Presidential leadership

-09-24-presidential-leadership
Published: Thursday September 24, 2009

With the publication on August 31 of the agreement negotiated between
Turkey and Armenia on the establishment of bilateral relations,
Armenian society naturally began an intensive debate about the
agreement.

A vigorous debate about the first Armenian-Turkish agreement is not
only natural; it is useful. It gives us an opportunity to reaffirm
certain values and also to rethink some assumptions.

Thus, Armenians in Armenia and the diaspora alike are reaffirming a
commitment to cultivating healthy relations with neighboring states.

Likewise, Armenians in Armenia and the diaspora alike are reaffirming
a commitment to pursuing universal affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide – and restitution for the people, the civilization, and the
patrimony destroyed by the Turkish state.

At the same time, Armenians are rethinking the assumption that Turkey
and Azerbaijan necessarily share the same interests and will always
cover for each other. Of course, Turkey will have to provide more
evidence of its commitment to its stated foreign policy of zero
problems with neighbors, but Armenians stand ready to consider that
evidence in good faith.

Another assumption long held is that the route to Turkey’s recognition
of the Armenian Genocide will go through recognition of the Genocide
by world powers. It is now possible to conceive of alternative
scenarios. These will become more credible if Turkey takes specific
steps like decriminalizing acknowledgement of the Genocide.

While this debate continues in Armenian society, a couple of
tendencies ought to be avoided.

One thing to avoid is making personal attacks. In the face of
President Barack Obama’s ambitious agenda – addressing the financial
and economic crisis he inherited and putting into place more effective
government oversight of financial institutions, winding down the
occupation of Iraq, intensifying the Afghanistan war, and calling for
massive changes in the U.S. healthcare system, among other things –
some of his opponents have taken the low road of questioning his
character and his patriotism. Armenians need to avoid taking that
road, which is a poor and ugly substitute for debating the substance
of issues.

Another thing to avoid is self-depreciation. How often do we hear
people saying "Armenians are naïve; Turks are clever." We really
need to respect ourselves and give ourselves the benefit of the doubt.

In this matter, the Armenian government has an important role to
play. It needs to engage and persuade civil society. Just as President
Obama has taken to the airwaves to explain his policies, advocate for
them, and respond to his critics, Armenia’s President Serge Sargsian
has begun an intensive outreach effort. Having called for such an
effort in our recent editorial, "A time for more public diplomacy,"
(July 18), we are pleased now to welcome it.

The president invited the leaders of all of Armenia’s political
parties to a lengthy consultation. He met with the heads of media
organizations last week. He is heading out to the Middle East, Europe,
and the United States to consult with the leaders of community
organizations. He cannot expect to persuade everybody, but most people
will listen respectfully and make the effort to understand the
president’s policy choices. He, in turn, will have a chance to hear
people’s concerns and – in a manner analogous to President Obama –
consider reflecting them in his policies.
We look forward to continuing this engagement.