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"A SELF-CRITICISM" BY MONTE MELKONIAN
AZG DAILY #235
21-12-2010
Monte Melkonian became a famous military commander in the
Nagorno-Karabakh war in the 1990s, where he was killed in action
in 1993. However, in the 1970s and 1980s he was involved in Armenian
issues in a different way, defending Armenian civilians in the Lebanese
Civil War and later as a member of the Armenian Secret Army for the
Liberation of Armenia (ASALA).
As a member of the latter organisation, Melkonian was involved in
the assassination of several Turkish diplomats. He was arrested and
imprisoned in France for possession of falsified papers and carrying
an illegal handgun. On his release from prison (1989) he travelled
to Armenia and participated in the defence of Armenians against
Azerbaijanis over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In "A Self-Criticism" Melkonian reflects on his earlier years in the
1970s and 1980s, starting from the defence of Armenian lines during
the Lebanese civil war. Sometimes falling into ideological jargon, his
comments are forthright and he gives invaluable insights into one of
the most secretive terrorist organisations of the 1970s. Melkonian~Rs
own integrity comes to the fore in these accounts and he allows us
to unravel some of the myths and realities of the so-called Armenian
armed struggles of the 1970s, especially ASALA. One can see that the
number of participants in the latter organisation was smaller than
one might have expected, and the rank-and-file much more ideologically
driven and dedicated to broader struggles against western imperialism.
Melkonian~Rs work suggests that ASALA was a rigid organisation,
even a dysfunctional one.
One does not have to endorse or oppose Melkonian~Rs words, but there is
value in reading his views. A Self-Criticism is the sort of key text
that history is made up of and, as such, it is bound to lead to much
debate and controversy. The highly anticipated A Self Criticism will
be followed up by Melkonian~Rs Reality, which is due in the New Year.
Monte Melkonian, A Self-Criticism, translated by Seta Melkonian,
edited by Gregory Topalian, London: Gomidas Institute, 2010. 66 pp.,
ISBN 9781903656266, UK£10.00 / US$ 14.00.
For more details please contact [email protected] or visit
www.gomidas.org
From: A. Papazian
AZG DAILY #235
21-12-2010
Monte Melkonian became a famous military commander in the
Nagorno-Karabakh war in the 1990s, where he was killed in action
in 1993. However, in the 1970s and 1980s he was involved in Armenian
issues in a different way, defending Armenian civilians in the Lebanese
Civil War and later as a member of the Armenian Secret Army for the
Liberation of Armenia (ASALA).
As a member of the latter organisation, Melkonian was involved in
the assassination of several Turkish diplomats. He was arrested and
imprisoned in France for possession of falsified papers and carrying
an illegal handgun. On his release from prison (1989) he travelled
to Armenia and participated in the defence of Armenians against
Azerbaijanis over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In "A Self-Criticism" Melkonian reflects on his earlier years in the
1970s and 1980s, starting from the defence of Armenian lines during
the Lebanese civil war. Sometimes falling into ideological jargon, his
comments are forthright and he gives invaluable insights into one of
the most secretive terrorist organisations of the 1970s. Melkonian~Rs
own integrity comes to the fore in these accounts and he allows us
to unravel some of the myths and realities of the so-called Armenian
armed struggles of the 1970s, especially ASALA. One can see that the
number of participants in the latter organisation was smaller than
one might have expected, and the rank-and-file much more ideologically
driven and dedicated to broader struggles against western imperialism.
Melkonian~Rs work suggests that ASALA was a rigid organisation,
even a dysfunctional one.
One does not have to endorse or oppose Melkonian~Rs words, but there is
value in reading his views. A Self-Criticism is the sort of key text
that history is made up of and, as such, it is bound to lead to much
debate and controversy. The highly anticipated A Self Criticism will
be followed up by Melkonian~Rs Reality, which is due in the New Year.
Monte Melkonian, A Self-Criticism, translated by Seta Melkonian,
edited by Gregory Topalian, London: Gomidas Institute, 2010. 66 pp.,
ISBN 9781903656266, UK£10.00 / US$ 14.00.
For more details please contact [email protected] or visit
www.gomidas.org
From: A. Papazian