My Turn
Sassounian: There Is a Time to Sue and a Time to Settle
It is unfortunate that the noble and sacred concept of establishing an Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGM&M) in Washington, D.C. had to end up in court. But contrary to popular belief, the issue was not simply a feud between two wealthy individuals—Gerard Cafesjian and Hirair Hovnanian—or a mere disagreement over the size and scope of the project. The actual dispute resulted from an attempt by Armenian Assembly leaders to take control of the multi-million dollar museum buildings donated by the Cafesjian Family Foundation (CFF) and exclude Cafesjian from any decision-making powers as a Board member of the AGM&M charitable organization.
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Russ Vartian on Voice of America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIHTRBLrZOE
Sorry about my typo the name is Ross.
Thank you, Harut, for your down to earth suggestions.
I hope this time the Board would listen to your suggestions for the good of the Armenian
community and for the Armenian cause.
Here is again another example that what you say has “Good ou Gorgod” It makes sense!
May God save Armenia and may the Lord bless you real good.
James
There is no substitute for the absolute unification of our community when it comes to projects of this scope and magnitude. The current problem illustrates the reason why. It’s just too visible and important for public diasgreements. When we have internal spats locally, we usually fly under the radar. In the nation’s capital and with the genocide theme, there is no way to stay under the radar. Your advice Harout was well founded.
There is a current example of the power of unity. The Armenian Heritage park in Boston is currently under construction on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the waterfront downtown green space created as result of the the Big Dig. The park, is a completely self-funded gift of the Armenian community to the people of Massachusetts. It is a memorial to the Armenian Genocide and a tribute to our survival. The fact of the genocide will be visibly displayed at the park. This project is a result of a unified effort by all Armenian churches and organizations… well over 30. There are many challenges in a project of this nature, but the power of our unity is the prevailing factor.
The Genocide museum is derseving of such an effort. to ensure its success.
Bravo, Harut!
Although I am not an Armenian-American, this is a huge projact, important for Armenans of every country in the world.
I appreciate very much your equilibrium in describing the status of question.
Mr. Sassounian ,as always makes very well worded comments and mostly in the affirmative,without forgetting small or large details. Here,above he overlooks the fact that Mr. Gerard Cafesjian -himself- has already DECLARED, that the court decision , and I quote¨´frees US ALL to carry on project… to tha effect.
Thence,it is again in the incumbency of the MAIN DONOR to declare such matters.
As to Stepan´post above ,re the Boston Green Project,if I remember correctly,there were some contradictions as to the amount that it would cost to the community,some five million dollars or so..
Now in this AGM&M talk is -as to Harut Sassounian- a hundred millionm dollars?
For a nation/state (tiny Republic of Armenia)we ,no more a pueblo(people)as we used to be before re-independence,this is too much t be spent on non-Armenian soil.
May I suggest that part of this(major part indeed) be spent in Repatriating Armenians to Artsakh….another one? to Javakhk, which latter is being vacated by its population(thanks to pressures by lovely Georgians)
What a terrible waste of resources, time and energy. Guess what? Thats right a Genocide museum already exists in Armenia. Why the hell do we need another? If this circus of an attempt to create a museum succeeded, what is next, one in Chicago another in Los Angeles. Take what this has cost both parties, consider the cost of the project and its upkeep and you could probably build a sub division for war refugees who still live in metal containers as Gyumri earthquake victims still do. Think of programs you could implement in Armenia. Museums and monuments we don’t need spread out across the diaspora. We have Armenia, that is our monument, our museum and our future.
Well said!