Email a copy of 'Astarjian: National Inventory and a Roadmap' to a friend
Loading ...
Dr. Henry Astarjian
Dr. Henry Astarjian was born in Kirkuk, Iraq. In 1958, he graduated from the Royal College of Medicine and went on to serve as an army medical officer in Iraqi Kurdistan. He continued his medical education in Scotland and England. In 1966, he emigrated to the U.S. In 1992, he served as a New Hampshire delegate to the Republication National Convention in Houston, Texas. For three years Astarjian addressed the Kurdish Parliament in Exile in Brussels, defending Armenian rights to Western Armenia. For three consecutive years, he addressed the American Kurds in California and Maryland. He is the author of The Struggle for Kirkuk, published by Preager and Preager International Securities.
Latest posts by Dr. Henry Astarjian (see all)
- Astarjian: A Quadruple Historic Bypass - February 2, 2015
- Astarjian: Hypocrisy or Ineptitude? - September 28, 2013
- Armeno-Kurdish Relations: Love Fest or Divorce Settlement Meetings? - August 19, 2012
You should point out the obvious. The millions spent on lobbying efforts in Western capitals can be better spent in Armenia/Artsakh. Armenia will regain its lost lands only thru a strong Armenian state, in conjunction with various geopolitical realities that may be set into motion. No one will hand us the land freely, we must earn it via blood and iron.
what Wael Ghounim did in Egypt is not road map for everybody.
Sramidouteun.
Apart from restatements of some obvious facts, this piece exhibits an unbelievably out-of-touch-with-reality mentality! Yes, the success of the strategy of encouraging Western powers to do the (dirty) job for Armenian nationalism by exposing the sins of Turkish nationalism has been limited. Given the power imbalance between Turkey and Armenia, this may have seemed to be a reasonable path to take. However, it won’t work because of the reasons that go well beyond the specificity of Turkish-Armenian relations (reasons which Astarjian remarkably goes delusional lengths to ignore). Take this quote for instance: “So this is Turkey, not different from Mubarak’s Egypt”. Well, if Egypt=Turkey, why would Turkey appear as the only viable alternative for the Arab world that is at the verge of getting itself rid of tyrants? We should read what’s going on in Turkey as is a hegemonic struggle taking place in Turkish politics between Islamists, Kemalists and that also involves Kurdish nationalists. Any credible argument on Turkey has to take into account the fact that the Turkish political system has been evolving into a shape that can accommodate dissent within the limits of legitimate/democratic process. Besides, a constitutive choice to bore the fruits of Western modernity brings the two peoples together. So, although Kurdish nationalism aims independence in the long-run, they seek local autonomy and cultural rights in the foreseeable future. They have a stake in democratization and the strengthening of rights and liberties in Turkey. Their party recently stated that they want Kurdish identity to be incorporated into the constitution, or if not, ethnic Turkishness to be erased from it. The latter is a demand that can and I think, will be met by Turkish political system. Don’t be deluded: Turkey will remain increasingly prosperous and strong. It serves better to HayiTahd for Turkey to become a freer society. Only thing the likes of Asterjian can take credit so far is the perpetuation of the status quo by feeding nationalist backlash in Turkey…
It is really sad to see some Armenians losing touch with reality by portraying Turkey as a mere Middle Eastern dictatorship. I am simply speechless by remarks such as “We have delayed or probably blocked Turkey’s entry into the European Union”. So it was Armenian Diaspora working behind the scenes after all! I’d feel shameful to state the real reasons for why EU accession process of Turkey lost pace, I haven’t seen such an unrestrained form of self-aggrandizement lately. I guess that’s what nationalist zeal does to healthy human intellect…
And then there’s: “The British and the French governments did not come to rescue the “civilized Christian” Armenians from genocide because they did not want to jeopardize their 14 million sterling pound investment in the Ottoman railways”. Really??? So it was railway investments after all!!! Nothing to do with Franco-British alliance seeking a credible Western ally against Bolshevism, or Turkish relinquishment of any claims to oil-rich Mosul region or post-war fatigue etc…
We may fruitlessly insult each other here, but let’s put my argument into test: 4 months from now there’s national election in Turkey, and it will be particularly revealing whether Turkey resembles more to Mubarek’s Egypt or a healthy democracy. Now that the ruling AKP wants a free hand in re-writing the country’s constitution, the failure of the nationalist MHP to pass the 10% electoral barrage would come as a blessing to Erdogan because of the disproportional weight it would gain in the National Assembly. So, nowadays Kurdish nationalists have gained an important card to play: if PKK re-launches its armed attacks, nationalist zeal in Turkish society is likely to rise, which will benefit MHP in the elections. So, AKP has a choice: either to face rising separatist violence or tactically give concessions to Kurds. So lets wait and see whether in the midst of harsh political rhetoric, AKP and pro-Kurdish BDP can reach a settlement for the future constitutional amendment or not…
First, I am happy that Mr. Mimic is spending his time by posting on an Armenian newspaper. We need more posts by him. Reminds of that Curlickavalley Turkish man or whatever his name is who constantly posts inane comments all over the web.
What Armenia and the Diaspora needs are nationalist, realistic leaders who are not shy about asserting the full spectrum of Armenian rights.
The assessment of the most recent developments in countries outlining former Ottoman empire does suggest that Turkish rewanshism will dare to commence building muscles for final fight for their dream Grand-Turan. Turkey is freeing out of a financial dependence on western world (which adds to the economic crisis beating continuously the western world), it continues gaining a reputation in Islamic world as a “democratic” model of governance, it has built unprecedented military power (by selling its geo-strategic advantage to US), it has century deep and complex bonding with Jews (which does and will continue lobbing for them in US). Today’s movements, frictions are just one instant play of a kaleidoscope. Tomorrow everything will be back.
Turkey and Russia with some involvement of other interested parties are finishing tailoring the map of the region(s). Since the main “costumers” are Turkey and Israel, the whole Mediterranean basin is also perturbed. Yes, these developments became possible as a result of two colossal events – brokering of the communist dictatorship in former USSR and topple down of Hussein dictatorship in Iraq. Today’s political events are mirror images of the century old past: there is a danger that in the final stage Russia will support anything wanted by Turkey in order to diminish presence of other parties in the region. The problem is – are the Armenians better united and prepared today in order to act in offense rather than defence? Does every Armenian have clear idea of what is coming and is his/her role?
Despite recent discouraging moves in Armenian communities both in Armenia and Diaspora, the answer is yes. Charents’s call “Armenian nation, your power is in your union!” and warning “Whether I am the last poet?” are the precious messages to hear today. We will pay dear if ignoring them today. Yes, we should size the moment, but with clear knowledge of what to do and with deep feeling of being united. Artsakh is the backbone of the Armenian future. Armenians all over the world should realize that any development is possible today – both fall into oblivion, and a rise into strong nation among many.
In my opinion, the solution is in all-component-strong presence of Armenians in the region. Turkey, Russia and other interested parties are extensively working exactly against that.
Our strategic goal is to put our boot on our land first.
My vision of the path toward it is in a) getting united in a pursue of protection of independence of Artsakh and strengthening of the Armenian state; b) learning staying united while being different in our political, social preferences. Arthask is independent since the cease-fire agreement was signed. As you have formulated, asking for recognition by world community is a diplomatic game, which usually leads nowhere, and in the Armenian case is unrelated with the outcome – Treaty of Versailles, Sevre, Lausanne.
We also have to phrase the most important characteristics of the modern Armenian. Yes, as anybody else an Armenian seeks for a peace and progress in harmony with nature. It imposes demand on good education, at least. But specifically, every Armenian must work for stronger Diaspora, every Armenian must live in Armenia for at least three years, every Armenian must speak, write and read Armenian, every Armenian man must have a military training. Every Armenian must care about healthy society in Armenia. Every Armenian must care about clean water, air and land everywhere and especially in Armenia. About rights – every Armenian must have inborn rights to pursue happiness in Armenia. Each of these “must” opens search for new plan. Israel is an example of a success of such plan.
Listen, I don’t know how many of you have heard this, but Turkey has just opened an embassy on the Moon, and Prime Minister Erdogan plans to triple Turkey’s annual trade with the Moon from $100 billion to $300 billion over the next 2 years. Yes, it’s true.
Prime Minister Erdogan has just told the Moonies that he will soon be visiting them and says, “I, too, Moonies, am a loony. I am one of you, as are all Turks, and we all belong in the loony bin.”
It’s just amazing what a great country Turkey has become. I also understand that Foreign Minister Davutoglu has just visited the North Pole and expects to open an embassy there soon.
Prime Minister Erdogan is saying that “the North Pole was a proud member of the Ottoman Empire for centuries, and we Turks hope to explore our common heritage with the North Poleans in the coming years.”
President Gul has apparently initiated a project to restore some of the old Ottoman igloos that have melted over time.
Turkey is also said to be contemplating filing a case with the World Court at the Hague claiming that the North Pole rightly belongs to Turkey, and that the North Poleans are really ancient Turks who migrated from Mongolia to the North Pole in the 4th millenium BC.
Dangut, I don’t take zealots like you seriously since I know very well those who cheer “blood and iron” are the ones to jump into the meat grinder the last…
Sveta: Great post.
One recco though re: “…every Armenian man must have a military training…”
Every Armenian woman, starting 17/18+, also needs to know how to handle an AK47/74, man-carry Anti-Tank (e.g. RPG), and man-carry Anti-Aircraft weapons. Men must and will take the brunt, the first waves of invaders. However, we must never again have a situation of two legged animals ravaging and murdering unarmed Armenian women and little girls.
I envision Armenia+Artsakh a mixture of Switzerland and ancient Sparta: peaceful, largely neutral, but with a populace that is armed, willing and able to use violence to deter violence.
Invaders should think long and hard: is the prize worth their multitudes of dead.
Amen to that Avery… I agree 100%…
Turkey will remain Turkey.. all the tools, all the training and all the show will never turn this country into a democratic country.. it is all a BS….