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David Boyajian'S Letter To The Editor Of Hetq

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  • David Boyajian'S Letter To The Editor Of Hetq

    DAVID BOYAJIAN'S LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF HETQ

    10:56, February 12, 2013

    I attended a presentation by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
    Heffern during his December 2012 speaking tour of Armenian American
    communities.

    This is not the first time that the Diocese, Prelacy, and other
    organizations have, in effect, given diplomats and others free reign
    to propagandize and abuse us.

    Like other U.S. ambassadors to Armenia, such as Marie Yovanovich and
    John Ordway, who also gave solo presentations, Mr. Heffern refused to
    acknowledge the Armenian genocide, was deceptive concerning U.S. goals
    in the Caucasus, and generally failed to provide honest responses to
    the audience's questions.

    Allowing a speaker to mislead, frustrate, and demoralize a segment
    of the audience is a disservice to Armenian Americans and their vital
    concerns. Such events must not, therefore, be repeated.

    Implicitly pro-Turkish officials such as Mr. Heffern should be invited
    to speak only as part of a panel in which assertive, geopolitically
    knowledgeable Armenian Americans participate.

    In this way, the Armenian panelists can not only provide their own
    views but also vigorously challenge the official's claims when the
    latter tries to hoodwink the audience or sidestep a question.

    Both young and old Armenian Americans, especially those who may
    not be politically well-informed, would benefit greatly from such a
    balanced event.

    The problem pertains not just to officials such as U.S. ambassadors. I
    think back to those such as David L. Phillips, a U.S. State Department
    consultant who headed the so-called Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
    Commission (TARC).

    Several years ago, an Armenian American organization invited him to
    speak. Phillips misinformed the audience by claiming, for instance,
    that Armenians had no right to genocide reparations.

    Our organizations must stop providing uncontested platforms for
    what are, in essence, pro-Turkish propagandists, regardless of how
    "prestigious" the latter may be.

    If such a propagandist is unwilling to face knowledgeable Armenian
    Americans in a fair panel discussion, he or she ought to be turned
    away.

    Sincerely, David Boyajian Belmont, MA February 11, 2013

    http://hetq.am/eng/news/23244/david-boyajians-letter-to-the-editor-of-hetq.html

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