Arminfo.info


 Monday, March 17 2025 11:35
Marianna Mkrtchyan

International lawyer Jared Genser calls on Armenian leadership to  `see this post from President Donald Trump`s NSA Mike Waltz` 

International lawyer Jared Genser calls on Armenian leadership to  `see this post from President Donald Trump`s NSA Mike Waltz` 

ArmInfo. International human rights lawyer Jared Genser has posted the following message on his X account: 

"Dear Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Foreign Minister Ararat  Mirzoyan, please see this post from President Donald Trump's NSA Mike  Waltz. He emphasizes not only the need to finalize the peace treaty  with Azerbaijan but ALSO for the release of the Armenian Christian  prisoners. I trust you fully agree with the Trump Administration on  this key point."

On March 16, Vardanyan's family published the third and final message  from Ruben Vardanyan from the Baku dungeons. In it, Vardanyan shares  a personal story that became one of the key lessons in his life. We  present it with slight abbreviations: "

"Today I want to share with you one very personal story that played a  huge role in shaping me as a person.  And it happened to me in  Azerbaijan almost 39 years ago.

"I, like all young men who reached 18 years of age in the Soviet  Union at that time, even if they were students, was drafted into the  Soviet Army, and I, having completed my first year at Moscow State  University, at the end of June after passing my exams, found myself  at a recruiting station in Moscow.  After long adventures, at the  beginning of July, I and several hundred other people ended up in the  suburbs of Baku, in Balajari. That was the first and only time I  found myself in the Azerbaijan SSR. It was a distribution point.

Then a warrant officer came up to me and offered to send me to serve  in Armenia for 300 rubles. That was a lot of money then, and I said I  didn't have that amount. Three days later, when we were about to be  finally assigned to military units, he came up to me again and said,  okay, give me at least 50 rubles, apparently not having found anyone  else. I replied that I only had 27 rubles. He left dissatisfied,  saying that it was impossible.

I told this story to the guys I had met during our long journey from  Moscow to Baku. Just as a funny episode. Suddenly, 15 minutes later,  six or seven guys, after consulting, came up to me and gave me 23  rubles and said that they wanted me to at least serve at home, and  they would be happy about that, and they smiled.

I knew that they were giving away their last money - stashes for  cigarettes, because none of them were from well-off families, and  three or five rubles were very significant money for them. So, thanks  to guys I hardly knew - I only knew one of them briefly from Moscow  State University - of a different nationality, who owed me nothing, I  went to Armenia and served two years in Leninakan.

Many times I thought about this episode in my life and asked myself  three questions. Am I ready to give my last money or my last piece of  bread to help someone else? Not one million out of a billion, but  really my last. Secondly, will I be able to rejoice in the fact that  someone will go home to serve because of you, and you will remain in  an unfamiliar environment and will longingly remember your homeland,  your native places and loved ones, whom you may not see for two  years? And thirdly: am I ready not to expect gratitude in return (we  did not even exchange addresses) and not to feel that someone owes  you for what you did?

This story became one of my reference points, which shaped me as I am  now.

Firstly, today I would like to express enormous words of gratitude to  them, not knowing whether they are alive and how their fate turned  out. But if they hear my story, they should know that I always  remember those 23 rubles, that they did it for me absolutely  selflessly and I will never forget it. Secondly, I want you to know  that thanks to you I understood that doing good is not an investment,  but simply doing it, passing on like a baton what others have done  for you, and being happy about it. And I am happy that my wife and I  have given almost all of our wealth to charity and our children have  understood and accepted this.

I am convinced that good is eternal and immortal and it increases  many times over when you do it anonymously and do not expect anything  in return. And in my life, many people I know and do not know have  done this, and I am very grateful to them. And I have tried to do  this as much as I can.

Evil is of course mortal and therefore so aggressive, spectacular and  attracts attention. Because it increases and becomes stronger when  you respond to evil with evil. And it is easier for people to  discuss, unfortunately, and remember the bad than the good, to gossip  and write books, make films. It is more diverse and attracts more  attention even in the news. We read more bad news than good.

But remember: if there were less good, light, love than evil, the  world would have ceased to exist long ago.  Giving everything you  have, know, and can do to others, without hoarding, without becoming  a slave to the golden calf, your passions and desires - this, in my  opinion, is the meaning of life, a question that so often torments  many of us, because this is how we increase the good and light in the  world for everyone.

We come into the world naked and leave naked, taking nothing with us  to the grave. Even the pharaohs could not avoid this. Forgive as we  want to be forgiven when we do something wrong, and do not demand  punishment from others, but ask forgiveness for yourself. And do to  others as you would like to be done to you - this is the golden  rule."  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Roman Berezovsky: I believe that Roman Berezovsky: I believe that "Ararat-Armenia" will soon qualify for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in history
Armenia`s Deputy FM outlines country`s priorities for COP17 on  biodiversityArmenia`s Deputy FM outlines country`s priorities for COP17 on  biodiversity
Bishops of Armenian Apostolic Church in Syria, Germany, and Iraq  express support for Catholicos Karekin IIBishops of Armenian Apostolic Church in Syria, Germany, and Iraq  express support for Catholicos Karekin II
Pashinyan participates in narrow-format meeting of the Eurasian  Intergovernmental CouncilPashinyan participates in narrow-format meeting of the Eurasian  Intergovernmental Council
Armenia and Russia are ready to further develop interparliamentary  cooperationArmenia and Russia are ready to further develop interparliamentary  cooperation
"Strong Armenia" to miss  parliamentary session due to  trial of   Catholicos Karekin II
RF MFA rep: Socio-economic consequences of Armenia`s RF MFA rep: Socio-economic consequences of Armenia`s "jump" into  Europe  are being concealed from the Armenian people
Moody’s changes the outlook on IDBank’s ratings to positiveMoody’s changes the outlook on IDBank’s ratings to positive
NA Deputy Speaker: No idea what agenda the opposition is followingNA Deputy Speaker: No idea what agenda the opposition is following
Parents of conscripts demand  shorter military terms for all  servicemenParents of conscripts demand  shorter military terms for all  servicemen
RA Investigative Committee reports  extortion case of $2.5 million by  Gagik TsarukyanRA Investigative Committee reports  extortion case of $2.5 million by  Gagik Tsarukyan
The Initiative of Five Human Rights Defenders strongly condemns the  unthinkable trial of the Catholicos, calling it an attack on the  Armenian Apostolic ChurchThe Initiative of Five Human Rights Defenders strongly condemns the  unthinkable trial of the Catholicos, calling it an attack on the  Armenian Apostolic Church
Docomomo: Excluding the old Zvartnots airport building from the list  of monuments sets a dangerous precedentDocomomo: Excluding the old Zvartnots airport building from the list  of monuments sets a dangerous precedent
Government to allocate AMD 5.6 bln to ensure  continued  implementation of kindergarten construction programs in  regionsGovernment to allocate AMD 5.6 bln to ensure  continued  implementation of kindergarten construction programs in  regions
 NDP Council condemns criminal prosecution of Catholicos of All  Armenians and senior clergy NDP Council condemns criminal prosecution of Catholicos of All  Armenians and senior clergy
Islamabad attaches great importance to strengthening ties with  Moscow, Yerevan, and Baku - AmbassadorIslamabad attaches great importance to strengthening ties with  Moscow, Yerevan, and Baku - Ambassador
Narek Karapetyan: Armenia must achieve Narek Karapetyan: Armenia must achieve "economic peace" with Russia  through diplomatic means
Narek Karapetyan: Only the proposals of the Narek Karapetyan: Only the proposals of the "Strong Armenia" faction  will bring change to the country and lift 600,000 people out of  poverty
Srbuhi Galyan: No conceptual changes regarding the Church envisaged  in the new ConstitutionSrbuhi Galyan: No conceptual changes regarding the Church envisaged  in the new Constitution
Armenia`s Prime Minister makes a number of appointmentsArmenia`s Prime Minister makes a number of appointments
 "In Baku, we gave a worthy rebuff to the false claims regarding the  past and present of our people" – Former Artsakh Parliament Speaker  from Baku captivity 
Strategic partnership between Georgia and Armenia based on mutual  trust and shared interestsStrategic partnership between Georgia and Armenia based on mutual  trust and shared interests
 Baku Court of Appeals upholds sentences handed down against former  military and political leaders of Artsakh Baku Court of Appeals upholds sentences handed down against former  military and political leaders of Artsakh
Lawyer: Catholicos of All Armenians and bishops involved in case to  participate in first court hearingLawyer: Catholicos of All Armenians and bishops involved in case to  participate in first court hearing
Issue of basic human rights of prisoners remains unresolved in  ArmeniaIssue of basic human rights of prisoners remains unresolved in  Armenia
Compromises in education must be abandoned - RA premier Compromises in education must be abandoned - RA premier 
RA NA to continue its discussions on candidate for NA vice-speakerRA NA to continue its discussions on candidate for NA vice-speaker
Russia, Armenia discuss opening new diplomatic missionsRussia, Armenia discuss opening new diplomatic missions
RA premier travels to KyrgyzstanRA premier travels to Kyrgyzstan
Following Cannes, TIFF honors world cinema classic Artavazd PeleshyanFollowing Cannes, TIFF honors world cinema classic Artavazd Peleshyan
 As part of 35th anniversary of independence, RA diplomatic missions  plan to hold events As part of 35th anniversary of independence, RA diplomatic missions  plan to hold events
Names of three ministries in Armenia to be changedNames of three ministries in Armenia to be changed
President of Turkmenistan received Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss ConfederationPresident of Turkmenistan received Vice President and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation
$2bln illegally acquired property must be returned to public between  2026 and 2031$2bln illegally acquired property must be returned to public between  2026 and 2031
Pashinyan discusses draft Government Program for 2026-2031Pashinyan discusses draft Government Program for 2026-2031
Mher Grigoryan, Aryeh Lightstone discuss TRIPP projectMher Grigoryan, Aryeh Lightstone discuss TRIPP project
Atmosphere in the session hall escalates after exchanges of insults  between ruling party and opposition deputies Atmosphere in the session hall escalates after exchanges of insults  between ruling party and opposition deputies 
Armenian students win 4 medals at  international mathematics  competitionArmenian students win 4 medals at  international mathematics  competition
Hajiyev: Official Baku welcomes the concept of a Hajiyev: Official Baku welcomes the concept of a "Real Armenia"  adopted by Yerevan
PACE reaffirms its readiness for close cooperate with  the RA  National Assembly in promoting shared values of democracy, human  rights, and the rule of lawPACE reaffirms its readiness for close cooperate with  the RA  National Assembly in promoting shared values of democracy, human  rights, and the rule of law
RA Constitutional Court  to consider  compliance of  TRIPP agreement  with Armenia`s ConstitutionRA Constitutional Court  to consider  compliance of  TRIPP agreement  with Armenia`s Constitution
Vahagn Aleksanyan elected Deputy Speaker of  National Assembly Vahagn Aleksanyan elected Deputy Speaker of  National Assembly 
IDBank Introduces the New Mastercard World Card with Exclusive Travel Benefits and a Special Launch CampaignIDBank Introduces the New Mastercard World Card with Exclusive Travel Benefits and a Special Launch Campaign
Converse Bank and Visa expand their strategic partnership to introduce new customer solutions Converse Bank and Visa expand their strategic partnership to introduce new customer solutions 
Cisco Networking Academy summer educational camp opens in Engineering  CityCisco Networking Academy summer educational camp opens in Engineering  City
Pashinyan, U.S. Special Envoy Advisor  discuss TRIPP project Pashinyan, U.S. Special Envoy Advisor  discuss TRIPP project 
Second criminal case initiated against Kamo Areyan, Advisor of  Yerevan Mayor Second criminal case initiated against Kamo Areyan, Advisor of  Yerevan Mayor 
Ruling Party MP: Abandoning the Karabakh movement is first and  foremost a necessity for usRuling Party MP: Abandoning the Karabakh movement is first and  foremost a necessity for us
Court satisfies Prosecutor`s Office claim to confiscate property of  former Governor of Aragatsotn Province Court satisfies Prosecutor`s Office claim to confiscate property of  former Governor of Aragatsotn Province 
Former CEO of Former CEO of "Multi Group"concern Sedrak Arustamyan detained
Yerevan authorities continue to develop inclusive servicesYerevan authorities continue to develop inclusive services
Opposition`s thesis on authorities surrendering territories worked  only for a short time after the war—Taron ChakhoyanOpposition`s thesis on authorities surrendering territories worked  only for a short time after the war—Taron Chakhoyan
Lawyers for Lawyers for "Mother Armenia" party leader appeal first-instance court  decision
Multi Wellness complex to challenge Yerevan Municipality`s decision  to prematurely terminate lease agreement in courtMulti Wellness complex to challenge Yerevan Municipality`s decision  to prematurely terminate lease agreement in court
Avetik Chalabyan: Armenia`s historic crossroads—integration into the  Turkic World or defense of statehood with Russian and allied support Avetik Chalabyan: Armenia`s historic crossroads—integration into the  Turkic World or defense of statehood with Russian and allied support 
Second Armenian-Turkish meeting on restoration of Ani Bridge held in  YerevanSecond Armenian-Turkish meeting on restoration of Ani Bridge held in  Yerevan
RA Ministry of Internal Affairs warns citizens about rise in  apartment rental fraudRA Ministry of Internal Affairs warns citizens about rise in  apartment rental fraud
Ceremony to form parliamentary friendship group with Armenia held in  Chamber of Deputies of ArgentinaCeremony to form parliamentary friendship group with Armenia held in  Chamber of Deputies of Argentina
 Armenia, U.S. considering prospects for Armenia`s integration into  system of international transport and infrastructure links - MFA Armenia, U.S. considering prospects for Armenia`s integration into  system of international transport and infrastructure links - MFA
 RA Deputy Interior Minister discusses bilateral issues with  representative of JICA office RA Deputy Interior Minister discusses bilateral issues with  representative of JICA office
Read more



Commented