NOT EVEN A HANDSHAKE TO SEAL THE DEAL
By Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian

Asbarez
/2009/10/19/not-even-a-handshake-to-seal-the-deal/
Oct 19th, 2009

Just recently, in an article written by Nancy Gibbs in Time Magazine,
the following was written about Obama’s Nobel Prize… "By now there
are surely more callouses on his lips than his hands." Unfortunately,
the same is true for President Sargsyan. The power of a promise is
strong, but to a wounded nation, a promise means nothing.

In the days following the four-hour long, closed-door meeting with
President Serzh Sarkisian, family and friends asked the same question
over and over again, "Is he really going to sign?" Well, we got our
answer Saturday morning.

When President Serzh Sarkisian visited Los Angeles, he met with 60
community representatives at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly
Hills. Inside the meeting, Serzh Sarkisian and his administration
met with various organizations for an exchange of ideas and views
surrounding the Protocols… or so we thought!

I was the youngest in the room and in many ways the most inexperienced
and most naïve. Yet, none of that mattered. I don’t think any
schooling, experience or credentials of sorts could have prepared
anyone for the tense and demoralizing meeting which took place.

Allow me to share my thoughts which may be very different from the
others in the room.

The President began the meeting late. Sources outside, attending
the protest, reported that President Sarkisian peeked out of his
Presidential Suite balcony several times before entering the meeting
room at 4:25 p.m. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. All
attendees first had to pass through metal detectors.

He started the meeting with brief remarks and suggested that we allow
the meeting to serve as a question and answer session following by
closing remarks. The group agreed. Harut Sassounian asked the first
question. He stressed his opposition to the Protocols and emphasized
the important reasons behind his opposition. He spoke freely and
respectively and the President responded back to Sassounian’s questions
in great detail.

I followed with my questions/remarks a few moments later.

Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian: "Although not spelled out, the historic
clause inclusion is directed toward the Armenian Genocide. Hence, our
outrage. Over 20 countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide as
an indisputable fact and the International Association of Genocide
Scholars have stated without reservation that the Armenians were
subject to genocide. Why would we turn a political controversy into
a historical one?

President Sarkisian: (my written notes through English translation
to the best of my note-taking capabilities) It is not the case
for us to turn politics into history. Turkey was pressing for this
commission for years and we’ve said no. Now, it’s on our terms. My
priority is to have Turkey recognize the Genocide. Getting our land
back from Turkey is not realistic. The Turks might try to maneuver
around the historic commission but we would never agree to it. We can
raise an issue as to the consequences. By establishing relations with
Turkey we are not casting doubt on Genocide or striking a blow to the
International campaign. We have not ever cast doubt on Genocide. The
sub-committee will never discuss that Genocide took place as it is
not up for discussion.

Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian: The timing of this trip is disheartening as
you have made the Diaspora feel trivial, insignificant and invisible.

As you witness the obvious and open disagreements to the Protocol
with more than 10,000 protestors outside, what actions will you take
to address this extensive opposition and when?

President Sarkisian: I don’t think 10,000 protesters is an argument.

It just shows that the organizers know how to organize a protest. I
too, can organize a rally with 10,000 supporters of the Protocol. We
are here to consult the Diaspora, not to be compelled or be
intimidated. I’m not here for your vote. I do not want to undermine
the resources of the Diaspora. I consider the Diaspora very vital,
but I am not here to be intimidated either.

Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian: Third, what guarantee can you provide for
economic prosperity when Ambassador Yovanovitch herself stated that
open borders will only produce a 1 to 3 percent growth in the next
15 years annually? Additional reports indicate that open borders
will penetrate the Armenian marketplace with Turkish products which
will lead to increased levels of unemployment and poverty. Is this
marginal increase worth signing our history away for?

President Sarkisian: Our purpose is not an economic one. I am unaware
of any of these statistics that you have mentioned. Since when did
America’s Ambassador become a researcher? Research can serve any
one’s purpose and I have research that indicated otherwise.

I continued with the following closing remarks.

"Mr. President. We stand united for open trade between Armenia and
Turkey as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations. What
divides us is when historical injustice and threats to the future
of our nation are covered up because of special interests and peer
pressure.

We are not the little, powerless, and unknown nation anymore. We are
strong. We are educated. We are empowered. We do not need to fall
victim to pressure.

Mr. President. I truly believe that you have Armenia’s best interest
at heart. Allow this trip to serve as your exit strategy. Use the
Diaspora as your scapegoat. Blame us. Allow Armenia to show its unique
strength- not defined by the state’s power, but the people’s power.

Grab this opportunity. It is only when the Diaspora is fully
incorporated into the decision-making fiber of Armenia that we as a
country can move forward."

Hours went by. More than twenty individuals in the room spoke in
opposition to the Protocol as it currently stands. He responded to
every question. He spoke calmly at times and restlessly at others.

Several individuals asked questions about the historic commission
clause, open borders and the ever-so-veiled Karabakh reference. At
times, he impatiently responded, "I’ve already answered that
question." I wanted to scream… "But Mr. President, we don’t accept
your answer. Don’t you realize that by re-asking the question, we
are voicing our opposition and concern?"

You can say that the sky is purple 1000 times, but we don’t have to
believe it. Sitting in that room, we had one objective-to urge the
President not to sign the Protocols as is.

The opposition continued. Hovan Tashjian spoke on behalf of the A.R.F.

Steve Dadaian spoke on behalf of the A.N.C. Dikran Babikian spoke on
behalf of Hamazkayin and Sona Madarian spoke on behalf of A.R.S.

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian voiced his concern over the protocols,
too. Very respectfully but also very directly, Archbishop Mardirossian
encouraged President Sargsyan to speak to the people.

Item by item, he addressed the many concerns of his flock.

I couldn’t help it. Although I had used my allotted time, I spoke
again.

Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian: Mr. President. You suggested that we open
new fronts with Turkey to achieve Turkey’s recognition of GENOCIDE
rather than that of 1, 2, or 3 additional countries. What if we
want both? Please serve as our advisor and provide the Diaspora with
guidance as to what you believe the Diaspora can do to help advance
Hai Tahd?

President Sarkisian: Young Lady, do not give up hope. It won’t be
tomorrow or a year from now or even three years from now, but one day,
Turkey will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Arkady Ghoukassian, former President of Artsakh, took a few moments to
answer my question in his closing remarks. He noted, "The Diaspora and
Armenia must work towards a common goal, common agenda. As Armenians
in the Diaspora, we call on you to help our motherland. We turn to
you to point out our shortcomings. We want you to fight. We want you
to continue voicing concern. But don’t look for enemies in our lines
and forces."

"I too see shortcoming in these protocols," added Ghoukassian.

"However, we have to work together to fully employ the Diaspora and
have better results. We have to trust our powers. If we live on as
victims, we will never success. Just remember Artsakh."

I left the meeting feeling hopeless. President Sarkisian’s message
was clear. He will move forward. He believes that Armenia will walk
away with the winning pot. Yet…But…However! As a human being,
man to man, I was devastated that I was not able to look President
Serzh Sarkisian in the eye and allow him to see my frustration- my
pain- my distrust. He didn’t even seal the deal with a handshake. He
walked out of the room as quickly as he had entered.

During his entire world tour, not once, did President Sarkisian address
or even acknowledge the thousands and thousands of people gathered
together to protest the Protocols. The Armenian people are those
who were out there opposing the Protocols. The Armenian people are
not the few organizations who claim to lead the Diaspora by voicing
support on letterhead.

The true voice of the Diaspora spoke. They spoke in numbers. They
spoke through tears. They spoke through hunger strikes all over the
world. Mr. President. Did you listen? Are you listening?

Are we expected to go on a "gentlemen’s promise? We are expected to
walk in blindly and trust Mr. Sarkisian because he is the President of
the Republic of Armenia? Let’s take things at face value. What he said
(above) and what is written in print (Protocol) does not match up. We
have to believe what we read on print-what is legally binding. We
need something tangible. We need something MORE than lip service.

Now, it’s the same opposition, but a new audience. Now, it’s up
to the Parliament to hear our concerns and oppositions. It’s up to
the Parliament to understand that the ratification of the Protocols
affects our country, our history, our people and our future.

I hope the Diaspora’s opposition will provide the Parliament with more
power and new muscle. The voice of the Diaspora serves as a humble, but
powerful resource. Our voice is strong and pure and it is only a matter
of time that the Parliament will stand strong and oppose the Protocols.

To all our brothers and sisters in Yerevan, let the voice and the
heart of the Diaspora be with you!