Dear “Brave Nazar” Nikol, you were unlucky three times: Ruben Vardanyan has issued a statement

Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Artsakh, currently held in a Baku prison, has issued a statement that was conveyed during a phone call with his family.

Lao Tzu, §17 (6th–5th century BC): “The best ruler is one of whom the people know only that he exists. Somewhat worse are those rulers who demand that the people love and exalt them. Still worse are those whom the people fear, and worst of all are those whom the people despise. Therefore, he who is not trustworthy is not trusted by others. He who is thoughtful and restrained in his words accomplishes his deeds successfully, and the people say that he follows what is natural.”

May 25 is Ruben Vardanyan’s birthday. The third one in unlawful detention in Baku.

On this day, he addressed the Armenian people in the Armenian language.

At the end of his address, he speaks of service and uses the concept of “Dasa” (Sanskrit: dāsa) – “servant,” “devotee,” “one who has dedicated himself to service.” In Hermann Hesse’s The Glass Bead Game, this is the name of one of the spiritual figures of the protagonist, who travels the path from illusion to service.

“Dear compatriots,

Although it is not easy for me, I wish to address you in Armenian, because I consider it very important. From this place where I now find myself, I want to share five thoughts with you, in the hope that you will understand me correctly.

First, I want to remind you once again: the people elect Brave Nazar as their king, he does not make himself king. I want to remind all of us of this, so that we do not forget it.

Second, dear “Brave Nazar” Nikol, you were unlucky three times.

The first, I have loved reading since childhood, and in my youth one of my favorite authors was Erich Maria Remarque.

The second, during 800 days in a prison cell, I read a great deal, trying to preserve my Armenian language. I searched the library for books by Armenian authors. Unfortunately, the library contained only two books in Armenian: one by {Vardges} Petrosyan, and one by you. This surprised me greatly, I did not know you were such a well-known writer.

Having read your book, I became convinced that you not only have serious problems with moral and ethical standards, with education, and with other things, but that you are also a liar, a schemer, and a plagiarist. And I must say, this surprised me greatly, because as a journalist you should know: one must not steal another’s property, intellectual property, books. Yet you calmly proceeded to do so, and not just once.

And of course, your shortcomings, mistakes, and conduct cause me great sorrow. Unfortunately, I fear that you will pay a heavy price for what you are doing.

You know, in India people believe that after death a person is reborn into other people or animals. The greatest punishment for committing a great number of sins is considered to be rebirth as an earthworm, condemned to exist for 84,000 years. I fear that this very punishment awaits you. But I hope that you still have time, though perhaps it is already too late.

Third, I want to say that we all need to understand: today we stand before the most serious of challenges. This is not a question of elections. This is a question of the fact that the war is not over. The war continues. And it continues not in the form of military action, but in other forms.

Now, when attempts are being made to turn us into a bargaining chip between Russia and the European Union, the greatest danger lies in the fact that we will ultimately fall under the control of a third force.

This third force is simply waiting for the moment when we become dependent upon it: economically, financially, informationally, technologically, in every way – and become a vilayet of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

That is precisely their goal. They will advance toward it step by step, without physical or military action. And if anyone does not understand this, I want to say: we must all realize that if we do nothing, this scenario will come to pass very quickly.

We are in great danger. If we do not change our behavior, neither Russia nor the European Union awaits us. What awaits us is transformation into a Turkish vilayet.

Fourth, in these days there is discussion of preparations for a military parade to be held on May 28. I consider this immoral, because at this very moment our soldiers and officers are in captivity, sitting in Azerbaijani prisons.

I want to remind once more: an army is not built on parades, money, weapons, or ranks. Above all, it is built on spirit, moral and patriotic. And I call upon all true patriots of Armenia not to take part in this parade, because in a situation where our officers and soldiers are here, holding a parade is immoral.

This thought gives me no peace. I consider it immoral that our boys have been here for six years and have no opportunity to receive photographs, letters, or clothing from their families. Yet another problem is that Armenia does nothing. The defeated commander-in-chief takes no action to help these people at least feel that the state stands behind them.

Fifth, remember: the greatest danger is indifference. Indifference is more dangerous than any other vice. The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. The opposite of good is not evil, it is indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it is indifference. The opposite of life is not death, it is indifference.

In order to have a state of our own and to be proud to be its citizens, we must understand: no one owes us anything. We ourselves must not be indifferent, and we must do everything to preserve our state.

Each of us must understand: no one, not a single person, is capable of changing the situation alone. Only by uniting must we together do everything possible to preserve our country, so that we may have an independent state.

And in conclusion, I wish to say: my happiness lies in voluntarily serving God and being grateful to Him, in loving all people and everything around me, in overcoming temptation, in learning every second until my last breath, and in giving to the world everything I know and am able to do, repaying to God my unpayable debt for my happiness.

And I am happy that I am able to do all of this until my very last breath.

I am Dasa (Sanskrit: दास (dāsa) – servant, devotee) Ruben, son of Karlen and Irina, an Armenian who thinks in Russian, a member of the brotherhood of translators of meanings, a man who is happy to have the opportunity to dedicate his life to his Homeland and to the world, to serve all with love and faith in his heart.

And I want us all to understand: our future is in our own hands, and in no one else’s. I am certain that we can and will do everything possible so that this future may be bright, good, and founded upon principles and values.

And I hope that all those who today act wrongly and approach all that is happening with a mistaken outlook will understand this and change their ways. And if not, God be with them. I forgive everyone. I love everyone.

Thank you all. I am with you.” – he wrote.