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On the Front Lines of the Information War: Debunking Azerbaijani Disinformation
by Armenian Weekly
July 5, 2012
By Armen Sahakyan
A benefit of being in Washington, D.C. is seeing foreign policy hashed
out first-hand - not just in the halls of Congress or the
administration, but at think tank-sponsored events that bring together
experts to provide insights on everything from U.S. policy on China to
the Middle East, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. These
events attract all sorts of folks - ambassadors, U.S. government
officials, researchers, students - who come in and offer their views,
ask questions, or just plain listen. The issues discussed and the
positions advocated often help shape, directly or indirectly, how the
government deals with these concerns.
Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich (left), moderator Holly O'Neal (center),
and Ambassador John Evans (right) during the discussion.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns got to see a snapshot of how the think
tank event world works on June 20 at the `Averting Conflict in the
Caucasus: Is Russia a Partner or a Spoiler?' debate, sponsored by the
World Affairs Council and Center for Transatlantic Relations at the
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
The guest speakers were former U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia and
Azerbaijan John Evans and Richard Kauzlarich. Everyone in the Armenian
American community knows Evans; his principled statements reaffirming
the Armenian Genocide led to his recall from his position as U.S.
ambassador. Kauzlarich served as the U.S. envoy to Azerbaijan from
1994-97, amongst his other responsibilities at the State Department.
The discussion pertained to Russia's role in the greater Caucasus
region: Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, as well as Northern
Caucasian Russia. Although the discussion by the former ambassadors
touched upon the Georgia-Russia conflict and North Caucasus states,
the main topic ended up being the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR)
conflict - not surprising given where these two senior diplomats had
served.
I won't go into the specific arguments for each of the ambassadors,
but will instead focus on the discussion that followed. The
ambassadors, to their credit, held a collegial and balanced dialogue
regarding the situation in the region. And then, all hell broke loose
in the question and answer session.
An Azeri diplomat went into a diatribe of false and old claims
regarding the so-called `occupation' of 20 percent Azeri lands,
Armenia's unconstructive approach in the negotiations process, and the
removal of Armenian forces from the `occupied territories.' These
provocative words raised the tension in the room, and set the path for
the rest of the discussion - now about Karabagh.
ANCA 2012 Leo Sarkisian interns with Ambassador John Evans after the
event. (L-R) Kyle Movsessian, Garen Bostanian, Grigor Grigorian, Aram
Balian, Ambassador Evans, Ara Nerssessian, David Oganesyan, Joseph
Kazazian, Carina Khanjian, and Armen Sahakyan.
Next up was Armenian diplomat Andranik Hovhannisyan, who debunked the
Azerbaijani diplomat's allegations with remarks of his own. The
moderator, concerned she was losing control of the panel, tried to cut
the Armenian diplomat short, but Hovhannisyan stood his ground.
Aram Avetisyan from the NKR Representative's Office took the
microphone and asserted the point that Armenia cannot negotiate with a
country that constantly threatens war, exponentially expands its
military budget, and does not lose any opportunity to spread
anti-Armenian propaganda.
Gradually, the discussion curved from Russia's role in the Caucasus to
the Artsakh conflict. That was my opportunity to ask a question
regarding the reinstatement of Karabagh in the negotiations process.
Azerbaijan's mission has been to deprive Karabagh a seat from the
negotiations table to secure the upper hand in the peace talks. Of
course, the premise is absurd. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a
co-signer of the ceasefire of 1994. How could it not be included in
the discussions that decide its own fate?
And so the questions continued, with the speakers talking about the
need for Armenia and Azerbaijan to come to a consensus, and work with
international mediators, to find a peaceful resolution to the
conflict.
What struck me, though, is how important it was to have pro-Armenia
voices participating at this event - to counter the Azerbaijani
government's lies. If the Armenian Embassy, NKR office, ANCA, and
other concerned Armenians had not been there, the Azerbaijani
diplomat's remarks would have set the tone for the discussion.
These discussions are a forum for such issues like the importance of
the international community's clear and forceful condemnation of all
past and present Azeri aggressions against Armenia, and the need for
the formal reinstatement of Karabagh back into the Minsk Group peace
process. These forums are an opportunity to ask experts why Azerbaijan
always tries to keep the tension high on the front lines and provoke
military action, all the while professing they are committed to a
peaceful resolution to the conflict.
And we don't have to limit ourselves to events in Washington, D.C. The
World Affairs Council - and groups like them - have chapters all around
the country, not to mention event possibilities at local campuses.
Joining these groups and working with campus political science
departments is a great way to spotlight issues related to Armenia,
Karabagh, and the Armenian nation.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian team did its part on June 20, asking key
questions on policy concerns and helping debunk Azerbaijani
propaganda. Now it's time to get back to our communities and work with
our local ANC's, AYF's, and ASA's to continue in the same spirit both
on and off campus.
Armen Sahakyan is in the Class of 2013 in Bloomfield College, New
Jersey. He is currently an ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern in Washington,
D.C.
by Armenian Weekly
July 5, 2012
By Armen Sahakyan
A benefit of being in Washington, D.C. is seeing foreign policy hashed
out first-hand - not just in the halls of Congress or the
administration, but at think tank-sponsored events that bring together
experts to provide insights on everything from U.S. policy on China to
the Middle East, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. These
events attract all sorts of folks - ambassadors, U.S. government
officials, researchers, students - who come in and offer their views,
ask questions, or just plain listen. The issues discussed and the
positions advocated often help shape, directly or indirectly, how the
government deals with these concerns.
Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich (left), moderator Holly O'Neal (center),
and Ambassador John Evans (right) during the discussion.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns got to see a snapshot of how the think
tank event world works on June 20 at the `Averting Conflict in the
Caucasus: Is Russia a Partner or a Spoiler?' debate, sponsored by the
World Affairs Council and Center for Transatlantic Relations at the
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
The guest speakers were former U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia and
Azerbaijan John Evans and Richard Kauzlarich. Everyone in the Armenian
American community knows Evans; his principled statements reaffirming
the Armenian Genocide led to his recall from his position as U.S.
ambassador. Kauzlarich served as the U.S. envoy to Azerbaijan from
1994-97, amongst his other responsibilities at the State Department.
The discussion pertained to Russia's role in the greater Caucasus
region: Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, as well as Northern
Caucasian Russia. Although the discussion by the former ambassadors
touched upon the Georgia-Russia conflict and North Caucasus states,
the main topic ended up being the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR)
conflict - not surprising given where these two senior diplomats had
served.
I won't go into the specific arguments for each of the ambassadors,
but will instead focus on the discussion that followed. The
ambassadors, to their credit, held a collegial and balanced dialogue
regarding the situation in the region. And then, all hell broke loose
in the question and answer session.
An Azeri diplomat went into a diatribe of false and old claims
regarding the so-called `occupation' of 20 percent Azeri lands,
Armenia's unconstructive approach in the negotiations process, and the
removal of Armenian forces from the `occupied territories.' These
provocative words raised the tension in the room, and set the path for
the rest of the discussion - now about Karabagh.
ANCA 2012 Leo Sarkisian interns with Ambassador John Evans after the
event. (L-R) Kyle Movsessian, Garen Bostanian, Grigor Grigorian, Aram
Balian, Ambassador Evans, Ara Nerssessian, David Oganesyan, Joseph
Kazazian, Carina Khanjian, and Armen Sahakyan.
Next up was Armenian diplomat Andranik Hovhannisyan, who debunked the
Azerbaijani diplomat's allegations with remarks of his own. The
moderator, concerned she was losing control of the panel, tried to cut
the Armenian diplomat short, but Hovhannisyan stood his ground.
Aram Avetisyan from the NKR Representative's Office took the
microphone and asserted the point that Armenia cannot negotiate with a
country that constantly threatens war, exponentially expands its
military budget, and does not lose any opportunity to spread
anti-Armenian propaganda.
Gradually, the discussion curved from Russia's role in the Caucasus to
the Artsakh conflict. That was my opportunity to ask a question
regarding the reinstatement of Karabagh in the negotiations process.
Azerbaijan's mission has been to deprive Karabagh a seat from the
negotiations table to secure the upper hand in the peace talks. Of
course, the premise is absurd. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a
co-signer of the ceasefire of 1994. How could it not be included in
the discussions that decide its own fate?
And so the questions continued, with the speakers talking about the
need for Armenia and Azerbaijan to come to a consensus, and work with
international mediators, to find a peaceful resolution to the
conflict.
What struck me, though, is how important it was to have pro-Armenia
voices participating at this event - to counter the Azerbaijani
government's lies. If the Armenian Embassy, NKR office, ANCA, and
other concerned Armenians had not been there, the Azerbaijani
diplomat's remarks would have set the tone for the discussion.
These discussions are a forum for such issues like the importance of
the international community's clear and forceful condemnation of all
past and present Azeri aggressions against Armenia, and the need for
the formal reinstatement of Karabagh back into the Minsk Group peace
process. These forums are an opportunity to ask experts why Azerbaijan
always tries to keep the tension high on the front lines and provoke
military action, all the while professing they are committed to a
peaceful resolution to the conflict.
And we don't have to limit ourselves to events in Washington, D.C. The
World Affairs Council - and groups like them - have chapters all around
the country, not to mention event possibilities at local campuses.
Joining these groups and working with campus political science
departments is a great way to spotlight issues related to Armenia,
Karabagh, and the Armenian nation.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian team did its part on June 20, asking key
questions on policy concerns and helping debunk Azerbaijani
propaganda. Now it's time to get back to our communities and work with
our local ANC's, AYF's, and ASA's to continue in the same spirit both
on and off campus.
Armen Sahakyan is in the Class of 2013 in Bloomfield College, New
Jersey. He is currently an ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern in Washington,
D.C.