I want to believe that every Armenian hopes for the day when the Turkish leadership acknowledges that the uprooting and murder of some 1.5 million Armenians was a genocide.
Good men and women, highly motivated and dedicated to Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause) and the best interests of the Armenian nation are working to achieve this objective. However, on Dec. 22 the latest fiasco in this annual drama occurred when the House democrat leadership in which our good men and women had placed their trust decided to fool the Armenian American community once again. Specifically, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrat Leadership simply decided, without warning, to pull the rug out from under the feet of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) ostensibly because a favorable vote for passage of H.Res.252 (Armenian Genocide Resolution) was not likely. Behind the door machinations by the Turkish lobby aided by President Obama’s refusal to act on his stated beliefs on the genocide are the usual suspects. Maybe this is the moment when the ARF/ANCA finally realizes that while this annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill may capture the emotional support of the Armenian community, it represents an inefficient and ineffective use of resources.
It was interesting to compare the response by the ANCA with the obsequiousness of the Armenian Assembly. Rightfully so, the ANCA conveyed the anger and disappointment of the Armenian American community, whereas the Armenian Assembly issued an immediate press release praising Pelosi and her leadership team for providing invaluable assistance and guidance during the process. The ANCA had every reason to believe that the vote would have been taken under the most favorable circumstances possible. An unconfirmed report attributed to the Assembly accepted Pelosi’s judgment that the vote would not favor passage.
If genocide recognition encompassed all that was represented by Hai Tahd, there would be no cause for concern. Or if genocide recognition could solve the problems facing the Armenian nation, there still would be no cause for concern. Unfortunately neither is so. The Turkish leaders in Ankara once again must be savoring their victory and it must cause thinking Armenians in the homeland (Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk) and the diaspora to question how priorities are being established and resources are being allocated. Difficult as it may be to accept, while passage of a genocide recognition resolution is important, it is not so important as to neglect other issues that have immediacy and are of greater importance to the future viability of the Armenian nation (see “Genocide Recognition: A Misguided Political Strategy,” the Armenian Weekly, Oct. 17, 2009).
For a moment consider what effect passage of the non-binding H.Res.252 could possibly have. Would it cause the Turkish leadership to recant and finally confess to the world and its own citizens, after a 90-year policy of denial, that a genocide did occur? Would the average Turkish citizen willingly accept the moral, economic, and political burden for the crimes some ancestors several generations removed may have committed? Would Turkey relent and open its border with Armenia? Would it result in Artsakh being recognized as an independent political entity? Would Georgia cease its discriminatory policies against the Armenians of Javakhk? Other questions could be asked, but the answers would all be a resounding no.
Furthermore, passage of a resolution would not cause Turkey to implode for the benefit of Armenians and Hai Tahd. Genocide recognition by some two dozen foreign governments has not lessened Turkey’s stature in the world. Presently it holds one of the rotating seats on the UN Security Council. Having said that, should a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide pass, it would only serve to harden the resistance of the Turkish leadership and the average Turkish citizen. And why not, when President Obama fails to honor his campaign rhetoric recognizing the Armenian Genocide? The president’s need to cajole Ankara by equating its interests and values with those of the United States or elevating Turkey’s contribution as more important than ever should be more than sufficient reason for the ARF/ANCA to reassess its strategy. In addition, many Armenians delude themselves by misreading what Turkish academics and others mean when they say that the Turkish people must face their past. Facing their past is a purely psycho-moral exercise that is unrelated to the political and economic ramifications that genocide recognition has for the Armenian people.
Granted, a resolution recognizing the genocide would be an appropriate and significant moral and psychological victory for Armenians. It would go a long way in assuaging the emotional scars that Armenians have borne these many years, not only for the loss of ancestors they never had the opportunity to know, but for the generations forever lost to the Armenian nation. However, now is the time to realize that following the same flawed strategy year after year will invariably yield the same result. Valuable resources in political capital, money, individual commitment, and moral support from the Armenian community are being diverted from significantly more important objectives facing the Armenian nation. We need to look no further than Artsakh where some 7,000 of our people sacrificed their lives to liberate these historic Armenian lands. They are no less our martyrs than those whose lives were taken during the genocide.
Myopia is a dangerous political affliction. It has allowed genocide recognition to be raised to the level of a cause celebre, an apparent moral obligation that is given precedence over every other issue. While genocide recognition may meet the legitimate expectations of the diasporan Armenians, the need to respond to issues whose solution will contribute to the viability and security interests of the Armenian nation are wanting. There is a failure to see the forest because of the trees. Theoretically, a genocide recognition strategy might be effective if a critical mass of countries (somewhere in the vicinity of 90 or 100 countries) not only supported the Armenian position, but also agreed to apply economic sanctions to pressure the Turkish leadership to finally accept responsibility. In the world of realpolitik this is an unrealistic expectation.
Next week, Part II will consider the issues that are vital and immediate to Armenia’s future, but that are being ignored, as well as an important opportunity for the ARF to expand its political base in Armenia.
Michael Mensoian
Latest posts by Michael Mensoian (see all)
- Facing the Reality that is Artsakh - August 6, 2020
- Tourism: An Economic Tide That Can Lift All “Boats” - January 29, 2020
- The Legacy of the Hairenik and the Armenian Weekly - January 7, 2020
I don’t share your point of view, Michael. Perhaps that is because I don’t see genocide recognition as an end it itself, all-important. It is important, but I feel that the journey there has given us so many benefits. It has created a powerful story, and more importantly a kind of awareness that recognition itself – let’s say having happened years ago – I don’t believe would have done. Controversy generates publicity and media coverage that I just don’t think would happen otherwise. Conferences and scholarship are ongoing. But beyond that, our community organizes itself in a way that it would not necessarily have done otherwise and I think this is extremely important. Really, the arguments that you make about changing the minds of the Turks adds to my perspective, not detracts: this is not about making the Turks do something in the sense that we expect Turkey to all of a sudden be compliant with international opinion. Turkey is not compliant with international LAW at the moment, let alone international opinion. It is still illegally occupying Cyprus, for example, and Cyprus is even a country that is a member of the European Union (many of whose members officially recognize the Genocide). There are many, many ways in which our community can continue forward and many causes for it to support – but without organization we can’t do any of it. Our “cause” in some sense is the most powerful rallying cry *for us* that we could have. I see it a a process, not just everything wrapped up in a conclusion, and I think we would all do well to keep that in mind. It’s sort of the way I see our religion: it’s not about baptism — it’s about the ongoing process, a “good fight” if you will. We keep telling the truth. Why knock that? Recognition, I feel, will help us in the long run and is still a worthy goal (for example, any law suits will be favorably assisted by official recognition as a body of testimony). But without organization we can’t do any of it, and it is a powerful tool for organizing while it does not prevent us from addressing any sort of problem we need to face and get working on. I think throwing in the towel means we may lose more than just this effort, and we should view our efforts with a broader perspective of what they have done for us than simply a yes or no sign-off by the President. All the recent attacks by Turkey upon the Armenian lobby testify to its effectiveness.
And by the way, I see that Turkey is increasing its military spending by 10 percent. One more violation: Erdogan has repeatedly promised to cut spending in talks with Greece. One more flagrant violation of international opinion — which happens all the time in many directions with other partners (Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, etc) – not just with us. It is the aggressive way they play the game. We should look at this overall and longterm, not narrowly. We have gained far more than any “loss” by our continued efforts.
There are more pressing issues for the survival of Armenia today than beating the drums of the genocide. If Armenia is to survive as a nation, there is a need for all Armenians to face the deplorable conditions of the current realities of our motherland. Let us hear more from you in your Part II article.
All the power to you Mr. Mensoian. I admire your courage!
Gabe Korajian
I too look forward to Part II next week as well and would love to consume every word and analyze it. I myself have a ton of ideas percolating. Janine, I am sorry my sister, you are part of the old hat that doesn’t get it and hopefully next week we can further discuss. Maybe this can be a start of a new battle cry our nation desperately needs to commence focusing on. Than you Mr. Mensoian.
Exactly, Michael. “Valuable resources in political capital, money, individual commitment, and moral support from the Armenian community are being diverted from significantly more important objectives facing the Armenian nation.” Isn’t it a high time for the Diasporan organizations, groups, and influential individuals to realize that political manipulators in the establishment deliberately divert our resources from more vital objectives and into a bottomless pit, such as Congress and Administration. Why haven’t Diasporan political capital and money gone to international lawyers who’d have taken the case to international courts? Why haven’t Diasporan resources been allocated in greater amounts to have a better-governed Armenia and much stronger Artsakh with the Diasporan presence and participation in the Republic’s decision-making process? If we continuously fail to pass the resolution in the U.S. Congress, then it’d be wise to withdraw money from congressional hypocrites and re-direct it where it is needed most. I think of projects that could help unify the Armenian nation, strengthen the Republic so that it, as a subject of international law, can advance the Cause beyond the walls of the U.S. Capitol. I wholeheartedly agree with the need to revise the strategy. I see a positive element in our latest fiasco in the Congress in that it may help re-orient our resources elsewhere.
For the love of God, the tired narrative that “the diaspora is completely neglecting Armenia because of its myopic obsession with genocide” is false and insulting. Diaspora remittances have propped up Armenia’s economy for 18 years. Armenia would never have been able to run the trade deficits it did without diaspora money–and these imports in construction and building materials helped Armenia achieve double-digit growth rates until 2009, when, lo and behold, diaspora money stopped and Armenia’s GDP collapsed.
This is not a zero-sum game. The diaspora is playing both of its roles well.
Moreover, getting US to recognize the genocide would be a huge geopolitical step for Armenia–it would show Turkey that it cannot bully its tiny neighbor through denial and stalling of protocols. It would show the world that US is Armenia’s real ally.
Thank you! I think you covered all the main points. But it is also important to look at this in terms of “does the end justify the means” question. What is the end the ANCA is aiming for? US recognition? This most likely will never happen, and even if it does, that is where the line is drawn. The USA, if it ever recognizes the genocide, will not put any pressure on Turkey. Has any other country that recognized the genocide put pressure on Turkey? No, they have not. The ANCA relies simply on this, they believe pressure can be put as if this is South Africa or Nazi Germany. We are talking about something that happened nearly 100 years ago, so the international community and governments do not care about it, whether or not you like to hear that. So does the “end” goal that the ANCA is looking towards get Armenians anywhere? No, it does not.
Secondly, let’s look at the means, and the tactics of the ANCA. Recently, rather than attacking Turkey for what we should be attacking Turkey for (denial of Armenian genocide, occupation of Armenian lands, treatment of Armenian minority), the ANCA has decided to appeal to the Americans and attack Turkey for things such as : Erdogan shaking Ahmadinejad’s hand, Turkey not recently allowing the US to bomb Iraq, Turkey not being a good ally to Israel, etc. Let me say one thing for any Armenian who agrees with such a tactic. What country has helped and protected Armenia economically and militarily? Iran has, not America. Let me ask for Armenians who support those candidates who support the war and occupation of Iraq, how any Armenian will sleep well at night supporting those who are bombing innocent Iraqis? Let me ask, for any Armenian who got excited when Israel attacked the Turkish flotilla to Gaza and thought to align Armenians with Zionists who support ethnic cleansing and apartheid against Palestinians in order to be used as a political pawn by Jews against Turks, why did you not have DECENT parents who instilled you with honorable Armenian values? No Armenian should be able to sleep at night if they are supporting those who want to attack Iran and massacre innocent Iraqis and Palestinians and Afghanis.
Time for the Armenian Americans to wake up, remember what our values are as Armenians, and find a new political tactic that will take the Armenian nation somewhere rather than putting us back!
Alex wrote:
This is not a zero-sum game. The diaspora is playing both of its roles well.
Moreover, getting US to recognize the genocide would be a huge geopolitical step for Armenia–it would show Turkey that it cannot bully its tiny neighbor through denial and stalling of protocols. It would show the world that US is Armenia’s real ally.
Thank you Alex. Without the organizing principle the Genocide recognition is for all of us united as a people, we would not have the capacity to be in the position to help Armenia that we have. And let’s face it, we barely unite around this issue. So, if Armenia is the sole focus, how much more are we going to be disputing with one another over precisely *which* way to help Armenia we need to follow? Helping Armenia is not neglected and it’s not, as Alex says, a zero sum game. This is the viewpoint of the Armenian government as far as I know, and certainly not the perspective of the diaspora who visits and contributes to Armenia’s economy and always has. It’s a false dichotomy. Only with organization are we even in a position to help with the geopolitical issues facing Armenia — like for example its neighbor who supports Azerbaijian to the hilt and enforces an illegal trade blockade. Without the political organization we have, how could Armenia even hope to address military & trade imbalances or our lobbies who are concerned with aid and assistance when it comes up on Capitol Hill? Let’s face reality for a change and see this for what it is, a long-term concern, not merely a single objective today. Like it or not, this is the perspective we need, and we can’t view a losing vote as some sort of tell-all for stopping a good organizing strategy that can work in a number of ways.
Why is it that certain Americans are allowed to grieve while others must be subjected to open wounds for almost 100 years? Stalin was correct: “A single death is a tragedy…..a million dead is a number.”
Obama should lay a wreath at Arman T. Manookian’s grave if the Turkish government will permit him to find his grave in Hawaii (buried in an unmarked grave).
Let us not be pathetic and petty. Lets make our Union of Genocide survivors, whether Greeks, Assyrians, or Armenians stronger by boycott.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist……and Puff…like that….he was gone.
Michael, the Turks had hoped the Armenians, by now, shall have become, historically, a peoples who were only recalled as having become extinct. Well, what do you think that the ARF and the ANCA have endeavored to accomplish over years… Hos-enk, aysor gank!
All our youth since their Survivors shared with them of the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians via their vile and inhumane methods from the 19th, 20th centuries – and still in 21st century – the generations that have followed, all our grass roots, all across the world, have come about due to efforts and the pursuits of the ARF and the ANCA… Each in its time, has moved the Armenians closer to our goals… not an easy task, but here we are today – endeavoring to resurrect our Armenian nation, (despite the misfits in leadership there). None of what has been accomplished, upon the backs of so many ARFers before us, never forgotten, should be remembered… Too, the fact that now, the third and fourth generations of dedication to Hai Tahd is what many others who have suffered their own national pains of Genocides wondered that we have such great dedication – still – for pursuit of the criminals who decimated the Armenian nation… Armenians still seeking restitution and more! Michael, we shall need to go forward… but never, never negate what has been accomplished all these years – even until 2010… Our people came out of the depths of the hells of Turkish mentality… continued even today and too, with the abuses of the fledgling nation of Haiastan… yet, persistently… we proceed. Manooshag
Genocide recognition can never be abandoned as a goal. It is equally important to Armenia and to the Diaspora, perhaps in different ways . It also has everything to do with Turkey’s future development as a state and a society and with Armenia’s very survival as a nation in that neighborhood. But it is obvious that there has to be some change in strategy when Congress treats Armenians with open contempt. Being repeatedly treated with open contempt is not a healthy state of affairs and leads nowhere, that much is clear. A more imaginative strategy is called for. What that is I don’t pretend to know.
The reality is, that everybody is “happy” and “content” with the process of Genocide Recognition.
1) A number of Armenians are “happy” that they are serving Hai Tahd with relative ease and the comfort of their daily lives (send emails, make phone calls, visit a Congressman and/or a Senator and take a photo with him/her or make that HUGE sacrifice of traveling to Washington for a day or two and knock on a few doors…);
2) Another number of Armenians (the macho type) are “happy” because they “demonstrate” once or twice a year and scream their lungs out against the denial of the Genocide, but our demonstrations are always surrounded by people who remind us to remain “civilized”, because we don’t want the media to portray us as the opposite or stick on us the “T” word…
3) American politicians are “happy” with the ongoing trend because constituents (actually “votes” from both communities – Armenian and Turkish) have to go and beg them to take this or that position on the upcoming resolution or contribute to their election campaigns;
4) The US Administration is “happy” with this yearly ritual because it found something to keep both communities (and countries) busy, following the pedagogic approach that “kids have to be kept busy, otherwise they might become unpredictable”. And in order to keep everybody under control, it can always threaten one or the other that it can push the stick of Genocide Recognition to this side or the other…
Therefore, everybody is comfortable with the fact, that the Recognition of the Genocide has become a goal in itself instead of it being means to another goal. So Michael, why stir the pot when we are all living happily ever-after!
A New Era is starting for Armenian Diaspora. The Era of pursuing The Hai Thad in world Courts, and demanding Reparations. Resources: financial, academic,legal, governmental and political should be directed towards those efforts. Some successes in American courts with Insurance companies are encouraging. The International Court of Justice, The Hague, United Nations are different ballparks and we need both Diaspora and Armenian Government to pursue it together. Only a representative Governmet of a country can appeal to the ICJ; not communities, not organizations or individual Attorneys.
After reading Michael’s article, as well as a few posters who actually comprehend his focus, I have to say that this is exactly what I’ve been telling all of you for at least a good year or more! Yes, there are the typical posters that wish to continue the hate at all costs (and damn the real problems which Armenia needs to deal with ASAP). These posters shall remain “namelss” by me, but everyone knows who they are. The point is that we can work together to help one another, but as long as the nay-sayers above insist on having their way, nothing substantial can realistically be expected to be accomplished. Something to think about.
Yawn…Robert you are so tired. Opposing genocide is called “hate” according to you. In zero posts above have any disparaging or hateful remarks been uttered against Turkish people.
As for Armenia’s other problems, I’m sure being blockaded does not contribute to its poverty, and being in a perpetual state of war has no effect on its democratic deficit.
Let it be known that the Genocide recognition mustn’t be abandoned. Just like Janine and Alex above stated; it is the duty of every Armenian to pursue the recognition of the Armenian Genocide throughout the world and including the US who knew about it firsthand from Morgenthau and it has been written all over the New York Times. Janine also said above that because of it, a Diaspora organization was created and lead us uniting our youth for a very moral cause. To abandon the AG recognition is what Turkey so desperately wants. What we must do is change our language. Instead of asking the US to accept the Arm. Genocide, we must demand that what we seek is the Wilson Arbitration Award, which is a legal document. We should start demanding the Wilsonian Armenia. Our people, Diaspora organizations, our papers and our Motherland must demand it through international legal channels, then we’ll see how the US and Israel will change their tunes.
It’s true that we are not as yet strong Jewish entities and organizations throughout the United States; however that doesn’t mean that we must abandon our moral stand for the AG to be recognized nor our rights for the reparations from such criminal acts by Turkey. Do we want the murderer to walk away as a winner? We must pursue the Wilson Arbitration Award through international legal channels, otherwise we will be allowing weaklingly to let the murderer country get away with it and let others do the same (the latest one in Darfur). What will we project to the world, that devils and murderers can get away with their malicious acts?
Diaspora in 18 years supported our Motherland and Artsakh while they have pursued AG’s recognition. Thanks to Diaspora’s Armenians and their efforts, today’s government changed their tunes by coming closer with Diaspora; both the abandonment of the “protocols” and the AG recognition to be accepted throughout the world.
As I said above, my main point is that every Armenian and every Armenian organization must continuously utter the Wilson Arbitration Award and channeling, demanding and pursuing it through international legal channels.
Alex / Janine / Manooshag / Diran – You guys just DON’T GET IT. YOU ARE THE PROBLEMS. I am sorry, but you all have a very shallow understanding what is happening to our nation. I hope you all are NOT involved in Armenian organizations, because your mentality and ideas are the problem. Are you oblivious to the fact that the Armenian institutions have, WITHOUT QUESTION, lost this generation and have no shot at recapturing it or the next one if we continue down the path of focusing purely on the Genocide and this flawed, simple approach. I am 27 and love following Armenia and Armenian Diaspora Issues. It’s probably my biggest hobby. Bottom line – Until we start learning and applying some of the successful measures of more prosperous Diasporas, i.e. Jewish/Isreali, Greek and even yes sadly, Turkish Diasporas- we will lose our battle on Capitol Hill and more significantly we will lose our homeland to the Azeris and/ Turks. WAKE UP, Damn it!
Can any of you please explain to me how 1 million Armenian Americans, – half you don’t want to be ‘Armenian’ anymore, from the remainder half who don’t care or are tired about the Genocide and Armenia’s well being – and with half the population in politically unchanging California are going to get a bill passed that would harm American foreign policy?
How about this at least let’s try a new strategy of coalition building? Look at what the Israeli lobby, which has four to six times the amount of people (pending on what metric you use), did with America’s Christian Right. Are you telling me we Armenians can’t use Religious Tourism as both an economic and political tool?
This generation has lost touch with being Armenian – the Turks were right EVENTUALLY we will ALL assimilate into our host country – that is if we continue our tired ways of the past that have got us what exactly? This generation DOES NOT have the vivid stories of our grandparents telling us what happened? Most Armenians in this generation don’t care and don’t want the burden. That is why this generation is marrying odars like crazy.
Everyone – we NEED new ideas both on the Genocide front and MUCH MORE IMPORTNATLY on the development of Armenia front. How many on this page making these inane tired comments on the ARF’s Genocide strategy have been to Armenia? Alex / Janine / Manooshag / Diran? I bet you haven’t spent more than two weeks there your entire lives. I bet more than 75% of Armenians in the Diaspora have not been to Armenia?
I agree with you, manooshag – we are all indebted to the commitment and sacrifice of the ARF and the ANCA. We should never forget their unfailing loyalty to the Cause.
A word to Robert: true hate is in the denial.
“It would show the world that US is Armenia’s real ally”.
I don’t know whether to laugh or shake my head
ON August 15, 2010, Turkish newspaper “Cumhuriyet” published Kirikhan Court’s strange decision. The kirikan is a city of current Turkey. The court stated that the city was searching for the owners of houses who were disappeared durng 1915-1923. The court also stated that if they didnt find those armenians in six months they would confiscate their properties. Unfortunately, the article had been published only in turkish language, while Armenians http://voskanapat.info/news/font_color_ff0000_kompensacija_po_turecki_font_color_ff0000/2011-01-14-1042 had missed it. The names i can tell tomorrow i dont have time now… i found the link only in russian, pass it on…
The names are as fallow (is there anybody who knows this people?): “Turkish court is looking for them”.
1. Krikor Ambartumyan (Kazeyan)
2. Serkis? Sargis Babghanyan
3.Serkis?Sargis bogush Ashar (Hashar) Karadinyan
4. Serkis Kirok Teke
5. Minas Asatur Nihapitian
6. Petros Panos Michaelyan
7.Agop Hichir Kara Danyan
8.Bogush Kiork Kanbachyan
9. Akabi Aro Eshkiyan
10.Fontiza? or Sontiza Agap Antinyan
11. anyway there is four more look through the article above the link..
I wouldn’t call “Genocide Recognition” a flawed political strategy. The strategy needs to be analyzed and modified.
Lessons learned so far: (not that I am an expert)
1. Many of the US foreign policies of recent years have basically been morally corrupt. The US, time and again has shown that its main objective is to stay a super power at all costs, including the selling off of its moral values. We need to decide if our expectations from the US are in sync with reality. Is it still worth trying to get a Genocide resolution passed in a country that time and again considers Turkey, the country with the all time worse human rights record, its number one ally? Is it reasonable to ask moral responsibility form the US? The classic adage of “tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are” comes to mind here. Individual congressmen may promise to support the resolution to satisfy their Armenian constituents and secure votes, but at the end of the day they are powerless if the State Department has made it its policy not to support the Genocide resoluton. Since the State Department has been very clear about its position, should we still continue going after the minor players in Congress? If there is hope, we should continue.
2. Getting countries to pass Genocide resolutions will be meaningless if these resolutions are not part of a bigger plan, aimed at preparing Armenia’s case in the International Justice Courts. For this we need an elaborate collaboration between Armenia and the Diaspora. These resolutions although principally very valuable have no legal bearing unless they can be corroborated into our claims from Turkey. The next question might be, do we need the US to pass a resolution for us to start putting our legal case together? We should not dwell too long in getting countries to pass resolutions, and forget the fact that our Genocide is an International crime and our main aim should be to officially submit it to the International courts at the Hague. We are running the risk of undermining this very serious crime that needs to be addressed by Intenational courts, by inadverdently making it a “political” issue in the hands of local governments. Isn’t the recognition by 20 countries, 44 US State, the UN, pulizer prize winning historians, scholars, Presidents Regan and Bush Sr. enough?
2. The world responds to new technologies and markets. We need to do a better job “promoting” Armenia in the Diaspora. The Diaspora has been investing in Armenia and in advancing the Genocide resolutions, but it has not done enough in promoting it. Why aren’t we involving famous Armenians in the making of Tourism commercials/ads? Why can’t we get Kim Kardashian to be the spokesperson of Armavia Airlines? We need to do a better job in engaging the world, and getting them to notice Armenia, and to listen to our stories. We need to invest in the advancement of technology and other industries in Armenia so that we can have a viable market that will open doors for closer relations with other countries.
3. Where is the outrage for the illegal Turkish blockade of Armenia? The Diaspora is failing in telling the story of Karabagh. The war of information is a very important one that we cannot afford to ignore. We need to hammer into the world’s mind the fact that Karabagh was always Armenian, it was given to Azerbaijan by Stalin, and once Azerbaijan got its independence it attempted to ethnically cleanse Karabagh so that it can keep this Armenian land for good. This truth needs to be promoted very aggressively in the world. The fact that Turkey illegally blockaded Armenia because Karabagh was fighting for its survival and self determination needs to be better promoted.
Thank you, Mr. Mensoian. I could not agree more. The issue of the Armenian genocide is not the same as the survival of today’s Armenia & Karabagh. Without question, it is important and a key part of our idenity and history, but should not override the needs of those living in Armenia today or the survival of Armenia itself. As I understand it, Hai Tahd = the cause of Armenian independence and survival, not genocide recognition alone. If the survival of Armenia requires extending a hand of friendship to Turkey, so be it. Make the effort. As they say, you can catch more flies w/ honey than w/ vinegar. Let’s extend a bowl of honey to everyone. I’ve had alot of Armenian honey along the way…and it’s truly amazing and transformational. Let’s all use it in our interactions with others. If it doesn’t produce results, then withdraw the honey, but unless we try, we will never know. Rumi said, ‘Conventional opinion is the ruin of our souls’. How true. Let’s all try to get off the train of thought that has kept us from reaching our destination and try a new mode of transportation. Our vehicles have broken down and cannot take us to where we need to go. Time to adopt a new one, if we really want to see our desired outcomes.
I second the comments by Jirayr and Katia K. in that many Diasporan Armenians on the one side and American politicians on the other are content with the rigid process of Genocide recognition, and that while Genocide recognition hasn’t been a flawed political strategy, it needs to be analyzed and modified.
Janine et al: noone advocates abruption of advancing the Cause amongst the corrupt American politicians or conformist representatives. Those posters who raised their voice in support of searching for other venues, suggest that efforts need to be modified and re-oriented. Re-orientation doesn’t mean abruption of decades-long monumental efforts of the Diaspora in getting a House resolution passed by the Congress or G-word uttered by a President. It implies taking into account new realities on the ground, as Katia K. correctly suggested, such as the need to advance a criminal case, i.e. the Turkish crime against humanity, in legal not narrowly political institutions; the need for more preemptive and efficient information dissemination of Armenian issues (for instance, we failed to get the message across last year during the Akhtamar event); the need to address in more participatory way Armenia and Artsakh’s vulnerable geopolitical and bleak economic situation. I envision Diaspora’s more active role in bettering Armenia’s governance; creation of mechanisms for gradual participation in the Republic’s decision-making process; more efforts aimed at unification of Diasporan structures, etc.
I understand that Genocide resolution has become a raison d’être for the Diaspora and Diasporan consolidation and highly respect what the Diasporan groups have done in the past. Their efforts must continue, they just need to get diversified, become all-inclusive, and multi-faceted.
Yes Armenians in Diaspora and Armenia together must submit our Genocide reparations case to the Hague, the International Justice Courts and demand Turkey to choke up our lands/monies/buildings brought on by the Arm. Genocide.
I understand Mark’s frustrations; but that’s why I would pursue for us to continuously demand and pursue the Wilson Arbitration Award through International Legal Channels. And this must be done by our Motherland with the corraboration of a united Diaspora. I am also aware that the majority of Diaspora’s Armenians hasn’t been to Armenia or Artsakh. Try going & give them a helping hand to the Artsakhtsis and Armenians. It’s such a beautiful country and countryside, both Armenia and Artsakh. More and more of our youths must go and give a helping hand in Artsakh and in Armenia. I recently went to the orphanages in Yerevan, and a lot more can be done in there. Try sending clothing as well as helping out the elderly that some of them are selling food to get by and feed themselves. Especially in the outskirts of Yerevan and elsewhere, there are so many of them that can hardly make ends meet. It’s a deplorable situation. The few very rich in the center of Yerevan, doesn’t count. We should ask and pursue that every Armenian youth visits Armenia and Artsakh and as often as they can. We all should and give them a helping hand too. If corruption is an issue then try sending clothing and food through known channels so that the needy will be getting it. We mustn’t give up because of a few corrupted oligarchs. We should send our goods and monies through known people and get hands-in involved.
Katia’s suggestion is also very much welcomed. Unfortunately we don’t own all the media in the US or elsewhere like the Jews do; but we can concentrate on getting the world know of both Armenia’s Christianity and our ancient monuments and the beautiful terrain to be publicized. I also welcome Katia’s input to constantly publicize the injustices done by Stalin and then Azerbaijan by claiming our lands. This must be publicized very very often. Imagine both the Turks and the Azeris capitalize on publicyzing their lies to the world; we Armenians must concentrate a great deal on publicyzing THE TRUTHS which is on our side entirely.
I like the way Katia spelled out the notion of reconfiguring our focus in bringing our case to the Internal Court of Justice. In the current political climate, we are spinning our wheels trying to get the American government to take up our cause on moral grounds. Though individual politicians may sympathize with our case, they are not willing to call Turkey’s bluff when national security is on the line. Our case has merit with or without the official recognition of the US government. Such recognition has no real legal ‘teeth’ anyway and is only as powerful as the pressure the US would be willing to bear against Turkey in light of it. It is time for some real legal victories to back up our cause.
I am not advocating that we stop publicizing our plight. I still believe that there is merit in garnering public support and that we have much left to accomplish in the war of information and public relations. Newspaper ads, billboards, documentaries have all had impact in the past and will continue to do so. Fiction and nonfiction books, plays, movies, all have their place in our cause. Educational and academic foundations and the funding of research and symposiums serve our community as well as society in general. Our notable celebrities (Serge, Kim, Cher, Kirk, Charles, etc.,) can be very effective in the area of promoting awareness of our unique culture and contributions throughout history. (Think of a major campaign to promote Armenian wine from the land that has been perfecting the practice the longest! Just one small idea.)
I support the idea that more can be done to promote Armenia and that the diaspora and the RA should continue to work together to promote both genocide recognition and positive public/cultural awareness. Our community, religious and political organizations can do more in the area of inspiring and encouraging our mission. Defeatism and apathy cannot be allowed to overrun us, nor should we permit a wedge to come between the diaspora and the RA. This only serves to help our adversary and ensures that the final phase of genocide succeeds to erase Armenia from the world map. Our efforts have been effective. Turkey is fighting back harder and smarter than ever and so should we. Can’t stop now!
All Armenians should rejoice as our collective ingenuity and creativity has check mated the forces of darkness. No Orwellian “1984” revisionist can change the archeological finds and discovery about to unfold. Armenians are the most creative people in the world when it comes to music, food, wine, brandy, poems, lyrics, art and of course, fashionable shoes.
I like the way Katia spelled out the notion of reconfiguring our focus in bringing our case to the Internal Court of Justice. In the current political climate, we are spinning our wheels trying to get the American government to take up our cause on moral grounds. Though individual politicians may sympathize with our case, they are not willing to call Turkey’s bluff when national security is on the line. Our case has merit with or without the official recognition of the US government. Such recognition has no real legal ‘teeth’ anyway and is only as powerful as the pressure the US would be willing to bear against Turkey in light of it. It is time for some real legal victories to back up our cause.
I am not advocating that we stop publicizing our plight. I still believe that there is merit in garnering public support and that we have much left to accomplish in the war of information and public relations. Newspaper ads, billboards, documentaries have all had impact in the past and will continue to do so. Fiction and nonfiction books, plays, movies, all have their place in our cause. Educational and academic foundations and the funding of research and symposiums serve our community as well as society in general. Our notable celebrities (Serge, Kim, Cher, Kirk, Charles, etc.,) can be very effective in the area of promoting awareness of our unique culture and contributions throughout history. (Think of a major campaign to promote Armenian wine from the land that has been perfecting the practice the longest! Just one small idea.)
I support the idea that more can be done to promote Armenia and that the diaspora and the RA should continue to work together to promote both genocide recognition and positive public/cultural awareness. Our hope our religious and political organizations can do more in the area of inspiring and encouraging our mission. Defeatism and apathy cannot be allowed to overrun us, nor should we permit a wedge to come between the diaspora and the RA. This only serves to help our adversary and ensures that the final phase of genocide succeeds to erase Armenia from the world map. Our efforts have been effective. Turkey is fighting back harder and smarter than ever and so should we. Can’t stop now!
Mark, I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t make rather insulting assumptions about me. I am not even Armenian-American. I am an Armenian-Canadian who was born in Canada but still took the time to learn Western Armenian and Russian fluently in order to do work in Armenia (yes, I’ve been there many times). My parents were Bolsahays but unlike Karekin I don’t harbour self-defeating Turcophilia.
You make interesting points. I wouldn’t hold out too much hope for a political coalition with the deranged Christian right–God didn’t make any prophecy that Jesus would return when Armenians returned to Western Armenia. But religious tourism could definitely be used to attract some of these people to RA.
The US recognition bill is like Sisyphus’ rock, I agree. That’s why I’ve advocated, like some fellow posters, taking the case to international courts. Armenia can also take more steps towards democracy, or at least use such language more publicly–Georgia did this since independence, always emphasizing its commitment to democratic values, and as a result has a disproportionate amount of US support, both in American public opinion (see: August 2008 war with Russia) and money.
Diaspora funding should consist of direct investment to civil society initiatives in RA, rather than long-term unrestricted loans or simple humanitarian assistance. A strong civil society which can hold the government accountable will reduce corruption and increase foreign investment from non-Armenians. But ‘soft’ money to the government will just increase its repressive capacity to the detriment of democracy and prosperity in RA.
Curious and strange,how Armenians do not as yet conclude two important realities:-
1.Indeed ARF/ANC and or others ahve done their best carry FWD our CAUSE and recognition of Genocide perpetrated on our ancesotrs by Ottoman &Kemalist Turkey.
2.We as a whole,none Dashnakists or Ramgavars etc., also have put in our share.O-K?
3.At a very important (small)gathering at 17 rue Bleue April 22,2009,Pairs Professor Yves Ternot summed up his discourse(Parlement a Parlement) self-explanatory.
4.TODAY COINCIDES WITH THE BAKU/sumgait pogroms CARRIED OUT BY turco azeris 21 years ago.On Yerevan´s H1 T.V. channel quite an extensive footage of same (actual) was shown and many commenting on it.Best was , after it was over the very calm and weak commentator(forget his name) opined and I quote¨After 70 years of soviet rule that was supposedly injecting brotherhood amongst nations and also (my viewpoint,this) really educating especially the turks..then he went on.They -the azeris- were HOSHDEL means tear down ,PRETTY MUCH ONLY LIKE THIS IS APPLIED TO WOLVES on sheep etc.,they reverted to that innate instinct that comes to them probably from the Genkis khan days lengtenmour etc.THENCE, terminating his comments,thus: WE MUST BE PREPARED, GET STRONG,GATHER POWER and be ready to confront these people…he concluded.
How can the Diaspora PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS OF STRENGTHENING ARMENIA/aRTSAKH/jAVAKH(those that are cash,at hand…at least…My answer to this has been given several times over here on this forum,BUT SHOULD I STILL EXPECT some conformity, at the very least acknowledgement…it goes to be seen.-
We either do it properly around my PROJECTIONS ON A NEW STATUTE FOR THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA¨THAT ENCOMPASSES OUR huge collectivities of the PCA´S..professional colleagues associations, a 100,000 strong ,then through their ELIE 3 person each from the 16 fields of Prof. to Central Councils of ea community cxountry then to Supreme Council-inviting indeed our Politicxo and Spiritual with 3 and 1 perosn ea to paarticipate and thius HAVE REAL PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION,
5.
Main objective is TO CREATE OUR NATIONAL INVDESTMENT TRUST FUND at Geneva CH, firstly the Nucleus by our 5/6 magnates ea INVESTSING SOME 2/300 MILLION DOLALRS, THEN THE MILLIONAIRES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE 100,000 FORMING fILE,(rANK & fILE) ea with a thousand ollar investment:jUST IMAGINE WHAT FUND THAT WILL BE . then apply. to LOANS to small ,meidum workshops farmers etdc., agxainst mortgagges in armenia Through _Central bank.
6.ORGANZIE THE REPATRIATION WITH THE PROFIT OF THE FUND re invested by our moinetary experts in Govt. bonds that render 5/6%,.of which 2/3% to ALL INVESTORS.eNGOUGH going fund raising Anglo am style…all givers are a bit ..tired.INVESTMENT IS ANOTHER OPTION SO FAR NOT TACKLED.So say a word willya .Don´t be Armenian style …J…and non cooperative
Hama Haigagani sIRO,
G.P.
Thank you to all those who reacted favorably to my post.
95 percent of the success of any venture in this day and age is the result of effective marketting. People respond to visual information thrown at them; they don’t follow up with what is happening to a certain resolution in Congress. Part of why Congress has been continuously able to kill the resolution is because we have kept it within the walls of Congress and they love that! Why can’t we have Michael Moore make a documentary of how Turkey influences American policy making, even on human rights issues? We need to get this story out!
We have not tackled the “war of information” very seriously yet, and that has been costing us. I submit that our leaders come up with a unique organization that will work specifically on PR and marketting, by collaborating with Armenia’s Tourism ministry to get air time for well prepared commercials on TV, by putting out documentaries about the historic and religious treasures of the world’s first Christian nation, by aggressively promoting the truth about Karabagh and its fight for freedom with movies and such, and marketting Armenian products. We need to make Armenia a house hold name. The Kardashians were so effective in marketting the idea of being Armenian. We need to capitalize on that concept so that we have a captive audience to tell Karabagh’s, the illegal Turkish blockade’s and the Armenian Genocide stories to.
Turkey reached across the ocean to hire Kobe Bryant, and we have world renowned Armenian Americans whom we are not signing on.
This is the time to revise our old ways, and catch up with more modern strategies that our enemies are already pursuing. We need to invest in us first and foremost, and market ourselves in such a way to make our homeland and our people attractive enough for others to want to deal with us. This is the time to invest in good future leaders for Armenia instead of contributing to the campaign of the likes of Obama. Expecting Turkey’s friends to take the moral high ground is not only depleting funds that could have been allocated to promoting our homeland, it is also putting down the resolutions passed by the other countries, undermining our God given rights for justice and self determination and making us tools in their merry go round policies. Ultimately the right thing to do is to work with Armenia to prepare our case for the International courts.
No one will respect us unless we respect ourselves first.
We need to fight for Republic of Karabagh’s recognition and the lifting of the illegal Turkish blockade. Let’s be careful not to be too distracted with the resolution and forget urgent fires that we need to extinguish.
Good article. We should stop sending $ for genocide recognition in the US. It isn’t going to happen until its in US INTERESTS. Genocide is a POLITICAL TOOL.
Rather,we should get other countries to recognize it! 2nd, we need movies about it. Spend money there which will hopefully get other countries to recognize it.
3rd, spend the $ on helping Armenia instead of wasting it here on genocide recognition.
Is genocide recognition a great idea if we get back Western Armenia? 1st, Turkey would just invade it and take it back. 2nd, there would be so many Muslim Turkic people there, there would be endless ethnic conflicts!
Let’s look at the bright side, we have a homeland. Whereas, the Assryians also suffered a genocide and they don’t have one. The Kurds are going to continue to suffer massacres by Turkey and they’ll never have a homeland.
Georgia is getting a lot of $ from the US because of the OIL PIPELINE. Armenia doesn’t have one, so it isn’t as important to US interests.
“Let’s look at the bright side, we have a homeland. Whereas, the Assryians also suffered a genocide and they don’t have one. The Kurds are going to continue to suffer massacres by Turkey and they’ll never have a homeland.”
So true, Tommy. Assyrians are no less ancient and civilized people than us but, today, they are faced with the unfortunate fact of having no place to call home and have suffered the same terrible fate as the Armenians in the hands of the Ottomans. We may not appreciate what we have, but we could end up in a similar situation, depending on the circumstances. While our losses are mind blowing, at least, we have our country called ARMENIA. Kurds are many more millions than us but do not have what we have.
LOOKS LIKE TOMMY GOT IT . EVEN IN A ROUND ABOUT WAY.
1.Monies should not be spent though as have been so far even IN OTHER COUNTRIES/states,for recognition.Rather ,as described in my above post,in a CONCERTED MANNER-through the National Investment Trust Fund(to be established) through Loans in RA/Artsakh Javakhk.
2.When the PCA´s (professional Colleagues associations are all in place 16 fields,as well as well organized with boards and as Novelty (my brainchild) they elect 3 -person Delegates as the Elite,if they unite one of 3 Merits, A.Most advanced in prof.,Most advanced person,culturally ,nat´l Int´l and with networking capacity,third to be elected if has obtained most advanced position economically.Note, one complements the other two.There is no 4th Merit that can be further developed in a professional person.Thus in each Armenian-desne township, we achieve Central Body…on to Central Council of each community country capital. one delegate from all townships. On again to Supreme Council in 5 Departments, as considering the demographich geographic,economic and political factors, ..
A. Legal politcal in Strasbourgh,next to RA Delegations,
B.Executive in NY,next to RA permanent delgate at U.N.
C-The Economic in Geneva CH(where the Fund will be created) and with 16 offices that will coordinate work with homologues in RA/Artsakh.
D. Social Services and future Repatriation organizing and realizing with Fund´s supplort to RA/Artsakh.
E. The Only one we have the spritual,howsever in conjunction with Great House of Cilicia.
All above five dept.s in constant contact with ea other and Central Councils of each and all community country Central Councils.
If we believe ,we can achieve sucha harmonious and coordinated cooperation, in short TEAMWORK.indeed including our political party delegates as well as Spiritual delegates, then we can forge ahead quite a bit and get our HOMELAND in a safe and sound position. Take Switzerland or Belgium small countries bu well ORGANIZED AND WITH QUITE FORMIDABLE DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES.
Otherwise if we are to keep on being fragmented and each on his own,maintaining the present un enviable status quo,then ,regretfully, something might happen that will not be so easy to mend again.Our Homeland has had the protection of a superpower for the previous 70 yeasrs bdefore RE-Independence and it is only thanks to that and INDEED FOR HAVING BEEN FORMED IN 1918 AS AN ENTITY, A STATE,HOWEVER FEEBLE, that we now ostentate and can be proud to say that we HAVE A HOMELAND.
THENCE WE EITHER do it the proper way or keep on same old outdated stance.Yes including the 160 and more years old SAHMANATRUTYUN, that was drawn up in Bolis(Constantinople) under the harsh rule of the Ottomans and with mainly clergy.it does not suit our present well advanced diasporic rEALITY ,MAINLY COMPRISED OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE. LET US MAKE USE OF THOSE 100,000 AND MORE PCA´s .
With all due respect to our hitherto formed establishments and many thanks to all of them and best of wishes for success in their enterprises. Indeed in my theses DUAL MEMBERSHIP IS mentioned .that is one can be Ramgavar, or Dashnakist etc., but due or thanks to his her pertinence to a work/profession , form part of the PCA´s.However, with one condition that within the monthly or quarterly meetings of these, no political party issue ought to be allowed. Indeed members of latter can invite the PCA members to their clubs, headquarters to join them IF THEY SO WISH.this should be our ultimate ADVANCEMENT IN SOCIO POLITICAL VAST fields.
If any one wishes to learn more about the whole ¨paper¨´ of this servant of the Armenian people,please address your questions to my e-mail:-GAYZAGPAL@AOL.COM
Yes dear Katia, if we all are eager to see AG to be recognized by the world, we have to make our fatherland stronger, economically, politically, and militarily, and improve our justice system of Hayastan, for our ordinary citizens….it is time to facilitate immigration policy with Armenia and Artsakh, make every Armenian to feel Armenia as our new hope toward future generations..a holy land like Armenia is deserved to be kept better, where our kings and Sparapets gave their life and blood for their holy faith, and above all we kept the promise of our lord as an ancient Christan nation, since 301, and we never failed..
TO MY DEAR YOUNG COMPATRIOTS,ESPECIALLY.All others(middle aged and upwards) also are dear to me. At hand we have
ISSUES THAT ARE MULTI-FACET.I shall refer to those that I can still remember clearly:-
1.Continueous Pursuit of Hay Tahd(Armenian CASE)Cause as well, indeed,these go hand in hand.Meaning while,one is officially planted at various institutions, the other is the one that we should not neglect either.That of ARMENIDAD-Armenity,language,faith and Armenian studies/culture.Latter is our CAUSE.
2.Indeed most important also TEAMWORK ENCOURAGEMENT AND COOPERATION on all levels.The political /ideologically oriented parties,do this to their utmost capabilities.They ought to be praised and respected,if one does not form part of them,LIKE SELF.
3.Before delving into the necessity of complementing the rest efforts,i.e. say if the aforementioned have so far achieved a 4/5% of our Diaspora´r population,at most,to fill in their Rank & Files, it behooves upon those non-partisan to gear up and :-
4.Join in- into Teamwork of which I have said enough in my above posts,i.e. in accordance with ONE´S WORK /profession type categories,¨Professional Colleagues Associations(THIS BY THE BY GTAKES CARE OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY Advocacy….which dear Mr. Vartan Oskanian started-indeed as in many countries of the world and some,or all of you will kindly admit that my Concept of PCA´s Automatically takes care of that.When work/Prof. people regularly meset in their Groupings they FORM SOCIALLY.This also is one of the preconditions towards TEAMWORK AND SUCCESS.
5.Some touch upon ¨Religious¨Toruism.This has been the META ,my Idee FIXe FOR NEAR 5 YEARS now.While on my yearly piulgrimage to RA I have contacted tourist Info office head, the Historians, that (by the by have multiplied now on this issue in RA)were not willing to easily accept my enthusiastic HORTORS,measn like Prompting …that we should organize Pilgrimage, to near by Monasteries of Yerevan(then further awayn later) on a once yearly to EACH OF THESE ON NAME-SAKE DAY ,e.g.St. Hripsime,St. Haghartsin etc.,,WELL ADVERTISED BY SAID Tour/Travel Agencies,in their pamphlets,also Gov.t ones,AND MY NOVELTY BEING THAT THE NEARBY VILLAGERS bringing their fare,like handicrafts and food for that 1/3 day Khermez,Festival call it Pilgrimage.Also have all Diaspora country press/media advertise each of the events DATES.With proceeds of sale of fare by villagers , help repair the Monasteries and have ST.ETCHMIATDZIN send over for one day Mass,a priest ,which will also be the Spiritual ingredient to it.PLEASE DEAR FORUM PARTICIPATNS CALL THIS SPIRITUAL TOURISM,not Religious.I have made some very small progress on this in Yerevan.Hope to do more.
6.We are like that,fact of the matter is all other nations too.When scientists discover that wine making was as old as 6000 years in Armenia all go in for it.Please be informed that for the past decade or so this industry has made strides worthy of praise in Armenia,beginning to enter in one or two foreign markets. Our Cognac,above all is allready well known overseas and is catching on fast .As well as vodkas from fruit varieties. It so happens that this participant here is at it -just beginning to.Again our Tour/Travel and transport Professional Colleagues Associaition for this branch(see my theses for 16 fields ,of which,ONE IS THIS) could do a lot for same-
I´m tired folks.Am very near (80 years young) shall pick up my ¨suggestions¨¨later,Bye
Poor Gina and those others in self-denial.
What the Kurds do have is millions of their people on the lands of their ancestors. Can Armenians in the diaspora say the same thing? Sure they might have not state or government but they are actively participating in Kurdish society and nationa-building. Can the same be said for the millions of Armenians languishing in the Diaspora? We contribute to the country we reside in – taxes, ideas, manpower. Armenia, on the other hand, the state you point to as our advantage over the Kurds, is loosing thousands a year who emigrate to the vast emptiness of the diaspora. Certainly lost forever. Are Armenians truly better off when the state we have forces its sons and daughters away and when the hyphenated Armenians in the Diaspora don’t really believe in the possibility of repatriation?
You know, diaspora is an interesting concept. Italian immigrants don’t refer to themselves as part of a “diaspora”. Except in song I haven’t heard a 3rd or 4th generation Irish-American say, “I’m moving back…someday…” Certainly not the Scots-Irish that have made half the presidents of the United States. On the west coast Japanese- and Chinese-American immigrants don’t sit around lamenting what it would be like in the “old country” that they’ve never been to.
That whole concept got me thinking. The problem with us is like that commercial years ago about Colombian coffee. There’s a big ocean liner. Two well-heeled people are standing on a deck, and listening to the announcements on the PA system. After several uninteresting things come out of the speaker, suddenly it is announced that “Colombian coffee is being served on the port side of the ship” This awakens the interest in the couple in the scene and then move quickly toward the coffee. The scene pans back and we see the ship tipping hard to port as all the guests mob the colombian coffee.
There is much in that about us. We in the Armenian diaspora live a life where the genocide has been the main cause…the colombian coffee. Each April 24th we tip the boat…and walk and yell or hold a candle and pray. I’ve done them all. I’ve written my congressmen over the years and I still have the responses from 17 Senators I wrote to back in the 80s when the genocide resolution was working its way through the Senate with Bob Dole as its main sponsor.
The truth is, in that intervening time, Armenia became a country. We are no longer a country-less diaspora. The term “diaspora” makes little sense (see my first paragraph) given that reality. Therefore we must conclude that we are *here* or *there*. We are creating our own “Armenias” in each place we settle. Just like our middle age ancestors did by starting 2 or 3 different Armenian Kingdoms or Principalities under the hegemony various conquerors. Our reality is in Boston. Or in LA. Or in Argentina. Or in India. Or in France. Or in Canada.
What this means is that we have 3 problems and not just 1.
1) We need to stay a coherent entity in each geographic area in which there are a concentration of people of Armenian descent. Lets get rid of the word diaspora and just call it: Boston-Armenia, Montreal-Armenia, Rio-Armenia. We are now a citizen of Pan-Armenia. Those Armenias must survive for a couple hundred years just like Ani, Adana, New Julfa and Caucusus Armenia.
2) We need to speak with a single voice armenian issues that is a coordinated effort at every level. That means it is not just talking about a genocide resolution, but <put list here of every legal, accounting, geographic effort> we are doing as a pan-Armenian community. We also need to stop getting in each other’s way. 4 churches, 3 political parties, 3 youth organizations, the ARS, yadayadayada. Try to explain armenian issues and all the sides arguing amongst themselves to an odar, they look at you like you are nuts or hopeless. And please don’t tell me that this made us survive for 17 centuries…That’s how the squirrels in my backyard survive the winter…not how a national, ethnic, and linguistic entity thrives and becomes relevant.
3) We must channel some significant portion of our collective wealth and intelligence to boosting the lot of the actual state called the Republic of Armenia, our Hairenik. And that isn’t just about planting trees vicariously (which I am guilty of). If Armenians are leaving Armenia because they can’t economically survive, then we haven’t done our job as part of the Pan-Armenian entity.
So all in all I kinda agree with the original post here. We need a new path that isn’t centered on only genocide…We need to make ourselves and ultimately Hayastan relevant where it is stuck…between the Russian, Turkish and Persian empires where it has been stuck for the last 800 years (and all of them have done bad things to our ancestors…)
Armen, I agree with much of what you said, especially your thoughts on ‘diasporans’ working to strengthen the Armenian Republic. But is it wrong for Armenians to be ‘disturbed’ about the ongoing lies being promoted by Turkey regarding the genocide and our history, which they are slowly usurping as their own; when they are not destroying the remnants. Is it really wrong for Armenians to want to set the record straight? Isn’t it natural? Shouldn’t we be disturbed simply because we are human, not just Armenian? Allowing genocide to go unpunished is another facet of the evil that commits it.
What we need is an acknowledgment of what happened, an undistorted connection to our past. Then the process of putting it in the past can begin in earnest. You are right to imply that it is unhealthy to define ourselves as victims. But it is not unhealthy to understand the impact of our history on our individual and our nations’ development and our somewhat unique role in standing up against such atrocities.
I don’t think anyone should ever forget the genocide, but memories live on in minds, museums, books and photos. However, both the short and long term well-being of those who are today living (and struggling) in Armenia trumps everything – including 6000+ years of history. A depopulated and economically depressed Armenia is a much weakened one. Let’s not forget those key facts – instead, let’s all work hard to overcome them.
It is never wrong to set the record straight… IT is a great emotional and absolutely correct cause for us to take up and carry every day. However, the question is of sufficiency or even efficacy on its own. The genocide resolutions and land reparations are justified. But in the real world/realpolitik, we also need to do other things to maintain relevancy.
In other words, do you want us to be known as the “genocide” people
or
the 6000 year old race that has contributed to the world, had its own kings, has a history that is written down, art forms et cetera…that had a genocide happen to them and now have a state that needs international support.
Again, I’m in agreement with Katia, Armen et al. While it is not wrong for Armenians to want to set the record straight lobbying in the Capitol and beyond, grounds must be prepared for a gradual diversification of the Diasporan activity. Boyajian, diversification NOT abruption; parallel efforts and resources involving the Republic and Artsakh NOT just decades-long monumental efforts and resources aimed solely at political activism in the host countries. We can do both. In fact, I believe that one will only reinforce the other. If the goal is recognition of genocide in the international courts, it is the Republic of Armenia, strong and economically vibrant, that has the legal right to submit the case being a subject of international law. I’ve seen some counterarguments here that it was the Jewish Diaspora not the state of Israel that advanced the Holocaust recognition. That may be true, but only to a certain extent. In contrast to the Armenians, Jews were able to create an all-Jewish infrastructure based on the Zionism ideology that spoke for the interests of all Jews— in Israel and beyond. Armenians lag behind this, therefore in our case, I suppose, ultimately the Republic should become the mouthpiece and claimant for all Armenians in closest collaboration with the Diasporan structures.
Either what I write here disappears into thin air,or else I am ignored totally.I don´t mind for the latter,since it is not with fellow forum´s commentators that I shall be encouraged or GIVE UP, posting. I am here to stay until the Web supervisor or editor chucks me out!!!
Hence,be it known that I have many times over ¨suggested¨my version of RE-ORGANIZING THE ARMENIAN CDIASPORA(S).Here, this hint/address tpo Armen above,we ARE,unlike the Itlaian, japanesse/chinese ones,for WE HAVE SURVIVED A GENOCIDE.Perhaps only other similar to us(and after ours was the jewish Holoaust).
Again for Armen and othjers. We have 3 categories of Diasporans,A. The one that is over a century old-more or less- THAT IS THE ONE THAT IS HERE TO STAY,meaning outside Armenia,whether in North South Americas,Russia or Middle East(Iran, an old one 4/500 yrs old,Shah Abbas brought them over from Old Julfa to New julfa,thence an old one.
B. The second Diaspora Category -like self an tens of thousands others-that left their sescond adopted countries ,mainly in Middle ÇEast and Emirgrated to West. Half that much old, as the previous one-again more or less- Some of these may be candidates to RETURN TO A STABILIZED ARMENIA/Artsakh(when my dreamed,shall wee say , NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND IS CREATED:fOR WITHOUT <FUNDS i CANNOT IMAGINE A PROPER Repatriation, I mean BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ,invested in ¨The FUND¨¨ Nucleus of which by our magnates 5/6 to inspire Confidence to our over a 100 milliaires, thenALL THE WAY DOWN TO ONE THOUSAND OLLARS INVESTORS BY THE Professional Colleagues Associationb members…THAT IS WHERE OUR SLUMBERING GIANT IS, AMIGOS/friends.I always have and will respect all of our heretofore created establishedments whether political ,benevolent ,Sportive or Spiritual/Cultural Praise be upon them, but WE NEED MORE. These two in the interim,as starters if you will.
3.Our main non-SOCIO ECONOMIC ISSUE(above touched upon) is INDEED OUR TAHD/Case that for many many yrs I have trumpeted/advocated,THROUGH ONE OF MY CRAVED TO BE ESTABLISHED COLLEAGUES ASSOCIATION(actually this one is one of the 5 already on the scene)>THAT OF OUR 500 AND OVER STRONG B A R association,with branches in paris and Yerevan.I have humbly suggested that take it upon themselves to prepare the DOSSIER,File and all documents with help of our historians and politicians and then FORMALLY LODGE TYHE CLIAM AT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AT THE HAUGE AND OTHER SUCH INSTANCES.
In this respect again my ¨suggestionÏS TO GO FIRST OF ALL AFTER B L O O D M O N E Y , ,since this has precedent (the jewish one from the nazis and…..more recently the two VERY SMALL BUT IMPORTANT CASES WON BY OUR TWO OR THREE ATTORNEY , VARTKES YEGHIAYAN,MARK GERAGOS AND CO., AGAINST THE NEW YORK LIFE AND AXA INSURANCE COMPANIES.Which was actually for PHYSICAL (BLOOD) LOSS NOT PROPERTY OR REAL PROPERTY.tHAT MY FRIENDS CAN WAIT AND BE FOLLOWD UP AFTER WE GET THE main h u g e ONE …theprecedents are there…
Never stop thinking to give up our JUST CAUSE/CASE,since it is THE LEGACY OF THOSSE 1.5 MILLION MARTYRED…if we forget that then indeed WE SHALL BECOME ANOTHER PHENICIANS, ASSYRIANS OR SUCH LIKE WHO DISAPPEARED FROM FACE OF THE EARTH.WHAT IS MORE WE HAVE THANK GOD ACCOMPLISHSED AND AHIEVED THE RE-INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND LITTLE BROTHER ARTSAKH—-N A G O R N Y I K A R A B A G H , to the chagrin of our adversaries..
They thought they had completely destroyed the ERMENI MILLET, the Armenian people..WRONG AND HOW!!!!
tHENCE WHAT I REQUEST some or all here online is to HAVE FAITH AND ,IF I MAY , TRY TO BY AND BY GET USED TO THE CONCEPT THAT WE ARE SOCIALLY BEING FORMED ,THAT WHICH SOME HERE THERE NOMINAGTE A S CIVIL SOCIETIES…we can easily attain that through the PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES ASSOCIATIONS.I do believe our church side Armenian clubs are doing fine,but mainly old style get togethers and coffee hours .Not to be unjust some theatrical acts and/or children´s school yrs-end Hantess.All very good indeed.BUT NOW WE NEED ACTIVISM,WHICH NOT ALL HAVE WISHES -like self-to join with any political ideology,though respecting them all.
So much for now and thanks for reading me.Pretty soon -at long last one or two armenian newspapers will oblige me and publish in fuller length my THESES…
i also have up my sleeve:-´¨A N E W C O N CE P T OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND GOVERNANCE¨WELL REGISTERED AT wASHINGTON d.C. AS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND IN …Yerevan,Armenia-
kind rgds to all and
hama Haigagani SIRO ,
I only take issue with one thing you said gaytzag. Estimates are that 30 million chinese died during the the japanese manchurian campaign in the 1930’s. While 30 million chinese may sound small in percentage proportion to the genocide and the holocaust, and while some chinese attribute that to Mao not supporting the nationalists (by sitting it out) under chang kai shek who were fighting the japanese…even if that number is off by a multiple of 2, that’s a lot of people. And truly they never heard of armenians and our troubles would not have entered their studies of history…they had too much of their own. And lets not mention cambodia under Pol Pot or the hutu’s extermination of tutsi’s during the 1990s.
Lets not diminish what happen to our people by going around saying “our genocide” was worse, “our genocide” was first. Lets give the world some context and act like we are a 6000 year old civilization that has something to teach the world and make sure it never happens again to anyone…the first thing we need to remember is that our kings and princes in the middle ages played politics with the big guns…Byzantium, The Persians, et cetera. We have to act like a BIG and relevant civilization that happens to be small in number, like they were. Sometimes that means being emotional, loud and banging on the table, and other times that means being calm, deliberate and relentless.
Here’s part 2. some more food for thought.
http://armenianweekly.com/2011/01/21/genocide-recognition-a-flawed-political-strategy-part-ii/
dear Armedn and ARA,
I have just posted one to 2nd portion writ of >Mr. Mensoian,which partially also covders your queries. As to hundreds of millions other nations´people having been slaughterred(ADD TO THE ONES YOU MENTION STALINS´S more than 20 milllion,those in WWII etc., these are indeed people…humans and we should(and are actually in some instances)be honoured by us and always mentioned by us <ALONGSIDE OURS.I agree.
But today our main worry should be our un enviable ,nay unofrganized Diaspora, THAT IS AS YET IN A SLUMBER, or at most busy with the Multi facet org.´s so far on the Armenian Affairs scene,doing their bdest ,b ut with very little count and some little success.THE DIASPORA CAN AND SHOULD DO A LOT MORE,PROVIDED N NEW SYSTEM IS EMPLOYED,NOT COPIED FROM MANHY OTHER PEOPLE´S small and diversified centrifugal system which is part of the present mainly Western lifestyles.
We need to come up with something REAL BIG and HAMA HAIGAGAN,regardless of faith,political belief and/or Regionalism …the HUGE COLLECTIVITIES HERETOFORE UNGTAPPED….where both humand and economic resourcds are there…
I do not see Genocide Recognition in the same light that others do – simply an effort to make the US government do something, and a failure if it doesn’t. Genocide recognition is for me a moral imperative. Can you imagine the Jews just shutting up about the Holocaust if the German government continued to deny and obstruct US democracy? Telling the truth is an important part of my heritage and Christian faith, and just as my ancestors are not “losers” because they perished in a genocide, so we are not “losers” for pursuing recognition. We have gained from our efforts; Turkey exposes a flawed political system and nationalist ideology through denial, it exposes a flawed university environment for research — and this genocide stays a current subject both for political activism and research elsewhere in the world. More importantly, we tell the truth because our grandparents could not.
This is a false dichotomy; truth strengthens identity and power. Neither is it separate from helping Armenia but an integral part of recognizing the harm and racist denialist origin of the current illegal and immoral blockade, the opposition by Azerbaijian with its own nationalist fanaticism, and so much more that impedes Armenia’s strength and progress. Democracy in Armenia is not perfect — now we are also to “shut up” in order to help? I don’t think so. It all goes hand in hand. I consider it a moral imperative, with the power of truth that goes with it.
Janine, A powerful statement! It all needed to be said. That is exactly where things stand.
Yes, Janine, but the emphasis put on the recognition and the emphasis put on the improvement and modernization of Republic and Artsakh are unmatched. There is no dichotomy between the two, but there clearly is a misbalance that needs to be addressed. I tend to believe that Diasporan Armenians are unlikely to go far in advancing the Cause without stronger and better-governed Armenia, just as Armenia cannot become the mouthpiece for the Cause without influential Diaspora. At the core of this misbalance is that recognition has become a raison d’être for the Diaspora, as it should have. But times dictate the need for modification of the strategy WITHOUT abruption of efforts at political activism. More attention should be directed on the vulnerable Republic, which, as a remaining portion of the historical homeland for all Armenians, needs to be supported to firmly stand on its feet in order to help advance the Cause. Imagine what could have happened if the weak Republic succumbed to the international pressure and ratified defeating protocols that it signed without coordinating the measure neither with the Diaspora nor with its own citizens. More active Diasporan participation n the decision-making process in the Republic is needed. More possibilities for investments that directly serve people’s needs and improve governance are required. All this and many other measures will inevitably require certain re-orientation (in NO way abruption) of the recognition strategy. Both venues are doable at the same time. In that I support Mr. Mensoian’s views.
Janine, I agree with your stance on the moral imperative of genocide recognition.
Well, Boyajian, then don’t be suprised at unilateral actions of the government in the Republic for whom secure borders with and trade and commerce via Turkey may be of greater importance than the political activism of the Diaspora. Why can’t a moral issue go side by side with the geopolitical pragmatism?
Mjm, did I say something to suggest it can’t?
Here’s some of “the whole picture” guys (my thoughts).
Turkey has committed Genocide and is occupying many territories illegally besides Western Armenia.
Turkey knows this; the US, Israel, Britain and Europe all know this. Justice has become a tool that is only used when it suits the needs of the big powers. If Turkey does not admit to the Genocide and it suits the US that Western Armenia stays within the grasp of its so called ally, noone will speak up about reparations and restitutions. The US, today, wants to enforce an International Tribunal for the assasination of the Lebanese leader Hariri… When was the last time you and I have run into the word “tribunal”?(ie:the Ottoman tribunals). If the US apparently is capable to enforce tribunals (especially ones that will prove Huzballah being the culprit), how come it continues to ignore the injustice and war crimes inflicted upon the Armenians, the Palestinians, the Greeks, the Cypriots, the Assyrians, the Kurds, the Darfurians and on and on… You know the answer:”Those do not fit its interests”. Only mainstream markets (Technology, Arms deals, Oil etc) and strategic geopolitical advantages interest the US. Unless Armenia becomes a household name by succeeding in pushing ahead in Tourism, Culture, Technology and even the Movie industry (do not underestimate the power of a well done blockbuster movie. Look at what “Braveheart” did to the Scottish Cultural industry and the plight of the Irish), the world will not take notice. Right now, we are not popular. We are just a voice whining within the confines of walls of congress. We have a homeland run by oligarchs, where thousands are emigrating out of, and we have a Diaspora that is trying its best to assist the landlocked homeland while being majorly distracted by its post-traumatic syndrome and its need to get justice. That’s exactly how the US and Turkey want the Diaspora to remain, distracted and allocating precious resources into the Genocide cause instead of investing in solid relationships with the homeland. Promises are made, donations are accepted and once elections are over, promises are denied and the cycle restarted.
Turkey knows the power of information and is fighting us big with all sorts of lawsuits and false and malicious propaganda. The only two major fears of Turkey are: a strong popular Armenia viable in international markets, and a strong alliance between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. We are not there on both accounts, but we should be working to get there. Guys, the Armenian Genocide is the best documented and the most written about Genocide. The information is there, but we have yet to make it mainstream. Money and resources should be spent on promoting our homeland and telling the story of our Genocide and Karabagh to the people of the world in an attractive manner. Get Spielberg to do a movie about the Genocide, (fingers crossed), do movies that tell the truth about Karabagh, have Kim Kardashian do a Tourism commercial etc… We need to release our story from the chains that lock it in unfriendly congresses. We need to, at the very least, do this in parallel to our political efforts.
We will become more powerful as a nation, and our cause will gain serious momentum if:
1. The Diaspora becomes engaged in promoting Armenia in the world, and enhances its efforts in the “war of information” so that our stories become mainstream.
2. Armenia grants dual citizenship to all of Diaspora, with laws that force the Diasporans to visit regularly or have property there to qualify. Voting rights should only be granted to those who settle permanently. (Basically dual citizenship that encourages the influx of Diasporans bbut won’t be abused)
3. The Diaspora and Armenia invest in Democracy and better conditions in trade of goods
and services in Armenia.
4. The Diaspora and Armenia work together on preparing our case against Turkey which will be presented to the International Justice courts by Armenia.(Even if for the sake of record, this needs to be done because our case belongs first and foremost at the Hague instead of the US congress)
No, you didn’t, Boyajian. But you didn’t touch upon it, either… This reminded me (irrespective of you and your convictions) of LTP’s stance: Diaspora handles genocide recognition, while Armenia handles geopolitics. Although dubious, this stance might have worked—to a varying degree of “success”—in the immediate post-independence period. From what I see now, the two are inching closer to each other, and the tendency needs to be encouraged in order to avoid failures such as protocols, congressional democratic leadership betrayal, etc.
Katia K.: I’m with you. Wholeheartedly.
Yes, and I’m with both Katia and mjm, too. While I would love to have US Congress support for our just cause, I can’t see putting all our eggs in that basket. Parallel processes are definitely the way and we should approach our goals (both strengthening the Republic and upholding the truth of our history)from multiple angles.
mjm and Katia,
Please take into consideration the cultural/mental/emotional makeup of individuals such as Boyajian and many others like him here in the US. Just look at their shallow and naively idealistic rhetoric. Not long ago, Boyajian, indicative of his massive American ego, thought he was doing Russia a favor by publicly warning them in an article that supporting the protocols Moscow was weakening Russia in the Caucasus. Just think, Boyajian thought he was in a better position than Russia’s foreign ministry and its FSB/GRU to know what’s better for Russia…
The fact of the matter is, these people are very far removed from political reality. They have been raised with fairytales about freedom, democracy and justice. They have been raised being told Armenians are victims/helpless. They have been raised thinking that the Western world is civilized. They have been raised equating Bolshevism with Russians. They have been raised thinking that Washington is the “beacon of democracy” or the “policeman of the world”…
These types of people fail to see who, what and how the political world evolves. They fail to understand realpolitk. They fail to understand that American presidents/politicians are nothing but CEO’ representing the nation’s powerful elite, its special interests. They fail to understand that America is essentially a one party system. They fail to understand that they have a good life here in the United States simply as a result of centuries of slavery, genocide, exploitation of others resources and wars for plunder. They fail to learn from history. Like I have said in the past – Armenians may be brilliant in business, arts, science and sports, but when it comes to politics we are a bunch of pathetic children – even the so-called educated ones amongst us.
And the funny part is that every four years, like clock work, Armenian-Americans are like – this is it, the president X will recognize the Armenian Genocide!!!
This lack of political understanding is ultimately the reason why we have so many collaborators, mercenaries and agents of the West working within our vast diasporan communities.
Wow, Avetis, you read my mind! This is exactly what I’ve been thinking.
Before we go to educate the rest of the world we need to educate our own Diasporans that they live in a one-party political system that supports Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia by guaranteeing it’s safety through NATO membrship.
Avetis, be aware that there is more than one Boyajian writing here.
Avetis: I came across a couple of your comments elsewhere and while there certainly is a rational kernel in some of them, I’m afraid I’d reject several others at the outset. Amongst them is your bald anti-Westernism. You accuse others in being far removed from political reality and failing to understand Realpolitk, while it should be obvious for you that for countries like Armenia political reality dictates the need to play upon all interested parties’ interests, not just one’s. In fact, this is true for any other country. At this historical juncture, given the insecure borders with Turkey and the ongoing, while dormant, conflict with the Azeris, Armenia needs Russia more than any other country. This, however, doesn’t suggest that official Yerevan should cease efforts at maintaining a certain degree of optimal balance by inviting other players to the fore. Unless you advocate continuation of Armenia’s role as a border military zone as it has been during the Russian empire. Then, of course, who the hell would care about the West or the Middle East. We’d enjoy the protectorate of Russia while essentially being a large military base for them. But if you’re entering Realpolitik, basing your foreign policy and national security on one sole player may be advantageous in the short term, but disastrous in the long one. With this in mind, I failed to see what you essentially suggested in your comment other than “naively idealistic rhetoric” of other commentators and pointing to blemishes of the American system which any other country has. Armenian Americans (I’m not one of them, BTW) are the most influential in advancing the Cause. Lots of my friends, Russian Armenians, have admitted the fact, although each community in the world, to a lesser or larger degree, contributes to it. No one here suggested that their efforts at recognition should stop, some of us just see them more diversified in the future with more emphasis put on strengthening the Homeland.
And, BTW, I understand what you mean when you accuse some Armenian Americans in equating Bolshevism with Russians, but the fact that many non-Russians were in the highest echelons of the Bolshevik party doesn’t diminish the fact that Bolsheviks were the official government representing the Russians. During the 1917 revolt and the civil war that followed, most of the Russian population has supported the Reds, not the Whites. You may argue that large masses were afterwards deceived by the Bolshevik leaders, but, again, this won’t negate the fact that for 73 years the Russian nation was officially represented by Bolsheviks/Communists as their government.
Further, you speculate that “Armenians may be brilliant in business, arts, science and sports, but when it comes to politics we are a bunch of pathetic children.” So, logically I assume that you think that Armenia’s current alliance-type relationship with Russia is, too, a behavior of a “bunch of pathetic children”? Am I correct?
Lastly, re: “collaborators, mercenaries and agents of the West working within our vast Diasporan communities”. It’s a fact because people have different political convictions even if they represent the same ethnos. Of course, only some of them, certainly a minority, may be “collaborators, mercenaries and agents of the West.” But if you think that such people exist in the West only and not in Russia, please read former KGB general Oleg Kalugin’s account “Spymaster: My Thirty-two Years in Intelligence and Espionage Against the West.” You’ll be surprised at his revelations on Russian Armenians being recruited as “collaborators, mercenaries and agents.” Such individuals will no doubt exist in any society, after all it’s not typically Armenian, but to highlight collaboration in the West, while omitting collaboration in Russia, certainly doesn’t qualify you as one who’s attached to political reality.
This comment is not necessarily for publication:
Both “Avetis” and “Voskanapat” sound to me like fakes who are gaming the discussion. There isn’t one solid point in anything they say. The point seems mindless mockery of sincere posters. This always seems to happen toward the end of the posts. Why give them the space? I’m not sure what can be done and preserve freedom of discussion, but that’s the way it seems to me.
Does Armenia respect the borders drawn by four treaties or think to revoke the excessive claims in her constitution? How can you come with so many endless claims against your neighbors and expose your continuous hostilities at the same time expecting your neighbors to give in to all these claims, just because you “use the leverage of super powers”?
Who is fooling whom? Cannot be that the diaspora pipe blowers are fooling the US Congress who are not even aware of their past resolutions in 1919, 1920 and 1922?
http://armenians-1915.blogspot.com/2011/06/3277-hai-tahd-new-priorities-for-new.html