Z'areh

Anna Kasyan is a wonderful and very talented operatic singer who is competing in a prestigious contest in Paris France. go to www.lesvictoires.com and vote for her. The website is in French but is quite easy to follow, you can even hear her performances. I urge hyeforum members to take a moment and vote for this talented Armenian soprano. The voting process expires in a few days, January 30th.

Unfortunately,Ditsuhi, there will always be a segment in our diaspora society that will always agree blindly with the government of Armenia, any ruling government in power. And they will accuse all who are against the policies of a ruling administration (whoever they may be) as being against the "Motherland". This was the case during Soviet times, continued during Levon Ter-Petrossian's reign and is now continuing with Sarkisian's regime. The truth of the matter is the only power source these segments can count on is the government of Armenia which compensates the dwindling number of supporters these segments enjoy, and also automatically means the support of the Holy See of Etchmiadsin. This is especially true in the US and Canada. I have also seen it here in Montreal, where leaders of groups who have always aligned themselves with the ruling governments of Armenia, have made fools out of themselves by publicly endorsing the protocols, while privately admitting that they have not read the details. One such leader even stood up and chastised those who were against the Protocols as being "unpatriotic". The fact that ARF was against the Protocols was good enough for this person to be "for" the Protocols. In Lebanon, where all segments attract relatively healthy numbers of supporters, they stand together in denouncing these Protocols. "divisive and clueless" is indeed a sad state of being, whether due to ignorance or self-imposition.

The State Medical University should be very careful when reviewing this Ph.D candidate's dissertation of his thesis. The man is still living in the dark ages and his views should be unacceptable in any self-respecting institution. But, I hear everything is possible in Armenia, with a little cash.

I guess the relatively mild threats of Sarkisian and Nalbandian directed against Turkey were too much for Clinton. I say relatively mild, because the mean-spirited politics played by Turkey should deserve much harsher response from the Armenian side, nonetheless, even a mild rhetoric by Sarkisian that calls Turkey to simply implement what it signed was regarded by the US as too much. I think that is why we read the following today: [u.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch has been granted a prestigious State Department award for pressing the Armenian authorities to tackle chronic vote rigging and respect the rights of opposition members arrested following last year’s presidential election. The State Department said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bestowed the annual “Diplomacy for Human Rights Award” on Yovanovitch in recognition of her “extraordinary commitment to defending human rights and advancing democratic principles” in Armenia.] The above statement is nothing but a warning to Sarkisian to tow the line that was given to him by the international trio. In other words Sarkisian to hush like a puppy. Remember, this "award" to the ambassador came only a few days after Clinton called Sarkisian personally right after the latter issued "warnings" to Turkey. On the same day we hear that the gas supply line was shut because of "bombs found under the gas pipelines in Ingushetia". this could very well be the work of saboteurs, either the terrorist kind or the political kind from Kremlin, directed towards Sarkisian. We are still paying, and will continue to pay the price of rigged elections of February 2008.

It was quite interesting. Charlie Rose was more forceful this time and asked god questions. And it was not about Tel Aviv but very diverse topics including Armenian Genocide. Arpa jan, if you want to see the interview go to charlierose.com and type "erdogan" in the search box, the interview will pop up. But I'll paste below the text about the Armenian segment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: In Van -- in the city of Van, to the east of Turkey, there is a lake called the Van Lake, and there is an island in the lake, and there is an Armenian church there which was in very bad condition, and we used treasury money to restore the Armenian church. And we have always been very supportive of these actions and activities. CHARLIE ROSE: Speaking of the Armenian church and that, there is now an agreement between Turkey and Armenia. What is necessary in order to -- what more evidence does history need with respect to the genocide? RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: Let me first of all say that you say of genocide, speak of genocide. I would be sorry to hear you say that. I can say very clearly that we do not accept genocide. This is completely a lie. I invite people to prove it. I wrote a letter in 2005, and I said that this is not up to politicians. It is up to historians to look into this. We have opened our archives. We have all the documents there. And in our archives more than one million documents were already looked at. Today it’s even more than that. And we have opened the archives of the military. And I asked the Armenian side to open their archives and let third countries have documents. We made a call for that too so that people could look into all of these documents and we could all decide and see what’s going on. But it’s -- this is not about lobbying and going to politicians and asking them to take certain decisions. This is not really the way to go. Something like this is really not possible, and there is no truth to it. CHARLIE ROSE: Did President Obama bring it up with you? Has he discussed it with you? RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: I have spoken with him, yes. Of course, this most recent normalization process between Turkey and Armenia was important. This was the context in which we discussed these issues. And let me say to the normalization process. It was Turkey that initiated the normalization process. It was Turkey that took upon itself the risk. We believe in ourselves. What we would like to see is for this normalization process to go forward. And in that it’s important that we go into that and the Karavak issue between Azerbaijan and Armenia be resolved. There is an occupation. We have to solve that problem. There are three countries involved -- United States, the Russian Federation, and France. The Minsk (ph) group, why hasn’t it solved the problem in the last 20 years? The problem has to be solved. And once that problem is solved then that region will be a region of peace. Why? Because once the problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia is solved, that hatred is going to dissipate. There is the decision of the United Nations Security Council which will be implemented. And the problems between Turkey and Armenia will definitely be resolved. I believe in it. But at the moment, you have the U.S. Congress here, and the U.S. Congress doesn’t have direct relations with our region. We are there in that region. We have direct relations. We have direct issues. And it’s the Turkish parliament who has to make a decision on this agreement between Turkey and Armenia. They have to approve it. And of course, the Turkish parliament too is very sensitive about this issue. And if the positive developments that we would like to see do not come about, then I do not believe that our parliament will have a positive result as a result of its deliberations. We will have a secret ballot, but I don’t believe that without any other positive developments there will be a positive outcome.

of special interest are the segments at 50 minutes, and at 1:08 min.

Watch or listen to his speech http://www.sais-jhu.edu/news-and-events/index.htm#erdogan

Erdogan will be a guest on Charlie Rose on Tuesday Dec. 8 Rose had treated Erdogan with kindness, on the verge of looking stupid (Rose, that is) and I would guess it would not be different this time. We should flood the website with comments, or even warn Charlie Rose not to play into Erdogan''s hands. http://www.charlierose.com/

Two years ago, on a working trip to France I met a woman who was working on the same project, she is in her early sixties. One evening as we were on a break having coffee together she said she has a funny story to tell me, that there is a common saying in French, as told by her father, that says "never ever trust an Armenian". I told her that I didn't find anything funny in that saying. She said "Oh common, it's only a joke", Then she said that as far as she knew her father never met an Armenian. I asked her, now that she has met an Armenian if she trusts me. She said "of course...with one eye open" she thought that was very funny. I was shocked! I was amazed to see a supposedly highly educated French person to be so ignorant and backward.

The fiasco with the protocols is not the reason why I said I was not going to contribute this year, this whole issue of "rapprochement a la Sarksian style" is just the consequence of much deeper and more dangerous habit of successive administrations in Armenia looking for international legitimacy after stepping on the rights of Armenian citizens. The Sarkisian regime is illegitimate, they are speaking neither on behalf of Armenians nor the interests of Armenia because they have not earned that right, they are mere individuals who have extremely powerful leverages. They only represent themselves. No one can prove or guaranty that the moneys gathered through telethons or other fundraising events find their intended destinations. Who are the ones overseeing the distribution of those funds? the same illegitimate, non-elected individuals who do not care for responsibilities towards the people. Let's see how many of the "elected" individuals with Lexus SUVs are going to heed Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian's suggestion of parliamentarians also donating to this fund. To regard legitimate protest of holding funds back, and off the hands of thieves in Yerevan, as people who donate only for "social standing" is utter nonsense. Those who gloss over the dangerous state of government in Armenia do not make "better" Armenians. I hope this much is clear. .

Passive Armenian response facing Aliyev's constant war rhetoric is unacceptable. Deserving response should be given by the highest authorities. Sarkissian's press spokesman, Fermanin, saying "Armenia would recognize Karabakh if Azerbaijan start war" is too little, and would be too ineffective. Better action would have been a complete last minute boycott by Armenia. A boycott would have put Aliyev in a very tight spot. I agree with the Asbarez commentator about these ideas. It would have been better, as was suggestet, if the Minsk co-chairs had cancelled the meeting because of Aliyev. What "peaceful" negotiations can possibly take place with such threats. .

Yesterday, on Nov 21st, Aliyev again threatened war with Armenia, as he has done before, the only difference this time was him being more specific by mentioning the negotiation on Sunday specifically. He declared that if the upcoming Munich talks fail again then there will be no more hope and Azerbaijan will have to resort to using military means. This statement contrasts with previous more vague and generalized "dissatisfaction" from Armenia and the fact that his specific military threat came a day before the negos. Now, knowing Aliyev and his arrogant demeanor, he probably is shooting off hot air again. But maybe not. Soon we shall find out if Sarkisian has already agreed to some form of concessions and Aliyev is simply trying to get more credit by saying that his latest threat scared the Armenians into real concessions, etc...etc... and therefore look more "heroic" to his people and satisfy his ego. .

When any high-level American official utters the words "solutions will benefit both sides" and then says "they are not linked" it is like one statement canceling the other. As much as Azeri or Turkish media distort official's words to serve their own purpose, the Armenian media seem to pretend to be blind on double-talk. They see one part of a statement, but are hopelessly unable to read between the lines, better yet unable to "hear" what is NOT being said by such high level American official. I did not hear Philip Gordon condemn the words of either Davutoglu nor Erdogan who, on a daily basis refer to the ratification of the protocols on conditions of Armenian capitulation on Artsakh. The only comment he could muster up was: "yes I know they say that". That's it. We can scream as loud as we want saying "There is no link between the two in the protocols", but when linkage is put forward by Turkish top officials, they take the form of official government position. Just let's remind ourselves how much importance we give to US presidents for them just to utter the words "Armenian" and "Genocide" together in a sentence during a speech. Why? because it takes the form of official stance, but we willy-nilly brush aside the words of Erdogan or Davutoglu and the President, Gul. How much higher do you want to go to hear "official" statements for Armenians or the US to react? I do not trust American official's stance in this issue and to me there is a lot of double-talk. But I do agree that Azeri/Turkish media have put "extra" words in Gordon's mouth. Why then Armenian media such as News.am, Panorama.am, Panarmenian.net and other media they all report it as a fact?

US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon: “It will be difficult for the Turkish parliament to ratify the protocols signed with Armenia unless there is improvement in Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” I think with this comment the only thing left for our dilettante president and his amateur foreign minister is to resign and new elections held. Instead, what we'll hear from these two stooges and their cohorts is insistence that "there is nothing about Artsakh in these protocols" These people are not nation-leaders they are mammonist myemoons. ,

Do you mean conditional on resolving the Karabagh question "properly" ? The current status of Karabagh and relations with Turkey makes no sense, I cannot disagree. However, the whole existence of Armenia is a fluke, and makes no sense either, we should have been wiped out long ago. Alone in Twentieth century twice, within 30 years, we came to the brink. One was 1915 and the other 1945 post-WWII Stalin policy of revoking ASSR status into two autonomous Republics to have been divided between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The population in Armenia had fallen below 1 million and in Stalin's view this made the SSR status of Armenia dysfunctional. Only through Mikoyan's and numerous then-Soviet Armenian officials' quick actions literally saved the nation, by invoking repatriation. I say this because nothing about Armenia is a straight-forward line or has been an easy nation building process. I also dislike playing three monkeys, but you ask if there were any chances that relations with Turkey wouldn't be conditional on resolving Karabagh question. My short answer is Yes, I believe the relations with Turkey could be achieved without Karabagh. I can expand if you want. As I can expand on the issue of Genocide. To me, both are national security issues and a defeat in any one of these two is a total defeat for Armenia that threatens her existence, again! This is not a "sensationalistic" statement, just the reality of who we are and who our neighbors are. I would change my opinion had Armenia been located today between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Danger looms only when there is incompetence in leadership and their inapt actions usually end in disaster, instead of calling it the way it is we tend to blame "outside" forces, or on higher Superpowers with their games. It is only despotic leadership, who represent only themselves and their immediate surroundings, that fall prey to these games and turn themselves into toys, willy-nilly. Sarkissian and company: a true case in point.

What would be your view if I say yes. What would be your view if I say no.

What Davutoglu says is indeed predictable, but every passing day he seems to be saying more, and more. More important than that is what the Armenian Foreign Minister is not saying.........Where is he by the way? It is official now, the Protocols are conditioned by the satisfactory resolution of Karabagh conflict. I need not remind you what "satisfactory" means. It is also official that any success on discussions on A.G. will be determined by the Turkish side. Here also I need not remind you what "success" means, and how Turkey is going to direct those "discussions". So are there alternatives? What alternatives are being sought here. Alternatives between what and what? Are we talking about opening borders at all coast? If that is the case then Artsakh is finished, so then let's not beat around the bush and declare it officially. If it isn't, then yes there are alternatives, and one of them is quite simple: demand the opening of the illegally closed borders, period. Such a clear and "uncompromising" demand on our part would not have been so punishing after-all, because it is becoming clear every day that the borders will not be opened anyway. So, Boghos, what alternatives are you talking about?

OK, ladies and gentlemen. Since a new Genocide resolution has been introduced in US Senate, the Turkish ambassador has expressed his "regrets", where is the Armenian ambassador in the US, what does he have to say? Where is the Armenian foreign ministry, what does it have to say? Where is the Sarkisian? Wasn't he the one who "guarantied" that in no way does the Protocol question the reality of the A.G.? When do you think official Yerevan is going to say something about the Senate resolution? as was the case before, Oskanian, and/or the President's office always supported such initiatives. OK, President Sarkisian, put your money where your mouth is, and let's hear those supportive words? I"m all ears !!!!!!! Oh, by the way, listen to Al Jazeera's interview with Davutoglu, to hear how he expects any historical sub-commission to agree with his views on this issue.

Not a penny until the people of Armenia has at least a semblance of having a say in who gets elected, and have some hope of electing a parliamentarian that talks on their behalf. If that does not change and Armenia continues to be governed by successive "all-national den of thieves" parties , then no money raised anywhere will ever make a difference. If that is what Armenians in Armenia wish then that is what they get. Nothing! Yesterday I heard the views, if you can call them "views", of an individual called Tsarukian, who heads a so-called party with an ideology of stealing from the public, the man couldn't even muster up an ability to be put together a single comprehensive sentence, he even could not understand a simple question posed to him. Let this ex- arm-wrestling champion who has managed to get elected and is now part of the government, give some of his millions to the All Armenian fund. I am giving nothing this year. ziltch! Imagine how much the President can contribute if he didn't loose so much in gambling in European casinos. god-damn bullshitters.

Mr. Abrahamian says :"we should not cross the line" and "we should not look for winners and losers", he continues "after all we don't know if the President or the foreign minister is going to sign these protocols". Well, Mr. Abrahamian, now can we "cross the line" ? Brilliant circus!

Boghos, can you clarify? I don't understand the concept or the connection between what you say "Armenian politicians inventing facts that is no longer funny" and the the reinvention of the government office that deals with Diaspora affairs?

Turks are losing another friend from the US House of Reps. Apparently Robert Wexler, the "champion" of Azerbaijan, will be joining a small "Think Tank" on Middle East issues, run by a certain Abraham, of Sunlight company. There are doubts that his resigning is tied to possible not-so-honest dealings as a Congressman. I am sure his replacement will also be bought, bribed or extorted into being a new "friend" of Turks. http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7464 I say GOOD RIDDANCE, for now.

Mosjan, If these protocols weren't signed by Armenia the collective wrath of Superpowers would have descended on Armenia's head. The Americans would have been humiliated, The Russians economic plans would have been scuttled. And the Turks would have laughed, not that they are not laughing now. When Serj Sarksian runs to the superpowers and tells them he'd do anything to stay in power, how can he not sign the by-product of that duplicity. Of course they'd be pissed mad, and the country would suffer. All the more reason to be angry about this "done deal" How can one be so blind about this reality, but that's just me and my "juvenile" opinion, perhaps an adult can enlighten us, with some real content.

Dear Yervant, I don't have an understanding problem. But you seem to have a reading problem. More important than "our" personal problems, which do verge on being insulting by the way, the post would be better served if the questions I posed were actually answered.

I am sorry Yervant I couldn't disagree with you more. Your post above is mostly nonsenses. What does it mean "we should have been with our leader" good or bad, a despot or a democrat, a thief or a honest representative of the people... How is one to have a "healthy" debate internally, which to me means criticism, and severe ones if the need be, and show "unity" internationally? What is the mechanism for that? How can an editorial in an opposition newspaper severely criticize an action of the government and then turn and praise the president for the same action? That is not how it works, such an utopian existence, hloo yev hnazant, can only be possible in a perfect society as was the Soviet Union. You are absolutely right that we should be united against outside forces. But, united does not mean saying "yes" blindly to dangerous moves by a very dubiously elected leader. March 1st, 2008. Beginning of troubles for Sarkisian, March 2 - July 4 2008. Mounting international criticism on Sarkisian about the February 19 elections and the way the authorities handled the protesting crowds, which shamefully resulted in deaths. July 5, 2008. Associate Press announces while in Russia, Sarkisian invites the Turkish President to Armenia. Following this announcement...we heard nothing about March 1 anymore. Yervant, even a very superficial study or a revision of this man's career one is left with no doubt that yes, indeed this is all about him. When Armenian political forces within AND outside Armenia were SCREAMING, over and over, that the elections have to be fair and peaceful otherwise it would threated our national security, THIS is what they were talking about.