My Turn
Armenia May No Longer Follow U.S. Lead on Some Issues After Aid Cut-off
For more than a year, Armenia’s leaders have been operating under the false impression that accommodating Washington on some issues would provide economic and political benefits, shield them from accusations of democratic shortcomings, and convince the West not to support their domestic opponents.
Based on such wishful thinking, the Armenian government made repeated efforts to please the United States. For example, last year, when Marie Yovanovitch was nominated by President Bush to become
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If it’s in the best interests of the US for Armenia to lean closer to the West, their doing a horrible job encouraging this behavior as the carrot count clearly indicates. Armenia’s neighbors seem to offer more benefits with fewer headaches. From Armenia’s end, the strategy of accommodation and blind compliance will yield “no tangible benefits.” Clearly Armenia’s strategy of reciprocal altruism with the US is not paying off. It’s time to settle the score with the cheater.
On the substantive issues of democratic governance and the rule of law Armenia has failed. As for negotiations with “Turkey–well that is in Armenia’s best interests if it wants to encourage a more viable economy.
As an American I have to ask why spend our taxpayer dollars to enable and abet this rule by the few over the many. As someone of Armenian background I hope Armenia gets its act together and begins to develop a real democracy. As of this moment, the massive riots against a rogue regime in Tehran has recented in less deaths over their “election” than Armenia with it small population.
LETS NOT FORGET THE HISTORY
ARMENIA SHOULD NEVER TRUST TURKEY OR USA.
My wife and I are “missionaries” if you will, to Armenia. We are US citizens. We will be heading to Sevan and Ijevan during the next 3 weeks to assist in the construction of a church in Ijevan and to hold a Bible School in Sevan.
Every society imposes “questionable” actions against citizens of the “state” at one time or another. I don’t support the actions that have been taken against certain opposition protestors during last years’ election as a basis of withholding aid to Armenia…..and, we’ve had our own “Kent State” and “Ruby Ridge” incendents in the US. Please, do not think that I don’t detest inhumane treatment.
Armenia is the only “Christian” country in the region. Why the US would abandon Armenia is beyond me, cept for the case that perhpas Obama is a Muslem after all.
Armenia is a lovely country with lovely people! I am ashamed of what my government is doing to Armenia…..and embarrassed that we are supporting governments that actually hate us, and hate Armenia.
What are you suggesting Gary? Should Armenia bow down to turkey and apologize for demanding justice for their 1.5 million dead ancestors? Or should Armenia give up the lands that belongs to us when 30,000 brave men lost their lives protecting it? never!!!! Now regarding your “tax dollars” that you are so worried about why dont you call your friend in the government and ask them how much of your “tax dollars” are being spent and why? Or ask them Mr governmet why are we giving out billions of “tax money” to the greedy banks that reward million of “tax dollars” to theirs greedy executives that put us in this financial mess? but no! all that is ok. All of that is fine. As long as they dont send your ” tax money” to fix rural roads in Armenia so the farmers can distribute their products and make a living. But I guess thats not the right way to use your “tax money” !
The West doesn’t care about Armenia, never did and never will. Most important people in the US are on the Muslim payroll in one way or another. Armenia can only survive by being in strong alliance with Russia and thereby the SCO, the rising power in the East.
I agree that the west does not care about Armenia. The U.S., France,Italy, & Great Britain betrayed Armenia after the lst World War when Armenia was guaranteed to be a free Independent Republic by the Sevres Treaty & signed by Turkey, Armenia & l6 other nations but she got betrayed by the Allies. And I agree that Armenia is in alliance with Russia since the Turks are using America to push Armenia to return Artsakh to the Azeris which will never happen. If the Azeris attack Artsakh the Armenians will not only gain more territory but will destroy the Baku Oil Fields which the Americans & British financed. If America doesent wake up then the Moslems & Jews will take over this world. Five Jewish Organizations are under the payroll of the Turks to deny the Armenian Genocide and I say shame on those Jews for doing so when they went thru a Genocide in WWII. The Jews now control the State Dept. and nobody says a word. What a disatrous world we live in.
By A Reader on June 17th, 2009 at 12:40 am
What are you suggesting Gary? Should Armenia bow down to turkey and apologize for demanding justice for their 1.5 million dead ancestors? Or should Armenia give up the lands that belongs to us when 30,000 brave men lost their lives protecting it?
No–Let me try again.
Armenia has failed to develop into a reasonable approximation of a country that will pass for a democracy.
It has had time to meet its commitments to the EU and others inconcluding my own country (USA) and hasn’t.
The question becomes why should the EU or USA continue supporting Armenia when Armenia won’t do for itself and seems to prefer being a client of Russia and the diaspora. Personally, I hope that aid continues but if aid is lessened Armenia should take a hard look at itself and ask how it contributed to the loss of confidence by the west.
Azeri nationalist and Turkish nationalist want the blockade to continue because it keeps Armenia weak. Also, there are some Armenians who want the blockade to continue rather than have anything to do with Turkey before there is justice for the genocide. I understand the emotion. We need to be more cooly calculating and less hysterical.
I am of the view that Armenia needs to have a long term strategy that may involve some distasteful steps in the short term. There will be no equity or justice until Armenia is a strong state that has a place at the table of nations who really drive events across the globe. This will not happen while Armenia remains blockaded–Turks know it.
If Armenia’s leadership can get the blockade lifted and retain NKR that serves our long term interest of strengthening the Armenian State. There can never by adequate recompense for the genocide. We need to focus on building the Armenia of 2050 because that will be the best way to deal with 1915. I think Armenia’s leadership is doing the right thing for the people of Armenia. Some in the diaspora might not like Armenians and Turks talking but those folks seem to be living in California or Massachusetts. Bravado is more easily asserted while safely removed from the conflict zone. Those living in a blockaded state surrounded by Turks to the east, west and in the south (millions of azeris in the northwest of Iran) seem far more open to dialogue.
As for the use of the word Genocide by President Obama or anyone else. It doesn’t matter. If Turkey says yes we did it–does anyone really believe they will then cede back to us western armenia or give us a black sea port or billions of dollars. If you are waiting for that to happen before opening a dialogue with Turkey then Armenia will slowing become even more isolated and irrelevant on the world stage. That is a formula that ensures Turkey triumphs. I am confident we will prevail in the long term . The best justice maybe the only justice for our lost families and relatives will be an economically strong, politically democratic Armenia living under the rule of law. An open border is necessary but not sufficient for Armenia to prevail–but it is one very important step.
Gary- I agree with your statement: “Armenia has failed to develop into a reasonable approximation of a country that will pass for a democracy.”
-only problem is… neither has many other countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, or currently Iran for that matter (include a few more if you please). Though, I do understand what you mean by that.
“There can never by adequate recompense for the genocide….if Turkey says yes we did it–does anyone really believe they will then cede back to us western armenia or give us a black sea port or billions of dollars.”
Well for many Armenians, there is. Many nationalists believe recognition is the reconcilation needed to ‘fix’ the relationship and long-term stability for the region. I mean after-all, if people can come to terms with the past, it might have a more enlightening future. But under some laws, reconcilation may require $$$, land, etc.- that seems to be more terrifying for a state.
“The best justice maybe the only justice for our lost families and relatives will be an economically strong, politically democratic Armenia living under the rule of law. An open border is necessary but not sufficient for Armenia to prevail–but it is one very important step.”
-Well said, a healthy and economic Armenia is the real solution the country needs.