BAKU IS NEW DESTINATION FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
HAKOB BADALYAN

http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/28151
Politics - Friday, 23 November 2012, 16:54

The Armenian press has reacted to Raffi Hovannisian's visit to
Baku where he attended a meeting with an Asian headline and made
an impressive speech on the right of the people of Karabakh to
self-determination and urging Azerbaijan to recognize the independence
of Karabakh first.

It is impressive indeed. The Azerbaijani government may have even
discussed Raffi Hovhannisian's appeal, at least out of humanitarian
feelings. After all, the man has gone as far as Baku and made such a
statement, and it would be inconvenient not to state something like
this. Certainly, official Baku does have a sense of shame.

In fact, a visit to Baku requires courage, especially that Ramil
Safarov is in Baku and at large. Raffi Hovannisian has made a bald
step indeed.

However, the Armenian politicians should think on why they visit Baku.

Someone attends some Asian event, others attend socintern, yet others
attend some parliamentary meetings. Then they return to Armenia and
report their bold speeches in the capital of Azerbaijan showing Aliyev
and Azerbaijan their right place.

Certainly, their fame gets to Armenia before they will get to Armenia
in person and tell about their speeches. These people become "heroes
of peace", a modern equivalent of the Soviet "hero of socialist labor".

Armenia needs heroes indeed but is it worth visiting Baku...? Is it
necessary? Whenever the politicians of Armenia have no chance for
heroism in Armenia, they decide to leave the country in the quest for
fame and then remit heroism to Armenia and follow it to Armenia to
take a nap on their laurels. A lot of people sleep so tight that one
cannot wake them up and explain them that Armenia will need heroes
who will resolve the basic issues facing Armenia.

Meanwhile, the way to Baku should be left aside unless a politician is
going to Baku to return with an Armenian PoW or a sniper or commando of
the Azerbaijani army. As long as Armenian PoWs are kept and tortured
in that country and city, leaving for BAKU for heroism, out of love
for peace or democracy is idling around.

Meanwhile, had Raffi Hovannisian brought at least Ramil Safarov,
that would change the state of things and add value to his visit.

Otherwise, the time of the visit to Baku should be spent in Armenia
where there are so many things to be done by politicians.




From: A. Papazian