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D. Abrahamian's Speech at the United Remembrance Day in Toronto

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April 26, 2009

Reporter:

"Dr. Dikran Abrahamian was the guest speaker. After an analysis of the present day circumstances hindering the ongoing efforts of Hay Tad - Armenian Cause - he underlined the importance of expanding its scope beyond recognition of the Genocide of the Armenians by various countries. He proposed to call 24th of April Պահանջատիրութեան Օր - Day of Demand - in addition to Day of Remembrance."

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Dr. Abrahamian speech

I particularly appreciated the part of your speech where you pointed out that the ideological differences among Diaspora Armenian political parties is practically nil, In making that statement you encouraged the audience to ask himself/herself the vital question: "Why can't we become one in odar aperou vrah?"

Partly True

The overriding goals of almost all Armenian organizations, whether humanitarian, benevolent, professional, cultural or political are the same and can be summed up in the following three points:

1. Support Armenia and Artsakh morally, politically and financially
2. Support the infrastructure for the preservation of our heritage and existence in the Diaspora for as long as we can
3. Support Recognition of  G and "expand the scope" of the Armenian Cause

Differences?

Hunchaks and Tashnaks have socialist platforms, though the Tashnaks have hardly put their principles into practice specially in the Diaspora, and throughout most of its history their leaders have reneged on that platform by supporting organisations, governments and agencies of those who fought against socialism. Ramgavars have a "bourgeois" outlook in socio-economic  matters and they have always been consistent whether in Armenia or the Diaspora, but always supportive of Armenia irrespective of its ideology or regime.

However,

Matters of socio-economic class issues have hardly been at stake in the Diaspora, except here and there and only in very limited supportive way in some countries - France, Lebanon-Syria, Iran, etc. Even then the overriding goals enumerated above have been the glue binding them all on an unconscious level, despite their infightings, which accentuated after 1956 and during the Cold War Era.

The Cold war has gone, the Berlin wall is demolished, but two walls remain : Turkey - Armenia, and Tashnak - Nontashnak.
Hopefully following the opening of borders between Armenia and Turkey there will be time to contemplate to eventually demolish, by hook or by crook,  the last remaining vestige of the cold war: The Tashnak - Non Tashnak Divide.

To my understanding the non-Tashnaks have always been willing, but that goodwill has been interpreted by the opposing party as a sign of weakness, or probably some in that organization thinking that such a step would be the demise of Tashnak perceived hegemony.

So be it, what's wrong with that if the main overriding goals will benefit from it. Are organizational interests more important than national goals?

Influence of the Church

I agree with all your comments above.  I do however think that you have overlooked the influence of the TWO churches in the diaspora.  The TWO churches have also been divisive (to say the least) and one cannot therefore assign all the blame to our political parties.
Dr. Abrahamian seems to have rather tactfully dodged that issue during his speech  :)

Re: Your Speech above

Dear Dr. Abrahamian, May be it is because of my own background & the facts of our socio-political history - so much debated at home that I fully agree with you.

Thank you for your courage. I believe that yes we must be very vigillant & less simple-minded. Maybe we should listen to the song "Je suis une tombe" (on this site). I'm afraid that history will be very harsh with our NATION - SHALL WE MISS THE BOAT, make the WRONG TURN & COMPROMISE & ACCEPT THE UNACCEPTABLE - there might be NO RETURN, and we will stay 'A TOMBE'.  Art, Music, Culture, our Faith, Language and Writings, our Intellectuals and our Heroes together with our Compassion for Our National Identity have been, are and will be THE ONLY VIABLE PILLARS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION, SURVIVAL and CONTINUITY OF OUR NATION. My suggestion is to POST yr speech on various Local, National & International (both Armenian & General Media-enclouding the Internet). SO THAT IT IMPACTS THE PUBLIC OPINION WHICH ADVANCES OUR CAUSE. Some ideas for Europe will be:www.armenian.ch;Artzakank@worldcom.ch; www.armnews.com (France);UGAB;kasa@cooperation.net;kasaam@cooperation.net (www.kasarmenia.org).I'm sure that you're aware of the North-American sites. At last we must adhere to the 'COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT UNITES US'.

Thank you once more for your pathriotic efforts. Kindest Regards, Marina BOULBOULIAN

«Մենք թուրքերէն

«Մենք թուրքերէն ժողովրդավարութիւն կը պահանջենք. Արդեօք մենք մեզմէ կը պահանջե՞նք»։

Ուժգին է…

«Իսկական խորհրդակցութիւն չկայ մեր կուսակցութիւններուն մէջ»

Ճիշտ է... ՀՅԴն ինք-իր իշխանութիւն-monarchy-oligarchyն է... Շա՜տ անյաջող մանաւա՛նդ Ամերիկայի մէջ...  Հարցը clanismի հարց է կը կարծեմ...  Եւ ճի՛շտ Հայաստանի պէս, participation levels are VERY low...  (total intelligence -- number of people -- on these parties or on Armenia's government is very low...  Low utilization of available intelligence due to undemocratic leadership...)

Մի մոռնաք թէ Երեւա՛նն ալ կարեւո՛ր ռազմադաշտ է…  Այսինքն Հայաստանի՛ կարավառութիւնը, Ազգային Ժողովը...  Ոչթէ պէտք է Թուրքիայէն եւ Ամերիկայէն պահանջենք, այլ մենք մե՛ր ղեկավարներէն ու աւելի՛ առաջ՝ մենք մեզմէ...

Այս Մոնռէյա՞լ էր թէ Տօրօնտօ։

Great to put a face to Dr Abrahamian's name...  Շատ հաճելի եւ դաստիարակչական է լսել լա՛ւ հայերէն գիտցողի բանախօսութիւնը...  Յարգանքներով..

P.S. would be nice to allow a feature to delete one's own posts.  Also, for some reason, spell-checking does not work inside the comment box for Firefox.  (Any ideas why?)

Interesting speech!

I watched this video-clip from beginning till end.  Very interesting and unconventional way for an Armenian indeed!

I agree with you about finding a real 'politician' and your hint about the wrong perception in people as what qualification should these 'politicians' have.

It's sad to hear that Armenia is in danger as a nation and land, it is obvious but something that deep inside we don't like to admit.

A Real Treat

Vintage Dikran Abrahamian. Priceless !!!!!

Viken L. Attarian

Mount Royal QC

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