Western Diocese

Filed under “Editorial”

Editorial content submitted to the Diocese for publication regarding matters relevant to the Armenian Church and / or Armenian Community. The thoughts expressed in these editorials may not reflect those of the Western Diocese or the Armenian Church.

Clinton’s Visit to Genocide Monument Necessary but not Sufficient

During her visit to Armenia on July 5, U.S. Secretary State Hillary Clinton placed a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument at Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan. Regrettably, however, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia issued a press release describing the visit as "private." By using such a characterization, U.S. officials were trying to preempt any backlash from the Turkish government.

Turkish Propaganda Campaign, Part II: Exploiting Akhtamar Church Once Again

Readers may recall that the Turkish government embarked on a worldwide publicity stunt in 2007 when it renovated and reopened as a museum the Armenian Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van.

Armenians Must Take Bold, Pre-emptive Measures to Counter all Hostile Acts

Having been victimized by many conquerors throughout history, Armenians have developed a strong instinct for survival. To stay out of trouble, they have learned to be loyal and even subservient to the states that ruled over them.

Growing Turkish Influence in Middle East Leads to Restrictions in Armenian Rights

Turkey's growing influence in the Middle East, even before the naval confrontation with Israel over Gaza, had prompted some Arab countries to restrict the political rights of local Armenian communities. It is feared that the latest Gaza conflict, which catapulted Prime Minister Erdogan to a heroic stature throughout the Islamic world, would result in further limitations on Armenian activities deemed to be "anti-Turkish."

Erdogan Deserves Medal As Fake Friend of Palestinians

In the past week the world witnessed an amazing performance by a government leader that even the most accomplished Hollywood actor could not match! Turkey’s Prime Minister deserves an Oscar for presenting himself as a great humanitarian and protector of Palestinians. The people of Gaza are certainly oppressed and deprived, but Erdogan is not their knight in shining armor! One cannot champion human rights with unclean hands! This is the height of hypocrisy!

Cancellation of Erdogan’s Argentina Trip Is the Price Turkey Pays for Genocide

Not satisfied with its neo-Ottoman policies of regional domination, Turkey has decided to extend its influence far and wide, to the four corners of the globe. While making inroads into the Islamic world by pretending to sympathize with Palestinian suffering, Turkey has alienated Israel, its long-standing political and military partner, and its NATO allies.

Senate Should Scrutinize Bryza Before Confirming him as Ambassador to Baku

After a lengthy delay, Azerbaijan consented last week to the appointment of Matthew Bryza as U.S. Ambassador to Baku, an unnamed American official told EurasiaNet.org. The California Courier confirmed Bryza’s nomination through its own Washington sources. The White House is expected to shortly issue an official announcement.

Turkish President of European Council Should be Barred from Armenia

Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish President of PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), offended his hosts by refusing to lay a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument during his visit to Yerevan last week.

Turkish Scholar Taner Akcam Advocates Change in Policy of Genocide Denial

Dr. Taner Akcam, one of the first Turkish scholars to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, delivered two important lectures in Southern California last week. Based on historical research, he analyzed the underpinnings of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and proposed solutions for its official acknowledgment.

Is Turkey’s Consul Unhappy that not All Armenians were Slaughtered like Sheep?

Hakan Tekin, the young and inexperienced Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles, is trying hard to earn brownie points with his bosses in Ankara by countering any reference to Armenians in the U.S. media. He went overboard last week by sending an offensive letter to the Los Angeles Times.

Frozen Protocols…And Warmed Over Obama Statement

Two developments on Armenian-Turkish issues spilled a lot of ink last week. Neither one was significant, but assumed significance because of extensive international media coverage. On April 22, exactly a year after the release of the roadmap, ostensibly to normalize Armenia-Turkey relations, and six months after the infamous Protocols were signed by the two countries with great fanfare, Pres. Serzh Sargsyan announced their suspension.

Israeli Scholar Assails Israel’s Denial of the Armenian Genocide

An important international symposium on “Armenia-Turkey: How to Normalize Relations,” was held in Paris on April 14. It was organized by the French Bureau of the Armenian Cause and the Armenian National Committee of France.

Roadmap to Nowhere or New Delay Tactic: Genocide Recognition in 2015?

Faced with deadlock in ratifying the Armenia-Turkey Protocols, the major powers are desperately looking for a face-saving way out of the current dilemma. France, Russia and the United States have invested far too much time and effort to walk away from the negotiated and signed, but not ratified, "deal of the century."

Planting a Tree…On First-ever Visit to Artsakh

It may surprise some to learn that I had not been to Artsakh (Karabagh) until last week. Of course, I always wanted to go to Artsakh, but not as a mere tourist. I wanted to visit Artsakh on a special occasion which finally came on March 31. As Senior Vice President of The Lincy Foundation, I participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a newly built school in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. Funded mostly by The Lincy Foundation and partially by the Government of Artsakh, the project was successfully implemented by Save the Children.

Desperate Turkish Tactics to Woo Diaspora on the Eve of April 24

The Turkish government has been receiving a succession of bad news in recent weeks. Its persistent policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide suffered serious setbacks when the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Swedish Parliament, and Catalonia’s regional Parliament in Spain adopted resolutions acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.

Did Turkey’s Ambassador Really Lobby For Passage of Genocide Resolution?

Thousands of articles are posted on the internet every day. But, very few make us fall off our chairs! Last week I came across a shocking news item posted by the Turkish Forum -- the largest website for Turkish news. It was titled: "Forgotten Ambassador in Sierra Leone Uses Armenian Genocide Resolution to solve his Problem."

Advice to Prime Minister Erdogan: Continue Denying the Armenian Genocide

It is a well-known fact that Turkish leaders are exceptional diplomats. However, as soon as they hear the words Armenian Genocide, Greece, Cyprus or Kurdistan, these diplomats lose their "cool" and resort to emotional outbursts and undiplomatic actions that harm their own interests.

Armenian-Americans Should not Allow Obama and Clinton to Bury Genocide Bill

It was bad enough that Pres. Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had failed to keep their campaign pledge to reaffirm the facts of the Armenian Genocide. They sunk to a new low last week, when Mrs. Clinton announced that she and the President opposed adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the full House, following its passage by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

If Turks had not Denied the Genocide, CBS wouldn’t have Aired this Show

Were it not for the Turkish government’s constant denials and distortions, the Armenian Genocide could have become a forgotten episode in world history.

Proposal to Create a Framework Uniting Diaspora Armenians

Yet, despite all the talk about unifying the Armenian people, writing fiery poems and singing patriotic songs about the benefits of unity, this most cherished dream remains elusive. Examples of failed attempts at unity are aplenty. Even in perilous times, Armenians have remained at odds and marched to the beat of different drummers.

Ten Reasons Why Turks Won’t Allow Their Leaders to Ratify the Protocols

In addition to planning to deceive Armenia and international public opinion, Turkish leaders tried to mislead their closest ally, Azerbaijan, and the Turkish public, about the potential benefits of the Protocols.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!"

The title of this article, taken from Walter Scott’s epic poem, the Marmion, aptly describes the web of deceit weaved by Turkey’s leaders in seeking to create the false impression of wanting to normalize relations with Armenia.

Armenia-Diaspora Unity Must be Preserved at all Cost

In recent months, as heated debates raged on the Armenia-Turkey Protocols, Diaspora Armenians reacted with frustration and anger at the damage these agreements would have caused to Armenian national interests.

The Show is Over…The Protocols are Dead!

The show is finally over! The international community is no longer buying the endless Turkish excuses for refusing to ratify the Protocols. Armenian officials, who naively believed that Turkey would open its border and establish diplomatic relations with Armenia, are beginning to question the Turks’ sincerity and contemplating the possibility of the Protocols’ collapse.

Constitutional Court Limits Protocols’ Damage to Armenian National Interests

After months of bickering among Armenians the world over about the Armenia-Turkey Protocols, the Constitutional Court of Armenia on January 12 pronounced its judgment on whether the obligations stipulated by the Protocols comply with the constitution.

Armenians, Just as Bulgarians, Should Demand Compensation from Turkey

Bojidar Dimitrov, Bulgaria’s Minister in charge of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, stirred a hornet’s nest at the start of the new year by threatening to block Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU), unless it paid billions of dollars in compensation for Bulgarians who were forcefully displaced during the Ottoman era.

Prime Minister’s 1919 Letter Describes Armenia as Destitute, Yet Full of Hope

Today, at a time of global economic crisis, conflict and wars, most people are justifiably discouraged and depressed by the deluge of bad news. Armenia and Armenians are no exception.

CBS Exposes Turkey’s Violation of Greek Minority Rights, but Ignores Armenians

CBS Network’s “60 Minutes” program aired on December 17 a devastating exposé of the violations of the rights of the Greek minority in Turkey.

Denialist Erdogan in the White House: An Unworthy Guest!

Turkish Prime Minister Receb Erdogan made insulting statements on the Armenian Genocide during his visit to Washington on December 6-8. Rather than hosting him in the White House, Pres. Obama should have declared him “persona non grata” -- an undesirable person!

Obama Should Forfeit his Nobel Prize Until he Tells the Truth on Genocide

In his letter of November 20 to Armenian American organizations, Pres. Obama once again played shameful word games with the term genocide. At this point, one has to be incredibly naïve to believe that he is going to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide during the rest of his term in office.

Jewish Editor and Turkish Commentator Protest Against Genocide Denial

Armenians are understandably distressed when they encounter statements that distort or deny the facts of the Armenian Genocide, and feel comforted when it is properly acknowledged. While they are quick to castigate the deniers, they rarely take the time to recognize those who speak the truth.

Armenia Submits Protocols to Constitutional Court: What’s Next?

Pres. Serzh Sargsyan quietly submitted the Armenia-Turkey Protocols to the Constitutional Court on November 19, without a public announcement.

Turkish Officials Admit To Playing Games With Protocols

With each passing day, the games Turkish officials have been playing with the Protocols are becoming more obvious and ridiculous!

A Call to Mobilize the Diaspora, Delivered at ANC Banquet

At its annual banquet on November 8, the Armenian National Committee (Western U.S.), honored California Attorney General Jerry Brown, former governor and current gubernatorial candidate, with the Freedom Award; California State Senator Mark Wyland, and California State Assembly Assistant Majority Leader and candidate for L.A. City Council Paul Krekorian as Legislators of the Year; and Harut Sassounian, Publisher of the California Courier, with the Legacy Award. California State Assemblyman Anthony Protantino was master of ceremonies. More than 700 guests attended the event held at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Internal Documents Reveal UK Officials Misled Parliament on Armenian Genocide

A prominent legal expert, Mr. Geoffrey Robertson, exposed this week the false and inaccurate statements on the Armenian Genocide made by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The international jurist revealed that for many years the FCO (Foreign Ministry) had misled the British Parliament on the facts of the Armenian Genocide in order to curry favor with the Turkish government.

Senate Resolution Reshuffles Political Cards in Ankara, Yerevan and Beyond

On October 21, while introducing the Armenia-Turkey Protocols to the Turkish Parliament for ratification, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu exposed his government’s true intentions.

Turkey Exposed: Cannot Pretend to be Both Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian

Playing the skillful political games of their Ottoman predecessors, Turkey’s current masters present their country under various guises -- as European and Middle Eastern, Islamic and secular, pro-Arab and pro-Israeli.

Nine Actions Armenia Must Take Before Ratifying the Protocols

The very first step in attempting to "normalize" relations between Armenia and Turkey -- signing the Protocols in Zurich on October 10 -- was nearly aborted when the Foreign Ministers of both countries objected to the statements that each had prepared for delivery following the signing ceremony.

Protocols to be Signed and Ratified With Possible Reservations

The President of Armenia spent just 24 hours in Los Angeles on October 4, following brief visits to Paris and New York. Angry protesters greeted him in all three cities, accusing him of making unacceptable concessions in a pending agreement with Turkey.

Thousands Rally Against Protocols; Protesters Await Pres. Sargsyan in L.A.

Up to 10,000 protesters held a public rally on September 27 in Glendale against the Armenian government’s plans to sign and ratify two Protocols negotiated with Turkey which include several highly controversial issues.

10 Major Concerns Regarding Armenia-Turkey Protocols

In earlier columns, I had described the major negative aspects of the already initialed Armenia-Turkey Protocols made public on August 31. The concerns I had expressed dealt with two unacceptable preconditions -- recognizing the territorial integrity of Turkey and establishing a joint committee of experts to study historical archives, a not so-veiled reference to re-examining the Armenian Genocide.

Turkey and Azerbaijan Try to Undermine Appointment of Canadian-Armenian Judge

Turks and Azerbaijanis, probably at the instigation of their governments, have attempted to undermine the recent appointment of Canadian-Armenian Aris Babikian as a Citizenship Judge, responsible for making decisions with regard to applications for Canadian citizenship.