Hovhannisian: Russian Fascist Themselves Don’t Know What They’re Say

HOVHANNISIAN: RUSSIAN FASCIST THEMSELVES DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Yerkir.am
June 09, 2006

The recent shows of racism in Russia, and especially the attacks
by skinheads at ethnic Armenians, seem to weaken the basics of the
Armenian-Russian relations.

While it is not reflected on the level of state relations, it is having
a strong impact on the society. The brotherly country is becoming a
place where Armenians do not feel comfortable.

“The Russian society has a low self-esteem because it has lost the
cold war,” says Vahan Hovhannisian. “That’s why the neo-fascism and
crime have covered Moscow. These losses could not but impact the
Russian society, especially when the economic growth is due to oil
prices and not industrial growth.”

“Russian fascists don’t understand well what they are saying. They
speak of the cleanness of the race without even realizing Mussolini
or General Franco would have been killed immediately if they entered
the Moscow subway because they look dark-skinned.”

The National Assembly vice-speaker says the Russian government does
not work efficiently enough to tackle the issue.