IT IS NOT DANGEROUS TO SPEAK WITH ARMENIAN ACCENT IN KAZAKHSTAN

PanARMENIAN.Net - The congress preparation was hold in three organizational centers-Almati, Moscow and London. Dariga Nazarbayeva herself coordinated the work in Kazakhstan’s capital, Jazoian with the “Mir” International TV Company president Gadilbek Shalahmetov were responsible for the CIS countries and all the contacts with Western partners were established by the Armenian ex-Premier, whose wide connections were very useful. Neither Sarkisian, nor Jazoian represented Armenia officially as the first lives and works in London, the second in Moscow. Despite that, it is apparent that their key role in the organization of the congress was taken as our country’s striving for active participation in the Eurasian integration processes. By the way, only two out of seven Armenians participating in the congress arrived from Armenia. But the united Armenian group was one of the most representative at the forum. (It is noteworthy that the only former USSR country that was not represented at the Congress was Azerbaijan.)

The establishment of the international fund and the holding of the first media forum is not simply a way to urge journalists from Europe and Asia to cooperate. The successfully realized initiative of Dariga Nazarbayeva, who is by the way called the second or the third figure in Kazakhstan, might become a tool able to influence the political situation in the region. It is completely obvious, the holding of the grand forum at the continental level that not only president Nazarbayev but also Irani head Mohammad Khatami honored with their presence, is the next bid of Kazakhstan for the role of the regional superpower. The statements of Dariga Nazarbayeva that next congresses will be also held in Kazakhstan emphasize, first of all, the political importance of the event. So, it looks as if Kazakhstan becomes the center of the Eurasian media-community. The fund founders including influential organizations and media representatives from both the East and the West are not against it at all.

It is quite natural that Astana’s claims for predominance cause worries of particularly Pakistani and Turk peoples. The influence of Kazakhstan increasing year by year can result in that the Astana’s policy might become completely self-dependent factor that has to be considered. This, of course, does not please those neighbors that count on creating atmosphere in this former USSR part. In contrary, this perspective suits Armenia perfectly. Since Kazakhstan, that is the eighth largest country in the world and the fourth in Eurasia is a friendly country for us as we are connected with partnership within the CIS and the CSP. Although the five-star hotel where the forum was taking place was called “Ankara”, it is evident, that Astana aims at avoiding dependency from Turkey that is a hostile country to us. The Kazakhstan’s leadership in the Central Asian region may hinder the increase of Turkish influence in this part of the continent.

In the world, the clear perception of that the Turkic culture is not the one created in Anatolia due to plagiarism of Armenian, Greek and Arab cultures. The Turkic-speaking peoples of the East, in contrast to related nations of the West, have created their culture on their own. The example of Kazakh people convinces of that it is easier to achieve a several status in the world being guided with values common to all mankind and not contradicting them. And although there are not more Kazakh people than Armenians in the world, they have all the chances to become the leading nation of the Turkic world.

One of the key avowed goals of the Eurasian forum is “the creation of a platform for the East-West dialog”. It cannot be said to what extent this purpose is achievable, but it is obvious, that the forum was really a great help in forming of the dialogue of the structures of the West and East Armenian Diasporas. In one of the forum days, the meeting of the Armenian forum participants with the Armenians residing in Almati took place on the initiative of our ambassador to Kazakhstan Eduard Khurshudian. At the meeting, businessman and publisher from the Great Britain Asadur Gyuzelian promised to assist in obtaining funds for the building of the Armenian cultural center in the “South capital” of the country. The city administration already provided the territory for the construction. The solemn ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone was held in late March.

There are nine Armenian national-cultural organizations in Kazakhstan at present. The Almati one is the largest. About four thousand Armenians live in the city and in the suburbs. “Luys” organization established by them in 1991 is headed by Rudik Mnatcakanian, the director of the largest winery in Kazakhstan. Another famous wine-maker in the country, “Bakhus” company president Artush Karapetian is another active community figure. General Vachagan Vlasian, producer of one of the best Almati theaters, national artist of Kazakhstan Ruben Andreasian, the founder of the first Uigur theater Sergey Boshian and many others participate in the activities of the cultural center. Armenians in Kazakhstan have always had the opportunities to display their potential. It is enough only to remember that the first head of the Kazakh state - the chairman of the Kazakh SSR Council of People’s Commissars - was Levon Mirzoian. In his time, Artem Vardanian was the deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the republic. Mikhail Ter-Vartanov was the highways first deputy minister, Georgy Arakelov was the communication deputy minister. Yewgeny Yejikov-Babakhanov who was the second figure in the government of sovereign Kazakhstan in 1991-93 is also our compatriot.

Despite the long distance between Yerevan and Astana, we have pretty close relations. “Armenia-Kazakhstan relations resemble Platonic love”, Ambassador of Armenia Eduard Khurshudian has recently stated in his interview with “Kontinent” Almati magazine. In his case, Platonic love has turned to real. The diplomat’s two children, who remind of both their father-Armenian and mother-Kazakh woman is the proof of it.