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On The Threshold Of A Centenary...

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  • On The Threshold Of A Centenary...

    ON THE THRESHOLD OF A CENTENARY...
    By Tatul Sonentz-Papazian

    http://www.asbarez.com/2009/06/0 5/on-the-threshold-of-a-centenary%e2%80%a6/
    Jun 5, 2009

    With the ominous noises of a crumbling world economic structure, shaken
    by tremors caused by shifting financial fault lines on a global scale,
    everyone is aware that historic changes are taking place and that the
    search for a new world order is causing serious political tremors in
    the status quo, so far defined and sustained by a declining "unipolar"
    free market-based hegemony over nations, large and small.

    The Armenian nation-one of the smallest, to be sure-whose recent
    historic decades were marked by dauntingly trying times, commemorates
    and celebrates losses and triumphs culminating in the reestablishment
    of an independent, sovereign state after a long hiatus of total or
    partial dependency under foreign autocratic regimes. In a region beset
    by constant turmoil, our 18-year-old third republic still strives for
    the recognition and realization of its demographic and territorial
    integrity within viable, open boundaries, trying to hold its own in
    the treacherous jungle of world diplomacy.

    Just when our resurgent Homeland, hand in hand with the Armenian
    Diaspora, was mustering its potential to rebuild the areas devastated
    by the 1988 earthquake, it found itself constricted in the relentless
    noose of the Azeri-Turkish blockade, aggravated by murderous border
    clashes, an acute shortage of grain and fuel, and most of all,
    the ongoing armed conflict over the status of historically and
    culturally Armenian Artsakh, known to the world with its alien name
    as Nagorno-Karabagh.

    In those days of confrontation with brutally determined adversaries,
    the contribution of each and every Armenian individual, each and
    every Armenian organization, to our common national cause had special
    significance. The Armenian Relief Society (ARS), as an experienced,
    global Armenian organization that had gone through the crucible of the
    first genocide of the 20th century, now with numerous regional entities
    around the world and countless supporters-both in the diaspora and
    the Homeland-felt deeply the urgency of its commitments and remained
    cognizant of the very real needs of the day, and the immediate future.

    In this context, the year 1991, along with the fateful years preceding
    and succeeding it, was a frantic time of accelerated accomplishment
    for the ARS. Surely, the numerous successful results wouldn't have
    been achieved without the total commitment of the Society's regional
    executives, its disciplined entities and their membership, and,
    most of all, its ever-present friends and supporters throughout the
    diaspora and the Homeland. With such united backing, the ARS family
    was effectively able to assume responsibilities often considered
    beyond its reach.

    Naturally, there was an accumulative price tag attached to these
    countless projects-all necessary, all worthwhile-albeit, way over
    the Society's means, taxed beyond its limits. As a result, today the
    Armenian Relief Society looks to its devoted membership, its loyal
    supporters and concerned beneficiaries to replenish its depleted
    resources in order to continue its long, uninterrupted service to
    our nation whose growing needs everywhere cannot be side stepped
    or ignored.

    We are more than confident, that by the coming centennial year-and
    beyond-with the same zeal and enthusiasm shown over the past decades,
    the disciplined ranks of all the regional entities and chapters-backed
    by supporters and benefactors, worldwide-will stand by the organization
    as one and make its fundraising efforts for the ARS Centennial Fund an
    unqualified success, allowing this magnificent society of dedicated
    Armenian women to continue its humanitarian work while attaining
    new standards of excellence in dedicated service to our embattled
    nation-united in its quest for the triumph of peace rising on the
    firm foundations of truth and justice.
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