Opinion
Hamparian: In Trying Times: Purpose, Power, Progress
As Armenians, we’re in trying times.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Very well done.
Aram. I agree with the spirit of everything you say, but there are limits to what non-military grass roots efforts can accomplish when pitted against the national interests of countries. What we have here is the second Internationalization of the Armenian Quesiton. The first Internationalization of the Armenian Question started with the Great Powers ostensibly taking up the cause of the Armenians with the Treaty of San Stephano and continuing through 1920. Well, we all know how that ended up namely, the Sovietization of the nascent First Republic and the near extinction of the Armenians as a people, notwithstanding that at the time there was an enormous groundswell of public support for the Armenian people and cause. One would have thought that we would have learned from that wretched historical experience that we cannot allow others to control or dictate our national interests.
But no, here we go again committing the same political blunders, namely allowing the West to once again Internationalize the Armenian Question, control and dictate our national interests, except this time it is our historical claims and quest for justice that is consigned to oblivion.
I do not buy any of the excuses for the signing of the Protocols, that Armenia is a poor landlocked country, with no natural resources, yev aylen, yev aylen. The problem is that Armenia is not dealing from a position of military strength. The Diaspora shares in the blame. Why don’t we have tens of thousands of Diaspora Armenians going to Armenia and Karabagh to train and serve two week tours as unpaid volunteers in a military reserve capacity. It is not against U.S. Citizenship Laws to do so. We should immediately approach the Karabagh government to initiate and accept volunteers for such a Diaspora Military Reserve program. The benefits and advantages are enormous. First, it strengthens Karabagh militarily. Secondly, it will give heart and enouragement to the people of Karabagh to see that the Diaspora is commited to the defense of Karabagh in deed as well as in word. Thirdly, it will strengthen the Armenianness of all Diaspora volunteers who serve. Fourthly, the monies spent locally by the volunteers during their two week training program will help the Karabagh economy. If the Karabagh government initiates such a program, I will be the first to volunteer. Maybe such a program already exists. Does anyone know?
Aram, I respect your comments and agree with the basic message. As I see it, we have two basic
challenges. As a result of our subjugation for over 70 years and an awakening diaspora, our political self-esteem from a governing perspective is limited. We don’t think we are capableof standing out on the world stage. We behave overly oncerned with what the “powers”want. The true test of a governmentis how connected it is ith ts population. Are they generally representative of the pulse of the society? We, obviously, have along way to go here; given the maturation curve we are on for the
full democratization of Armenia. This is where the grass roots provide the “check and balance” and the motivation for change. The ARF is playing an important and effective role in providing the vehicle for this expression. Regardless of how we feel on this matter, our nation requires free expression for our people to feel vested in this process. There is alreadytoo much sentiment that the
protocols are imposed.
The other major challenge we are making progress on is the role of the diaspora and its integration in the process with Armenia. Obviously, the Armenian government has a major responsibility in making this happen. We need to continue to amkeour voices heard and motivate them to be more receptive. Hopefully, this was the big learning takeawayfor Sargisian. We must not let the Turks exploit any diaspora/Armenia dialogue whileour relationship grows.
le we have our share of disappointments with the current protocols, I think that it’s important to remind ourselves that the truth will prevail, Karabagh will remain Armenian and together we will be stronger.
I also have thought that like israel, we should have our youth do a sort of tour of military duty in Armenia and Karabagh. That would be fantastic! I’m sure many would go from all over the world. Further, lets get this all straight: The Turks understand only one thing and that is the big stick. They kiss the ass of anyone who is powerful and slaughter all others for gain. That is what they have done for a thousand years. They will never change. Let us not expect the Turks to change. We must change. Get rid of the servant/slave mentality. We are slaves to no one especialy garbage like Turks. And most importantly unite as a peoples. One vision. One goal. Divided we fall couldn’t be any truer and the very people who crave our destruction know this well. Last, we need the best Armenian minds to come together and form a think tank to resolve/implement and lead us to the best actions needed for success in this ever changing political climate. We have come a long way however it is time to kick it into full throttle before the Armenian oligarghs takes us back 100’s years.