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Chicago ARF, AGBU Panelists Spark Discussion on Protocols

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  • Chicago ARF, AGBU Panelists Spark Discussion on Protocols

    Chicago ARF, AGBU Panelists Spark Discussion on Protocols

    http://www.armenianweekly.com/2009/12/0 1/chicago-arf-agbu-panelists-spark-discussion-on-p rotocols/
    December 1, 2009

    By Alidz Oshagan

    CHICAGO, Ill. - On Sat., Nov. 21, members of the ARF Chicago
    `Christapor' Gomideh and members of the AGBU of Chicago gathered at
    the AGBU Onnig Norehad Center and presented a joint program discussing
    the diplomatic protocols recently signed by the governments of Armenia
    and Turkey. The three guest speakers discussing how they believe the
    protocols will affect Armenia were Ken Hachikian, the chairman of the
    Board of Directors of the ANCA; Oscar Tatosian, the chairman of the
    Diocesan Council; and Dr. Henry Theriault, a professor of philosophy
    at Worcester State College.

    The ARF Chicago `Christapor' Gomideh chairman, Unger Greg Bedian,
    described the event as a way to `bring together Chicago Armenians with
    different ideas about what the protocols mean, and to have an exchange
    of ideas about how the protocols impact us.'

    Each of the panelists spoke for 20 minutes about how the protocols
    could impact Armenia and its diaspora. Following the discussion, the
    panelists exchanged questions and answers. Afterwards, the audience
    asked the panelists questions and made voiced their own opinions about
    the protocols.

    Theriault, who spoke first, discussed the protocols as finalizing the
    last stage of the Armenian Genocide, which is the consolidation of
    benefits gained from the denial of the genocide, including erasing the
    memory of genocide. Theriault explained that the protocols, especially
    the historical commission, effectively allow Turkey to consolidate its
    gains from the genocide by seriously questioning the reality of its
    existence.

    Speaking next, Tatosian argued that Armenia President Serge Sarkisian
    was dedicated to the recognition of the genocide and that the
    protocols would not derail that mission. Tatosian also reassured
    audience members that Sarkisian would not allow the stipulations in
    the protocols over maintaining `territorial integrity' to cause any
    part of Karabagh to be taken by Azerbaijan.

    Finally, Hachikian spoke, saying that the protocols involved too much
    sacrifice on the part of Armenia. `I agree that the borders should be
    open, but at what cost?' Hachikian said. `The sacrifices we must make
    due to these protocols are just too big.'

    During the question and answer session, Detroit AYF-YOARF Chapter
    member Nieri Avanessian asked whether aid to Armenia from the U.S.
    government would increase in the year following the signing of the
    protocols. Hachikian responded that foreign aid would probably not
    increase, adding that it had decreased in the past year and that there
    was no indication it would increase in the years to come.

    Following the short question and answer session, during which AGBU and
    ARF members also participated, AYF members from Wisconsin, Michigan,
    and Illinois urged attendees to sign ANCA Action Alerts and encourage
    their senators to support the Armenian Genocide Resolution, S.Res.316.
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