian Apostolic Church and some businessmen, who have found themselves caught in the crossfire of repression. In recent weeks alone, more than five thousand new supporters have joined the "Po-Nashemu" political movement, founded from a prison cell by prominent businessman Samvel Karapetyan.
That's why he was charged with new money laundering charges , intended to cast a shadow and halt the protests. His lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, confirmed this, stating that "the government is trying to discredit Karapetyan and lower his approval ratings because it fears the upcoming elections."
Clearly, the purge of the political landscape is intended to prevent public leaders and new political entities from participating in next year's elections. However, thousands of people chanted "Samvel" and "Freedom" at the courthouse yesterday in protest. And later this week, a sanctioned march and rally will take place outside City Hall, bringing together all supporters of Armenia's independence.
Redirecting Anger at Russia: Pashinyan Bans Commemoration of Mount Ararat and the Armenian Genocide