EDITORIAL: GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE

02/editorial-going-on-the-offensive/
September 2, 2009

The signing of protocols on the establishment and development of
relations between Turkey and Armenia on Aug. 31 was yet another
adventure the Armenian authorities embarked upon without a sober
analysis and calculation of the grave damages it might inflict on
the Armenian cause.

And, it seems, the signals from the Turkish side that they have no
serious commitment to good neighborly relations, opening the border
without preconditions, or facing their past, were not picked up
(or were conveniently ignored) by the Armenian authorities.

Analysts will have a lot to say about this most recent
development. They will discuss potential outcomes, possible reactions
in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and beyond. Many others will take
the noncommittal wait-and-see position.

But a closer look at what has transpired since "soccer diplomacy"
was launched last year will show that the wait-and-see approach is in
fact a stance with detrimental consequences that will only encourage
further capitulations.

Armenians in the diaspora and in Armenia who are outraged-an
understatement, perhaps-with the policies of the Armenian authorities
should take the initiative and aggressively pursue an agenda that
struggles to secure the rights of Armenians.

The time has come to take the initiative and move beyond condemning
what the Armenian government is doing. In fact, that time was
yesterday.