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.
In Paris, the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) has issued a statement opposing the protocols. Member organizations of the CCAF include the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Ramgavar party (ADL), the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP), the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church, and the Armenian Evangelical Church. In addition, by now we have all seen the video footage of the Paris demonstrators blocking Sarkisian from placing a wreath at the Gomidas Memorial for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, basically questioning his legitimacy to make such a symbolic gesture.
In Los Angeles, a rally of over 10,000 protesters against the protocols was organized jointly by the SDHP, ADL, ARF, and Unified Armenian Youth. The protest unanimously adopted a resolution that concludes: “We, the participants of the public rally, by expressing our opposition and protest, reject any pre-conditions for the establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey; and find the announced protocols, in their current form, unacceptable and dangerous. The signing of such defeatist protocols by the Armenian government is fraught with irreversible and heavy consequences. Thus, we demand from the Armenian government to immediately end all efforts and activities for the signing and approval of both protocols.”
In Beirut, a community-wide strike began a demonstration that numbered in the thousands. Again, the three primary diasporan political parties, the SDHP, ADL, and ARF, joined forces, together with other groups, issuing declarations and protests denouncing the protocols.
Even outside the communities “visited” by Sarkisian, there has been unified opposition to the protocols. For instance, in Australia the SDHP, ADL, and ARF issued a joint statement condemning the protocols. In Armenia, 12 parties, including the Heritage Party, ADL, and ARF, have also issued a joint statement denouncing the protocols. In Canada, the ADL, SDHP, and ARF organized a joint event in protest of the protocols.
Interestingly, however, in the eastern United States, we were “fortunate” to witness the ADL break ranks with its counterparts around the world. For some reason, the ADL has chosen to join with the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) in praising the protocols.
Most of you remember the AAA: During the past decade they have supported other controversial initiatives. First there was the fiasco called the “Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission” (TARC). Among TARC’s accomplishments was to bring AAA leader Van Krikorian to an Assembly of Turkish America Associations (ATAA) gathering, where he appeared with his “good friend,” genocide denier Gunduz Aktan. Beginning with TARC, an interesting coincidence has developed, whereby the AAA repeatedly echoes positions put forth by the U.S. State Department (who incidentally, were the initiators of TARC). Furthermore, with its position supporting the protocols, AAA now finds itself on the same page with the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), the ATAA, and the Congressional Turkish Caucus—all bastions for pro-Armenian interests, to be sure. Now, there’s a marriage made in heaven.
Returning to the ADL, I really wonder—what is going on here? We’ve all heard of internal divisions within the party, but this is really too much. Given the popular nature of protests worldwide and the joint proclamations of its leadership elsewhere against the protocols, why would the ADL in the eastern U.S. take a different position? Maybe it’s time for the ADL to put its house in order.
George Aghjayan
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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