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Books: `A Self-Criticism' by Monte Melkonian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2010/11/27/books-%E2%80%98a-self-criticism%E2%80%99-by-monte-melkonian/
Sat, Nov 27 2010
Translated by Seta Melkonian, edited by Gregory Topalian
London: Gomidas Institute, 2010, 66 pp.
ISBN 9781903656266, $14
Monte Melkonian became a famous military commander in the
Nagorno-Karabagh war in the 1990's, where he was killed in action in
1993. However, in the 1970's and 1980's 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,
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 in 1989, he traveled to Armenia and participated in the defense
of Armenians against Azerbaijanis over the disputed territory of
Nagorno-Karabagh.
In A Self-Criticism, Melkonian reflects on his earlier years in the
1970's and 1980s, starting from the defense 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 organizations of the 1970's. Melkonian's
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 1970's, especially ASALA. One can see that the
number of participants in the latter organization 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's work suggests that ASALA was a rigid organization, even a
dysfunctional one. One does not have to endorse or oppose Melkonian's
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's
Reality, which is due in the New Year.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.gomidas.org.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2010/11/27/books-%E2%80%98a-self-criticism%E2%80%99-by-monte-melkonian/
Sat, Nov 27 2010
Translated by Seta Melkonian, edited by Gregory Topalian
London: Gomidas Institute, 2010, 66 pp.
ISBN 9781903656266, $14
Monte Melkonian became a famous military commander in the
Nagorno-Karabagh war in the 1990's, where he was killed in action in
1993. However, in the 1970's and 1980's 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,
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 in 1989, he traveled to Armenia and participated in the defense
of Armenians against Azerbaijanis over the disputed territory of
Nagorno-Karabagh.
In A Self-Criticism, Melkonian reflects on his earlier years in the
1970's and 1980s, starting from the defense 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 organizations of the 1970's. Melkonian's
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 1970's, especially ASALA. One can see that the
number of participants in the latter organization 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's work suggests that ASALA was a rigid organization, even a
dysfunctional one. One does not have to endorse or oppose Melkonian's
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's
Reality, which is due in the New Year.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.gomidas.org.
From: A. Papazian