Hello dear Mr. Bush,
A group of Armenian children who know you and have already felt your great love and warm attitude towards the children of all nations, are writing to you with alarm and hope.
It allows us to tell you, the protector of children, about our concerns, and disappointments, as well as hope for your help.
In the most tragic days for the Armenian people, when all of us had shrunk with fear and sorrow under our family roofs, looking for comfort and explanation in the soothing words of our parents, our fathers did not return home.
We knew, that they had hurried to the places affected by the earthquake in order to help, they had no sleep and rest and were not sparing themselves. We were told and were thinking, that they were still working in the disaster area. But we soon realized that they had lied to us.
Everyone calls our fathers Members of the Armenian Committee of the Karabakh Movement. It’s already a year since they have been leading the struggle of the Armenian people to unite Kharabakh with Armenia. We know that it is a fair fight, all Armenians have been with them. Every Armenian knew them, on the street, on the bus, at school. We were proud of them in front of our classmates, and frankly speaking, a little bit surprised, that our ordinary, kind and beloved fathers were so loved, too much loved by everyone. That’s why we were taught never to become arrogant, never to do bad things, because our fathers would feel uncomfortable in front of the people. And at home they were the fathers who loved us, punished us, played with us and taught us so much They were teaching us that one must always struggle for justice and welfare of his nation, as best as he can, to the utmost of his abilities. God had empowered our fathers with these abilities much, and they were struggling the most. Our fathers were hinting that they would be persecuted for justice. We were thinking that maybe, the sleepless nights or the little time they had for us were the persecution.
Alas, the most horrible thing happened.
They were hiding something from us, they were hiding it very carefully…
We accidentally learned that they had been imprisoned. At that time, everyone was assuring us that they would be released soon, at Christmas time, on 16th of January. And those days were passing so slowly…So, we didn’t celebrate the New Year, and Santa Claus probably knew that we wouldn’t take his presents, so he didn’t bring any. Then, the most horrible thing began, night visits, perquisitions. At nights, people were coming, interrogating our mothers, turning our houses upside down, searching for something. Our mothers were crying. On the street, at school everyone sympathizes with us, secretly wiping away their tears. Everyone wants to know, what news we have?”
We have no news from our fathers. Our mothers have told us that we are mature people, and should not cry, they have told us not to be afraid, because despite this great grief all the Armenian people support the Committee, everyone writes letters and applications, for releasing our fathers immediately. Nevertheless, we have no information about them. People say that our fathers have been taken to Moscow, to a psychiatric hospital they say even worse things.
We know that our honest fathers have never done anything wrong, never. It was them telling us that justice will win. But when?… Do you know that we, the children were thinking of organizing a protest to make them release our fathers, but the situation in Yerevan is so terrible, that it is scary even in movies. We go to school in fear, because there are tanks on the streets and countless soldiers on the pavements, with real guns. We have been warned and told that they shoot and beat people with batons.
Dear grandfather,
We write to you as directly and sincerely as if we know you. We know that you are a great person in the world, so it seems to us that you can help us bring our fathers back. We think that your one word, your one small request is enough for having our fathers back.
Please, do this for us.
Except for our fathers’ freedom, we pray for you and your family.
P.S. By the way, dear grandfather, will you also set free those who have not yet had children
With hope and anticipation
Vazgen Manukyan Astghik – 15 years old
Manukyan Arevik – 10 years old
Manukyan Nvard – 5 years old
Ashot Manucharyan Levon – 3 years old
Levon Ter-Petrosyan Davit – 15 years old
Samvel Gevorgyan Vahik – 15 years old
Gevorgyan Sona – 12 years old
Babken Araktsyan Astghik – 17 years old
Araktsyan Vanane – 4 years old
Araktsyan Gurgen – 1 years old
Davit Vardanyan Arpenik – 6 years old
Vardanyan Satenik – 1 years old
Xachik Stamboltsyan Lilit – 14 years old
Stamboltsyan Vardan – 4 years old
Alexsan Hakobyan Hripsime – 7 years old
Hakobyan Davit – 5 years old
Hakobyan Stepan – 3 years old
Hakobyan Tsolak – 8 months
Vano Siradeghyan Arpi – 15 years old
Siradeghyan Davit – 11 years old
Sorce: Archive of Hambardzum.am
Translator: Lianna Sargsyan.