An Urgent Appeal

Ontario, 1 August 2021

Dear Friends,

It is no secret that Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia are determined to impose on the Republic of Armenia (RoA) the “corridor” between Nakhichevan and Azerbaijan through sovereign Armenian territory. The RoA is militarily incapable to stop the plan.

Although the US and the EU have expressed their willingness to assist RoA in reviving its economy, and have proposed some sanctions of Turkey and Azerbaijan, none has referred to the deadly corridor.

The threat to the sovereignty of RoA and the lethal implications to Armenians of such a passageway is well known.

Since world governments are indifferent to the plight of Armenia, pressure should be put upon them through public opinion to scuttle the fiendish Azeri/Turkish conspiracy. Since Armenia is militarily incapable to resist the Turkic plot, it’s imperative that the Diaspora raises its voice and tells the world public the existential threat Armenia is facing from the two belligerent Turkic states.

Diaspora Armenians should organize massive demonstrations similar to Genocide anniversaries. Through their various organizations, they should demand from their governments to stop the corridor demand which will become the last nail on the coffin of Armenia’s existence as a sovereign country and eventually the existence of Armenians.

Respectfully,

Dikran Abrahamian

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՄԻՋՈՎ (գրավյալ) ՆԱԽԻՋԵՎԱՆԻՑ ԱԴՐԲԵՅՋԱՆ ՄԻՋԱՆՑՔԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ

Կամաց-կամաց սկսել է հստականալ նշված միջանցքի հարցով ազերա-թուրքական ծրագրի իրականացումը, որը վայելում է Ռուսաստանի Դաշնության ընթացիկ վարչության բացահայտ հովանավորությունն ու օրհնանքը: Պատմական հայրենիքից մի բուռ մնացած և զանազան տնտեսական, ֆիզիքական ու հոգեբանական հարվածներից խեղճացած մեր երկրի վերջին բեկորն էլ կորցնելու ենք: Սույն կոչի հեղինակը ոևէ մէկը չէ, այլ բացի բժշկի մասնագիտությունից նա վկայվել է նաև Քաղաքական գիտությունների մեջ Պսակավորի տիտղոսով: Աղաչում եմ տարածել մեր հայրենակիցների մեջ հենց այս պահից: (Մ. Գոճայեան)

Սիրելի հայրենակից,

Գաղտնիք չէ, որ Ադրբեջանը, Թուրքիան եւ Ռուսական Դաշնությունը որոշել են պարտադրել Հայաստանի Հանրապետության (ՀՀ) Նախիջևան-Ադրբեյջան «միջանցքի» իրականացումը՝ ինքնիշխան ՀՀ-ի տարածության վրայով: ՀՀ-ը ռազմականորեն անկարող է կասեցնել այս ծրագիրը: Հակառակ այն իրողության, որ ԱՄՆ և Եվրոպական Միությունը (ԵՄ) ցանկություն են յայտնել օժանդակել Հայաստանին վերականգնելու իր տնտեսությունը և առաջարկել են որոշ պատժամիջոցներ Թուրքիայի և Ադրպեյջանի վրա, նրանցից ո՛չ մեկը դեռևս չի ակնարկել մահացու «միջանցքի» մասին:

Հայաստանի Հանրապետության ինքնիշխանության սպառնալիքը և հայերի համար նման անցուղու մահացու հետևանքները քաջ հայտնի են:

Քանի որ համաշխարհային կառավարություններն անտարբեր են Հայաստանի ծանր վիճակի նկատմամբ, նրանց վրա պետք է ճնշում գործադրել հասարակական կարծիքի միջոցով `ցրելու ադրբեջանա-թուրքական դավադրությունը: Քանի որ Հայաստանը ռազմականապես ի վիճակի չէ դիմակայել թուրքական դավադրությանը, հրամայական է, որ Սփյուռքը բարձրացնի իր ձայնը և համաշխարհային հանրությանը տեղեկացնի Հայաստանի գոյությանն սպառնացող թուրքական երկու պետությունների վտանգի մասին:

Սփյուռքահայերը Ցեղասպանության ոգեկոչումների նման զանգվածային ցույցեր պետք է կազմակերպեն տարբեր կազմակերպությունների միջոցով և իրենց կառավարություններից պահանջեն դադարեցնել միջանցքի պահանջը, որը կդառնա Հայաստանի, որպես ինքնիշխան երկրի և, ի վերջոյ նաեւ հայերի  դագաղի վերջին մեխը:

Հարգանքներով ՝

Տիգրան Աբրահամեան, Կանադա

*****

This “Appeal” was sent to 75 individuals in North America and Europe including representatives of the three traditional parties, their affiliated organizations, ANCA, ANCC, The Armenian Assembly and the Assembly of Armenians of Europe. None was forwarded to our compatriots in RoA except to two individuals who have direct link with the Diaspora. Also, our compatriots in the Middle East did not receive the missive, because they are at present struggling with day-to-day security and bread and butter issues. A vigorous discussion followed the distribution of the short note; many made remarks, comments and suggestions. They are presented to you with the expectation of hearing your views.

================================

David Boyajian Fri, 30 Jul 2021 02:33:17 +0000 Fri, 30 Jul 2021 02:33:17 +0000

These ideas and suggestions by you are most welcome.

But should not the citizens of Armenia itself be massively protesting such a “corridor” (or whatever it is called) and anything else that is against Armenia’s national interests, regardless of what Russia may think of such protests?

 Dikran

Dear David,

You have a point. You may have noticed that all addresses except two are in Diaspora. My humble approach: what RoA citizens do is their business. They should decide what they want to do.

Armen Charchoglyan

Thank you very much for the initiative.

As far as I remember several European politicians, French Ambassador Lacôte and others have spoken against the “corridor”. For the full military and diplomatic support we can’t expect anything else since we officially are the ally of their enemy Russia. We can’t hope for long dead Armenian diplomacy to navigate in those difficult waters.

Dear David,

You are absolutely right; citizens of RA should do the protest. However, you see very well that our nation is in deep sleep and a lot of them are still in depression, some of them do not care, some of them do not understand the gravity of the situation that we all are in.

A disruptive approach is needed. One of them is Diaspora “taking ownership” (I’m sorry I can’t find a correct political term) and intervene as an equally rightful heir of RA. Nikol WILL NOT and CANNOT appeal to the UN Security Council. Macron openly talked about it and said that Armenia will have France’s support. Unfortunately … unfortunately we do not have sovereignty anymore let’s face it.

One of the approaches that with couple of friends we discussed with   National Democratic Axis is Diaspora’s voice in UN Security Council.

Please find the link below which is a draft that I have just sent to Yerevan, and I’ll wait for feedback in the morning (Toronto time).

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwiozi4j6U_3cw00oLns-qWkwKV48bJgR5ax5dWle-o8RnDA/viewform

All your opinions and critiques are highly appreciated.

Հիմի է՞լ լռենք, եղբարք, հիմի է՞լ,

Հիմի է՞լ լռենք, երբ մեր թշնամին

Խլեց մեր սուրը — պաշտպան մեր անձին,

Մշակի ձեռքիցն էլ խոփը խլեց,

Այդ սուր ու խոփից մեր շղթան կռեց,

Վա՛յ մեզ, շղթայով կապած գերի ենք, —

Հիմի է՞լ լռենք:

ՌԱՖԱՅԵԼ ՊԱՏԿԱՆՅԱՆ 

 K. Halablian

Հիմա ո՞վ կրնայ կանգնեցնել այս ռուս-թուրքական կամ Լենին-Քեմալ շարունակուող ծրագիրը, բան մը, որ 100 տարի առաջ ալ «միջազգային հանրութիւն» կոչուածն ալ բան մը չկրցաւ ընել: Հիմա կը հասկնա՞ք ուր էր Նժդեհի մեծութիւնը, երբ նոյնիսկ Սովետական հզօր պետութիւնը ստիպուեցաւ իրեն հետ հաշվի նստիլ 1921 Յունիս 12-ին, երբ Նժդեհ արդէն ջախջախած էր և կարմիր բանակը, և թուրքը և թաթարը…. ափսոս մեր օրերուն չկան Նժդեհներ և Անդրանիկներ որպէսզի դաս տան և ռուսին և թուրքին և ազերիին:

David Davidian

One’s freedom fighter is an other’s terrorist. I cannot even imagine protests here. I ask rhetorically, what would people be protesting?  Pashinyan promised an economic boom, is responsible for 5K deaths, and a near failed state — yet people voted the jackass back in. A corridor could represent an economic shot in the arm or the death of southern Armenia — depending on its definition. If it’s an inter-state highway with passports controls, OK, maybe. If it’s a piece of sovereign Azerbaijan, that is another story. We don’t even know what has been or is being negotiated between “our” side and the enemy, oh sorry, rather ” հակառակորդ ”

The EU’s 3+ billion dollar “reward” will soon be eaten up by a new class of oligarch wannabees. Even Vano is back on the scene, smelling $$.

Minas Kojayan

Ես արդէն ըսելիք չունիմ. խնդիրը մինչեւ հոս “յաջողութեամբ” հասցուցինք: Կը մնայ մէկ ելք՝ կա՜մ անբան ոչխարի նման կ՛ընդունինք մեր անփառունակ մահը կամ ալ նոյնիսկ մեր նման ծերունիները երկաթի կտոր մը կ՛առնենք ու կը կռուինք մինչեւ մահ: Դիւանագիտութեան տեղ չէ մնացած այլեւս:

Karnig Sarkissian

Dear Dikran, I deeply thank you for this unique and valuable initiative. This is an actual proof that your generation still has a lot to do.

Dear friends,

You are posing the most crucial and imperative issue. I do not only agree, but insist too, that the Diaspora at this very critical stage of our history, MUST send a clear and sound message to the international community. I totally agree with the approach but disagree with the tool you suggested (i.e. protests). Protests are acceptable and have their role to play, but what we really need to do today is addressing the world with pure legal and political language.

All that has happened through the last 30 years, and still happening, has two main reasons:

1. The illegal action taken by Eastern Armenia by adopting the title of “Republic of Armenia” instead of “Republic of Eastern Armenia”. (read the introductory paragraph of the declaration of independence of RA, 23 August 1990).
2. The politically “impotent” behavior of Diaspora institutes during a full one century. Then its silence on the title issue mentioned above.

Those two factors did not come out of the blue. They were well planned and orchestrated directly by the British intelligence, and well implemented by their subjects in both Armenia (L.D. Bedrossian, the author of the declaration of independence of “RA”). and Diaspora (leadership of so called political parties).

Allow me to give a brief introduction about the roots of this fact.

On 19 January 1920, as a result of the “Paris peace conference”, the international community of the day recognized the “State of Armenia” (approx. 170,000 Km2, defined later on by the arbitral award of Woodrow Wilson 22 No. 1920). This was about (Whole/Miatsyal) Armenia that includes all the territories to the east of Wilson’s border line.

The declaration of independence of “RA” adopted (kidnapped) the title of “State of Armenia” of 1920, but referred itself to the so-called “first republic” which was created by the treaty of Batumi (within only 10,000 Km2) and recognized only by Turkey. This declaration is the base of all our sufferings during the last 30 years. Why? Here i list few of its direct negative and destructive effects:

1. It abbreviated the territories of “State of Armenia” from 170,000 Km2 to 29,500 Km2.
2. It left Artsakh out of the internationally recognized “State of Armenia” of 1920.
3. Created a huge misunderstanding among (mostly politically ignorant) Diaspora Armenians, by presenting Eastern Armenia as the leader of all Armenians and the sole speaker and representative of their rights, including the rights of Western Armenians. (Examples: Ministry of Diaspora, the behavior of “RA” embassies all over the world, moving of Diaspora political parties’ headquarters to Yerevan, ..etc.)
4. Exposing Eastern Armenia to HUGE international and regional pressures, to put an end to the “Armenian Cause” by imposing international commitments on Yerevan’s weak authorities. (Examples: 2009 protocols that were supposed to end the conflict with Turkey, provided that Yerevan recognized the current borders between “Turkey” and “STATE of ARMENIA” (!!!) as final borders. (Legal and political assassination of Woodrow Wilson’s borders). Also, Serge Sarkissian’s announcement before the parliament of EU back in 2016, declaring that “Republic of Armenia” HAS NO territorial claims against Turkey and Georgia (Western Armenia and Javakhk). etc.
5. Any liberation struggle committed by Diaspora Armenians is regarded as a “terrorist act” against the “territorial integrity” of Turkey…!!!
6. Any political body formed by Diaspora Armenians today, aiming to represent the rights of Western Armenia before the international arena, could be rejected by the excuse of “Republic of Armenia” is the legal subject for such claims..!!!!!

And so, and so…, we can count dozens of destructive effects which serve no one’s interest, and mostly the interests of Eastern Armenia. Prove?  the current situation.

I can go on for hours.

Therefore, yes, Diaspora MUST take action today. But the action must be of political and legal nature.

We must act through a political entity that represent “Diaspora Western Armenians”, and address the UN and world governments with a clear and sound message that must carry the following affirmations:

1. The Western Armenians (named Diaspora), are the decedents of the survivors of both crimes against humanity, Genocide and forcible deportation from homeland.
2. The Western Armenians are the legal representatives of all the internationally confirmed and recognized rights of the “State of Armenia”, legally occupied by Turkey for its Western Armenia part, as per the article 42 of section 3 of the 4th La Hague convention respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land of 18 October 1907.
3. Send a clear message that we are closely observing all the developments happening in and around Eastern Armenia with high anxiety.
4. These developments are regarded as direct threats to the national security and interests of Western Armenians, as well as the whole Armenian people.
5. The current threats to the stability and security of the Southern Caucasus and the Middle East are of certain alerting level Western Armenians all over the world and are regarded as a hazardous situation that requires our direct interference.
6. The international community is highly required to immediately implement its international commitments toward the Armenian nation, starting with the declaration of the territories of Western Armenia defined by the binding arbitral award of Woodrow Wilson as occupied territories by Turkey.
7. etc.

This is in my opinion the best we can offer our brothers in Eastern Armenia, by making clear for the international community that they are not left alone, and it’s time we say, “enough is enough”.

Sorry for my long reaction. So, I’ll stop here, but ready to go into much more detailed suggestions or action plans, in case all our other friends agree on participating in this nature of action. Otherwise, the “National Supreme Council of Western Armenia” will regret acting alone.

Dear friends, it’s time to listen to the voice of wisdom. We are facing existential treats. Either we act collectively now or say goodbye to our “once upon a time” great nation.

Hasmik

Dear fellow Armenians,

Not sure how, but very happy to be part of this conversation.

I am not a historian nor a political person, but my heart is bleeding, and my blood is boiling, as most of Armenians.

It is incredible how “cleverly” calculated all actions have been by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Now the UN, and most world leaders are probably on their annual holidays, and nobody really cares what is happening on the Armenian borders…

In my humble opinion, elections were waste of time and total failure, there was no plan B. I do not believe in miracles nor that foreign powers suddenly will become pro-Armenian and forget  their national interests.

What action are we taking from here? How to move forward in the UK, France, Switzerland, Belgium, US, Canada etc.? We need to follow one goal, one strategy. Otherwise, we will fail.

Protests will have little impact as most leaders are on annual leaves, most Parliaments are on annual recess.

Thank you and good luck.

Lucine Kasbarian

Every global Armenian who is able to must go to Armenia now and sit on / protect the borders.

Sebouh Baghdoyan

Dear concerned and ailing compatriots, you may find the following recent interview (in Armenian) very interesting and informative.

Ադրբեջանի ռազմական ագրեսիային հակազդելու ի՞նչ տարբերակներ կան․ հարցազրույց Սոսի Թաթիկյանի հետ․

https://factor.am/398805.html

Hovel Chenorhokian

Dear Dikran et al.

It is not clear for me if Azerbaijan wants sovereignty on our land or if they want to have transit access through Armenia?

And what do we want?

We complain that Turkey and Azerbaijan have landlocked us.

Do we want to the borders to be opened?

Do we want to be connected by the “One Belt One Road” to China and Europe by rail, thought Nakhichevan and Iran?

Do we want to export our “apricots” to Russia though Azerbaijan by land rather than by air?

Can we fight tooth and nail to get excellent access conditions to the Trebizond port in exchange of the corridor?

Closing the borders is a practice of another age. The borders will one day be opened, I hope rather by pragmatism, though negotiations than by obligation.

The challenges and questions are:

1. We have been very weak in negotiations because of the sharp conflicts in our political class. Could we develop national unity to empower the Armenian state in negotiations?
2. The per capita GDP in Armenia is half of that of Turkey. If the “borders” are opened, Turkish companies such as Pinar would take over our agriculture, making Armenia their gateway to the Eurasian Union. How and how fast could we ourselves develop companies like Pinar, develop the economy of Armenia and the per capita GDP ?
3. Could we develop our tech sector to make Armenia inescapable for our current and future allies?
4. Could the Diaspora provide a think tank composed of independent thinkers to help meet the above challenges in cooperation with the ROA ?

Respectfully,

Hovel Chenorhokian

Armen Charchoglyan

Dear Hovel,

All questions that you have asked are very valid but there is one question (and the most important one) that is missing.

Who is controlling (will control) the roads that you motioned?

When you find the answer to this question, you realize that all those economic “benefits” become obsolete.

Hovel Chenorhokian

Dear Armen,

Russia would have an interest that the road from Moscow to the Latakia Syrian port, going through Azerbaijan, Armenia, Nakhichevan, Iran and Iraq is safe.

Best

Ara Manoogian

Thank you Dikran for initiating this exchange.

In my humble opinion, Armenia should not be negotiating with Turkey or Azerbaijan and deals for this or that.

The reality is that Armenia has legitimate and legal land claims for Armenian territories that have been under occupation by Turkey and Azerbaijan for over 100 years. Most of what is called Azerbaijan today, pre-WWI was internationally recognized as an Armenian territory. The creation of Azerbaijan as a country happened in 1917, buy Enver Pasha. As a country, it was not internationally recognized until long after it took control of the Armenian territories. The same applies to Turkey and the Western Armenian territories it occupies today.

The reality is that the treaty in which Turkey and Azerbaijan claim the Armenian territories were never signed by an internationally recognized Armenian government, so legally speaking and when speaking of international recognition, it much of what Turkey and Azerbaijan are claiming as belong to them do not.

What does complicate things and the support Armenia needs to assert their right to the occupied territories is that under various conventions and treaties, the natural resources found on the Armenian territories in question can not be removed, sold or disposed of. That said, practically every drop of oil that has been pumped out of the ground that was found on Armenian territories, Armenia has the right to compensation from the Azeris as well as those receiving the stole goods or those working the oil fields since 1917, which includes American and European interests.

If you have noticed in our lifetime, at least once with the U.S. backed TARC (Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Committee), a deal was on the table in which Armenia recognizes Turkeys present borders/territories. In the lasts few months, there has been mention of Armenia recognizing Azeri territories. Why would the Azeris or Turks need this if they were in fact the rightful owners of these territories that are in fact Armenian territories?

What is the solution? That’s what we need to figure out, since what is right and what all the big players will support, since if right is the solution, the big players have lots to lose.

Harut Sassounian

Dear Hovel,

It should be clear to everyone what Azerbaijan and Turkey want to accomplish by connecting Eastern Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. This is the age-old dream of the Ottoman Empire, subsequently Turkey, to connect Turkey to Central Asia, realizing its Pan-Turkic plans.

There is nothing there of interest to Armenia. It was imposed on Armenia as the loser in the war.

Let us not fool ourselves, as Pashinyan has done repeatedly, that this route is in Armenia’s interest. Ironically, this route has nothing to do with the Artsakh war and I don’t know how it became a part of the so-called ceasefire agreement.

The agreement says that this route will be under the supervision of Russia.

No, we do not want the border to be opened. That is why we objected so strongly to the Armenia-Turkey protocols.

The one-belt from China to Europe does not have to go through Nakhichevan. It is much preferable that it goes through the internal Armenian North-South highway, linking Iran to Georgia.

Forget about exporting our apricots to Russia via Azerbaijan. Do you seriously think that Azeris would allow Armenian trucks or trains to cross Azerbaijan safely? Russia is not going to supervise the route through Azerbaijan. Armenia can already export its apricots to Russia through Georgia.

The access to the Trabizon port has nothing to do with this agreement. Turkey is not a signatory to the Nov. 9 agreement.

Before we do anything, we need a competent leader in Armenia who has knowledgeable advisors. Once we have these things, they will handle intelligently all the decisions. Until then, it is a waste of our time trying to come up with scenarios that no one in Armenia is interested in listening to. So, the Diaspora think tank is useless until we get proper leadership in Armenia.

Hovel Chenorhokian

Dear Harut,

I would also like to learn more about the corridor.

Turkey has access to Azerbaijan through Georgia, while Georgia is sovereign on its territory, controlling what transits through.

Would Armenia be sovereign on its territory ?

Is there any written project ?

As far as I understand, the route from to Iran through Meghri is mountainous, whereas we had an existing rail track to Iran through Nakhitchevan.

This does not imply that we should open the borders.

Hereunder some numbers and points.

–  Karabakh was rich with mines, forests, water, was bigger than Lebanon, yet with an official population of 150 000 vs 6 000 000 in Lebanon. Why do we want land if we cannot keep our people on the land?

– Many among the 2 000 000 Armenians in Russia work in the construction trade.

– Diaspora Armenians lost huge Karabakh investments such as hydroelectric dams. What investments did Kocharyan and Sargsyan make and lose in their Karabakh?

– Armenians are among the world chess champions, yet the per capita GDP in Armenia is 4622 USD, vs 9126 in Turkey. Spot the error.

“So, the Diaspora think tank is useless until we get proper leadership in Armenia.”

I agree with all your points, except the last above sentence. We have to meet the challenge. The homeland doesn’t belong to “them”.

Respectfully.

Hovel Chenorhokian

Barkev Davidian

Any competent leader in Armenia with knowledgeable advisors will be like a smart university graduate who is doomed to work for big companies because he is unable to qualify for loans to run his own business (with few exceptions who have the financial backing of a rich family). We often give Israel as an example to copy to succeed. We are midway to get there with strong Armenian lobbies in America and France. However, the most important Armenian lobby we need should be in Russia where, unfortunately, in thirty years, we were unable to create such a lobby, because we did not have successful and prominent Armenian intellectuals and politicians in that country. What made Israel strong was the unequivocal support of America which was achieved through a strong Jewish lobby. Jews were not welcome in America before World War Two, yet, in less than thirty years after the war, they were able to make America the absolute protector of Israel. Demonstrations and weak style lobbying here and there will not save us in Armenia, given the modest and insignificant stand it has in the economic and political world, regardless of how. smart people we have in Armenia.  As Israel benefited from America (billions granted as economic and military aid over years), and as Israel with that aid proved to protect American interests in the Middle East, we need a powerful lobby in Russia to make it like America in supporting Armenia, and then we should prove becoming as advanced as Israel that we can protect Russian interests in Caucasia. Short of Russian American like support to Israel we are doomed unfortunately. The Armenian lobby in Russia should be much better than enslaved workers in that country to gain Russia’s respect.

Lucine Kasbarian

Rouben did send a group email (for which I was included) about his interview here.

https://yerevan-times.com/4651065106508/?fbclid=IwAR0KP3J0XBGUNokz0O8tAoWYM2s2MfamA8vfRVfv7_iuIyM3eQq_MwyihWk

Gevorg Yazichyan

Lobbies can exist only in countries with democratic or quasi-democratic regime. Russia is NOT such a country.

David Boyajian

We are “told” that wealthy Azeris, especially in the oil and gas industries, in Russia are close to Putin and influential.

Is this true?   And is there comparable Armenian influence in Russia?

Dikran Abrahamian

Dear David,

I bring your attention to  “A Master Plan? Russo-Azeri Strategy for Armenian Pacification”

Lilit Grigoryan of UK, Russia and CIS Associate, explains the sympathetic attitude of Russian elite (oligarchs) towards Azeris and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, Putin a few weeks ago again “reaffirmed”  “mutual intention to continue boosting the Russian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership”.

Jerry Tutunjian

When Armenia is threatened every day (the Corridor, 2,000 Az soldiers in Armenia, the threat of war by Turkbeijan, Armenian soldiers killed/injured by Azeri snipers,  destruction of Armenian religious and civic structures, threats to what remains of Artsakh, Armenian POW illegally sentenced, indifference by  Russia and the CSTO, a rise in immigration stats, and a leader who refuses to reveal what he agreed to last November to deliver to the Azeris) when will the people of Armenia rise and send a message to interested parties that Armenians will not give in? Is Armenia’s population suffering from a collective nervous breakdown?

Minas Kojayan

Ժիրայր կը հարցնէ.

Is Armenia’s population suffering from a collective nervous breakdown?

Անշու՛շտ, դեռ մի բան էլ աւելի: Կրեմլինի նպատակը հոս հասցնելն էր, եւ մերիններուն հաւատարիմ աջակցութեամբ հասաւ իր նպատակին: Ի հարկէ կարեւոր դեր կատարեցին նաեւ «աստուծոյ ընտրեալ ազգի» ծածուկ եւ բացայայտ խմբակները: Մէկ խօսքով մեր հայրենիքի այս փոքրիկ կտորն ալ կրցան գրաւել ներսէն: Ողբա՜մ զքեզ Հայոց աշխարհ… Գոնէ ջերմեռանդօրէն աղօթեցէք որ հրա՜՜՜շք մը պատահի…

Անպայման պէտք է կոկել այս կոչը, քանի մը փաստերով շեշտել բացայայտ սպառնալիքը եւ թէ՛ արտերկրի, թէ՛ ՌԴ-ի մէջ ապրող (եթէ մէջերնին վախկոտ մուկեր չեն նստած) եւ թէ՛ հայրենի ժողովուրդը պէտք է ոտքի հանել: Կապիկին յետոյքին պէս յստակ է ՌԴ-ի «բիւզանդական դերը» Հայաստանը օտարին տալու իր քաղաքականութեամբ: Այսպէս թէ այնպէս եթէ պիտի կորսնցնենք մեր իբր թէ ինքնիշխանութիւնը, գոնէ կռուելով փորձենք բան մը փրկել…: Ո՛չ, արկածախնդրութիւն չէ՛ այսիկա, այլ տկար ճնճղուկին վերջին փորձերը իր ճուտիկը ազատելու մօտեցող կատուին ճիրաններէն: Օրը օրին ՌԴ-ն իր սիրեցեալ թուրքազերիներուն հետ օղակը աւելի կը սեղմէ, մինչ մեր վարչապետը եւ իր խումբը պաշտօնեաները պարգեւատրելով զբաղած է: Եթէ հայրենի պետութեան  անդամալոյծները վախերնէն իրենց տակը կը թրջեն, գոնէ մե՛նք, ինչ որ մնացած է սփիւռքահայութենէն, մեր ձայնը հնչեցնենք. որքան շուտ, այնքան լաւ: Օրերնիս հաշուըւած է, ընկերնե՛ր:

David Davidian

Dear Minas and others,

The problem we have is that we don’t have enough information to understand what is going on. We don’t know the negotiation dynamics, our diplomatic capability has been self-emasculated, and the Armenian government is not transparent. Even the term “communications” in Russian has been translated as “corridor,” probably incorrectly on purpose. We don’t know the level of military threat levelled on us by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and perhaps Russia as well. Azerbaijan is trying to force a treaty on us; that much is clear. Something is going on that is not in our interest, at least as perceived from the diaspora. However, Pashinyan and his establishment were re-elected, saying a lot — and saying even more to our enemies. As a reward for Armenian capitulation is $3B from the EU. If there will be protests in the diaspora, we have to know what is being protested and demanded. Our approach has to be critical, as a doctor must when treating a patient.

Those on this list find something wrong with enemy soldiers on our land. Locals have an issue with that as well but are unable to do anything about it. A few weeks ago, after the Armenian government arrested the mayors of most of the large cities in southern Armenia, a petition drive at the Opera took place demanding their release. The police broke it up. Asked why and the authorities said, “You are taking advantage of freedom of speech.” This response tells us a deliberate policy is being implemented at the highest levels of the Armenian regime. What is an “Urgent Appeal” to one, maybe “Business as Usual” to another.

We played games for thirty years and are paying the highest price for it today.

I am shaking my head as I write this.

Regards…

Appo Jabarian

Thank you, Dr. Abrahamian, for taking the initiative to start this conversation.

Dear Friends,

In my opinion, the most crucial issue that urgently deserves our nation’s (Homeland and Diaspora) undivided attention and devotion is the protection of the Syunik/Zangezur region. One hundred years ago, what is now called Turkey and Azerbaijan attempted through the Soviet Red Army and Kemalist Turkish Army to forcibly occupy and annex Syunik/Zangezur to then newly created Azerbaijan. They failed.

Now one hundred years later the Neo-Ottoman archenemies are attempting to force on Armenia the so-called southern ‘corridor’ plan in Syunik effectively cutting off the Republic of Armenia from Iran.

One hundred years ago, our nation was lucky and blessed to have a military leader like General Karekin Nejdeh and determined Armenian fighters who held at bay and embarrassed the Soviet Red Army/ Kemalist Turkish Army long enough to force the Kremlin to officially acknowledge Syunik to be an integral part of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia. Syunik was saved from the fate of Nakhichevan and Artsakh.

Our people everywhere need to join forces and resources (human and material) to help consolidate strong Armenian and international economic and military presence in Syunik and for that matter entire Armenia sending a strong signal to Turkey/ Azerbaijan and the international community on the Armenian people’s determination to protect Armenia’s sovereignty in Syunik.

In terms of empowering our people in forming a citizen-army serving as auxiliary forces next to and under the command of the Armenian Armed Forces, VOMA –ՈՄԱ –Ողջ Մնալու Արուեստը is doing a remarkable job. VOMA is spreading throughout Armenia as public support is further developing. Now it has established a network of chapters through the country.

Please visit: ՈՄԱ Գորիս/ VOMA Goris-Ողջ մնալու արվեստ ( Goris is a major city in Syunik)

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=%D5%B8%D5%B4%D5%A1%20%D5%A3%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%BD%2F%20voma%20goris-%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%BB%20%D5%B4%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AC%D5%B8%D6%82%20%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%BE%D5%A5%D5%BD%D5%BF

They deserve our immediate attention and support.

The  military preparedness of not just the Army but also the civilian masses in Armenia is indispensable for Armenia’s survival as a sovereign state..

All the best

 David Boyajian Sun, 1 Aug 2021 20:33:44 +0000

My humble opinion:

I know of no one anywhere — Armenian, Russian, or otherwise — who can adequately explain why Russia let the 2020 war happen except to say, “Well, Russia is smart and so must know what it’s doing.”

As Turkey flew American-built F-16s and terrorists into Azerbaijan before the September war, Russia said and did little.

If Russia stopped the war on Nov. 9, Russia certainly could have done so earlier.

True, after the war, Russia put troops in Artsakh and more troops in Armenia – all of which Russia could have gotten anyway without betraying Armenia.

However,  Russia let Turkey gain more of a pan-Turkic foothold in Azerbaijan and (down the road) the Caspian and even Central Asia. This does not benefit Russia or the North Caucasus.

Putin warned Turkey to not sell Bayraktar drones to Ukraine and yet Turkey has done so and more.

Putin is being outsmarted by Erdogan.

NATO is basically happy with all this, even if it has disagreements with Turkey.

Countries make mistakes all the time – history is full of them, and Russia is no exception.  I reject the idea that Putin is some sort of policy genius.

Russia has lost basically all of Eastern Europe, plus Georgia, most of Ukraine, and probably one day Belarus.  Turkey beat Russia in Libya.  Putin is slowly losing Central Asia to China.

Putin has allowed a NATO member to attack and occupy Russia’s ally Syria and now NATO is deeper as ever into Azerbaijan.

Turkey now aims at Afghanistan, just south of Central Asia.

The 2020 war did not do Russia’s partner Iran any good either.  The war stirred up Azeris in Iran there and put a Sunni power more deeply into the Caucasus just north of Iran.  NATO and Israel love all that.

For various reasons, in my opinion , the 2020 war was – implicitly or explicitly – Putin’s war against Armenians, his ally.

Putin got angry. He can’t help himself.  So does he pick on Russia’s enemies?  No, he picks on Russia’s small (and only) ally Armenia!

And Putin now wants to put, as Harut Sassounian and others point out, a pan-Turkic corridor through Armenia.

What, Putin is not satisfied with the current pan-Turkic corridor Georgia, and he wants more?

Russia is now out to punish (for what??) and humiliate (why??) Armenia.  Notice that Putin does nothing about the Azeri invasion of southern Armenia, violating Russia’s defense treaty with Armenia

Putin seems to think the two Turkics are his friends, and that Armenia is his enemy.  The man is nuts.

The only “out” I can see for Russia in the Caucasus is for it to at some point attack Georgia and/or capture the three Western-bound pipelines from Baku.  Russia could do this.

That would impoverish Azerbaijan and make Georgia and Turkey dependent on Russian gas.

It would stop NATO cold.

Yet, Putin (an angry, out-of-control man) could have done all that without betraying Armenians.

Russia’s policies are primitive and so are Putin’s.

I realize this does not solve Armenia’s problems, but part of what Armenia must do is figure out Russian policies (or non-policies).

=======================

The article 9 of ceasefire agreement signed on November 9th, 2020 at the end of 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war stated:

“All economic and transport connections in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to arrange unobstructed movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions. The Border Guard Service of the Russian Federal Security Service shall be responsible for overseeing the transport connections.”

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zangezur_corridor