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PUTIN'S ANSWER TO EXCITED ARMENIANS
Yeghisheh Metsarents
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments27086.html
Published: 16:10:54 - 09/08/2012
On August 8, during the press conference that followed the meeting
of Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, an interesting incident which
at first sight seems to have nothing in common with politics revealed
more than political statements did. Presumably, each mass media outlet
had the opportunity of asking only one question.
The first question that was asked to the presidents concerned the
Olympic Games and the presidents' impressions about their national
teams. The person to ask the question underlined that the first gold
medal of Russia was won by a boxer of Armenian origin.
Although it is not noted in the Russian president's website who the
question asked, ostensibly it was an Armenian reporter. Since it was
the first question, the guests would most probably be invited to ask
it. Besides, judging by the content, the second question about the
recent Russian-Georgian war and whether he had called Medvedev from
Beijing could hardly be asked by an Armenian.
But Putin was not caught in the trap of the kind question of the
Armenian reporter and poured cold water on the Armenian excitement.
"We congratulate athletes for success in the Olympic Games regardless
of their ethnic origin", said Putin without saying anything about
the Russian Olympic Champion of Armenian origin.
In other words, Putin didn't promote the witty Armenian trends of
making Russia feel indebted to Armenia for the Olympic gold medals won
by Armenians. Putin obviously hinted that he does not pay attention
to the nationality of the champions.
Besides, Serzh Sargsyan answered. "Sure, for those people who
appreciate the Armenian-Russian partnership, Galstyan's victory is
an important symbol. It reiterates that we are stronger together".
No doubt, Serzh Sargsyan's answer was prepared before but the Armenian
side when working out this response didn't think Putin would be so
indifferent towards the "Armenian" victory.
Against the background of Putin's indifferent answer, Sargsyan's warm
answer become self-humiliating and the Armenians come out to be trying
to seize nice words from Russia on what happened. Putin ignores the
"Armenian gold", and Armenia is insisting.
It is interesting whether this circumstance will be a national lesson
to Armenians not to overvalue our weight to make its small size or
absence obvious. Maybe thanks to this lesson, in cases like this, the
situation will be more sober and pragmatic in order to avoid further
humiliation. The point is not only about our relations with Russia,
but with the whole world.
Photo from the official website of the Russian president
Yeghisheh Metsarents
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments27086.html
Published: 16:10:54 - 09/08/2012
On August 8, during the press conference that followed the meeting
of Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, an interesting incident which
at first sight seems to have nothing in common with politics revealed
more than political statements did. Presumably, each mass media outlet
had the opportunity of asking only one question.
The first question that was asked to the presidents concerned the
Olympic Games and the presidents' impressions about their national
teams. The person to ask the question underlined that the first gold
medal of Russia was won by a boxer of Armenian origin.
Although it is not noted in the Russian president's website who the
question asked, ostensibly it was an Armenian reporter. Since it was
the first question, the guests would most probably be invited to ask
it. Besides, judging by the content, the second question about the
recent Russian-Georgian war and whether he had called Medvedev from
Beijing could hardly be asked by an Armenian.
But Putin was not caught in the trap of the kind question of the
Armenian reporter and poured cold water on the Armenian excitement.
"We congratulate athletes for success in the Olympic Games regardless
of their ethnic origin", said Putin without saying anything about
the Russian Olympic Champion of Armenian origin.
In other words, Putin didn't promote the witty Armenian trends of
making Russia feel indebted to Armenia for the Olympic gold medals won
by Armenians. Putin obviously hinted that he does not pay attention
to the nationality of the champions.
Besides, Serzh Sargsyan answered. "Sure, for those people who
appreciate the Armenian-Russian partnership, Galstyan's victory is
an important symbol. It reiterates that we are stronger together".
No doubt, Serzh Sargsyan's answer was prepared before but the Armenian
side when working out this response didn't think Putin would be so
indifferent towards the "Armenian" victory.
Against the background of Putin's indifferent answer, Sargsyan's warm
answer become self-humiliating and the Armenians come out to be trying
to seize nice words from Russia on what happened. Putin ignores the
"Armenian gold", and Armenia is insisting.
It is interesting whether this circumstance will be a national lesson
to Armenians not to overvalue our weight to make its small size or
absence obvious. Maybe thanks to this lesson, in cases like this, the
situation will be more sober and pragmatic in order to avoid further
humiliation. The point is not only about our relations with Russia,
but with the whole world.
Photo from the official website of the Russian president