It Is Regrettable When We Compare Who Is Concerned About the Existence of the Nzhdeh Statue and Who Still Consider Nzhdeh a 'Nazi': MP

MP Sofia Hovsepian writes on her Facebook page: “Dear all, as I promised, I visited the city of Martuni in Artsakh, where a statue of Garegin Nzhdeh was installed a few days ago at the corner of Nzhdeh Street. This has caused concern among our enemy states, Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as some representatives from our friendly Russia. I must regretfully mention that the rumors circulating were true, that the Russian side, considering Nzhdeh a 'Nazi', suggested dismantling the statue. However, it is more regrettable when we compare who is worried about the existence of the Nzhdeh statue and who, to this day, has considered and continues to regard Nzhdeh as a 'Nazi':

1. Azerbaijan and Turkey (an obvious manipulation).
2. A number of Armenians sharing the ideas of the 'Soros' foundation.
3. Most surprisingly, our friendly Russia, represented by certain high-ranking officers.

I do not wish to put everyone on the same platform as we can distinctly separate friendship from enmity, but it turns out that the approaches of all three sides regarding Nzhdeh are the same or similar. A group of high-ranking Russian officers has expressed their opinion about Nzhdeh not only among the authorities of Artsakh but also among the citizens, which makes this approach more problematic from my perspective. One of the high-ranking officers expressed the thought: 'You have placed the statue of Nzhdeh next to a school, that children should resemble Nzhdeh, who was a Nazi, what do you want to teach those children?' (this is a rough idea).

I hope this is not the official opinion of Russia, and that the officers acted solely on their own initiative. I certainly do not share this opinion and lament, of course, that this cannot be the reality, but I asked to convey my question if this thought recurs: 'Did the students of the school named after Dzerzhinsky resemble Dzerzhinsky at the time, or do the students of the schools next to Leningrad Street resemble Lenin today? (No, because it is important who serves as an example for you)'. Regardless of whether there is a statue of Nzhdeh in schools or nearby areas, we share the Nzhdeh ideology and try to take his example as a unique devotee of his country and people. This is a very unthoughtful and inflexible approach, which contains a number of systemic problems. I believe that the Russian peacekeepers should exclusively fulfill their obligations within their mandate and should not try to intervene in our national and cultural space, respecting the traditions and values we have as an Armenian people and which we have lived by and will continue to live by.

I do not think they have thought long about allowing themselves such a statement, as they know very well who Nzhdeh was for the Armenian homeland, for the Armenian nation, and what a powerful ideology he created from which we should only learn. We respect your values and expect the same respect in return as a friendly state, as the Nzhdeh ideology and activities have exclusively served the benefit of his nation and state, which compels us to be dignified citizens. Respect our dignity, as we will not allow it to be trampled upon, no matter how much we are considered a defeated state today. … 'Bearing the mark of Armenia’s nature and history — I am Armenian. In my thoughts and feelings, however, I am a human being — a universal human.' — Nzhdeh.