People Who Approve the Protocols, Speak up!

16 comments

1. Normalization of Relations Between Armenia and Turkey

   The Genocide never ended. It continues symbolically until Turkey admits its crime against humanity in 1915-1917.

   Depending on whose figures you accept, between 1.5 million and 2.5 million martyrs were murdered. Armenians are being martyred still – but this time it’s economic, being a land-locked country. Yet, this sacrifice pales in comparison to those whose lives and futures were taken.

   Armenians cannot dishonor the ultimate sacrifice made by these martyrs by entering into diplomatic relations with Turkey under these terms. If they do, many Armenians in the diaspora will stop sending money to Armenia – and it is not an insignificant amount – so Armenia will be worse off in every way imaginable. And

   On a personal note, if normalization occurs under these terms, I will be deeply ashamed of being Armenian and will no longer refer to myself as such. I have never been ashamed of being an American.

2. I personally know of no Armenian

   I personally know of no Armenian American who is active in, and knowledgeable about,  Armenian political affairs who supports these Protocols from Hell (ie. from Turkey).

   For example: When Turkey first proposed a joint study of 1915, it was widely considered a joke and a public relations stunt. 

   I know of no Armenian who thought it was a serious and worthwhile proposal.  Indeed, the International Association of Genocide Scholars – nearly all of whom are non-Armenians – sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan ridiculing the idea of a joint study. See here: No Place for Denial

   But now, we see that President Sargsian of Armenia has actually taken the proposal seriously and committed Armenia to it. In other words, Armenians are against the study, and so are non-Armenian experts, yet Sargsian thinks he knows better.  Obviously, he doesn’t.  Moreover, he has yet to explain why he believes a study is a good thing for Armenians.  It is clear that Turkey will sabotage the effort. I don’t need to explain anymore to Keghart readers.

   That is just one example of how bad the two so-called Protocols from Hell are for Armenians.  The other, of course, is that there are parts of the Protocols from Hell that sign away all future Armenian rights to land. There is absolutely no need for these Protocols.  

3. The Diasporan communities should advertise their refusal

   Like it has been done in the past, our traditional political parties should  immediately draw up a manifesto, proclaiming their and the people´s refusal of such a one sided "compromise agreement".

   Buy political advertisement space on the first page of The New York Times, Washington Post, Moscow times, the Financial Times, the Figaro, Courriere de la Serra, El Pais, La  Nacion (Buenos Aires)  and a few others in Australia, Canada without wasting time, so that we shall not be dubbed as the dumb Armenians who after a century of demanding JUSTICE from the world have now given in.

   What? Who can come up and say "We the British", "We  the U.S." or "We the EU" are telling "what´s good for you.."? or "go ahead and sign your own sentence and capitulation to a century old adversary who evicted you from your ancestral lands and homes, destroying  your churches, monasteries, and subjected you to a Genocide." 

   This is unprecedented.

   True, there have been diplomatic negotiations only…which are subject to the approval of the people and their elected parliamentarians..

   Forgive? We will  indeed, if the crime committed by the previous Ottoman state is admitted and reparations are made including "blood money".  Prior to any agreement we should get paid for the blood shed, like  the Germans did to the Jews.

   Forget the hyenous crime? NEVER!

   Patience we have. We are over-patient and can wait for the opportune moment.

   I’d like to reiterate the suggestion of buying asvertisement in the major media, lest the big powers think they can go further with their ridiculous protocols drawn up only in their favour…act  we must!!     

4. AGBU President Supports the Protocols

   The presidential Press Department reports that RoA President Serzh Sargsyan today met with AGBU President Berge Setrakian in Yerevan. President Sargsyan welcomed the active participation shown by the AGBU towards solving issues of a pan-national character and said that he always was glad to hear about the new projects of the organization. Setrakian informed the RoA President as to the current and future projects of the AGBU.

   The two also touched upon the latest developments regarding Armenian – Turkish dialogue and Mr. Setrakian stated that the the AGBU naturally was following events closely and with great anticipation. The press department says that Mr. Setrakian expressed AGBU’s support for the recent protocols leading to a normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

    Hetq

   1. What an utter

      What an utter disappointment! 

      I wonder if the president of the AGBU has felt the effects of the Genocide in his own family…..and if he has, obviously his conscience is turned off…..

      Unfortunately our share of Vasag Sunis keeps multiplying…..

      Any Armenian who feels that normal relations with Turkey are possible while Turkey still keeps denying the Genocide does not have the right to be called "Armenian".
      

      THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION!!!!!

      1. Name-calling has no place

         While sharing Tamar’s indignation and vehemently opposing the proposed Protocols in their present form, I earnestly object to declare people who hold contrary views as not being Armenian.

         It was not that long ago when we displayed such stupidity by calling people belonging or not belonging to this or that organisation as Armenian or non-Armenian. I thought we have shed that intolerant clan mentality. Alas it seems it shows its ugly face every now and then.

         This is not a moment to derange ourselves spiritually, mentally and psychologically. It is time for a true national discourse that may shape our future. Hence, we deserve a respectful attitude towards one another. Let us provide constructive criticism and proposals to rectify the matter by either making amendments or corrections and not engage ourselves in name-calling.

5. Is AAA saying anything different than the US administration?

   AAA STATEMENT

   On August 31, 2009, the foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland announced protocols to be signed within six weeks to establish  diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey and to open the border.
    
   Normalization of relations without preconditions
    
   This announcement is consistent with the U.S. position that normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey proceed without preconditions. Armenian authorities have also made it clear that no preconditions means just that – no linkage to progress on the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks and no conditions on affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, or debating whether a genocide occurred through a commission-style process. The incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide is internationally recognized, and Turks and Armenians have previously commissioned in 2003 an independent analysis through the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), which concluded that the events of 1915 constituted genocide.
    
   The Armenian Assembly supports normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions. The United States has spoken clearly about the need for Turkey to lift its blockade and establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. Turkey's lifting of its blockade against Armenia and opening the border is not only long overdue but obligated under international treaties. For this long-awaited effort to succeed, it is incumbent that the United States require Turkey to adhere to its commitments with respect to Armenia.
    
   Unequivocal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide
    
   While the August 31st announcement represents an important step, experience has shown that reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey requires Turkey to come to terms with its past. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have all spoken eloquently on the need to recognize the Armenian Genocide.  We could not agree more and urge President Obama and the U.S. Congress to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide.  In so doing, the United States will honor a proud chapter in U.S. history in helping to save the survivors of the first genocide of the twentieth century.
    
   Turkey's track record of broken promises
    
   The Armenian Assembly views as encouraging the commitments made by the government of Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia without preconditions.  However, we recall Turkey's ample track record of unfulfilled promises. As such, many remain skeptical as prior governments of Armenia had also offered to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions only to be rebuffed.
    
   Moreover, it is of particular concern that on the same day as the joint statement released by the Armenian and Turkish foreign ministries regarding the start of consultations to establish diplomatic relations that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sent mixed signals. Foreign Minister Davutoglu not only indicated that the opening of the border would be 'a long process,' but also stated that Turkey would guard Azerbaijan's interests.
    
   These pronouncements by Turkey's Foreign Minister not only breach the spirit of framework just announced, but also directly contradict U.S. policy 'that normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.'
    

    

6. ԲՀԿ–ն համաձայն է
   ԲՀԿ–ն համաձայն է իշխանությունների հետ հայ–թուրքական հարաբերությունների հարցում

   Հայ–թուրքական հարաբերությունների կարգավորմանն առնչվող զարգացումների վերաբերյալ այսօր հայտարարությամբ է հանդես եկել «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցությունը։ Զարմանալի է, որ խորհրդարանում մեծությամբ երկրորդ խմբակցությունը կարևորագույն հարցի վերաբերյալ իր կարծիքը հայտնեց Արձանագրությունների նախաստորագրումից 5 օր անց։ ԲՀԿ–ի հայտարարության մեջ, մասնավորապես, ասված է.

   ««Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցությունը հայ-թուրքական հարաբերութունների կարգավորման հարցում առաջնորդվում է իր ծրագրային հիմնադրույթներում ամրագրված այն մոտեցումով, ըստ որի Հայոց ցեղասպանության միջազգային ճանաչման հարցում Հայաստանի Հանրապետության մասնակցության չափն ու ուղենիշերը պայմանավորված պետք է լինեն ազգային, պետական իրատեսական շահերով։ Միաժամանակ, կուսակցության դիրքորոշման համաձայն, Հայոց ցեղասպանության միջազգային ճանաչումն ու դատապարտումը այլնըտրանք չունի։

   Առաջնորդվելով «Բարգավաճ Հայաստան» կուսակցության քաղաքական-ծրագրային վերոնշյալ հիմնադրույթներով՝ հայ-թուրքական հարաբերությունների կարգավորման վերջին զարգացումների կապակցությամբ մենք գտնում ենք, որ
   1. hրապարակված փաստաթղթերում, ընդհանուր առմամբ, արտացոլված են առանց նախապայմանների հայ-թուրքական հարաբերությունների կարգավորման ԲՀԿ մոտեցումները, որոնք ընկած են նաև ՀՀ արտաքին քաղաքականության հիմքում։
   2. Գտնում ենք, որ հայ-թուրքական առանց նախապայմանների երկխոսության ծավալումը խթան կարող է հանդիսանալ նաև Հայոց ցեղասպանության միջազգային ճանաչման գործընթացի և թուրք հասարակության շրջանում հանրային գիտակցության փոփոխման հարցում։ Կոշտ կամ պարտադրանքների ճանապարհով տվյալ հիմնահարցի արծարծումը համարում ենք առավել անիրատեսական։
   3. Մեզ համար ընդունելի է, որ նախաստորագրված արձանագրություններում բացակայում է որևէ հիշատակում Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի հակամարտության մասին, որը որպես նախապայման թուրքական կողմը բազմիցս ներկայացրել էր Հայաստանի հետ դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների հաստատման առնչությամբ։
   4. Հայ-թուրքական հարաբերությունների կարգավորման դրական միտումներ պարունակող առաջարկ է նաև միջկառավարական հանձնաժողովի ստեղծումը, որը թույլ կտա կառավարական ամենաբարձր մակարդակով քննարկել հայ-թուրքական հարաբերությունների բոլոր կնճռոտ հարցերը, այդ թվում և Թուրքիայի կողմից Հայոց ցեղասպանության ճանաչման հարցը»։

7. ADL Eastern District of US and Canada Agree

   The District Committee of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party of Eastern US and Canada welcomes the announcement by the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Turkey to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, with the mediation of the Swiss government.

   The two Protocols released by the Foreign Ministry of Armenia reveal all details of the procedures to be pursued for the establishment and development of relations between the two republics to be implemented within the forthcoming several months, leading to consular establishments, opening of the border and stimulating trade between the two countries. The all-encompassing Protocols are aimed at establishing a working relationship in the political, economic, transport, energy, cultural, scientific and other spheres based upon various European and international conventions. Intergovernmental commissions and sub-commissions shall pursue the development of those relations, including restoration of “mutual confidence between the two nations, … to define existing problems and formulate recommendations… .”

   We note that Armenian President Serge Sargisian reiterates to the BBC correspondent that Armenia remains firm on developing relations without preconditions. Answering to a question whether he is prepared to make concessions on the events of 1915, Sargisian answers, “We state that there was Genocide, regardless whether Turkey recognizes it today or not. That fact is recognized by genocide experts throughout the world, … but we do not submit recognition of the Genocide as a precondition to establishment of relations.”

   Provided that Turkey does not back down again during this process, at the end of the day, the proactive football policy of the Armenian government will mark a political victory for Armenia, as Turkey finally realizes that in a civilized world good neighborly relations are beneficial to both countries.
    

   The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party of Eastern US and Canada fully supports the Armenian government’s policies in starting the process of establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey and wishes success in the implementation of the Protocols agreed upon by both countries.

   The ADL will continue the pursuit of recognition of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by Turkey, and will work with the Armenian organizations in the Diaspora and in Armenia for the restoration of Armenian rights.

   District Committee
   Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
   Eastern District of US and Canada
   September 1, 2009

8. Congress of Armenia objects to “committee” of historians
   ՀԱՅՏԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ

   Հայ–թուրքական հարաբերությունների հաստատման արձանագրությունների մասին

   1. Հայ–թուրքական հարաբերությունների կարգավորումը բխում է երկու երկրների եւ ժողովուրդների, ինչպես նաեւ տարածաշրջանային խաղաղության եւ կայունության շահերից։
   2. Հայաստանի եւ Թուրքիայի միջեւ դիվանագիտական հարաբերությունների հաստատման եւ երկկողմ հարաբերությունների զարգացման վերաբերյալ արձանագրությունները զգալի տեղաշարժ են այդ ուղղությամբ։
   3. Անընդունելի է հայ եւ թուրք պատմաբանների միջկառավարական ենթահանձնաժողովի ստեղծման մասին դրույթը, որը կասկածի տակ է դնում Հայոց ցեղասպանության իրողությունը։
   4. Մտահոգություն է հարուցում երկու երկրների խորհրդարանների կողմից նշված փաստաթղթերի վավերացման պայմանը, որը Սերժ Սարգսյանին հնարավորություն է տալիս ենթահանձնաժողովի ստեղծման պատասխանատվությունը կիսել խորհրդարանի հետ, իսկ Թուրքիային՝ Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի խնդրի լուծված չլինելու պատճառաբանությամբ, ձգձգել վավերացման հարցը եւ դրանով հետաձգել հայ–թուրքական սահմանի բացումը։

   Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրեսի
   Կենտրոնական Գրասենյակ

9. Protocols

   I am shocked and disappointed that a week after the protocols were made public there has been no massive demonstration in Armenia against the proposals. The Tashnak demonstration, held in Yerevan, was puny and was a dual-purpose event (commemorating the independence of Artsakh and condemning the protocols). As well, there has been no denunciation of the proposals by prominent Armenians in Armenia.

   Have we ("Speurk") been misreading the mood and priorities of Armenians living in the homeland? Does their silence mean consent? Are they too exhausted–emotionally and economically–to express their disagreement? Millions of them dared to demonstrate in 1965, to express their nationalistic feelings to the Soviet government. More than 25 years later another million demonstrated in support of the independence of Artsakh. Where are these people now? Do they still care about our survival? Are they the people–about a million–who have emigrated from Armenia in recent years?

   Perhaps there’s a chasm between Speurk and Armenia. After all, an increasing number of Armenians from Armenia have been vacationing in Turkey! They are rollicking in resorts which are stone’s throw from locales drenched with the blood of our grandparents. This is an unspeakable act that no Speurk Armenian I know of would contemplate, let alone undertake.

   While I am cognizant that some Speurk Armenians are pro the protocols, I fear that If Armenians living in Armenia support the protocols the result could be two solitudes–Armenia and Speurk, a trip back to the future of the bad Cold War era.

10. Repair of erred negotiations

    To: [email protected]

     

    Dear Mr. President Sargsyan:

     

    The Armenian community in Armenia, Karabakh, and the Diaspora is duefully concerned that the agreement protocol between Turkey and Armenia does not represent Armenia’s national interests and harms Karabakh’s vitality and future. The best manner to redirect the course of these negotiations at this time would be to make notable amends to our foreign policy. 

    Therefore, we as Armenians propose to replace our Minister of Foreign Affairs with a skillful politician who is well versed with international politics and dialogue.  Many competent Armenians would be solid candidates […] They could provide useful consultation in external affairs and safeguard Armenia’s rights and Karabakh’s independence.

     

    Respectfully yours,

     

    Ishkhan Babajanian MD. USA

11. Statement of Congress of Canadian Armenians

    
     

    On August 31, 2009, the foreign ministries of Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland jointly announced protocols to be signed within six weeks to establish diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey. They produced two documents, which provide details on the initial steps to be taken for the normalization of relations, the establishment of consular representation, and the opening of the current border between the two countries. The Armenian people in both the homeland and the Diaspora are following these negotiations with great interest and some concern.
     
    The government of Armenia has made it clear that there can be no preconditions by either side to any agreement that is signed. These include the right of the Armenian people to have the Armenian Genocide recognized, the validity of any claims that arise as a result of this recognition, and the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to live freely as expressed when they exercised their legitimate right for self-determination.
     
    The government of Armenia is motivated by economic and geopolitical concerns to reach an agreement, including national security and the need to improve the flow of trade for the landlocked country. It faces difficult challenges in the weeks ahead as it tries to build improved good relations between Armenia and Turkey, without imposing preconditions but at the same time safeguarding the fundamental and historic rights of the Armenian people.
     
    The start of negotiations between Armenia and Turkey has been favourably and strongly encouraged by the international community. The sole opponent to this has been Azerbaijan. For almost two decades, Turkey and Azerbaijan have blockaded Armenia due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and in the past Turkey has used this unresolved conflict as justification for its refusal to pursue a separate rapprochement with Armenia. Hopefully Turkey will now continue its negotiations with Armenia in good faith, although its track record in this regard causes some scepticism.
     
    The Congress of Canadian Armenians, together with the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America and many other respected organizations in the Diaspora, supports normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions. Turkey’s blockade against Armenia and the closing of its border, which has directly hurt the economic wellbeing of the people of Armenia, is not only overdue but obligated under international treaties.
     
    Although normalization of relations is an important step, true reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey requires Turkey to come to terms with its past. Numerous countries, including Canada, have already recognized the Armenian Genocide, and the European Union has urged Turkey to do the same before it joins it as a member in a few years.
     
    The Congress of Canadian Armenians is cautiously optimistic, and will continue to closely monitor developments.

    September 16th, 2009
     ——————————————————————————–
    Established in 2004, the Congress of Canadian Armenians is comprised of many of the large Canadian Armenian organizations. It serves as a united voice to present Armenian issues to the Canadian public and to promote Armenian interests.

12. The Congress finally speaks

    Is it any better than what the Assembly had to say? Birds of same feather fly together.

13. Catholicos Karekin II Issues Announcement on Protocols

    Asbarez Sep 30th, 2009
     

    ETCHMIADZIN (A1plus)—His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II convened a special meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Holy Sea of Etchmian on Wednesday where he issued an announcement on the ongoing Turkey-Armenia normalization process and the two protocols that will establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.
     

    Below are his remarks:
     

    The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to establish diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia and Turkey and the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, for the sake of regional security, preservation of peace and the development of regional cooperation. The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses the pan-Armenian discussions currently taking place surrounding this process.
     

    The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and understandable the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, within the context of the bitter historical experience of our people with Turkey, Turkey’s official policy of denying the Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s intolerant position expressed toward the Republic of Armenia, as well as the formulations contained in the yet to be signed protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that have caused various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements coming from the Turkish side associated with this process.

     

14. Aram I Appeals to Sarkisian on Protocols

     Asbarez Sep 23rd, 2009

    ANTELLIAS, Lebanon—His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on Monday sent a letter to President Serzh Sarkisian expressing concerns over the Turkey-Armenia protocols and urging the president to engage the entire Armenian nation in this critical pan-national issue.

    In his extensive letter, the Catholicos outlines concerns, more vocally about the threats the protocols bring to the veracity of the Armenian Genocide, the Karabakh conflict resolution process and the imperative of addressing this critical issue from pan-national perspective.

    Aram I pointed out that the very existence of the Diaspora is a direct result of the Genocide and forced upon the Armenian nation.

    “The recognition of and reparations for the Armenian Genocide are part of our national struggle. Thus it is imperative to approach the matter carefully and with the great deal of sensitivity,” said the Catholicos in his letter warning that the Genocide issue cannot be part of the negotiation process, as it is know fact.

    “In a set of conditions, Turkey is likely to pressure Armenia. Ankara will pursue to expunge the memory of 1.5 million slaughtered Armenians,” said the Catholicos who urged the president and his administration to have a firm position on the Genocide.

    The Catholicos also expressed his deep concern about the negative consequences of the protocols on the fragile Karabakh conflict resolution. He urged the president to ensure that the Turkey-Armenia normalization does not adversely impact the Karabakh process.

    He advised that the matter of the relations should be discussed nationally and a solution to confront the challenges facing the nation should be given by Armenia, Karabakh and Diaspora in unison.

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