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1. I have found the articles of Michael Mensoian very well articulated, to the point, and thought provoking. The points and arguments he makes are right on target
   and derserve serious consideration.
   After his articles ” Where is the ARF of Our Fathers, Part I and II appreared, I was hoping that the ARF in Armenia and the ARF in the US (Eastern and Western) will have some reaction and elaborate further on the suggestions made by Mensoian; what they are doing about it, what is ARF Armenia’s platform for the upcoming elections in Armenia and what steps and measures are being taken to influence the future course in Armenia, especially the economical well being of our brothers and sisters in the Homeland.
   Sadly the silence is deafening. The ARF in the diaspora continues to mainly focus on Genocide recognition ( certainly a worthy cause but not the ultimate goal) and we hear very little about the activities of the ARF in Armenia.
   It certainly will be a very strong incentive and a moral boost to the Diaspora if we can get a communique from the ARF about their plans, goals and objectves for the upcoming elections.
   I do not know if members of the ARF CC’s read the Armenian Weekly regularly.
   May be the AW should send copies of Mensoian’s article to them. There is a lot of food for thought in them.
   Vart Adjemian

2. Thank you Dr. Mensoian, for articulating the direction needed by the ARF both in Armenia and the Diaspora. Certainly, they are and should be two arms of one body capable of performing both coordinated and independent actions. What is needed is an over-arching, central planning and decision making body/organ that manages their actions much like the brain and central nervous system permit our physical arms to at times clap together and at other times reach for two separate things at the same time.

3. Mensoian has great ideas, but what is not mentioned is the difficulty of both Hayasdan ARF and Diasporan ARF would face when trying to get the diaspora involved in Armenia’s politics. Let’s not forget the presidents Diasporan tour before the signing of the protocols, where he was met with thousands of Armenians around the world gathered in protest against the protocols. Although those demonstrations did raise awareness within Armenia, the ruling government did not take into consideration the diapaora’s stance.

   What I believe would bring political and economic change lies in each and every single diasporan Armenian; Repatriation, to counter the emigration and bring some of the skills and professions, obtained outside of the homeland into the homeland. But that too has it’s difficulties. Not social difficulties or economic but governmental and legal; pertaining to citizenship and laws. The ruling government can make it easier for diasporans to repatriate and settle in, but it doesn’t seem to be a priority even though the country would benefit significantly from the skills and professions that Diasporan Armenians can bring. I feel that the ruling government does not do a good job of promoting repatriation because I believe it would threaten the profit of the oligarchs, in a sense, by oligarch, I mean the current ruling government.

   Until the ARF, or any other selfless Armenian political party, gains significant power in the government, change will be difficult and slow. If the ruling party had as much determination in governing the country as the ARF does with Hay Tad; the country would progress much faster as well as the economy.

4. One final comment for the sake of clarification.
   The ARF worldwide is organized by country/region. Each counrtry/ region has its elected Central Committe(Getronagan Gomideh). The CC in Armenia is called “The Supreme Council of Armenia”.
   Above all the CC’s is the “Bureau”, which is now headquartered in Armenia.
   The tasks of central planning, coordinating, developing strategies, establishing guidelines and directives are the responsiblities and on the shoulders of the “Bureau”.
   The ARF’s in the diaspora for the past 120 years have done a formidable and superb job, in my opinion, focusing on two critical factors:
   1- Preserve, protect anf flourish the Armenian identity and heritage.
   2- Tirelessly pursue the recognition of the Genocide.
   The ARF’s in the Diaspora have been extremely active, very visible, and most importantly open and communicating with their communities.
   On the other hand, we hear very little about the ARF’s activities in Armenia.
   Even when we visit their web site, the information is meager and not impactful.
   Parliamentary elections are upcoming in Armenia. As Dr Mensoian states in his article, the ARF will remain a marginal politcal force unless it can increase the number of its members.
   We have very little information about ARF’s plans for the elections; what is the platform, what are the goals and objectives political and economical, what is being done to garner the support of Armenians in Armenia.
   There might be valid reasons for this: Corruption, electoral fraud, influence of the monopolies and the oligarchs, lack of finance etc. But the ARF in Armenia cannot and should not give up. It has to start, and take every possible action to build a stronger political base to have any influence and affect the poltical and economical process in Armenia for the well being and improving living standards of all Armenians in the homeland.
   Finally, The ARF with the support of organizations like the ANCA, have performed an admirable and effective job for the recognition of the Genocide.
   However ultimately, the final discussions and negotiations if they ever happen, will be conducted btween the governments of Armenia and Turkey. The ARF in Armenia should have a seat and a voice in the Armenian Government to have any meaningful influence on these discussions.
   The ARF in the Diaspora can lend support and influence public opinion but it is doubtful that it will have a seat at the table. The only body that can do that and achive that objective is the Bureau.
   Finally, this is not meant as a criticism. It is merely an expression of frustration.
   Looking at the history of the ARF for the past 120 years, its achievements and accomplishments in the Diaspora in very difficult condtions, it is disheartnening to see that we cannot do the same in our Homeland , whihc now is a Free County.
   Vart Adjemian

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