PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel (212) 319 6383
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave
New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel (212) 686 0710
Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504, USA
Tel (818) 558 7474
Knights of Vartan
11 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478, USA
Tel (617) 314 6367
Armenian Assembly of America
1334 G Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel (202) 393 3434
October 1, 2009
JOINT STATEMENT OF MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS WELCOMING THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The protocols initialed by Armenia and Turkey present new opportunities
and pose new challenges to generations-old issues. We welcome the
initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia in taking a
positive approach to the process of normalizing relations with Armenia’s
neighbor, the Republic of Turkey. Successive Armenian governments
previously offered to normalize relations and reopen the border without
preconditions only to be rebuffed by Turkey, which has insisted on
Armenians forfeiting Nagorno Karabakh and renouncing the Armenian
Genocide, among other conditions. Thus, the protocols announced on
August 31st represent a marked change from the past. Turkey has now
publicly committed to establish normal relations without preconditions,
and the process has yielded remarkable progress.
At the same time, it is also true that this public commitment has been
met with widespread skepticism. Conflicting remarks often proffered by
Turkish officials contradict Turkey’s formal commitment. Despite such
counterproductive comments, it does not change the fact that Turkey’s
commitment to normalize relations without preconditions has not only
been brokered and verified by the Swiss government (a government that is
on record affirming the Armenian Genocide), but has also been reinforced
by the United States of America and the Obama Administration, as well as
France, Russia, and the European Union. This means that Turkey has for
the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding
the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and its demands on Armenia with
respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
The explicit fact that Turkey has publicly agreed to normalize relations
without preconditions is an important step forward and has seemingly
been overlooked during the emotional debate that has followed since the
August announcement. We support the public discourse and welcome a
vigorous debate regarding this historic development within the
parliaments of Armenia and Turkey, as well as throughout the Diaspora.
We believe, however, that ongoing mischaracterizations of the general
principles and guidelines of the protocols as potential concessions, and
then attacking the protocols and the best intentions of the President of
the Republic of Armenia based on these mischaracterizations, misguides
public opinion and does not serve the best interests of the Armenian
people.
The path ahead will not be easy and will undoubtedly involve new twists
and turns along the way. That makes it all the more important to
understand that this is not the time to advance other agendas at the
expense of Armenia’s future. At this critical moment, we believe that
the President of Armenia deserves our support. We, therefore, welcome
President Serzh Sargsyan’s upcoming visit to the United States and other
communities in the Diaspora to address the concerns and aspirations for
the future that we all share and care about so deeply. We pray for
success, wisdom and courage for the participants in this crucial
endeavor.
As this process unfolds, there should be no question that we also
continue to stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to ensure
its freedom and security as well as with all those working for universal
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. At this point in our history, it
is time to give the promise of a new approach our support, and we
commend those courageous enough to deal directly with Turkey.
__________________________________________ _______________
Armenian General Benevolent Union
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel (212) 319 6383
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave
New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel (212) 686 0710
Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504, USA
Tel (818) 558 7474
Knights of Vartan
11 Crestview Rd
Belmont, MA 02478, USA
Tel (617) 314 6367
Armenian Assembly of America
1334 G Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel (202) 393 3434