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EDITORIAL: Resolving to Advance the Armenian Cause
http://asbarez.com/117929/editorial-resolving-to-advance-the-armenian-cause/
Tuesday, December 31st, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
The Year Ahead
2013 began and ends with conflict. Beginning with the election cycle
in Armenia - presidential and municipal - which was marred, once again,
with voter fraud and corruption to the Armenian government's abrupt
decision to join the Russia-led Customs Union, the ruling party in
Armenia reinforced its grip on power by neglecting the population.
One of the key threats to Armenia's national
security - emigration - continued at an alarming pace, as more and more
people left the homeland due to lack of a social-economic fabric that
can sustain a country's infrastructure.
The bright spot was the wave of popular protests in Armenia that
solidify the people's discontent with the current regime. The mass
protests after the presidential elections signaled that Armenians are
fed up and are willing to take action to assert their views. The
summer began with one such action, when the people's outcry over
random bus fare hikes resulted in the municipality of Yerevan to
reverse course.
Despite the continued anti-Armenian rhetoric emanating from Baku, the
government and people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh)
unwaveringly worked to strengthen the Artsakh's statehood. This past
year also saw a surge in foreign dignitaries visiting Artsakh and
pledging their commitment for Artsakh's right to self-determination.
Meanwhile in the Middle East, the deepening conflict in Syria had a
greater impact on the Armenian population of the country, forcing
greater numbers to leave this community and seek refuge elsewhere.
Many have settled in the homeland. While attempts by the government
and organizations to welcome and provide the basic necessities to
their Syrian-Armenian brethren accelerated the challenges stemming
from this conflict and the displacement of the Armenian community will
be a priority in 2014.
On the eve of the Genocide centennial, the Turkish government amped up
its efforts to further its denialist policies. However, diasporan
organizations that pursue the just resolution of the Armenian Cause
were at the forefront of that struggle. In the US, the Armenian
National Committee of America, with its Western and Eastern regional
entities galvanized the community and strengthened its grass-roots to
advance Hai-Tahd.
As we close the year with the traditional celebrations and reflection,
we must be aware that the events of 2013 were a harbinger of things to
come and the challenges awaiting out entire nation. 2014 must become
the beginning of our collective commitment to advance the Armenian
Cause with each of us pledging to roll up our sleeves and get in the
trenches. What a great resolution for the New Year.
Happy New Year!
Editor's Note
This year was another successful year for Asbarez as we celebrated our
105th anniversary and unveiled a new project of digitizing our more
than a century-old archives.
We continued to be the number one and most trusted news source for
Armenians, not only in the US, but throughout the world.
Through your engagement and participation, YOU, our readers, propelled
us to excel and encouraged us to do more.
We Thank You!
We also would like to thank our advertisers, sponsors and supporters,
who look at Asbarez as an effective arena and enable us to enhance our
product and services.
And, last, but not least, our staff, writers and the army of
contributors who tirelessly work all year and add fresh voices to our
publication
http://asbarez.com/117929/editorial-resolving-to-advance-the-armenian-cause/
Tuesday, December 31st, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
The Year Ahead
2013 began and ends with conflict. Beginning with the election cycle
in Armenia - presidential and municipal - which was marred, once again,
with voter fraud and corruption to the Armenian government's abrupt
decision to join the Russia-led Customs Union, the ruling party in
Armenia reinforced its grip on power by neglecting the population.
One of the key threats to Armenia's national
security - emigration - continued at an alarming pace, as more and more
people left the homeland due to lack of a social-economic fabric that
can sustain a country's infrastructure.
The bright spot was the wave of popular protests in Armenia that
solidify the people's discontent with the current regime. The mass
protests after the presidential elections signaled that Armenians are
fed up and are willing to take action to assert their views. The
summer began with one such action, when the people's outcry over
random bus fare hikes resulted in the municipality of Yerevan to
reverse course.
Despite the continued anti-Armenian rhetoric emanating from Baku, the
government and people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh)
unwaveringly worked to strengthen the Artsakh's statehood. This past
year also saw a surge in foreign dignitaries visiting Artsakh and
pledging their commitment for Artsakh's right to self-determination.
Meanwhile in the Middle East, the deepening conflict in Syria had a
greater impact on the Armenian population of the country, forcing
greater numbers to leave this community and seek refuge elsewhere.
Many have settled in the homeland. While attempts by the government
and organizations to welcome and provide the basic necessities to
their Syrian-Armenian brethren accelerated the challenges stemming
from this conflict and the displacement of the Armenian community will
be a priority in 2014.
On the eve of the Genocide centennial, the Turkish government amped up
its efforts to further its denialist policies. However, diasporan
organizations that pursue the just resolution of the Armenian Cause
were at the forefront of that struggle. In the US, the Armenian
National Committee of America, with its Western and Eastern regional
entities galvanized the community and strengthened its grass-roots to
advance Hai-Tahd.
As we close the year with the traditional celebrations and reflection,
we must be aware that the events of 2013 were a harbinger of things to
come and the challenges awaiting out entire nation. 2014 must become
the beginning of our collective commitment to advance the Armenian
Cause with each of us pledging to roll up our sleeves and get in the
trenches. What a great resolution for the New Year.
Happy New Year!
Editor's Note
This year was another successful year for Asbarez as we celebrated our
105th anniversary and unveiled a new project of digitizing our more
than a century-old archives.
We continued to be the number one and most trusted news source for
Armenians, not only in the US, but throughout the world.
Through your engagement and participation, YOU, our readers, propelled
us to excel and encouraged us to do more.
We Thank You!
We also would like to thank our advertisers, sponsors and supporters,
who look at Asbarez as an effective arena and enable us to enhance our
product and services.
And, last, but not least, our staff, writers and the army of
contributors who tirelessly work all year and add fresh voices to our
publication