Opinion
Aghjayan: How to Lose Touch with a Constituency
As current Armenian President Serge Sarkisian’s road show comes to a close, it is not surprising to see those who are out of touch with the popular outrage over the protocols run for cover. In the eastern United States, we have a unique opportunity to enjoy a show that the rest of the Armenian Diaspora could not possibly understand. For that matter, I myself do not understand it!
At most of Sarkisian’s stops, there have been unified protests against the ruinous protocols about to be signed as a basis for diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia.
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I’ve given up on the ADL Mr. Agjaian. Its bad enough we have to deal with sell-outs in the high ranks of the Armenian government. Alligning with the AAA is unforgiving and unacceptable. If ADL can’t pull their act together unanimously they will remain a free-frolicking fringe organization like the AAA that is destined for a special place in history’s waste bin of irrelevance.
I wouldn’t waste precious time ruminating over the ADL’s incompetence. By the time they get their heads out of their you know what, we will all be speaking turkish…
It looks like the only difference from the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) and the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) is the letter T! The AAA and their leaderships including Hirair Hovnanian, Van Krikorian, and Anthony Barsamian should be absolutely asshamed of themselves.
Hye, and add to the dust bin the new book Children of Armenia by Bobelian. He could have created a listing of all the events – to date… and called it a book. Even more, mentioned our dedicated Hai Tad members, volunteers, to day who are dedicated to a free Armenian nation – free of the claws of the Ottoman mentality which the Turkis leaders still abide by today. Startin gwith the title, the book missed it, sadly
Bakalian’s books – thanks to his dedication, his efforts, still stand away and above… truths, for us all. Manooshag
Hye, so upset by the events that I mispelled, omitted period, letters etc. Manooshag
Manooshag..
I understand exactly what you are saying.. I am sooo upset and fed up with this filth that my thoughts in my head run 1,000,000 miles per hour and whenI try to express them, it comes out in a big mixed up manner.
However, every dedicated Armenian would understand our position.. so no worries.. as long as we know where we stand on the line of justice, we are good to go with or without misspelled words..
G
Let’s get real- does the author even know what a ‘constituency’ is? Word choice, or just typical pan-national crap?
I’ve been to both Turkey and Armenia (and Nagorno Karabagh), and despite genuinely enjoying my time in both countries and having a lot of respect and warm feelings for both Turks and Armenians, what I’ve found is that both sides are guilty but (generally) too proud to admit it. That’s how pretty much all ethnic conflicts go. Museums in both countries are very one-sided and do not mention any crimes committed by the respective country. Neither culture is very accepting of self-criticism. In America you can get away with some criticism of your own country, but not in Armenia or Turkey (or a lot of countries for that matter). In any case, Turkey will not view the massacres of 1915 as a genocide, and the Armenians will not view it as anything else any time soon. The best they can do is agree to disagree and accept that everyone suffered and move the hell on.
You might add that the Washington Post yesterday praised the Assembly for endorsing the end of attempts to commemorate the Genocide in the US Congress:
Opponents say this could give Turkey, which denies
that a genocide took place, a means to filibuster the
issue — and to stop the annual attempt by some in the
U.S. Congress to pass a resolution declaring that
genocide occurred. In fact, the issue is one best left
to the two countries; that several U.S. Armenian
groups have endorsed the accord is a victory for
common sense.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101302798.html