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EDITORIAL: 2015
Friday, January 2nd, 2015 | Posted by Editor
The cover of Asbarez 2015 Special Issue
This most anticipated year is upon us. Armenians throughout the world
will come together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide.
But beyond commemoration, the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide must
become the turning point, at which, we as Armenians--the entire
Armenian Nation--in unison to not simply demand the recognition of the
Genocide, but everything else that follows that statement of
truth--justice in the form of reparations and restitution.
As Turkey continues to deny the Genocide and fails to take
responsibility for the gruesome actions of its Ottoman predecessors,
Armenians, specifically the government of the Republic of Armenia,
must be steadfast in their convictions and not fall prey to the whims
of those for whom the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not
beneficial.
Turkey leads that pack, which also includes the governments of the
United States, Great Britain and others, which are stepping up their
efforts to alter the truth and draw a "new course" for the discussion
of the Armenian Genocide.
We have witnessed, in the past few months, an increase in official
reports, academic analyses and expert assessments that attempt to,
first and foremost, draw a wedge between the aspirations of the
Armenians living in Armenia and those living in the Diaspora. This
dangerous trend, which claims that only the Armenians in the Diaspora
are seeking the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, while those in
Armenia are anxious for dialogue, aims to create a diversion and plays
into the fear mongering by Turkey, which despite behaving as an
adversary toward its NATO allies, continues to impact policy and the
continuation of Genocide denial.
The first step must come from the Armenian Government, which has been
silent in the face of a recent report by the British Foreign Office
about the Armenian Diaspora, which sought to undermine the political
activism by Diaspora Armenians and falsely asserted that Armenians as
a Nation do not foster the same aspirations. Armenia's Foreign
Ministry (and perhaps the Diaspora Ministry) should issue a forceful
rebuke of this mischaracterization, especially since Armenian
government officials always elevate the Diaspora as one of the
critical pillars of Armenia's survival.
Then there is another element that is adding fuel to the denialist
perspective: Armenians who believe that this century-young struggle
has run its course and our National efforts must be put forward toward
the betterment of Armenia. Those who fighting for Genocide
recognition, these elements claim, must focus their efforts to
fighting injustice in Armenia. This is a warped concept, since
fighting injustice is a universal tenet and one does not outweigh the
other. These so-called modern-day "thinkers" should realize that by
giving up the cause for justice for the Armenian Genocide, does not
make them strong advocates for justice in the socio-economic and
political sphere in Armenia. No one said fighting for justice was easy
or convenient. Now, more than ever, with the withering of the survivor
generation, Armenians must elevate the cause, or else we would be
carrying out Turkey's wishes and advancing their policy of denial at
all costs.
As this most anticipated date is upon us, let us abandon the rhetoric
and truly come together as a Nation to combat this historical
injustice, because only fighting the good fight for a Free, United and
Independent Homeland, will bring make us stronger as a nation and
propel us to a greater future.
Happy New Year!
http://asbarez.com/130401/editorial-2015/
From: A. Papazian
Friday, January 2nd, 2015 | Posted by Editor
The cover of Asbarez 2015 Special Issue
This most anticipated year is upon us. Armenians throughout the world
will come together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide.
But beyond commemoration, the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide must
become the turning point, at which, we as Armenians--the entire
Armenian Nation--in unison to not simply demand the recognition of the
Genocide, but everything else that follows that statement of
truth--justice in the form of reparations and restitution.
As Turkey continues to deny the Genocide and fails to take
responsibility for the gruesome actions of its Ottoman predecessors,
Armenians, specifically the government of the Republic of Armenia,
must be steadfast in their convictions and not fall prey to the whims
of those for whom the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not
beneficial.
Turkey leads that pack, which also includes the governments of the
United States, Great Britain and others, which are stepping up their
efforts to alter the truth and draw a "new course" for the discussion
of the Armenian Genocide.
We have witnessed, in the past few months, an increase in official
reports, academic analyses and expert assessments that attempt to,
first and foremost, draw a wedge between the aspirations of the
Armenians living in Armenia and those living in the Diaspora. This
dangerous trend, which claims that only the Armenians in the Diaspora
are seeking the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, while those in
Armenia are anxious for dialogue, aims to create a diversion and plays
into the fear mongering by Turkey, which despite behaving as an
adversary toward its NATO allies, continues to impact policy and the
continuation of Genocide denial.
The first step must come from the Armenian Government, which has been
silent in the face of a recent report by the British Foreign Office
about the Armenian Diaspora, which sought to undermine the political
activism by Diaspora Armenians and falsely asserted that Armenians as
a Nation do not foster the same aspirations. Armenia's Foreign
Ministry (and perhaps the Diaspora Ministry) should issue a forceful
rebuke of this mischaracterization, especially since Armenian
government officials always elevate the Diaspora as one of the
critical pillars of Armenia's survival.
Then there is another element that is adding fuel to the denialist
perspective: Armenians who believe that this century-young struggle
has run its course and our National efforts must be put forward toward
the betterment of Armenia. Those who fighting for Genocide
recognition, these elements claim, must focus their efforts to
fighting injustice in Armenia. This is a warped concept, since
fighting injustice is a universal tenet and one does not outweigh the
other. These so-called modern-day "thinkers" should realize that by
giving up the cause for justice for the Armenian Genocide, does not
make them strong advocates for justice in the socio-economic and
political sphere in Armenia. No one said fighting for justice was easy
or convenient. Now, more than ever, with the withering of the survivor
generation, Armenians must elevate the cause, or else we would be
carrying out Turkey's wishes and advancing their policy of denial at
all costs.
As this most anticipated date is upon us, let us abandon the rhetoric
and truly come together as a Nation to combat this historical
injustice, because only fighting the good fight for a Free, United and
Independent Homeland, will bring make us stronger as a nation and
propel us to a greater future.
Happy New Year!
http://asbarez.com/130401/editorial-2015/
From: A. Papazian