Season's Greetings

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Merry Christmas to all Christian readers; to all Muslim and Druze friends I wish a peaceful Eid-ul Adha, and of the Jewish faith a Happy Chanukah. Happy New Year to all.

Keghart.com was launched as a site for community activities and Human Rights in early September 2007. The postings were mostly dominated by matters related to the Genocide of the Armenians primarily because of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee's recognition of the Genocide and the ensuing pro and con debates. Human Rights involve more than Genocide related matters and hopefully other subjects will be reflected on this site in the New Year. The White Genocide continues to take its toll. Particularly the situation in the Middle East is very unsettling and traditional Armenian communities are hemorrhaging in an unprecedented scale. Articles reflecting upon that subject are welcome.

At this stage security of Armenia and Artsakh, their well being are the most crucial matters along with the expansion of democracy both in Armenia and Turkey. The latter is undergoing an identity crisis, and the vast majority of Turkish citizens are not yet aware of their past. Without Turkey's meaningful acknowledgement of the events unleashed by the Young Turks normalization of Turkish and Armenian relations will be doubtful. To that end solidarity with all democratic forces in Turkey is paramount and Keghart.com will continue bringing up the infamous article 301 to the forefront, and keep the protest Letter/Article 301 on site as a painful reminder.

Some well intentioned friends have pointed out that there were items that did not reflect the general outlook of Keghart, and contradictory opinions have been posted. It's true, and they are being aired as no single person or entity has a monopoly over ideas. Only through a free exchange matters can be clarified and crystallized. Whichever opinion reflects adequately the facts and realities will eventually prevail. Cooperation gets compromised without accommodation and mutual respect.

Probably the best accomplishment of Keghart.com has been the participation of people of non Armenian descent who regularly receive the postings. It's with unbridled gratification that painter John W. DesRochers' following words are quoted here, “Atthis time of the year I would like to wish all Armenians a joyful Christmas and continued success in the New Year informing the world of the plight of Armenians”.

I thank all well wishers who encouraged and supported Keghart and made contributions. My special thanks to Vako Nicolian whose help was instrumental in starting and maintaining Keghart. It will be the first anniversary of the forum "24April" in a few days. It has made a valuable contribution in Canada by providing a venue of exchange of views to people who otherwise would probably have still be isolated in their respective circles. Happy anniversary!