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PDF24 April 2009
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the agreement reached between Turkey and Armenia on the eve of the 94th Anniversary of the Genocide of the Armenians. Carried with haste and absolute absence of transparency, it raises grave concerns. As it stands, it serves only the interests of the authorities in Armenia. They shamelessly caved-in to foreign pressures and interests, thus compromising Armenia's security and the aspirations of all Armenians.
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The protocols signing cancelled!!!!!!!
The Armenian delegation did not agree to the wording of the statement of the Turkish side. Armenian delegation is on its way to the airport to fly back to Yerevan.
I'm not against
Any Alternative Proposals?
I am trying to follow the points of view on the so-called "Road Map between Armenia and Turkey" of April 22nd, 2009.
I am having a hard time trying to understand any concrete action that is/will be taken in that Road Map besides a general point of view. I don't understand the logic of some of the people who declare themselves as opposing the road map by saying "I am against it too", and yet they DO NOT propose any ideas of their own. This also applies to the Armenian political parties. They all say "This is a sell out...".
The only way any democracy can function is when people freely oppose an idea and propose an alternative solution. I did not find any constructive criticisms or any proposals yet, in any e-mails I read.
Best regards,
Sarkis Assadourian
Here is an alternative
Here is an alternative proposal:
A) International pressure on Turkey to open the illegally closed borders immediately and without any preconditions (long overdue!);
B) Create an International Tribunal to call for justice to the Armenian people due to the Genocide committed by the Ottaman Young Turks;
C) Accept Karabagh as an independant state, rename it to Artsakh with a passage linked to Armenia;
D) Close the recently built railroad and re-establish the old railroad passing through Armenia.
E) Use Armenia for any trade options if the passage is shorter than others (transiting oil pipelines and more)
Why do we have to accept pre-conditions to re-open the border?
Why question the validity of the Armenian Genocide?
It's time to stop being 'Armenianly' humble and demand our rights!
Vartkes
I have never seen such 'humility' in my life as in your proposals for an alternative...I say wake up and face who you are talking to..
Dear Vartkes, These are NOT
Dear Vartkes,
These are NOT alternatives. This is wishful thinking.
A) International pressure on Turkey to open the illegally closed borders immediately and without any preconditions (long overdue!);
The Armenian lobby is doing its best in the last FIFTEEN years to pressure Turkey. EU has been doing the same. To no avail. Without an agreement with Armenia, Turkey will not open the border. No one country has been able to change that in the last 15 years and I don't see how/why they would be able to change it now all of a sudden,
B) Create an International Tribunal to call for justice to the Armenian people due to the Genocide committed by the Ottaman Young Turks;
In the last 90 years no one was holding Armenians' hand to do this. But you are very vague. There is an international tribunal is in La Hey, the only one in the world. But it would not consider this case , since 1915 is simply too far a date.
C) Accept Karabagh as an independant state, rename it to Artsakh with a passage linked to Armenia;
This is de facto done today by Armenia. What would de jure recognition by only Armenia change anything? Even Russia (the most probable one to do so) has absolutely refused. Also even if Russia recognizes it, it will demand that Armenia recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. If Armenia does this, the very next day Georgia would close the border, once and for all.
D) Close the recently built railroad and re-establish the old railroad passing through Armenia.
Which railroad are you talking about? There is only one functioning, the one through Georgia and I believe that's strictly for passenger transportation. One option would be one to Iran but the short term feasibility of that is almost none. In 5-6 years, maybe. Unless of course , you have 5 billion dollars lying around somewhere.
E) Use Armenia for any trade options if the passage is shorter than others (transiting oil pipelines and more)
You cannot do this unless the border with Turkey is open. Period. If an oil pipeline would pass through Armenia it has to pass through Turkey, to be of any interest for the EU and the States. There is no other option
So again my friend, all the points you raise are strictly wishful thinking.
Don't give up!
Barkev, the railroad I mentioned was related to the previous railroad that was the only one linking Azerbaijan and other countries with Turkey, they by-passed it via Georgia after the war and it is used more than a passenger train.
It seems that you are completely hopeless and have given-up my friend, you don't have any hope that we can achieve any resolution against those two Golliaths heh? Well we have others who still have hope...but people like you are putting roadblocks on their path and making their պայքար much harder.
We can accomplish our rights if we don't give-up. I don't expect to gain any lands, but recognition of the Genocide will eventually happen in some form or another.
4 days ago, the president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) William Schabas sent an open letter to Erdogan and Sargsyan, in which he says: “Acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide must be the starting point of any ‘impartial historical commission’, not one of its possible conclusions.”
that is what we, the true Armenians, feel...
Vartkes, You are talking
Vartkes,
You are talking about the Julfa railroad which goes through Azerbaijan-liberated territories around Karabakh-Armenia-Nakhichevan-Turkey. Please tell me how do you want to make it work? By giving back Karabakh? If Azerbaijan has closed it on its own initiative, how do you want to force Azerbaijan to open it? Enlighten us!
I don't intend to put roadblocks. I want to give you a sense of the reality as it stands today (or before the protocols). Until today , you haven't given one logical, let alone workable solution. No one is giving up . I'm not giving up. I am just supporting a new strategy courageously initiated by Pres. Sargsyan, not to be left out of the game initiated and forced by Europe, Russia, and the U.S. You stay out of the game, Armenia becomes a meaningless state doomed to self-destruct. If you play the game to get as many dividents as possible from it, you insure the security and development of Armenia and Karabakh.
Again please go ahead with the "NO" movement. But, when asked, please give logical solutions. Until today, I have not heard any half-decent suggestion of how Armenia can stay in the game, have open borders to develop (and NOT only survive), protect Karabakh,grow economically and demographically AND pursue Genocide recognition and land and reparations from Turkey. Not one! Not from Catholicos Aram (empty rhetoric), not from the ARF (strategy which has become stale and resembles more like street riots), Vartan Oskanian etc. etc. It's all about "NO"...
Tell me what are your plans after the protocols are ratified? Have you thought that far? Or the world will end for the Armenian nation when the protocols are ratified...? Apocalypse, here we come...??
William Schabas has also claimed that acknowledgement of Genocide cannot lead to land and financial reparations by Turkey. Go figure that one out...
Any Alternative Proposals?
Any alternative proposals?
An Alternative for Artsakh
Open Letter to the Presidents of Armenia & Azerbaijan
Mr. President,
In Prague, do not yield to pressures, no more mistakes!
I am writing as an ordinary Armenian from the Diaspora, which boasts more than 6 million people in touch with their heritage. We have been shortchanged with treaties throughout history, and your "Joint declaration with Turkey" - so called "Roadmap” - was a failure...
We wish to caution you in your upcoming May 7, 2009 trip to Prague regarding Karabagh negotiations. Please consider that, for the overwhelming majority of Armenians, the following fundamental minimal requisites should exist in any peace treaty
Karabagh's self-determination should be a central tenet in any negotiations, and Karabagh's independence should come "concomitant" to any package involving the return of land for peace.
Without the above minimum, any negotiation is not acceptable to the Armenian people worldwide, considering the senseless bloodshed we have experienced.
Dear President,
Resist the pressures from the West or the East, and do not forget that Turks and Azeris are always prone to renege on any promises made.
Your stance on these issues will determine the fate of Karabagh and the entire Armenian people along with your legacy.
A few words to our adversary, the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev are in order.
We extend a massage of peace as neighbors. You do realize that Karabagh /Artsakh is not ancestrally yours and you will never regain it. As former Armenian foreign minister Mr. Oskanian said, "Your third attempt to start war will be your last one and you will lose more lands and your presidency." Your father, despite being better experienced and trained than you, suffered losses to Karabagh. Armenians will never ever accept that Artsakh/Karabagh come under Azerbaijani rule.
In addition, we want to convey a few words to the OSCE Minsk Group representatives Mr. Merzylyakov, Mr. Fassier and Mr. Bryza, so that they may approach this matter impartially. We are not sure how much you know about the Armenian history. Throughout centuries, we have suffered due to our neighbors, because we are Christian Armenians. For 70 years, under Soviet regime, Azerbaijan took advantage and discriminated against Armenians. You should be aware that we were forced into this war with Azerbaijan to protect our infants and mothers who were thrown out of high-rise windows during the massacres of Sumgait and other cities in Azerbaijan and Karabagh. We triumphed in preserving our existence but lost lots of our sons and people.
In order to ensure peace we want to return the surounding librated territories, which too have been our ancestral lands. We hope you are aware of the indomitable will of the Armenian people and their values of their ancestors. If you do not consider these realities in the South Caucasus, then we assure you that the area will experience massive bloodshed and resistance for many years, like Ireland and Palestine, Kashmir and others. We sincerely hope all parties involved will take the time to consider the above realities.
Respectfully yours,
Ishkhan Babajanian MD
USA, May 5, 2009
We are the mountains.
Good letter. But I think non of the mountainous areas should be given back to Azerbaijan. It just does not make any sense. Why do we need to go by the borders of "Karabakh" as defined in the Soviet union. Whatever are mountains is Armenia! This includes Shahumian, and this includes Kelbajar and the region south of the Lachin corridor all the way to the Araks river.
We are the mountains.
Tengamos Verguenza Ajena
Compatriotas; Ante la promesa de Obama, todas las encuestas de la Diaspora daban favorable a que el Presidente reconoceria el Genocidio; La mayoria nos equivocamos, dijo....Meds Yeghern.- Tomando distancia de los intereses politicos, geopoliticos y economicos, RECONOZCAMOS QUE EL MUNDO....ES UN GENOCIDIO, y de esto, no busquemos mas culpables...que nosotros mismos, los habitantes del mundo.- Leyendo los comentarios de la mayoria de los sitios, comparto plenamente con quien dijo, " el mayor problema de los armenios....son los armenios ", tengamos verguenza ajena.- Miguel Angel Nalpatian, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Sí ... Los problemas de los
Sí ... Los problemas de los armenios son los armenios. Debemos tomar esto como una lección, no un insulto. No sabemos (por lo menos no todavía) lo sostenible es el gobierno autónomo.
Yes... The problems of the Armenians are the Armenians. We must take this as a lesson, not an insult. We do not know (at least not yet) what sustainable self-government is.
Leccion, No Insulto
Estimado compatriota Aram; Totalmente de acuerdo con su replica.- Un cordial abrazo.- Miguel Angel Nalpatian, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
a non-insulting lesson...?
a non-insulting lesson...?
" NON INSULTING "
Sr. Yeghish; No entender esto, que desde la diaspora y tan livianamente querramos torcer los destinos de una Rca constituida democraticamente y con libre eleccion de sus habitantes, cuando facilmente y sin compromiso alguno desde nuestro sitio opinamos y comentamos " desacertadamente " a la distancia por tener un teclado de internet a nuestro alcanze, eso es sentir verguenza ajena.- Saludos.- Miguel Angel Nalpatian(1942).- Mar del Plata.- Buenos Aires.- Rca Argentina.-
Is there any political party
Is there any political party in Armenia that can be trusted to guide the nation (assuming its members can be elected to office) in these perilous times?
I would have said the ARF at one time, but it does not appear to have any policy toward Turkey except "be cautious." Fine, but that's not a policy.
The Heritage Party of Raffi Hovanissian? He appears to be overly pro-Western. I am not sure what his policies toward Turkey would be, except that he appears to be saying "Trust me." Again, fine, that is not a policy. When he characterizes the genocide as "The Great Dispossession", is he saying that he would demand reparations from Turkey? How and what type? Or is he just blowing smoke, as politicians do (eg. Obama)?
I am also concerned about what is coming out of this think tank, ACNIS, and its director, Richard Giragosian. The latter is, like Hovanissian, far too pro-Western, constantly putting his foot in his mouth, being naive about US goals in the region, and now seems to favor a "joint historical commission."
What on earth is going on in Armenia? How much more sick and corrupt can its leaders get? I am fully expecting them to barter the country away and then take off to Switzerland where they will live off the cash they have squirreled away. Hovanissian? I am coming to trust Turkey more than Armenia. Yes, I almost think that Erdogan or Gul could do a better job of defending Armenia than Sargsian or Nalbandian is doing. That's how bad it has gotten.
The END of Armenia
With the continuing depopulation of Armenia, the eminent opening of the border with Turkey, and the betrayal of the Armenian leadership against their own people and country (in ALL regards) this is likely the last chapter of Armenian presence on the Armenian Highland...
Unless we all ACT in unison... Do we have such organizational structures?
Once again a "Vasak Syuni" among us has betrayed the whole nation by signing SECRET agreements with the enemy, trading in their NATION for their PERSONAL wealth. These are crimes against humanity, because MILLIONS of Armenians have suffered and are continuing to suffer because of this treachery -- millions of Armenians are deprived of the very funds that were meant to improve their collective lives; millions of Armenians are deprived of a decent COUNTRY to live in, and that's why the mass exodus continues...
When will we realize that it's not by lobbying this or that government to do this or that for us that we will have a viable nation, that it is only through our own efforts that we will establish a decent country to live in? When Armenia has been COMPLETELY depopulated, and only the families of the oligarchs remain in the country? Even THEY are buying homes outside Armenia! And who will run the Armenian economy without any workers left?
Armenia has already been flooded with Azeris from Iran (hearing Farsi on the streets of Yerevan is quite common now); but mind you these are AZERI Iranians! What will happen when the border with Turkey is opened? And with the continued out-migration of Armenians, Armenia will cease to be Armenia: it finally be the land of the Turks (Turks from Turkey and Azeri Turks from the West Azerbaijan area of Iran).
Congratulations "Serzh Artsakhi": you and your predecessor (Robert Kocharian) secretly colluded with the enemy for over a decade now and sold out your own people for personal profiteering. Armenia could have been a paradise by now with all of the billions of dollars in aid and loans it received. Instead of improving, Armenia will reach a complete demise. For over a decade you colluded with the enemy to lie about how Armenia's economy was improving, and meanwhile that was all an accounting show while you were diverting state funds (on loan from the World Bank and IMF) to create a "construction boom." Meanwhile the poor masses were going to Russia, leaving their families behind, and living the life of the "bantoukht" to transfer money back to their families in Armenia...to have them pay high prices for even basic commodities since the oligarchy created by YOUR regime maintains monopolies even on cooking oil and sugar.
Everyone left wants to leave Armenia, most of them already left, and no one will return...
The beginning of the end of Armenia began when your predecessor came to power...
Shame
It's about time that we, the Diaspora Armenians, realize that we have never been subjects of concern to the present or former governments of Armenia. They will do anything or sign any agreements without regard to the needs, aspirations or feelings of the cash cow Diaspora Armenians. While during the Genocide young Armenian mothers and sisters were killing themselves not to be raped by Turks, today we see an export of young Armenian women to Turkey to be employed as prostitutes. I can't believe the government is not aware of this problem. Are they doing anything to stop this trade? I very much doubt it.
We can no longer have great leaders for our countries
No one is genuine about anything anymore these days. I agree with all as to condemn the agreement, and I say to America & its President , "Stop mingling with other countries' affairs"; because instead of creating results they become conflicts for those countries and therefore only the people suffer. So shame on you Mr. President Obama and amot to you Mr. President Sarkissyan, as you have both managed to commence another Jard & Genocide to begin in the very near future for my Armenian brothers and sisters. I am surprised if you even can rest at night for deciding issues which directly effect an already torn and suffered Nation - My Motherland - My Armenia - Only God can help us now.
First of all my words are
First of all my words are directed to the Armenian leaders:
Stop pandering with the rights of the Armenian people and cease from playing the juggler.
I condemn the Agreement
I condemn the Turkish-Armenian Agreement
Men in Power
Shame on both of you Mr. Obama and Mr. Sarkissyan ( US & Armenia Presidents)
Mr. Obama did not fullfill his promise & Mr. Sarkissyan is selling our Country all in the name of peace and right agreements.
I wonder if our President has ever visited Ruins of Anni. Well I did and I could not stop my tears. How can he come to any agreement with Turkey when they have raped our cities, women and children and tried to wipe out our nation & people. He should get some advice from Dr. Armen Ayvazyan at least or sit with him for a cup of coffee soon. He might get to learn something from this man. I am shamed of you Mr. President. How can you do this to our ancestral land of Armenia, to our Ararat and to your own people.?? I guess nothing is enough as power for you politicitians who are supposed to lead our country & nation but instead you greed for more.
Shame Shame Shame
Shame
Shame on you Mr. President of Armenia and Shame on Obama!
Message to the Armenian President
To Mr, President of Armenia,
Just reminding.....
<<te ayskan tcharik MORANAN mer vortik, togh voghch askhar hayoun garta nakhadink>>
That's what you are doing Mr President, you are forgetting......
As Richard Giragosyan pointed
As Richard Giragosyan pointed out, by agreeing to the 'normalization' of ties just 2 days before the 24th, the current administration in Yerevan showed short sightedness. However, we shouldn't jump to conclusions before all or more facts are made public and we must not forget that these moves toward normal relations between Armenia and turkey are led from Washington and Moscow.
WHEREVER THESE MOVES
Wherever these moves have been led from, whether Moscow or Washington, the Armenian president should not have agreed to it, especially, without consulting the Armenian Diaspora. This way, the long efforts carried forward by the Armenian Diaspora for the RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915. are being pushed down the drain. I strongly condemn this reconciliation with Turkey, without it recognizing the ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. I don't like to be friendly with someone who doesn't respect me, period!
Maro Badiguian-Shirvanian
Dr. Armen Ayvazyan
Please watch Dr. Armen Ayvazyan's interview on Armenian TV. This man should be President of RA.
It's in Armenian http://blog.ararat-center.org/?p=229
I understand your concerns
I understand your concerns and frustrations with the current issue, but lets be more cool headed and less emotional about it. This is politics, there are no friends or enemies just interests. Armenia being in a weak geopolitical position doesn't have too many options in going against the demands of the two superpowers, which we are assuming are leading this. Unless one is in the higher echelons of the Sargsyan administration it is hard to say if they are playing their hand correctly, from the outside it looks like they aren't, but we really need more info on everything to come to a rational conclusion. Was the timing of the announcment a bad, sure looks that way but who is to say that it was planned weeks before. Afterall diplomacy is just a game.
I am just as concerned about the opening of borders and the recognition of the treaty of kars, so Armenians should keep asking questions from the Sargsyan administration but before all the facts are in lets not jump to any conclusions.
I agree with everything you
I agree with everything you said. It's important not to over react, that deal might be for all we know very advantageous to the current geopolitical needs of Armenia.
"ROAD MAP" indicates real "reconciliation" will be a long haul..
As an idealistic Diasporan Armenian, would like to see the memory of our genocidal martyrs honored and justice done regarding the illegitimate usurpation of the land and properties of Armenians. However, the pragmatic streak in me advocates the opening of borders between Armenia and Turkey, and benefit from the geopolitical and economic trends of the Caucasus region - without sacrificing our concerns for issues like the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh) region.
The Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora should cooperate and coordinate plans and policies, at the same time allow for two pronged approach in dealing with Turkey and the rest of the world. I am envisioning a very long haul in dealing with Turkey - a formidable antagonist with superb bargaining and diplomatic talent... Add to this the geopolitical and economic significance of Turkey with a population of 70 million.
Call it Fate or Providence, we are destined to live as neighbors with Turkey and other Muslim countries. We are also in the unenviable predicament of depending both on Russia and the West for our well being. The other alternative of being permanently in the camp of either one is definitely not in our advantage either; so must develop the delicate skills of diplomacy and coexistence.
On a more philosophical level, Armenians have to develop a healthy balance between historical and ethnic concerns, and current existential considerations. And in real world relations and politics, it is incumbent on us to recognize and not miss second best achievements in contrast to unattainable ideal goals...
Respectfully,
Hovannes
Where is the economic benefit?
My impression is that nobody is against opening the borders. That is not what's being argued about. It's at what price? A week and a day have gone by and nobody has a clue what this road map is all about. When the Israeli-Palestinian Road Map was proposed, at least some crucial details were shared with the people. Why this silence of the Sphinx? Russian, Turk and Azeri authorities, or at least people in high offices are talking about it, but our leaders in Armenia are engaged in double-talk. You can't make sense of what they are saying.
Additionally, there is as if a concerted effort to convince Armenians that Armenia will benefit from it. The only benefit at present - if major concessions are not made - is relieving the pressure.
Economic advantages? That's very doubtful. For example, will the pipeline go through Armenia? If yes, then fine, Armenia will benefit. Similarly, if Armenia will sell electricity to its neighbour, then it may profit. The contemplated atomic station in my view will be a huge burden for as long as it's not clear who the potential share-holders will be. We may end up financing the station and being under tremendous debts for years to come. Can we afford it?
Armenia would economically benefit if it had a strong manufacturing base, to sell goods to Turkey. That is not the case. On the contrary, it is the other way round. Turkish goods, from what I hear, have flooded Armenia and that within the context of closed borders. The argument that the presence of 70 million people constitutes potentially a large market does not hold true.
Additionally, it is argued that the Turkish ports on the Black Sea will open up their doors to the outside world for Armenia. As far as I know, nobody has done a cost estimate of what it would cost if Armenia were to carry its business through the port of Trabzon, the nearest, for example. So far people in the know are mostly in agreement that Batumi in Georgia is much more cost effective.
I would rather prefer to deal with the Georgians, who after the Georgian-Russian conflict are less dangerous to Armenia than the Turks who have not yet renounced Pan-Turanism and Pan-Turkic aspirations. Opening to the world through Trabzon will always be under the mercy of Turkey. Any future eventuality can close that window based on the whim of Turkey and its ally Azerbaijan.
Very well said
Dear Nareg,
My thoughts exactly! I don't see how Armenian market will benifit, except acting as transit, may be, like Lebanon. We would like to hear an Armenian economist (from Armenia) explain a few words on this.
Houry
Condemnation
The present government of Armenia is bankrupt starting from the head of the government to the door keepers. The members of this government are only saving their personal gains and putting into their filthy pockets the 30 silvers of Swiss banks, the Zionists, USA, Russia. I strongly condemn this "agreement" and consider it a sell out, like Vest Sargis and Catholicos Bedros Getadarts, who sold the capital of the Bagratits to the Byzantines in 1045 AD.
I don't consider this government as the government of my Armenia.
Where are the diaspora leaders? Where are you the people of Armenia, your government is selling the future of your children and grand children? Their next step is the sell Artsakh.
Minas Kojayan, PhD
Teacher, Los Angeles
As a Diasporan Armenian I codemn
We all over the world must unite to defend our rights!
The Armenian president is leading the nation into a disaster
An Armenian president that has not been fairly and democratically elected lacks the necessary legitimacy to engage in serious negotiations with Turkey. He feels compelled to do what certain other powerful countries want him to do lest those countries continue to question his legitimacy and his violating the human rights of his people.
Well said.
Well said.
Armenia's already a disaster
Hi David, But Armenia is already a disaster. The people living inside have been experiencing it for the last 10 years . From the myopic viewpoint of the Diaspora, whose measure of performance of the Armenian administration is Genocide recognition, the disaster has just begun.
Enough already about the past. The best way to commemorate our loss is to help the Armenians who are alive NOW! Alive now in Armenia... They need our help in establishing a country with the rule of law. The starving Armenians exist TODAY. Over 50% of the Armenian population still lives in poverty, and with the current Armenian administration (oligarchy / emperorship) there isn't much hope that it will improve.
Without living in Armenia, I'm afraid Diaspora Armenians cannot put Armenian life and history into perspective.
Aram, you are mistaken!
Diaspora Armenians do care foremost about the well being of the people of Armenia. Please treat this matter with great respect. Whether it was during the second republic, or the third, whether LTP, Kocharian or Sargsyan was in power, the Diasporan Armenians never ceased to help their kins in Armenia. Check your data before you make unnecessary inuendos.
During the second world war it was with donations from Diasporan Armenians that "Sasountsi Davit Zorasyun" of tanks was built with the conviction that irrespective of under what regime, Armenia's existence as a country is a sacred duty.
Please honour the memory of many Diasporan Armenians who sacrificed their utmost for the liberation of Artsakh.
Regarding the rule of law in Armenia, the Diasporan Armenians have been in a straight-jacket, not because of blindness and not noticing what's evolving under a regime of oligarchs, but mostly because of a sense of shame and not wishing to hang their dirty linens in the yards of odars. You and your friends need to understand this, if you want a sincere ally in your cause. But, listen very well, the style of demagogues is not that of the Diaspora. Sometimes we have been timid, yes, that's because of deep sensitivities that only a Diasporan would comprehend.
Make no mistake, some of the best scholars that have devoted their whole life in studying Armenian history, old and contemporary, are from the Diaspora. They have imparted that knowledge to their people with utmost devotion and in extremely dire circumstances. Please refrain from displaying ignorance about facts.
Your statement of ignoring the Genocide and concentrating only on the ills of Armenia is contrary to both natural and societal laws. In nature or in society there is no such thing of ceasing a process in order to concentrate or start on another matter. They all evolve together. You seem to have lack of basic knowledge. That's your second mistake.
No You are mistaken
It is Armenians from the Republic of Armenia who have gone to Russia (some in the U.S. and Canada) who are keeping the Armenians inside of Armenia alive, it's NOT the "original" Armenian Diaspora who is.
The Armenian Diaspora's contribution is partly compared to the about 50% of Armenia's GDP which comes as money remittances by Armenians (from Armenia) recently moved to Russia, U.S., and Canada. (GDP of Armenia was < than $9 billion in 2008 and $2.3 billion were sent in wire transfers through banks and about as much through cash transfers through non-bank means: total about $4.5 billion / $9 billion == 50%)
There is no question that the Armenian Diaspora has helped Armenia. That is irrefutable. But today's Armenia is being kept by the Armenians of Armenia who have forcibly left their country to work in foreign lands (even in Turkey, yes) from where they send money back to family. If you don't know this, then there's a big disconnect between how you view Armenia and what the reality is.
Well aware
Dear Aram,
I am well aware, but you brought up history and historically they compliment each other. If your intent is to prove a point by denegrating, let's say the traditional Diaspora's preoccupation with the Genocide by examples of comparing and contrasting, then I would like to be left out of such a polemic, because it serves no purpose.
Your whole tone throughout your comments has been to try to relegate the issue of the Genocide to a secondary or even a tertiary issue.
Armenia's Security is a matter of existence. It's again the same old issue of "To be or not to be". Turkey, through its manipulations, opening the border - which is a misnomer by the way because we did not close the border - integrating Armenia into a common market, flooding Armenia with its own people bit by bit - all these constitute continuation of the Genocide. Hence the two seemingly separate issues are really part and parcel of one main problem - the intent of Turkey to emaciate Armenia. That brings us back to Genocide in another form.
Unfortunately, our leaders in Armenia do not see the matters as such and they treat the enemy - yes the mortal enemy - with all sorts of euphamisms, thus blunting the vigilance of people of Armenia itself.
The other extreme is yours, when all what you can see is the lack of law and order, oppression in Armenia, exploitation of our kins, but ignore the fact that those very real anomalies play in the hands of the enemy by depopulating the country, thus inching closer to the main goal of getting rid of Armenians and Armenia in the end. The two issues are inseparable.
The enemy IS Armenia's
The enemy IS Armenia's leadership. Don't you see? Yes, there are obviously external enemies. There is no refuting that. But Armenia's internal genocide (the depopulation of Armenia) solely rests on Armenia's corrupt leadership which has been given birth by the same Armenian people. So in a way, today's "white" genocide -- of not being able to create a viable environment in which to live in within our homeland -- is the collective fault of Armenians the world over... (Little fault can be placed on Turkey for "closing" the border, since the border wasn't open to begin with during Soviet times! Indeed, the border has NEVER been open as long as there's been an Armenian republic in 1918...)
The intent of Armenia's leadership is to depopulate Armenia of all dissent and to depopulate Armenia of all of the "impoverished" people. This is their fight to maintain their leadership positions and their "fight against poverty."
Armenians -- throughout history -- have had the tendency to lay blame of their perils on other people: the Persians, Turks, then Europeans for not helping the Armenians during the genocide... Reality is that Armenia's problems are 99% internal and 1% external. Armenia is quite close to the sea -- it's just a railroad ride to Batum or Poti, and it's quite efficient. Armenia's leadership will always try to focus on external enemies as the fundamental problem of Armenia in order to mask the hundreds of millions of dollars they are taking as let's say "bribes" from foreign entities. This
Class struggle in Armenia
There exists a CLASS struggle now in Armenia.
It's not the "political" struggle the administration would like the world and Diaspora to think via its state-controlled media. It's not LTP vs SAS.
It is the poor and working class vs. the oligarchy.
This is the "war of independence" for Armenia's working middle class.
So far, the Kocharchian-SAS administration has "fought" poverty by removing the poorest of society (with the help of the World Bank / IMF) to other countries: the U.S. in particular.
What excuse can an Armenian administration have of imprisoning an Artsakh Armenian commander, Jirayr Sefilyan?
If lax immigration laws are setup between the EU and Armenia, Armenia will finally be depopulated.
Lamentations over the past are meaningless without (1) learning from the past, and (2) acting with that newly learnt knowledge.
What we learned from the past is that the Armenian people are alone in securing their existence on their ancestral homeland. And yet we continue to beg the U.S. (and even more ridiculously Turkey) to acknowledge the veracity of the Genocide. To act, we need to focus on our INTERNAL self-government in Armenia! Put checks and balances in place over the PRESIDENT which under Armenia's constitution has WAY too much power! We need to embed ourselves inside the government so that we know what is REALLY going on!
(For example, who is behind these "foreign" companies that own Armenia's ore mines? And who own Armenia's power plants (Sevan hydro cascade, Vorotan hydro cascade, etc.)? Where are the World Bank, IMF, and Russian loans ACTUALLY going? What is the actual population of Armenia? etc.)
The past is gone; only the present and the future are in our hands...
Armenian Turkish Agreement
I condemn the timing of the Armenian Turkish agreement , both my parents were survivors of the Genocide , is this how we should be remembering April 24 this year ?
Vrejouhy Atikian.
Must Read History to Learn From it
Members of the Armenian ruling class should have learned from events of 1908. However, to do would have required reading, forming analysis, and understanding that human nature, even as played out in 21st century diplomacy, hasn't changed much since the days of ancient Greece. There doesn't appear to be a single shread of analysis in the public domain that concludes that any opening the Turkish border, based on whatever quid pro quo is in play, is -- or is not -- in the interest of Armenia. It would also have be encouraging for the Armenian FM to have stated just what it thinks are the interests of Armenia, the Armenian people, even in the most broadest sense.
The extent of potential damage that will result from events that are unfolding remains to be seen. When one bases geopolitical decisions on extracting the maximum amount of monetary gains from intersted parties, the danger down the road is evident.
It is also not surprsing that the Swiss played a role in this "agreement", as one could expect certain bank accounts to swell in the wake of this secret agreement.
Vay Mezi
I condemn this condemnation
I condemn this condemnation
I welcome the declaration, the reconciliation, friendship .
Human Rights?
Vahe, I think you should cast your vote on this petition: http://www.varnitec.com/petitions/hetq/index.html
Also take a look at the other ones at the menu on top of this page.
Misplaced Disapproval
I believe nobody is against friendship, reconciliation and opening the borders. The condemnation is about the price paid, the details of which are not clear at all.
You may be partially right that the Diaspora has been silent about the "human rights abuses". Your generalization is faulty. The fact that you are expressing your indignation in a blog which advocates against such abuses in general, and in Armenia in particular, is a vivid testimony against your assertion.
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