Ashot Dzhazoyan
Russia
The Eurasian Media Forum has become an essential part of political and public life, not only among journalists in Central Asia, but also among the international media community. Today it's hard to imagine, that three years ago there were quite a number of skeptics, who considered this initiative to be inappropriate and not really timely.
Let's recall that the main idea of forum organizers was to assist in building dialogue between public leaders of East and West, finding a common language. But the tragedy of September 11, which happened in the middle of preparing for our first meeting, seemed have put an end to the possibility of any dialogue. Bloodshed caused more blood. American troops massively intruded into the countries of Central Asia. The entire world divided into followers and opponents of this crusade. Against the backdrop of the thunder of explosions and fire, appeals for peaceful dialogue were not heard. And the majority of people from both sides of the conflict did not see any sense in such dialogue at a time of war.
In such conditions it's amazing, that we managed to make the first Forum happen and to draw the attention of the world community to the issues on the agenda.
More dramatic conditions accompanied the preparations for the Second Forum: on the eve of its opening Anglo-American troops entered Iraq, and this war disturbed minds and divided the global community even more. Unfortunately, relatively quick and easy military victories in Afghanistan and Iraq considerably strengthened western public opinion that terrorism can be defeated by military means and that western cultural values can be implanted all over the world as global and universal ones. Unfortunately, these so-called "victorious" actions made redundant the prospect of dialogue on an equal footing.
But the Eurasian nations, unfortunately, have a bigger experience of conflicts and reconciliations. That's why initiators and regular participants of the Eurasian Media Forum had at that moment a clear understanding that the war against international terrorism will not only last for many years ahead, but will not bring success to those who started it, until all nations and states acknowledge terrorism to be their personal problem.
But for that to come about two things are needed.
Firstly, nobody should force anyone to take part in this war, nobody should command and instruct others however powerful they are.
Secondly, there should be another struggle parallel to the war against evil - the struggle for the consolidation of good, if you wish.
We would like to believe that understanding the necessity for global dialogue, the dialogue between cultures and civilizations will come to all, including the key players and ordinary participants in the present-day tragic events, who continue to rely only on power and a belief they are always right. We would like to believe that it will happen sooner than later, because every hour of delay is too expensive for humanity.
And we can say with confidence here that the organizers of the Forum have done a lot to make this happen faster. It is enough to look at the increasing interest in the Forum around the globe, despite all international tensions.
In connection with this, I would like to say the warmest words of support to Dariga Nazarbayeva, the author of the idea, prime mover behind the Forum and its main organizer. This tender, delicate woman turned out to have a very strong character. A true daughter of her nation, despite the problems with the freedom of speech, and constant criticism from many sides, she and her small team are very persistent in building this two-way road of communication between Europe - Asia. And I am honored to consider myself a part of this team.
I welcome all the participants of this year's Forum. If your first arrival in Almaty was considered to be just the start, it has now become a tradition. I would like to personally shake the hands of each of you and say: WE ARE TOGETHER.
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