By Ishkhan Arutyunyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for VK
The statement made in Yerevan by Dmitry Kiselev, the director of the Russia Today international news agency, has become the most discussed topic of the month in Armenia. The Russian journalist said at the Armenian-Russian Parliamentary Club on June 1 that cooperation between Armenia and Russia in the defense sector will be reconsidered unless the Russian language gains a higher status in Armenia. Another instance highlighted by the Armenian mass media is of an anonymous taxi driver who, according to Kiselev, failed to name the fare for the ride in Russian.
“Pro-Western” Armenian media sources have presented the statement of the Russian guest to the public in an “improper manner.” The same sources starting flooding media with comments blaming the Armenian authorities for allowing Kiselev to tell them what language they should speak. They quickly reminded that most sessions with Russian guests in Yerevan were held in the Russian language. What makes the story all the more peculiar is that it happened after Armenia’s announcement about joining the Customs Union. The session attended by Kiselev was held in Russian, and no Armenian translation was made. The outraged public was even more stirred up by the violation of the law on language in the presence of legislators. The law says that all state offices and organizations in Armenia are obliged to provide synchronic translation of a public speech, official and other high-scale meetings.
Some “pro-Western” analysts have even called the Russian journalist’s words “another threat to Armenia’s sovereignty.” In other words, Kiselev’s words were interpreted for the benefit of “pro-Western” figures. Political analyst Sergey Minasyan characterized the reaction of political and public activists as over-emotional. The expert associates the public reaction with the social shock that followed Armenia’s announcement to join the Customs Union. Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov (Republican Party), attending the session on June 1, said that he saw no decline of the Russian language in Armenia. The MP noted that relations between Armenia and Russia were not in danger and were developing fast.
VK commentary: Yerevan has only two Russian-language schools today. Armenia has been receiving beneficial loans and free aid from Russia since the first day of its independence. The granted funds could be used to open more schools, especially considering that Armenia has no such intense economic ties with any other country. Economic and political benefits dictate the need to improve the status of the Russian language in Armenia. Evidently, Armenia likes receiving free financial support from Russia. But when such people as Kiselev and Leontyev attempt to submit a claim towards the Armenians, the closest friend of the Russian people, some propose banning them from visiting Armenia. This casts doubts on the sincerity of the Armenian authorities. It is noteworthy that only a strong politician like Vladimir Putin could impede the signing of an economic deal of Armenia with the West and start talks on membership in the Eurasian Union instead. In our opinion, the people treating Kiselev and Leontyev inappropriately should at least apologize to them. Concerning the Russian language, the language of Pushkin, Tolstoy, Lermontov, it should be cherished, and Russian speakers should be respected the way those great people respected Caucasians and the Caucasus. People should be just as sincere as they were in all aspects, especially friendship.
Dmitry Kiselev’s statement become top issue of the month in ArmeniaBy Ishkhan Arutyunyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for VKThe statement made in Yerevan by Dmitry Kiselev, the director of the Russia Today international news agency, has become the most discussed topic of the month in Armenia. The Russian journalist said at the Armenian-Russian Parliamentary Club on June 1 that cooperation between Armenia and Russia in the defense sector will be reconsidered unless the Russian language gains a higher status in Armenia. Another instance highlighted by the Armenian mass media is of an anonymous taxi driver who, according to Kiselev, failed to name the fare for the ride in Russian.“Pro-Western” Armenian media sources have presented the statement of the Russian guest to the public in an “improper manner.” The same sources starting flooding media with comments blaming the Armenian authorities for allowing Kiselev to tell them what language they should speak. They quickly reminded that most sessions with Russian guests in Yerevan were held in the Russian language. What makes the story all the more peculiar is that it happened after Armenia’s announcement about joining the Customs Union. The session attended by Kiselev was held in Russian, and no Armenian translation was made. The outraged public was even more stirred up by the violation of the law on language in the presence of legislators. The law says that all state offices and organizations in Armenia are obliged to provide synchronic translation of a public speech, official and other high-scale meetings.Some “pro-Western” analysts have even called the Russian journalist’s words “another threat to Armenia’s sovereignty.” In other words, Kiselev’s words were interpreted for the benefit of “pro-Western” figures. Political analyst Sergey Minasyan characterized the reaction of political and public activists as over-emotional. The expert associates the public reaction with the social shock that followed Armenia’s announcement to join the Customs Union. Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov (Republican Party), attending the session on June 1, said that he saw no decline of the Russian language in Armenia. The MP noted that relations between Armenia and Russia were not in danger and were developing fast.VK commentary: Yerevan has only two Russian-language schools today. Armenia has been receiving beneficial loans and free aid from Russia since the first day of its independence. The granted funds could be used to open more schools, especially considering that Armenia has no such intense economic ties with any other country. Economic and political benefits dictate the need to improve the status of the Russian language in Armenia. Evidently, Armenia likes receiving free financial support from Russia. But when such people as Kiselev and Leontyev attempt to submit a claim towards the Armenians, the closest friend of the Russian people, some propose banning them from visiting Armenia. This casts doubts on the sincerity of the Armenian authorities. It is noteworthy that only a strong politician like Vladimir Putin could impede the signing of an economic deal of Armenia with the West and start talks on membership in the Eurasian Union instead. In our opinion, the people treating Kiselev and Leontyev inappropriately should at least apologize to them. Concerning the Russian language, the language of Pushkin, Tolstoy, Lermontov, it should be cherished, and Russian speakers should be respected the way those great people respected Caucasians and the Caucasus. People should be just as sincere as they were in all aspects, especially friendshi
