Social Democrat Hunchakian party Leader Comrade Hampig Sarafian, A tolerant balanced politician of dialog

One Day in Beirut – Lebanon, probably in the year 2010, near the Armenian populated areas of Hadjen, My neighbor Comrade Hovhannes Djeredjian, also known as Comrade Shiraz, wanted to pass me a political message

Comrade Shiraz was one of the most efficient active members of the Social Democrat Hunchak Party in creating the Dekhrouni Student & Youth Association in Lebanon

Comrade Shiraz told me a story of his youth at the age of passion, enthusiasm and impulsive approach, Now Comrade Shiraz Starts his story

“We Hunchakians were gathered at Homenmen Beirut to an event where the historical leader of the hunchakians, chairman of the party central committee Comrade Harutyun Gujuni was delivering a speech, when suddenly one of the Hunchakians made an angry frustrated louc criticism of Comrade Gujuni

I (Comrade Shiraz ) and several  other young members stood up to silence the rebellion voice, when  Comrade Gujuni rebuked us  all and strictly and firmly ordered us to stand down, in a commanding fierce tone

At the end of the meeting, We were all surprised and astonished, to see Comrade Gujuni walk out of the hall, side by side by the supporter who was protesting in rage a while ago, in peace, harmony and friendly conversation,  with each person’s hand over the others shoulder”

Comrade Shiraz here ended his story, and then he concluded
“Comrade Bedik, Now do you see what I mean, this is the kind of character, personality, flexibility and unique qualities that a leader should enjoy, and this is the true metal of a leader, a leader must absorb all situations, we saw in Comrade Gujuni a wizard, a magician, who was always able to correctly read and absorb the situation, and capture the hearts of our partisans and supporters”

I did understand what Comrade Shiraz said, I also thought about it, all this was on the mental level, but on true emotional level, that it would penetrate my essence and conscience,  to fully absorb Comrade Shirazes message profound deep level, I had to wait until the end of January 2022

On January 2022, news arrived, the chairman of the Social Democrat Hunchak Party central committee had arrived to Yerevan, Comrade Hampig Sarafian, and he had asked to meet with the supporters of the Hunchak party and H.M.M, I was asked to assist in informing as much as supporters as I can, since I am active on whatsapp, which I tried my best

Even though I did assist and informed supporters I knew in Armenia, I had some deep observations, I was displeased with some of the party decisions and policies

I am an emotional person; my character and personality are described as someone emotional, often revolutionary, who speaks my mind, and the thought of meeting with Comrade Sarafian for the first time ever filled my heart with conflicting emotions

Poetical emotional approach took over me, my head was filled with romantic visions, I placed a picture of Samsun and David battling on social media, needless to say, I imagined myself as David challenging the Giant Samsun, who was naturally the experienced leader of the party, I argued with myself, my mind warned me not to try to argue with the leader in such a circumstance, my emotions and ego urged me to prove my identity establishment as someone who has his own free ideas

On Saturday evening, I arrived to the party headquarters in Apovyan, Yerevan, and while I was outside surrounded by comrades from Beirut I knew since the90’s, and we started to take pictures together, one thought haunted me, will I lose some of my brothers that night, due to arguing which might developer to unpleasant situations

At that time, a young comrade, who is very clever and smart, proved his wisdom to me, others knew nothing of my ideological upset, but he did, he came to me with smart clever eyes, stared to my eyes, and said to me:

“Peter, our elder comrade has come to speak words from his heart, to people close to his heart, We”

I understood very clearly what he wanted to say, he was also worried that I might choose nostalgia and passion, over wisdom and restrain, while others were speaking carelessly, never having an idea of the internal storm and inner conflict inside my heart and soul. And the battle between my ego and my political pragmatism and realism, I was thinking and analyzing my comrades request/advise

Finally we entered the room, I saw Comrade Sarafian, he was having a short conversation with Comrade Missak Nadjarian, president of HMM Sports club,I wondered if he had been told that I might be an upset stubborn supporter who might try to make some negative noise, I approached him, and asked him, “Hello, I am Peter Manoukian, we never met, maybe you have heard about me”

Comrade Sarafian stared at my face, thought for a moment, and said, “No, sorry, I honestly have not”

I checked two things, first his face expression, I was under the impression that he was sincere and in fact he never heard about me

The second thing I checked was my ego, to see if the leaders answer that he has not heard about the devoted passionate online propagandist of the party, hurt my ego, I saw that it was not hurt or provoked, so my ego was under control, and egos so often lead to wrong steps and choices

A while later we entered the meeting, I intentionally waited before entering, I wanted to make sure I would seat near the young comrade with advise

After Comrade Sarafian gave a short speech, it was time for him to answer questions from us, our concerns,  ideas, suggestions, questions, I asked permission to ask a question, as I spoke, I could see from the blink of my eye that the young comrade looked surprised, worried and focused, he was concerned

When I started speaking, I was surprised, suddenly my tone was very tense and heavy, I was surprised because during much more challenging political discussion I was always calm and relaxed,  The last time I had a trembling tension in my voice was 1994

At even the very start of my question, another comrade interrupted me, he argued that my question was not in place, I suddenly felt furious, I turned to the comrade with blazing eyes, I was electrified, the room atmosphere suddenly was electrified, while the young comrade seating next to me, his eyes were full of an electrifying look as well

At that very moment, both comrades Sarafian and Nadjarian read the situation very accurately, they rebuked the interrupting comrade, I still remember the moment like it was today, Comrade Sarafian rebuked him with firm words, “ What is it that you want, let the comrade speak, let us hear what the comrade has to say”

During these few seconds,  I reprogrammed my question in my mind, “ Comrade Sarafian, on August 10 2021, you met with the prime minister of the republic of Armenia” I asked, and noticed that the tension in my voice was doubled, It  exposed my agitation

He shook his head, “That is correct” he answered, I had previously decided to say, “I have deep reservations about this”, I decided to eliminate this phrase my question, in order to ease up the tension, both for me and the atmosphere

I carried on, “Comrade, we are a socialist party, the social economic situation in this country has not improved at all since the velvet revolution, which I participated in, as I understand now the party has good relations with the ruling party, how you raised the questions of Social justice with the current government”

The Comrade looked at me calmly, I saw his face, he made one notion of slightly shaking his head, I concluded one thing from his face expression and body language: “ Peter, I understand, I can understand your frustration and preservations, I sense that you are displeased, I can understand your concerns and ideas, I do not agree with them, but I understand them and your right to express them”

And right then I remembered Comrade Shiraz story, how I was now looking to another leader, another Gujuni, a true leader, one that understood, demonstrated tolerance, one who was flexible and someone aware and prepared for dialog and harmony with his comrades, even though they might disagree with them

And suddenly, after his answer that he is making efforts in this direction, I said

“I wish you luck and success in your relations and journey with the Civil contract rulers”

After that, we all carried our questions, and conversations

That Night,  I concluded that I met a leader, a true leader, a genuine leader, one who can ensure harmony and solidarity within the ranks of the party

Until today, I do not endorse our Democratic Socialist parties policy in favor of the current Liberal rulers in Yerevan, but after I met with Comrade Sarafian, I decided not to criticize it that fiercely, I wish them luck, our crossroads do not meet regarding this field,

But dialog between Armenians, al Armenians is important

And thus, my second question was the fact that inside the republic, dialog between Armenians is almost absent, and demagogue has taken over, and there needs to be a dialog between Armenians

I asked it very calmly and smoothly, and all night I had regained my clam smooth skills of moderate dialog

As I returned home the young comrade sent me a whatsapp and congratulated me for my moderate equilibrate balanced dialog

To conclude, the nation needs to hear each other, to reach out to each other, but let us leave that topic for another article shall we

Peter Manoukian

A Democratic Socialist and I would like to label myself – An element of the Armenian Opposition

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