Realism vs. Idealism by Davit S.
The difference between realism and idealism in the Armenian political forum in our huge but divided Diaspora is separating from what needs to be done to improve Armenia’s future in the world stage, rather than dragging us to our unfortunate past. Certain Armenian political parties tend to focus on the past rather than the future. Relying on past events during a time with “uncivil” political standards and social misfortunes to regulate present political situations is not realistic, but on the contrary idealistic. The two main topics that are weakening the Armenian political power and respect in the international community is the constant demand of the recognition of the Armenian genocide which took the lives of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1923 and also the restoration of Western Armenia to the current Republic of Armenia.
The Armenian Genocide:
In the present political climate, the discussion and possible recognition of a human-rights violation which occurred prior to the establishment of the word “genocide” in the First World War by the Republic of Turkey and its vital political ally, the United States, has grown to be an obvious misfortune to Armenian lobbyists in Washington D.C. and human-right activists world wide. However, the realistic understanding of the denial by these two key nations is the understanding of geopolitics. In this new age of “terror”, past US administrations have taken an initiative to create military strongholds in the heart of the Middle East to secure peace and stability to not only troops in Kuwait but also in Israel. The Republic of Turkey borders Syria, Iraq and Iran- all comprised of the alleged “axis of evil” created by the highly intellectual President of this fine nation. The United States publicly pays The Republic of Turkey billions of dollars each year to have access to military and cargo bases in Eastern Turkey (which is currently a danger zone due Turkish and Kurdish Separatist clashes) as a way of invading Iraq and a possible future attack on Syria and Iran (not to get to over our heads). Armenians around the world were amazed at the House Resolution 106 which was presented by House Committee on Foreign Affairs during the later part of 2007. However Turkish President Abdullah Gül did not hesitate to send a memo to President Bush’s fax machine threatening a political freeze in US-Turkish alliance on the “war on terror” if the United States continued on presenting such resolutions which would undermine the “innocence” of their nation. By presenting to you a little geopolitical insight on how Democracy functions in the Middle East by Imperialist nations, one would have to understand that as long as the United States plans on staying in the Near East for political and profitable reasons, the U.S. government needs a vital geopolitically convenient nation like Turkey to settle its bases in. As long as Nationalist Turkish politicians threaten U.S. politicians of removing U.S. bases, certain Armenian interests groups need to create new initiatives on bettering the Armenian-Turkish political struggle which has been going on since the establishment of the New Turkish state in 1923 and the independence of the Republic of Armenians. Perhaps the fight should not be within the United States but instead should be in a number of historic discussion forums in Zurich or Brussels for example. This issue must be resolved between Armenians and the Turks. The United States accepting the Armenian genocide just adds another nail to the Turkish coffin; however it does not resolve that fact that the Turkish government and the Turkish people deny the Armenian genocide. The final burial will not be complete until the Turkish Government and majority of its citizens are convinced that was occurred between 1915-1923 by politicians in Constantinople was indeed a genocide. This will take a long and hard process of which both Ankara and Yerevan must undertake by opening political doors and by creating a political center stage where both sides present each other with vital historical data which would create a final compromise. This is the realistic and political stance of the 21st century. Violence is not the key to creating political stability between the two neighboring nations. Many Armenians are optimistic that the new-elect president Serge Sarkissian and his administration will push for better cooperation with Ankara. The Turkish government proposed a joint historical discussion with Yerevan, however current President Robert Kocharian denied.
The Restoration of Western Armenia:
When most Armenians hear of the term “Western Armenia”, they automatically undertake the image of Mount Ararat, Van, Sassoon, Kharpert, Kars, Urfa and many other historical attributes of the once existing Armenian highland. However many Armenians believe that a good portion of Eastern Turkey will indeed one day become united with the present south-Caucasian Republic of Armenia, creating the Armenia that Armenians had dreamt of having for centuries. Idealistically, this is a wonderful dream. Sure, I would love to move back to my ancestral land and visit the city of Sassoon where my ancestors fought and died proudly for their nation. Sure I would love to visit Lake Van and take a quick swim with my friends while we make barbeque. I would also love to see Ararat from the opposite side, however the aspect of realism just comes knocking on the door of my imagination screaming to me the all of this is a dream and that we must preserve and better what we are fortunate in having today! Today, we have a Republic. A country is something our ancestors fought so passionately for throughout our history. Autonomy was written on our fists when a million Armenians took the streets of Yerevan demanding independence from the crumbling Soviet Union. Finally, after a devastating earthquake in 1988 and a financially difficult war with neighboring Azerbaijan, it just makes me love my country even more. For me, the present Republic of Armenia is perfect for Armenians and the Armenian Diaspora. Even with corruption and the ever-growing number of Armenian citizens leaving for Moscow, Paris or Los Angeles, I believe that we first need to strengthen our current nation which is striving for modification and economic growth. Since 1997, Armenia has grown economically and technologically and there is so much more room available for our beautiful nation to grow. With a population of 3 million, one would wonder how in Gods name we will afford to support a “New Nation” with a 20 Million plus Kurdish population. Realistically and demographically, Eastern Turkey has one of the most concentrations of Kurdish population in the Middle East. About 25 million Kurds live in Eastern Turkey (or as Armenians would say Western Armenia) and currently Kurdish Separatists, also known as the PKK are fighting for independence for the very same land that certain Armenians belonging to a certain political party are dreaming for restoration. Demographically, economically and patriotically, Armenians currently are in no shape of supporting any new territory. How do Armenians expect to control Western Armenia, when the current Republic of Armenia is witnessing a population fall year by year? My opinion is that 1) We should focus on the current Republic of Armenia and Artsakh and 2) Should make it an initiative for Armenians from the Diaspora to create citizenship in the Republic of Armenia, just like many Jews have been doing with Israel, which in the long run will benefit the Armenian economy and reputation in the world stage. The idea of reuniting Eastern Turkey to Western Armenia (or what was promised to Armenians by the Treaty of Sevres) is not possible on any scale at the current moment. We should be happy with what we are given to us right now and not ask for more when we can hardly finish the plate in front of us.
