Aram Hamparian: Armenian nation is on a march to justice
11:38, 07.03.2015
By Anna Ghazaryan
Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview with Executive Director of
the Armenian National Congress of America Aram Hamparian.
What events is ANCA planning to hold in U.S. in connection with the
centennial of the Armenian Genocide?
The ANCA is a national organization - with offices, board, chapters,
and activists at the national, state and local levels - so we will be
organizing and supporting a broad range of both commemorative and
advocacy events across the United States.
Among these, of course, will be the Capitol Hill observance for
Members of Congress on April 22nd, and the May 7th program at the
National Cathedral featuring our Church leaders, President Sargsyan,
and our community leadership. There will be major marches in Los
Angeles and New York, and protests, vigils, conference, advocacy trips
and other programs in nearly every U.S state. In addition to these
civic efforts, we are seeing a blossoming of art, music, film,
literature and other cultural expressions of the Armenian experience
and our national aspirations. At the top of this list, of course, is
System of a Down's Wake Up the Souls international tour.
Do you think we have to expect changes in U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide issue? What can happen that would lead U.S. to change its
stance on the matter?
The greatest ally of the truth is light. The Armenian Cause flourishes
in the sunshine of public scrutiny. This is because we are advancing
a moral cause. At the same time, we have seen that the worst
betrayals of our cause have been committed in the shadows.
The Centennial is, of course, drawing a great measure of attention to
Turkey's denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the Armenian
Genocide. This has had the positive effect of moving policymakers to
do the right thing. Whether this public attention and our re-doubled
efforts are enough to break Turkey's gag-rule on America remains to be
seen.
Turkey decided to hold the Battle of Gallipoli 100th anniversary
events on April 24. What moves are Armenians of America making to
neutralize Turkey's propaganda?
The good news is that this transparent ploy didn't fool anyone. It was
broadly rejected as a cheap trick, even by commentators in Turkey.
Nonetheless, we continue to educate U.S. officials about this shameful
stunt and to discourage American officials from attending.
April 24, 2015 has a huge importance for all Armenians and the
Armenians of U.S. What are your next moves? What ANCA is going to do
after April 24?
The Armenian nation is today on a march to justice. We have, in the
century since our near annihilation, risen up and rebuilt. We are
today, having developed a powerful diaspora, saved Artsakh, and
re-established our independence, starting this second century by
demanding and what is rightfully ours - not simply to honor our past
but to serve our future. Step by step, we are working to realize our
dreams.
Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide represents a security threat
to Armenia and all Armenians. Justice for this crime remains an
essential key to Armenia's survival and long-term viability. It is
that context that we are working for a truthful and just international
resolution of this crime, alongside our defense of Artsakh,
strengthening of Armenia, support for Javakhk, and other pro-Armenian
initiatives. Justice for the Armenian Genocide is a core aim of the
ANCA, a central element of our enduring struggle for Armenia's place
at the table of nations - a struggle that began long before 1915 and
that will continue long after 2015.
http://news.am/eng/news/255682.html
From: Baghdasarian
11:38, 07.03.2015
By Anna Ghazaryan
Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview with Executive Director of
the Armenian National Congress of America Aram Hamparian.
What events is ANCA planning to hold in U.S. in connection with the
centennial of the Armenian Genocide?
The ANCA is a national organization - with offices, board, chapters,
and activists at the national, state and local levels - so we will be
organizing and supporting a broad range of both commemorative and
advocacy events across the United States.
Among these, of course, will be the Capitol Hill observance for
Members of Congress on April 22nd, and the May 7th program at the
National Cathedral featuring our Church leaders, President Sargsyan,
and our community leadership. There will be major marches in Los
Angeles and New York, and protests, vigils, conference, advocacy trips
and other programs in nearly every U.S state. In addition to these
civic efforts, we are seeing a blossoming of art, music, film,
literature and other cultural expressions of the Armenian experience
and our national aspirations. At the top of this list, of course, is
System of a Down's Wake Up the Souls international tour.
Do you think we have to expect changes in U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide issue? What can happen that would lead U.S. to change its
stance on the matter?
The greatest ally of the truth is light. The Armenian Cause flourishes
in the sunshine of public scrutiny. This is because we are advancing
a moral cause. At the same time, we have seen that the worst
betrayals of our cause have been committed in the shadows.
The Centennial is, of course, drawing a great measure of attention to
Turkey's denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the Armenian
Genocide. This has had the positive effect of moving policymakers to
do the right thing. Whether this public attention and our re-doubled
efforts are enough to break Turkey's gag-rule on America remains to be
seen.
Turkey decided to hold the Battle of Gallipoli 100th anniversary
events on April 24. What moves are Armenians of America making to
neutralize Turkey's propaganda?
The good news is that this transparent ploy didn't fool anyone. It was
broadly rejected as a cheap trick, even by commentators in Turkey.
Nonetheless, we continue to educate U.S. officials about this shameful
stunt and to discourage American officials from attending.
April 24, 2015 has a huge importance for all Armenians and the
Armenians of U.S. What are your next moves? What ANCA is going to do
after April 24?
The Armenian nation is today on a march to justice. We have, in the
century since our near annihilation, risen up and rebuilt. We are
today, having developed a powerful diaspora, saved Artsakh, and
re-established our independence, starting this second century by
demanding and what is rightfully ours - not simply to honor our past
but to serve our future. Step by step, we are working to realize our
dreams.
Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide represents a security threat
to Armenia and all Armenians. Justice for this crime remains an
essential key to Armenia's survival and long-term viability. It is
that context that we are working for a truthful and just international
resolution of this crime, alongside our defense of Artsakh,
strengthening of Armenia, support for Javakhk, and other pro-Armenian
initiatives. Justice for the Armenian Genocide is a core aim of the
ANCA, a central element of our enduring struggle for Armenia's place
at the table of nations - a struggle that began long before 1915 and
that will continue long after 2015.
http://news.am/eng/news/255682.html
From: Baghdasarian