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The only reason to 'Scream Bloody Murder' about an event is if that event needs to be screamed about. If Christiane Amanpour chose to scream about the incomplete genocides, i.e. the Holocaust, Rwanda, Cambodia..., then she wasted her time. No need to scream there, because everyone has already heard. Berge Minassian, Toronto 12/6/08 Where is Hay Tad, Tashnag, Ramgavar and the so called Armenian Congress, not to mention all the Armenian Lobby groups in the U.S. We may write blogs or individual emails to CNN. For as long as we do not show teeth through a strong organized representation we are nobody.
No one should take this personally; it is democracy, and I am expressing only my humble opinion! Bravo Ms. Salpi Bechlian of Montreal. As long as we are fragmented we are nobody; damned right you are! We have not as yet learnt to do team work properly, exceptions granted. Gaytzag Palandjian, Florida 12/12/08
Minister of Culture of Armenia did not attend the Conference in Baku Today's news has it that Ms. Hasmik Poghosyan, Minister of Culture of Armenia did not participate at a conference organized in Baki - that's the way they write and pronounce Baku. It was carried under the auspices of a British diplomat who talked at length with the interlocutor - I was watching one of many Armenian Channels of LA. I quote him, "I am sorry Armenia did not send its representative over.” The theme at said conference was preservation of Azeri historical monuments, now being “destroyed” by the Nagornyi Karabagh Armenians. Some nerve!!! Witness the destruction just a few years ago of thousands of Armenian Khatchkars in Julfa. Nothing was said about these when Armenians protested from all corners of the world. Here I would like to interject one, only one clever and sharp-minded Armenian - no, not exactly a politician but probably like self, an activist. At a live TV discussion that was being televised from Armenia's H1 channel at that juncture of time, he heatedly defended his opinion and shouted at the top of his lungs, "This minute, this minute our participants - at the OSCE MINSK organized so called peace initiatives/meetings with the counterpart Azeris - should leave until they stop this barbarian act and ask forgiveness." No one heeded him. When in Yerevan I enquired a friend who this man was, and expressed my wish that I wanted to shake hands with him. My Armenian friend in a dismissive way said," He is a Marxist." “So what!” I retorted. “Let him be a Maoist for all that matters; he is a capable person and correct in his judgment”. I added, "You don't go around judging people by what ideology they profess; if he first and foremost puts Armenia's interests, security and well being above all, then he is a true Armenian. Back to the news - it is commendable that Ms. Poghosyan, our Minister of Culture - and by extension, our Government and National Assembly - disapproved going to Baki. By the by, have the Azeris come to ask forgiveness for what they did in Julfa? The question is to that Mr. Inglese, who probably underestimates our, albeit small State/Nation's ability to at least now start to evaluate correctly what is at stake and counteract against ugly articulations.
Hamahaigagani SIRO, Request, Prayer to all Armenians in the Diaspora It is evident that during the next couple of months, international political and historical developments will take place in the region of South-Caucasus. The actual truth of the Armenian Genocide, which is the most sensitive issue for the whole Armenian nation, will not only go unrecognised, but its very existence will be on the table of negotiations which are already being put into place. Every day, we read numerous political analyses about these questions and all of them deserve our respect. I hereby wish to pass over the Armenian Government’s position on our Genocide which was the 20th Century’s first Genocide. Thus, I consider that the sacred duty to face this problem and defend it by struggling for its recognition belongs to the Armenians in the Diaspora. Therefore, I request and implore - to avoid working in a partisan way - that each organisation should not try to resist the “storm” by taking action on its own. As one people, one nation, let us form a responsible Body. I address my request to all religious and clerical, big and small, communities, be it Evangelical, Roman Catholic or Armenian Apostolic, to all political parties active in the Armenian Diaspora, with all their respective affiliate branches, political, benevolent or charitable, cultural, sportive, etc. all of them, so that no one can later complain and say: “why were we not invited to participate?… ”. Thus, by combining all their efforts together, let them adopt a general strategy and decide on the tactics which will enable them to work in a complementary way. The task should be entrusted to an executive body formed by a few skilled persons, representative of all participants. My request is that if we believe that this holy mission belongs to the Armenians of the Diaspora then we do not have the right to lose time. Let us not plunge ourselves in small unimportant particulars such as who of the initiators of this action will get the credit. To speak about honours or credit at this moment is ridiculous. The responsibility belongs to all of us without exception. If not, I would not wish that the words expressed, tens of years ago, by Avedis Aharonian fall upon us as a curse: “If all the suffering we endured is one day forgotten by our children, let all the shame of the world fall on the Armenians”. Sincere best wishes. Varoujan Knouni
Why is the picture of the sacred cave monastery of Geghart associated with political views? I wish you could find another image to represent peoples' views and let the beauty remain in peace Thank you for hosting this page. Anonymous 10/6/2008
Petition, No; Boycott, Yes To: Several People First the petition and now this (call for total blockade of Armenia!) and still continuing with mindless idiocies put out by that Bruce Tasker character. It just goes to show that Haykakan Jamanak has found its match in Canada. With this particular article by Andy Kevorkian (you remember him from your 2003 UK lecture tour I hope) perhaps someone should remind him and Geghart that they’re really far behind Turkey and Azerbaijan, because much worse than what they’re prescribing, i.e. petition and boycott, has been actively and aggressively practiced by Turkey and Azerbaijan for years/decades: namely the blockade (so far failed) and the attempt to destroy Armenia! And I know as a matter of fact [… he] has not “invested” even a penny in Armenia and the thought of even visiting Armenia just once has never entered his […] head! What fools! Regards, Bagrad PS: Is there any concrete report about the journalist who got beaten up? Any evidence as to who he is, who beat him and why? Dec 01, 2008 Dear Mr. Nazarian, Thank you for your note.I wonder whether you would like me to post your comment in the Visitors’ Section.Thank you for your attention. Dikran Abrahamian Dec 3, 2008 Dear Mr. Abrahamian, Thank you for your kind offer to publish/post my comment in the Visitors’ section of Keghart. Some result at last! Considering you have chosen to ignore completely my many other critical comments. Please go ahead! May I also point out that it is an unfortunate fact that journalists across the world are murdered on regular basis but when it comes to starting petitions and boycotts in support of (harassed, assaulted, violated, murdered, etc.) journalists it might be a good idea for you to do such for Turkey where journalists (and publishers and other free thinkers) are prosecuted and persecuted, beaten up, harassed, murdered, etc. as a matter of daily routine. Hrant Dink, unfortunately, is just one example of this. After all with Canada being a member of NATO and neighbours with the greatest NATO country across the border supporting Turkey (namely USA), such petitions and boycotts might carry a little more weight against the biggest NATO bully, namely Turkey, who just happens to be our (Armenia’s) biggest neighbour with not much love lost for us, to put it mildly! Secondly may I emphasise that Artsakh, as an unrecognised territory, has no access to any international funds and finance from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to mention but a few. Not only that but even big international charities are also reluctant or unable to invest or have a presence in Artsakh due to the assumed “instability” and “unstable” political situation or confusing borders, not to mention hyped up corruption and chaos, etc. charges. Your petitions and calls for boycotts, not to mention Bruce Tasker type mindless “articles” only add to the misconceptions and confusion, potentially depriving our patriots in Artsakh (and by extension in Armenia) valuable resources, something which, as I have pointed out previously, Turkey and Azerbaijan have attempted to do through blockades and other aggressive behaviour well known to you. Finally when it comes to fighting corruption, another unfortunate but undeniable reality in Armenia, I much rather follow the advice and example of Baroness Caroline Cox with whom I have had the privilege of travelling to Armenia and Artsakh on several occasions. Her personal, admittedly sympathetic but nevertheless, I believe, wise and experienced advice to those who have expressed their loud and often exaggerated “frustrations about corruption in Armenia” has been: “You Diaspora Armenians have a duty to come and get involved and teach them your business western experience and fight any manifestation of corruption by example. What are you waiting for!? What good is there waiting until everything has been sorted out which will be sooner or later”. Let me point out, as someone with a modest investment in Artsakh since 2003 - and regular visits since 1994 - that my experience of “corruption” in Armenia/Artsakh has been minimal but nevertheless uncompromising with very positive outcomes overall. So I have found the Lady’s advice good, practical and spot on accurate. Best regards, Bagrad Nazarian PS: I take the liberty of copying Lady Cox into this e-mail as I have made a reference to her here. . Karabakh?Genocide - The Deception [...] Geghart started well and still has a great deal that's good. But for Geghart to give such prominent and uncritical space to such obvious nonsense and blatantly anti-Armenian propaganda is extremely worrying and unwarranted. If this is done in the name of "freedom of expression" then clearly Mr Tasker has the complete freedom to speak as much [...] as he likes as no one in Armenia ("the Kocharian/Sargsyan regime", etc.) seems to limit his freedom to talk nonsense, but why should Geghart so consistently allocate so much valuable space to spread the said poisonous pollution/nonsense? What is the point of it? If it is space that you need to fill with a certain quota of “Kocharian/Sargsyan regime”, etc., etc., blind hatred nonsense then, may I suggest that you simply translate into English and publish far more superior and sophisticated quality hate literature and big lies produced at Haykakan Jamanak stables rather than Mr Tasker’s amateurish but pompous endeavours.
11/23/08 Armen Araratian Deception is the core attribute of politics. Whoever is not deceptive he or she is not a very good politician. I value Kcocharian/Sarkisian's regime. Mr. Tasker is aware of diferences between an agremment/declaration/Treaty. What was signed in Moscow was a declaration between parties which is not binding, in any way, [on] Karabakh. Remember, Armenians are not a tribe that their leader can decide their future for them. Those days are gone. Today, Armenia and Karabakh are strong enough that their enemies have declared, at least on paper, to deal with them peacefully. In fact for more than 14 years Azarbaijan has not been able to retake [the] so called lost territories. As to bribing our leaders, I think, it is nonsense speculation, because no one can bribe all Armenians. Papken Harutunian 11/19/08. A Turning Point: Armenian Officials Take the Bold Steps One of the best articles I've ever read so far.
The Jewish people were kicked out from Eygypt, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Palestine, Russia etc. Armenians have allways protected them. Examples: when the Arabs were trying to massaccre the Jews in the old city of Jerusalem, the Armenians opend the gates of the Armenian monastery in Jerusalem to give them a safe passage through the Zion Gate to west Jerusalem; when the Russian Tsar was planning to massaccre them because they were not christians, the Armenian people gave them refuge in Armenia where they are staying until today; after being [driven] out of spain the Armenian merchants helped them to do business in Europe. Unfortunatly, instead of being thankful, Israel is trying to destroy our nation by selling arms to our enemies, robbing us from our lands in Palestine, fighting against the recognition of The Armenian Genocide etc. this is really beyond human imagination. The Turks are doing exactly the same. They came to our country, massaccred us, robbed us from our land; they are selling weapons to our enemies and denying the Armenian Genocide . Obama’s Election Forces Turkey To Rethink its Demands from Armenia Turkey has a definite strategy in reaching the American communities, lawmakers, including the next president. The Armenian Diaspora needs to redefine, educate, energise its base, focus its mission, and activate its full ressources if its goals and vision are going to be realized. The time is now! Alain, USA, 11/19/08 A Letter to a Friend - Why the Silence and Inactivity? I just got back from a tour of Armenia with my family. My first time there and a life time dreamcome true. I had an opportunity to speak to many individuals, albeit in my Malatiazi western Armenian. It surprised me that the locals in Yerevan thought that Americans DID NOT support the Genocide issue! Where did they get this notion from? I rationalized that perhaps they thought if Pres Bush was against it everyone in the US was also, including Armenian Americans. I asked several people whether there was any truth to Armenian Gov't officials caving in to Turkish pressure on the Genocide issue. Most Gov't workers and semi officials either said no or claimed ignorance. Most of the people on the street and especially most cab drivers ( super down to earth individuals) said they were afraid so. I was shocked and quite furious to say the least. This matter does not belong to the Gov't in Yerevan alone. Invariably it wasn't their parents and grandparents who were slaughtered, it belongs ever more so to us whose parentage was from Eastern Turkey. Local ARF officials with whom I've shared my observations have indicated that these recent rumors are troubling to them as well and if the matter appears to becoming reality, the ARF might pull out of the coalition Gov't.
Anonymous 11/14/08 It's not only "The Silence and Inactivity". The truth and the answer is that the Armenian political parties, if not all of them, at least most of them are corrupt and divided. […………] The ARF is satisfied because it has ministerial posts [……] The Henchaks and the Ramgavars are all so divided; it's sad to see their hopelessness, but of course because of their members they are stronger than individuals. The [saddest] part of the Armenian political parties is that all their leaderships are corrupt. The question is, by whom? Who are the dark powers who are in a position to [influence] the Armenian political parties? The answer is, the same people like always and everywhere. Nicolai Romashuk Hairabedian,11/14/08. . Armenia’s new Vasaks are now in action of a great black treason. When our president and the foreign Minister shamelessly declared that they are going to drop the issues of “Genocide” and “Occupied territories” from their negotiations, and in the mean time our so called political parties kept their silence, it shot my blood pressure up to the verge of having a heart attack!The way I see, all our political parties and denominations have sold their souls to the Satan, and our Diaspora to the Dollars. I am terribly worried but try to be somewhat upbeat. So long as we have dedicated patriotic people, there will be room for being optimistic. Remember that TRIUMPH comes from lots of TRY and UMPHs. Let’s not forget that during the black years of 1914-1915 the silent and inactive ones perished, whereas the active ones pulled through. May God bless you, and your family for undertaking your heavy and unappreciated burden. My late wife and my children have gone through all those hardship and sufferings, without expectation of any recognition and or appreciation, even from my ex own ARF party. What my family and I have done for our community during the past 46 years in Sydney, would be like a drop of rain in the ocean, compared to our various dedicated national heroes and patriots. In the past ARF was pointing fingers to Levon Ter Petrossian. But, “ Why the(ir) Silence and Inactivity” now? Mack Vahanian, Sydney, Australia 11/13/08 Your article is a very simplistic analysis of the situation and generalizes extensively to fit its theme. If I had received this article right after the election, I would have given it some thought. This topic has already been exhausted post-election and many articles have been written around this topic. I would appreciate if we concentrated on issues our country faces at the moment, for example the financial crisis and the food crisis. Etienne kechichian, 11/12/08
Betty Hagopian, Toronto, 11/11/08
Where is the Beef? You are obviously too long and too far from the actual Armenian political scene to understand how things are now done in Armenia, when you say "ultimately, it’s the authorities and people in Armenia that will decide what path will be drawn for the future". The people of Armenia have absolutely no say in the development of Armenia, especially when it comes to matters regarding Armenia's neighbours, discussions of which are all conducted in secret by Sargsyan and his cronies, today namely Eduard Nalbandian and Tigran Sarkissian. Have no doubt that agreement on the Genocide commission has been reached in New York, and agreement on the surrounding territories has been reached, and if not already signed, will be signed immediately after the 15th October. The plan to return the surrounding territories has been in preparation for several years, now compounded by the Genocide agreement, under pressure from Gul and Aliyev, who have long been working very closely together, knowing they can take advantage of Serzh’s greed. The Sargsyan regime, in close cooperation with Kocharian, will be picking up a minimum five Billion Dollars for their betrayal of the people of Armenia, and the Diaspora has not lifted a finger to stop them!! Bruce 9/27/08 Interesting commentary with which I agree. I think Armenians have to have certain criteria before approaching the table, and we cannot trust a government that says one thing and practices something else (sounds like the current U.S.,eh?). Any gesture made by Turkey is going to be calculated and self-serving. Armenians can't afford to be naive, nor divisive among themselves. Taleen Nazarian 9/21/08 Politics or economics, is said, makes strange bedfellows. Question then remains: does Armenia need a strange bed fellow? Asking Turkey to remain neutral regarding Karabagh, is like pleading with a fox to preserve the integrity of the coop. Sooner or later temptation entices even the best disciplined wills; and Turkey is known to be a wily and willful wolf under the sheep's skin. Armenia has already ceded to foreign marauders part of its vital resources. She doesn't need new devious carpet-beggars. Better keep your doors closed and sate yourself with your own "Pilaf", than open them wide, and be slowly poisoned by "Turkish Delight". The Black Sea is still black, and let us be aware of the so-called "new" scholars. "Plus ça change, plus c'est le même", and Turkish historians no matter how "new" or enlightened, rather pander to their black side, than to illuminate the truth. We, at the Diaspora, urge the leaders of Armenia to exercise good common sense and caution before they tread Turkey's murky détente proposals. Let us hope they try to find out ahead of time what sort of, or how many minarets Turkey has in mind to don with the Etchmiadzin. Gomidas Jibelian, MS, PhD 9/17/08 A good, balanced article. Sevan Why I Cannot Be a Conservative Viken insults the intelligence of Armenians with this dubious article. As someone who studied in Czechoslovakia during the time when the country was under a brutal soviet fascist regime, Viken surprises me with his Michael Moorish nonsense that he spews. His arguments about the recent financial crisis in the US are totally rubbish. He purports the collapse of "fully" free markets as proof that the idea of individual freedom and self reliance are aberrations and not states of being we should strive for. In other words let's have Big Brother take care of all of our needs since we the people have no thinking ability of our own and to hand over our individual rights to the elitists whose doctrines were sculpted by "heroes" such as Stalin, Trotsky, Lenin and in more modern times Castro and Chavez. Did he not read anything about the burden placed on the "free market" by the practice of socio-engineering enforced by organizations like ACORN with the full support of Democrats. All in the name of the "pulic good". I would not call radical actions such as death threats to bank managers and CEO's to force them to extend loans(mortgages) to high risk clients as an exercise in a free market. This was supposed to be for the public good. Well it sure didn't turn out that way as we now know all too well. That is why I cannot be a Liberal Fascist. Dikran Piliguian, Toronto 10/24/08 I have recently read the comment of Mr. Dikran Piliguian on my essays. I would like to thank him for responding and making his voice be heard. He is certainly not indifferent. Here are my counterarguments: 1. Judging by the date of his comment, he has not read part III. All three pieces belong together and are meant to build the theoretical framework of analysis, from the more general to the more specific. Commenting on the whole before the work is complete is at best ill-advised. Mr. Avedis Kevorkian has made the same point that I am making. That would be like clapping, or in this case booing, after only one movement of a musical work is heard. If anything, it is a comment on the clapper and the booer, not the orchestra. Having said this, I would welcome Mr. Dikran Piliguian to build the counterargument to my position and to cite all the necessary examples and sources and let us have a good debate on the topic. 2. To the accusation that I have studied in Czechoslovakia, I plead guilty. The argument however that this somehow makes me a Stalinist or a Communist is more than flimsy. I have never hidden where I studied and in fact I have written about the experience in my blog. I have also studied (and taught) in France and have studied (and taught) in Canada (mainly Quebec, but also Manitoba). Does that make me a Gaullist or a follower of the Bloc Quebecois? Mr. Piliguian's argument would lead us to conclude for example that the numerous Armenians in various fields such as medicine, engineering, teaching and so on, who number in the thousands and have studied in Soviet Armenia and are now arguably in various positions of authority and leadership in the Diaspora are somehow all KGB moles and closet Stalinists. He is of course free to believe whatever he wants and I will defend his right to have that belief. But, if one agreed with Mr. Piliguian's line of reasoning, and along similar lines of argument, one should conclude that because someone studied in the US, for instance during the Vietnam war, that he/she somehow condoned that war, or worse even approved of the My Lai massacres. 3. Mr. Piliguian has obviously read what I write since he knows so much about me. My work is on public record, including my work for Armenian and non-Armenian human rights issues. I know who I am and what I have done and I have not changed much from the times I was in Czechoslovakia, or even earlier. At that time I was involved in defending the rights for freedom of expression of artists and writers in Communist Czechoslovakia. As a foreign student who enjoyed certain immunities (i.e. I could not be jailed, merely deported), I was involved in distributing the works of "banned" writers, which included Milan Kundera and Vaclav Havel, who later became the president of the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution. I can name names and give contacts who can back up my claim. Since he has turned this issue into an ad hominem attack against me equating me to fascists and defenders of Castro, Chavez, Stalin and Lenin, I would like to ask Mr. Piliguian as to how many times he has personally risked his own personal future and under what circumstances to defend anyone's individual freedoms which he oviously so cherishes? I will publicly salute him if he can do so, because it would mean that we believe in similar ideals. 4. As for the comparison with Michael Moore, I feel extremely flattered although I think it is somewhat unjustified. Again because his argument is completely faulty. He says and I quote " as someone who studied in Czechoslovakia during the time when the country was under a brutal soviet fascist regime, Viken surprises me with his Michael Moorish nonsense that he spews". So the logic is as follows, I studied in a country during a time when it was under a "brutal soviet fascist regime" (giving him the benefit of the doubt for the exaggeration in the qualifiers) so that somehow makes me complicit, yet I surprise him by spewing nonsense worthy of Michael Moore. So if I am a Communist/Fascist and presumably so is Michael Moore in his books, why is he surprised? How is this connection made? The logical conclusion simply cannot be derived from the initial premise. I do not know Mr. Piliguian's field of expertise, but he cannot have studied mathematical logic. 5. Since he is attributing Leninism, Trostkyism, Stalinism and many other "ism"s to me, I can only conclude that this is for name-calling purposes. Any serious reader who knows his material knows how far apart these "ism"s are. In the eye of Mr. Piliguian, they might be equally reprehensible, but that would be like accusing a defendant in a legal case of one major crime, when he might be guilty of another (or not). One would not want to suggest that Conrad Black is guilty of first degree murder, although he might be guilty of first degree fraud. And no, this is not simply a matter for lawyers to know about. I would also suggest that he has not read my text carefully or completely enough, because any reader will immediately spot how I feel about Stalinists and Communist ideologues (or, in general, about any ideologues). 6. Arguing that the real reason for the collapse of the global free markets is because there was forced lending to non-credit worthy homebuyers would be the equivalent to suggest that
I will let the learned reader be the judge as to who would qualify as a fascist. I do not claim that Mr. Piliguian is one. Therefore I agree with him. He is neither a Liberal nor a Fascist. He is however very angry. He should be. Keynes was proven right and Milton Friedman now stands as the "naked emperor". There is nothing that can change that reality. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to guess which one of the above two was his favourite. Paregamoren, Viken L. Attarian, Montreal 12/9/08
Congratulations on your masterful presentation of Canadian Politics.An excellent study. Not to be missed.It is a pleasure to read your essays. Jirair Dervishian 11/13/08 With his three part series "Why I cannot be Conservative" Viken Attarian establishes himself as one of the leading intellectuals of international calibre. Some claim to see the holes in donuts, others the donuts, but Viken sees the realities of the world that surrounds us and presents them in a brillant analysis. Hagop Angaladian 11/12/08 As one who sees the holes in donuts but not the donut, and as one who likes to pick nits, permit me to comment on two statements made by Viken Attarian. Although SENATOR Joseph McCarthy gave his name to a nasty period of American history, he had nothing to do with Hollywood and any alleged Communists there. That was the despicable work of the House [of Represenatives] Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)--which, incidentally, started life in the 1930s and whose remit was to seek out Fascists in America! America was not "founded upon the toil of slaves." True, there was slavery in the South, but it was the industrial North and--after the Civil War--the slaveless country that built up the infrastructure that made the country great. Before thinking of commenting on the essay, however, I would like to read the rest of the installments to see where he is going with his interesting premise(s). Except, that is, to say that all change must be resisted. If the challenge to the status quo wins out, it means that which was defended had passed its usefullness. However, if the challenge fails, it means that the status quo was valid. Therefore, it is possible for a person to be a conservative on one issue and a progressive on another. Avedis Kevorkian Philadelphia, PA, USA 10/11/2008 As the author of this three-part essay, I take every comment related to this work very seriously. Particularly any comment published by the remarkable writer Mr. Avedis Kevorkian of Philadelphia. I have, so far, not read anything from him that has been uninteresting. I therefore anxiously await his feedback on the whole of the work. Now that all the parts of the essay have been pubished and they have been generating interesting feedback, here is my comment on his comment. a) On the issue of McCarthyism and the HUAC, I stand corrected. Mr. Kevorkian is absolutely correct. Furthermore, as its name suggests, the HUAC was an institution of the House of Representatives (Congress), and McCarthy was a Senator. I do however want to state that without the era and the "inspiration" of McCarthyism, the HUAC would not have been able to do its despicable deeds. But, since the HUAC was a Standing House Committee long after McCarthy was gone, he should not be the sole accused of shouldering the blame of the period. After all the HUAC has had other notable names b) Slavery is usually associated with the American South and Mr. Kevorkian is right. However, the time period that I am describing is much earlier, i.e. it is the period of about forty to fifty years after the founding of the USA and during the early to mid 19th century. There was absolutely slavery all over the US during that period. My references to the time period was not AFTER the Civil War, but several decades BEFORE the Civil War when the intellectual foundation of Conservatism was being forged. For example, it is a well known fact that Thomas Jefferson, one of the most influential of the Founding Fathers and arguably one of the greatest of the US presidents, an intellectual giant of his time, was a slave owner, and in fact he owned several slaves. At best, he was ambivalent towards slavery. c) He is also right that it is possible to be Conservative and Progressive in certain issues. In fact, I go to great lengths in Part II of my essay into explaining how that concept has historically applied very well to Canadian Conservative politics all the way into the late eighties of the twentieth century. d) My main disagreement with Mr. Kevorkian is in his second to final point. That all change MUST be resisted, and sort of let the "best man win" attitude. By that token, Socrates was wrong and his poisoners were right; Giordano Bruno was wrong and the Inquisitionary zealots who burnt him at the stake were correct; Galileo was wrong and the Catholic dogma was right (until John Paul II admitted that Galileo was right after all - over 3 centuries later); Hitler was right for having successfully suppressed the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and so on. The conclusion of his argument, if taken to the very And I am certain and hoping, that once he thinks of it in this light, he would find it unacceptable as well. Paregamoren Viken L. Attarian, Montreal, 11/14/08 Interesting commentary w/which I agree. I think Armenians have to have certain criteria before approaching the table, and we cannot trust a government that says one thing and practices something else (sounds like the current U.S.,eh?). Any gesture made by Turkey is going to be calculated and self-serving. Armenians can't afford to be naive, nor divisive among themselves. Taleen Nazarian 9/1/08 . Again, With the Dancing; Or, Will We Never Learn? I will only dance when I see their signature on the documents......
Vartkes Ehramdjian, 11/9/08
I said during the campaign that it happened Genocide scholars and historians in genral would back the recogition. So would major media such as The New York Times, The Washington Post It could bring Armenia to the Western fold and stop Russian penetration at north of Georgia Armenia would make more geographical sense as the route to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Turkey can't blackmail America since it needs America far more than America needs it. Turkey needs America especially to gain entry to the EU and for support on the Cyprus issue, and for economic, military assistance.
The Congress would support it. Hundreds of major US companies exporting to Turkey or with factories in Turkey would lobby against it Unions and the right-wing in America would claim loss of jobs and exports at a crucial economic time The Republicans would oppose it AIPAC and the other Israeli/Jewish lobbies would oppose it The State Department would oppose it Radio talk show (almost all far right) would campaign against it Wall Street would be against it It could push Turkey eastward or closer to Russia. Turkey is already suspicous of US because we have created a de facto Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Whose voice weighs heavier? that of 70-million plus Turkey or 8-million Armenians? Jirair Tutunjian, Toronto 11/9/08 It's not how long you can keep a champagne in a fridge, but how old is your champagne (years) a good one can last 15 years. It's wrong to say the older it gets the better it is. The question is will you, one day, open that bottle. wishful but hopeful, as Obama's logo hope is coming? I always like reading you. Antranik Chaderjian, Mississauga,ON 11/9/08 Karabakh Under the Hammer I was particularly disappointed and disgusted to read Bruce Tasker's 2 pieces as I have known him from around 1999 and have met him a few times in Yerevan. He is married to a local Armenian girl. He has told me he "came to Yerevan after the earthquake with Assistance" but has stayed behind. It’s a pity that even after 20 years of living in Armenia he speaks very little or no Armenian - and especially that he makes constant (proud?!) references to this fact in both his pieces. Apart from the extremely low quality of the work and the lack of any journalistic or analytical merit (reducing it to, in my view, hallucination, broad unfounded generalisations, speculations, hostile sniping at, cynicism and mockery of Armenia) his tone and entire language, not to mention his essentially anti-Armenian/pro Azeri (subconscious?) mind and sentiments, for someone who’s lived in the country for nearly 20 years and is supposed to be pro-Armenian (but not necessarily pro Armenian government) is mind-boggling. His reference throughout his “articles” to President Sargsyan as “Serge”, in particular, is utterly unprofessional, preposterous and, in my view, arrogant and unacceptable. However for Geghart to publish it without any critical commentary, it just blows your mind out! Bagrad Nazarian, London, 11/7/08 Armenia Slides In Global Corruption Rankings The Kocharian government's Poverty Reduction Program and related legistlation was a sham. At the time, the government was under a lot of pressure and tried to appease the EU. Fast forward. So many years later, Armenia sliding down the Global Corruption Scale is no surprise either. The only light at the end of the tunnel seems to be the latest case about some southern officials, who were accused of stealing 1.2 Million US Dollars from the sate allocated funds for infrastructure. According to the media, the whole department is charged and will be tried for graft and corruption and this time, the government seems to be serious. I hope that, charges laid will be successfully prosecuted and all parties found guilty will be punished with the full force of the law. Haig Misakyan, Toronto 10/11/2008 Why? Why? Why? These why? why? why? concerns have bothered most of us for many years. You had the foresight to crystalize them vividly. The real puzzle however is HOW? HOW and HOW? and by WHO? WHO? and WHO? Short of an action plan with tangible measures we will continue to spin our wheels. Please send me your e-mail address. Hovsep Torossian, Detroit 4/2/08
America's Election Avedis Kevorkian's passionate piece teaches us all, that in a democracy, we only get what we deserve as a collective. In a democracy, we lose because of our inactions, complacency and sometimes just plain laziness. Democracy is messy, inefficent, it takes up a lot of our personal time, it requires us to engage our minds, it requires critical thinking, as well as analyses of issues, an engaged citizenry that is informed through a variety of diverse sources and more than an altruistic sense of the public good. In other words, to function, it requires a complex machinery that has many parts that need to work together. If one part fails, the whole thing can come crumbling down. That is why a democracy is very vulnerable. That is also why a democracy is resilient. It takes a lot of blows to dismantle it. On the other hand, we might have reached rock bottom and we might have too many broken pieces already. Democracy has nothing to do with economics and commercial utilitarian choices, nor is it about market systems, like the grand "strategist"s of an uncontrolled and globally rampant approach based on greed will have you believe. After all democracy was invented by the Greeks in antiquity when none of these constructs existed. You don't believe me? Look at China and Russia and their market economies of today. Quod Erat Demonstrandum. Market systems, at best (i.e. when they are honest and fairt, based on principles and regulations put in by the citizens) can only pursue efficiency and maximize the wealth of shareholders. At their worst, i.e. like right now, they pursue the same goals but use fraud, greed and other shady or downright illegal means to achieve them. Therefore, the sole distinction between the two, is only in the method, not the objective. While I disagree that the Catholicos is elected by the people (or by their representatives), since I do not recall anyone ever asking my opinion about the Catholicossal candidates (perhaps because I am a baptized Catholic, but I know many Lousavortchagans who are in the same predicament), Avedis is right on about us having only ourselves to blame, whether as an Armenian, an American or as a Canadian. We can make choices about supporting ideas and a specific vision vs. supporting names based on tribal habits or because we want to protest a position we disagree with (like granting equal rights to women, immigrants, blacks, gays or whatever other group might be the target of our own intolerance). There are many things done in our name. Including horrendous crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, murder, and even massive crimes against humanity. Choosing to be silent makes us all complicit. Avedis Kevorkian is calling on all of us not to be. And I thank him and his father for that. Viken L. Attarian Mount Royal Quebec, CANADA 10/3/08 Armenian Genocide Issue Should Not Become A Political Football
Harout Sassounian clearly underestimated Sargsyan’s determination to establish the Genocide Commission, and to return the Karabakhi surrounding territories, and indeed it now seems Karabakh. In this article Harout emphasizes the political aspect of this action, which is of course important. But previously Harout was one of the few who attended to the financial benefits for the Armenian Republic, which is of course the prime priority for the Sargsyan / Kocharian regime. The events in Georgia now influence events in the region, and Sargsyan has used that situation to bring his long-awaited plan to full implementation, and that will be initiated this week at the UN in New York. Holocaust could cost 200 billion Dollars - Genocide Going for FREE http://www.khosq.com/en-us/article/2008/09/23/holocaust_could_cost_americans_200_billion_dollars Still Blowing the World Bank Whistle in Washington in the fight against corruption in Armenia http://better-not-wb-the-wb.blogspot.com/ Bruce Tasker, Yerevan, 9/24/2008 Diasporan Money Corrupts Governments, Study Finds Why do you bother to post any articles from Ara Baliozian or Avedis kevkorian? Both are super pessimistic, and jump at the chance to disrespect and throw dirt on Armenia and Armenians who support Armenia in the latters case. You claim this is done in order to better understand our situation, but in reality it only makes some less informed Armenians believe the rubbish and anti Armenian musings of these two misguided figures. Ara tries to compare himself with the great Armenian writers, and since he is no where close to them he decides to hate the worldwide Armenian community, plus regurgitate the same mis-thoughts over and over again. While Avedis thinks he is looking out for Armenia by being so harsh he is actually only showing himself to be naive and overly critical. He thinks that since overnight Armenia didn't become the Switzerland of the region or that democracy hasn't been perfect or the big difference between the rich and poor of Armenia, that the Diaspora should punish Armenia by not helping it out. Well, that is like UN sanctions, it only hurts the common person, not the government. And FYI, democracy doesn't even truly exist in America. We saw how Bush stole the election, and we see how democratic it is to always have to choose between the lessor of the two evils. I am of course referring to the two party system in the U.S. Excuse my language, but Republicans and Democrats are the same [... ] from different [...]. About as much difference between them as there was among the bolsheviks and mensheviks. Also, the IMF study he pointed to is nice and all but does he realize that the IMF is another instrument of western (read) American hegemony and it was due laregly to the absurd policies of the World Bank and IMF that Russia was more or less run by crooks during the 90s, that Argentina was in deep economic trouble before they basically told the IMF where to stick it in 2001? As for Avedis' comment about his homeland being here, if he means the U.S. or Canada then great, but stay the hell out of Armenia's affairs, if you do not view it as your country then do not criticize those who do view Armenia as their home. If you can't stop posting the works of either of these two, at least do many of us a favor and begin to post the writings of Dr. Armen Ayvazyan, please! I would then maybe see the point of having Ara's or Avedis' writings, because the reader could at least see the lack of vision either of these men have.
Avedis Kevorkian only touches the surface. Avedis is absolutely right, remittances from the Diaspora are a central part in the corruption equation, and since the recent election , which he also rightly refers to as a farce, remittances have gone up dramatically, some estimate to between 2 and 3 billion dollars each year. Not only does this relieve the Government from their obligation to spend public funds on the public, as they should, it also provides spending power for the public to buy goods that are monopolized by Government cronies. Moreover, with respect to the IMF (and the World Bank), Diaspora remittances help Very Nicely Thank You with the economic boom Armenia has apparently experienced through the Kocharian / Sargsyan years. If it was not for this massive per capita income, the Armenian economy would have collapsed long ago. Bruce Tasker, Yerevan, 9/23/2008 Hello, Your article has been featured on Khosq.com (A new Sharing & Digging Site for Armenians) at http://khosq.com/en-us/article/2008/09/22/diasporan_money_corrupts_governments_study_finds You can register with Khosq.com and share interesting and important articles and help promote your favourite ones so that it reaches broader audiences. Best Wishes, Garen - The Khosq.com Team - Yerevan, 9/23/2008 "Collapse" And How It Relates To Things Armenian Your writing is always very interesting. Shayen (Sahen) Tuntoglu 8/31/08
First the Genocide, Then the Vericide President Sargsyan can no longer deceive the Armenian people, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan confirmed that development in Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia relations are expected after the Azerbaijani elections Oct. 15. You can translate the development in Turkey-Armenia relations as the establishment of diplomatic ties and opening the borders and the development in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations as the progress in the solution of the Karabakh issue. The Foreign Minister announced that he would join Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Memetyarov in a tripartite meeting Friday in New York. Tomorrow we will witness a "first" in New York. Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan foreign ministers will meet together to iron out bilateral relations and to eliminate the dire strait in the Caucasus. Bruce Tasker 9/25/08 The Caucasian Zimbabwe Makes it Personal (almost) Since the operative word is "disgusting" in this essay, I shall liberally use it. Quite frankly I find it disgusting that "activists" seem to forget that such a sanction against Armenia is likely to further harm the general population and not the thugs in power. [....] In the liberal self-aggrandizement of a bone-headed "activist" is where we shall find such drivel. Even if a thousand youth were beaten by 999 thugs, we have no right to call for sanctions against Armenia. Such obtuse minds need to do what is best for all of us: They need to stay the hell out of this matter altogether! Hagop 8/29/08 Jirayr Sefilyan And Bigotry There were tens of thousands of soldiers who fought for independence and Artsakh, thousands of them are driven to misery, and hundreds of them were exiled. How it comes that Diaspora reacts so strong only in one particular case? Only because Jirayr is a "Diasporan"? Do you think that is is OK to deport and annihilate "Hayastantsi" Armenians, but it is not OK in case of a "Diasporan". Where do you see the difference? Vahe Avetian 8/1/08 Welcoming And Not Confronting (Comments in Armenian) Hargeli hayer, Arjanavor hay Tigrann stegtsel e hoyakap saite @Gegard@, aysinqn gegecikn patrast e; Duq grum u kardum eq voch hayeren, vorn stegtsvel e miliardavor tariner arag: Es shat nyuter em ugarkel USA-i hayerin, hayeri lragirnerin, hnkerutyunnerin , nshelov, vor “irencic indz vochinch petq che”: Bayc miayn anbanneri lrutyann em vka egel: Ekeq miasin xndrenq “GEGARD”-in , vor na bac ani mi dzri elektronayin post mer kogmic ugarkvats, hayeren tarerov grvats nyuteri faylern ev mi dzri elektronayin post, voum klinen mer ugarkats faylern (miayn arogj mardu arogj mtqerov) hayeren u bolors el k#kardanq cankacats fayln hayeren, qani vor kimananq posti gagtnagirn: Guce bolors miasin ognenq “GEGARDIN” u ksksenq hayeren mtatsel sovorel: Minchev ays mitqn irakanacneln es karog em im kogmic grvats haeren nyutern ugarkel dzer hasceneron – tpagrats, skavarakov, hamaspyurov: Es hayeri het toneci AMANOR-I 12005 amyakn, isk duq? Sovoreq tsaxselu hachuyqn zgal, miasin qef anel tekuz hamaspyurov, hazar tari cheq aprelu: Es angam aryan rak el em bujel, chnayats injener gitnakan em: Dimeq angam voroshaki hivandutyam bujman harcov, kognem, ete karoganam: Hratarakum em hayeren “MTORUM” ev (herti e) “LSENQ IRAR” lragir – prakner: Duq el miaceq hayeren lezvov (tekuz masamb) mshakuytayin lragir stegtsel aranc radioyi, heracuyci, tegakan u ayl erkrneri lragreri nyuteri artatpman GEGARD- i gekavarutyyamb u boloris cankutyamb: Es kkazmem lragir – praki elektronayin tesqn, PDF fayln u kugarkem Dzes skavarakn tparanin handznelu hamar , kmasnakcem naev dramov, ete duq chkaroganaq lriv havaqel 200 kanach hratarakman saxsn: Hargeli Hayer vor hayn khaskana nerqevum bervats votanavori tesqov bervats mitqn u hogin otar lezvov targmanvats? * * * Chanpic ekats hognats quyrik hangist qich ar mer motin, snund ara qo poqrikin u qund ar mer mahchin: Ashxarhn mets, mardiq el shat qez pes paxats xur kyanqic, mez inch mi neg` qeznov ekats ays len u bol ashxarhin: Qnir hangist, du, mer mahchin, mer tunn el halal lini, guce kyanqid, balid chanpen mer tanic noren kelni: * * * Haykakan asacvatsq Tsar# tsur petq che aci, vor armatnin cav chta, ira ambogj qashi ujov nranc tanjanq mi chta: Aydpisin# qamuc shat shut arnatahan klini u ansnund kmna, armatiqn el aranc vordu miayn chor payt kdarnan: Lav e tsar#` teq bardzracats shat vag qamuc kotrvi, armatnerin vnas chta u nor tsil# kyanq ani` ugig gtsov misht bardzrana, armatnerin el uj ta: Tsar u armat snund karnen hogic, odic u jric, mez el lav shuq u maqur od misht el barevov kanen: Tsar tnkelis ushim egeq, vor hankarts tsur chgna, armatnerin u mer kyanqin miayn kyanq u jpit ta: **** Erb vor Dzes HAY kzgaq, imac tveq, miasin kuraxananq, te che hayelin dzes inch asi? Hajogutyun bolorid kyanqi amen eganakin: Apreq urax irar uraxutyamb: A. K.Aslamazyan, E mail - < armeniaesem@yahoo.com > Yerevan 9/4/2008 Other Thank you for hosting this page. I appreciate all the work that goes into it. Would it be possible to have a "Printer Friendly" option for those who would prefer to read a hard copy of the great articles you have? Just a suggestion. John 8/16/2008 Dear John, Your suggestion is very timely. New featrures are introduced to the site every now and then. Hopefully the printer-friendly option will be implemented in the near future. Thank You.
The Keghart.com Team The Caucasus moment
It's the same with our ally Israel getting all the military hardware to kill and destroy Palestine and Lebanon. What have these countries done to USA? It's not right when Russia retaliates, but it's all right for US to invade Iraq. Robert C. Paul (Poghossian) 8/20/08
Excellent article by a top, qualified politician. Andre Chaderjian 8/31/08 The Drive to Secede: Georgian Provinces Likely to Join Russia .... I don't think Russia will go to War until the next U.S. President gets elected "If this persists" which I doubt. United States is showing no respect to its adversary ... When Russia was using Satellites to spy on U.S. America was sending planes, actors, writers, etc to spy on Russia. [Although] Russia had economic problems in late 80's and early 90's the military operations were ongoing and U.S knows this. I reside in the United States and would not live anywhere else. I think people should have more freedom to choose what their taxes are being spent on and who we should go to War with if necessary, because it's quite obvious that the White House wants to spend money for relief purposes and on nothing else. All this tension will pass when the White House starts taxing citizens and borrowing money from other countries. Zhan Barsegyan, USA 8/21/2008 I was laughing at one of McCain's rhetoric demanding Russia to withdraw in order to still be part of the civilized nations. Where was America when the Russian Empire under Catherine the Great was running the whole place? Lamoushka, Florida 8/20/2008 The war between the Russians and President Mikheil Saakashvili reminds me the cat and mouse game. How childish the Georgian President looks creating a mess for his country. The Georgian President played Russian roulette with his own people, and the only help he gets is verbal ammunition from the West. I hope Mr. Ter Petrosian finds out why Armenians outside the country did not support him as much as he wanted. Mr. Saakashvili and Mr. Ter Petrosian both are individuals who can be very dangerous for their own people; both are day dreamers and like color revolutions. Most hunters never pull the tail of a bear in deep sleep. It is a dangerous game. Grish Begian, Toronto 8/19/2008 It's nice to read common sense articles among so much brain-washed clone regurgitations of lies.
Truth Was The First Casualty Sireli Avedis, Mi housahadir verche pari e. Zohrab Atarian, Fresno 8/22/2008 A very refreshing analysis. Andre Chaderjian, Canada 8/22/2008 Well, I have been clamoring everywhere that Armenians need to have a first-class top-notch diplomat, ready to expose the hypocrisy of the West and deal with it accordingly. Our mistake is to be always too harsh in our good deeds. In this World, you have to play a Game, and you have to know how to play it! That is what the Armenians need. That is the only way for us, Armenians, not to lose! George Y. Krikorian, Orlando, FL www.TimeShex.com 8/20/2008 Thanks for these articles. It was particularly refreshing to finally see an Armenian perspective. Had Georgia been successful, I wonder whether Azerbaijan would have been tempted to try to pull the same stunt in Nagorno-Karabakh?
A Wake Up Call to the Caucasian Armenians
I like exceedingly Avedis Kevorkian's coinage of VERICIDE - it deserves to be made a conceptual term of! with the proviso of a slight scholarly semantic emendation. "Vericide" etymologically derives from the Latin noun Veritas=truth, and the verb caedere=to kill; thus the ellision produces the meaning of "The Murder of Truth" (NOT "the death of truth" as Avedis has it)- And better still, "The Genocide of the Truth" - very apposite to the "Lies, lies and damned Lies" (Disraeli's words), and the ENDLESS lies fabricated DAILY nowadays (on everything, and not only politcs!) in the Western newsmedia ... People who love lies love BO - Lies "stink up to heaven" (Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet)- Lies are turning our lives into raw sewage ... A hundred years ago, before the British Victorians solved London's "The Big Stink" problem caused by the open sewage poured into the London river Fleet, prisoners in the neighbourhood prisons used to drop ... dead of the Stink (before the Judges' rope got to their necks ...) Soon, honest American citizens will drop dead in the streets, shocked by the stinking lies they are fed round the clock! And finally, I wish somebody (Viken Attarian? Dikran Abrahamian? even Avedis Kevorkian?) could enlighten us why O why the Eastern Armenians have been so negligent in re-claiming their historical lands of Javakh-k and Nakhichevan (as they did Artsakh, thank God!) amidst the Caucasian Chaos - the boiling pot there is painfully but refreshingly steaming out the historical grime (not to say the deliberate genocidal filth) accumulated over the geophysical territorial errors of the Stalinist past ... Are the Caucasian Armenians in torpor, or too busy tearing each other apart like mafia-wolves for indecent Dollars, instead of acting in self-defence against their genocidal enemies ... There is every sign that the Caucasian pot shall go on boiling violently for a while, because of american neo-con politics. Armenians of Javakh-k and Nakhichevan get cracking ... find Khrimian Hairik's "iron ladel" instead of pursuing hopeless Petitions ... and devalued Dollars! Professor Hovhanness I. Pilikian, London 8/20/2008 Response to Prof. H. I. Pilikian 8/27/2008 Language, Beauty & Memory Part III & IV Viken, you are incredible. When I emigrated to Canada from Bolis, I had Raffi's Ghente, Khatchakoghi Hishadagarane and Gaydzere in my luggage and some other treasured books that I brought with me. Needless to say that half of the weight of my luggage were my books and the rest some clothing staff. To date, I keep my books. They are inseparable part of my soul. Everytime I read your comments or articles, I learn something new or remember things, that for some reason or other had been left buried in a dark corner of my brain. It is truly a pleasure to read your contributions. Please keep them coming. Haig Misakyan, Toronto 6/2/08
Once again, Hagop Angaladian shines with an amazing piece. Like a present Baronian and Odian Angaladian transforms his personal tragedy into an awe-inspiring conviction. Reviving the famous The revolting behaviour of our latter day fraudsters has at least one redeeming value. It has given And that is something very rare indeed. Viken L. Attarian A Loss of Balance on Israel In her mini-essay, “A Loss of Balance on Israel,” Linda McQuaig shows that she, too, has lost her balance. She is correct when she says that Canada (and, indeed, the rest of the UN majority in 1947) voted for two states in Palestine, and that Canada (and the rest of the UN majority) didn’t vote for what now exists in Palestine. However, she, like all those who comment on the present situation (with a tinge of anti-Israel in their comments), fails to discuss the genesis of the present situation. A good place to start would be to ask the question: “What would the situation in Palestine be like if the Arab nations did not make war on israel, in May 1948?” There would be two UN-created states--one Jewish and one Arab. Jerusalem would belong to no one. The Jews, being Jews, would make their state what it is today--desert land now fertile land, an agricultural society now an industrial state, a backward land now a leader in science and technology. There would be no refugee camps--which are a creation of the Arabs. The Arabs living in the israeli state would enjoy the benefits of Jewish progress. What the apologists for the Arabs--the term “Palestinian” for the those in the camps was created after 1967--fail to concede is that the monster that exists was created by the Arabs. For possibly the first time in (recent) world history, a displaced people--ignoring for the moment why they are displaced--could have gone to countries where they were familiar with the customs, the language, the mores, the religion, and could have been absorbed in an environment with which they were familiar. Unlike other displaced people who had to go to a hostile (unkind, not warlike) environment where they had to adopt to new customs, learn a new language, adjust to a majority religion. Think of the Armenians; think, Yes, of the Jews. But, the Arab nations created the refugee camps--not Israel--so that the poor people who were encouraged to leave could be used as pawns in a cynical political game to make the Jews the villains. Probably, Saudi Arabia’s one-day’s oil income could make a paradise somewhere in the vast empty lands in the area for all the Arab refugees now living in the camps. But, the oil-rich Arab nations prefer to ignore their brothers and sisters, their co-religionists, and ratchet up the conflict and lay that conflict at the feet of Israel. But, all the “what could have been” is conveniently forgotten, and people like Linda McQuaig lament for those who have caused the problem without suggesting that it is a self-imposed problem. If tears are to be shed, shed them for the death of Truth. Avedis Kevorkian, Philadelphia, PA 5/27/2008
Language, Beauty and Memory Part I & II Viken, you beat both of them at their game. I truly enjoyed it. Haig Misakyan, Toronto 5/24/2008 On The Armenian Love-Language It is always a great joy to read Viken Attarian wherever one can encounter him - and I am glad nowadays he is frequently to be found at Keghart - not only for his content, but for sheer style - the guy writes so elegantly, as if English were his mother-tongue - one of a few Armenian intellectuals globally, who can beat the English at their linguistic games. I do not wish to outrage any traditional Armenian 'holier than thou' Readers, by ... playing chess with Armenian scientific Semantics - puns and linguistic games cannot and must not be inhibited by 'morality' etc. Inspired by VA's highly original punning of 'srpa-zan-ts', I would like to record 'srpan' - the Armenian literary word for 'anus', which is a very beautiful Armenian construct from the verb 'srpe(h)l' meaning 'to wipe (off)' - which I think is, believe it or not, incredibly, the very same root for 'sourp' meaning 'sacred', viz. 'cleansed from all sins'! Some of the precise Armenian equivalents of what is generally regarded as obscene in other languages, are of pristine beauty among the roots of the Armenian semantics - and we Armenians are the poorer for not employing them in civilized discourse. For example, the Armenian word for F*** is one of the most beautiful and apposite among all Indo- European languages - 'kou-ne(h)l' derives from the root/verb 'kna-nal' meaning 'to sleep' (also in English polite discourse - 'to sleep together'), which in turn is cognate with the verbal root 'k-nal' meaning 'to go' (curiously, a metaphor in English for F***, stretching back to Elizabethans and even possibly further back to Chaucer), 'to wander off'... to sleep. The Armenian words for the sexual organs is another case for lingusitic beauty - I have not worked out the etymology of the very beautiful word 'bou-ts' for the vulva, but I have no doubt whatsoever that the Armenian word for the male sexual organ 'g-lir' derives from 'g-lor' meaning 'round', the very literal illustration of the testicles, which in ancient lore was regarded to be of a single entity. The discovery that 'it' was actually constituted of two 'eggs' was practically a 'modern' medical find - it may be argued that Leonardo da Vinci was the first discoverer of this fact, as a direct result of his anatomical studies based on the dissection of cadavres. I better stop, before risking traditional Armenian ire exploding upon your Editorial heads - Christian Armenian ultra-nationalists think a true Armenian should lack any sexual organs ... Professor Hovhanness I. Pilikian London, UK 5/17/2008
Hagop Angalatian's "April 24 Triptych" is surely a shiny
example of modern Armenian writing, which proves once again that, in spite of all the naysayers, language is the most
important concept that relates itself to the Armenian identity. Even more, Angalatian appears as an
author with a unique style that brings freshness and a call for a national awakening, without falling
into the romanticism of a hopeless sentimentality. It is not a sentimentality but instead, a
sensitivity that, in turn, works through the intellect, thus opening the reader's mind to new possibilities. Angalatian's work is surely the result of the deeply-felt experiences of the
cosmopolitan chronicler, but also a manifestation of his deeply-rooted Armenian identity. In fact,
it is the universal monument to the creators of that idenity, his parents and his teachers. Hi, A fellow Armenian Family History researcher pointed me to your website and this article. Very unfortunately for me, I don't read Armenian! Don't suppose there's an English translation is there? I am interested particularly in the pictures and comments regarding the Armenian Church in Dhaka in the article. I have recently photographed and transcribed all the Armenian graves from this church,they can be seen on my website www.chater-genealogy.com, so your article has sparked my interest. Many thanks and best wishes. Commemoration of the 93rd Anniversary of the Genocide of Armenians in Istanbul I salute the commemoration of the Genocide of Armenians in Istanbul. It is a wise and courageous step to have the Turkish intellectuals get involved to know the true history of the region. I, a son of the Genocide survivor feel myself a Native of this country now called Turkey. My Armenian ancestors were It is about time for honourable educated Turks to recognise that the Armenians were the original people of this country and stop denying the Genocide for the benefit of our two peoples to live together in harmony in future. Bablan Oghlo, Urfa, Turkey This is impressive. Astvadz hokinere lousavoreh. Hye 4/30/08
I know him personally since 1983. Nobody is denying Mr.Okanian's value as a diplomat; but his mildness in response to the destruction of the Nakhichevan Khatchkars was reproachable. A prime occasion was lost by not suing Azerbaijan and asking billions of Euros in the Hague International Court. At the same time it would have given an opportunity to demonstrate that before annexation of Nakhijevan 60% of the population was Armenian, whereas today only 0.1%. Souren Dermelkonian, Montreal 4/28/08. Tribute to Ambassador John Evans Dear Berge I read your article with interest. Regards, Ara Nahabedian 4/28/08 Very nice article. A question bothers me. What would have happened if "Hai Gedron" invited such an important guest? Would we have had the same picture in the hall (Catholic, Evangelical, semi-apostolic...)? Most probably there would be a really full capacity to be proud of. Is this really the organizers' fault? Should they change their advertising strategies, their organizing behaviors? Should they involve Gedron’s people to work together in such critical events. Will they?!! How strong is the relation between the organizers (Diocese, AGBU, World Alliance)? Has each group done its best to advertise and organize members to attend such an important event? Or are they doing this to show the other half that they CAN do, …or have some photos with his excellency in their albums and a microphone for some jocularity…? V A 4/22/08 Montreal also hosted Mr. Evans on Saturday April 19th. Again, the attendance was anemic and again we blame everyone- them, they, the others, semi, hemi... for not being present at a memorable event honoring Mr. Evans. There are emails going back and forth between individuals trying to ask why. There are many explanations. My question is, where was a certain Bishop during the Montreal honoring of Mr. Evans? Or today at the Requiem Mass for Armenian Genocide Victims ! April 24 is a very important day for all Armenians. Our Bishop has decided to take a group of people to tour Jerusalem , some say fot pilgrimage (just to quote from their own web site and their publicity campaign) I really wonder where this meets the pilgrimage concept: 'The cost of the Easter pilgrimage from Montreal or Toronto is just $3,399 per person. Price includes roundtrip airfare, first-class hotels in Jerusalem, daily breakfast and dinner, and guided sightseeing. Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Capernaum, Upper Room, Megiddo, Qumran, Via Dolorosa, Garden of Gethsemane, Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Caesarea by the Sea.... ' Of all 52 weeks of the year, he has decided to be absent from his community on such an important date ! Now, instead of blaming people, let us look and examine the behavior of some of our leaders. I want to clarify that there are some who do deserve and should be respected ; however, as Dr. Minassian mentioned in his email and I quote him : ' his jocularity, in this solemn gathering ' is probably the answer why this certain Bishop takes April 24 so lightly.... Respectfully, Salpi Bechlian 4/22/08 Dr. Berge Minassian, I met Ambassador Evans in Yerevan. I read what you wrote in Keghart several times to find the correct comment to make. I understood very well what you meant; I do not agree with you that we hate each other; no, we are just not united. I remember a few years ago when an Armenian centre would instruct its youth not to walk into Ottawa carrying the Armenian flag with its tri-colors on April 24; but now that is history, and we all honor the same flag. My point is that there is hope for us . Regards, Vrejouhy 4/22/08 Letter to the Right Honourable Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister of Republic of Armenia Instead of sending these useless emails that REALLY have no impact because of our own people's apathy...WHY dont you or keghart (or who ever it is that you are representing) DO something (can be anything from fund raising/awareness/ like the jewish kibutz) that is more practical and hands on and actually dedicate your time and effort to really help Armenia and or Armenians in the diaspora. Maybe then I will care and help you myself... Otherwise stop sending me these emails that I don't even get a chance to read. 4/3/08
Keep up the good work. Let the Canadian Armenians raise their voices louder. Apostle Paul said that if the citizens are not awake and do not protest to the abuses of their rulers, their rulers will take advantage and will trample upon their god given rights. I was in Yerevan last October and the cab driver showed us a huge compound and asked if we knew anything about it. He retorted that this building is a den for ".... tsakeri". This was the parliament building.... That's what the common people think about their representatives. They have to do more than just certain characterizations. Yeghishe 4/4/08 I did not write this http://www.petitiononlin |
