AZG DAILY #223, 05-12-2009

Diaspora

Update: 2009-12-05 01:25:44 (GMT +04:00)

A TIMELY REORGANIZATION

By Edmond Y. Azadian

Armenia is at a crossroad politically. That state of affairs is
reflected also on the community life in the diaspora. Armenians need
to harness their resources to meet the worldwide challenges. Yet we
are divided more than ever to focus on the burning issues.

The radical opposition in Armenia has toned down its rhetoric, finally
realizing the external threats the homeland faces in these trying
times. That may be a welcome development, although a little late.

The protocols signed with Turkey have been confusing everybody,
allowing some opportunists to score some selfish political gains. Many
people had been wondering how long life can be sustained in Armenia
under the Turkish blockade, and they believed to have discovered some
relief in the prospect of open borders with Turkey. Others detect
inherent traps in the protocols, that many damage Armenia’s long-term
prospects. Very few realize that major powers have come to an
accommodation to create stability in the region to tap and apportion
its resources and weaken countries, which, like Armenia, are but mere
pawns in their chess game.

The Armenian political parties have been operating under these
conditions in the homeland and in the diaspora.

Since the years of the Cold War some balance was established in the
diaspora so that no one group could strive for hegemony nor claim
undisputed representation. The ADL, admittedly less regimented, played
a balancing role, along with the Hunchak party, the AGBU, the churches
and the patriotic masses allied spiritually with people in Armenia.
The ADL commanded more respect and influence than if resources
warranted because of its leadership, its unconditional support of
Armenia and the Mother Church.

Some quarters in the Diaspora believed that the balancing power of the
ADL needed to be disputed, so that the way could be paved for their
hegemony in the Diaspora. These forces were able to enlist the support
of a few collaborators within the party ranks, some of them motivated
by vanity, greed or vendetta. That is how the internecine quarrels
began with in the ranks of the organization. They indeed paralyzed the
organization for some time in Armenia and in the diaspora.

But finally the rank and file had a rude awakening in the
deteriorating situation and through a worldwide call a reorganization
drive was launched and it culminated in the convocation, which took
place during the first week of October in Yerevan.

The Aremanagan ADL Party was reorganized in record time more reviving
more than 16 chapters in Armenia, which were dormant because of an
inept and corrupt leadership, which had purged its deserving
intellectual.

That reorganization inspires and attracted all the healthy elements of
the organization in the Diaspora. More than 50 participants converged
in Yerevan from around the world.

It was no coincidence that the ADL party headquarters in Yerevan,
which was sold by some unscrupulous people, was partially recovered,
and today once again 19 Koryun St. became the ADL world headquarters.

Certainly all the participants contributed to this massive
reorganization effort. A pivotal role was destined to the ADL District
Committee of Eastern United States and Canada, which had kept its
structure intact through the turmoil befell on the party as a whole.
The District, true to its bylaws and the ADL traditional principals,
had met all the destructive challenges successfully and kept its legal
entity safe.

All the veteran leaders contributed to the Yerevan convention through
their wisdom, experience and inspiring and encouraging words.

Armenia’s president, the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament
as well as the Supreme spiritual leader HH Catholicos of all Armenians
Karekin II welcomed this rejuvenation endeavor and wishes well to the
new leadership of the ADL.

Of course, panic has gripped some people who still pose falsely as
"ADL Central Committee Chairman" or "vice chairman."

Their whereabouts and addresses are unknown. They have certainly found
cozy corners under the coattails of the traditional opponents of the
ADL and have been trying to sell their fake ADL credentials to the
highest bidder.

Ever since they assumed they had taken over, the leadership of the
organization they have not been able to contribute anything positive.
Instead they have launched a campaign against the traditional
leadership of the organization who had brought dignity and respect to
the ADL. To this day, they have been hurling insults through the
Internet to the respected leaders, because they have nothing better to
offer.

Another fortunate turn of events was the awakening of some regional
leaders, who were duped into believing that they were allying
themselves with the "legal central committees." Those people were also
awakened one by one and they have been joining this new movement of
reorganization, to the chagrin of the diehard dissidents. One positive
contribution that this group has made, it has purged itself from the
rank and file of the ADL organization and is experiencing its
frustration in its isolation.

As the official communiqué amply clarifies, the ADL is moving ahead in
leaps and bounds in Armenia and in the diaspora.

The new and rejuvenated ADL reorganization is posed to resume its
traditional role to exercise its political philosophy and to serve the
Armenian people around the world.

The new ADL means positive action. It is unstoppable.