Ara Papian: The New Wine And The Old Wineskins

ARA PAPIAN: THE NEW WINE AND THE OLD WINESKINS

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 14, 2010 – 00:26 AMT 19:26 GMT

After Sarkisian’s and Erdogan’s visits to Washington (April 12-13,
2010) it is conclusively clear that the Turkish-Armenian protocols
are dead. We – Armenians – have a lovely saying: Õ~DÕ¥Õ¼Õ¡Õ ® Õ¡,
Õ©Õ¡Õ² Õ¡Õ® Õ¹Õ" (Dead but not buried). This is the situation that we
have with the infamous protocols currently. Nevertheless, if anyone
will say that the protocols were abortive since the beginning of so
called "normalization process," I will not argue, told PanARMENIAN.Net
Head of the Modus Vivendi Center Ara Papian.

"So what to do? I think that we need not only drastic modification of
our foreign policy but there is a vital necessity for the revaluation
of the basics – instead of action oriented policy we have to pursue
result oriented policy. What does this mean in the real politics? This
means creation of sufficient parameters for the security and prosperity
of the Republic of Armenia. All in all – rectification all wrongs
done to Armenia and Armenians. Simply there is no other choice.

This is the only way that we’ll gain a chance to survive in the
hastily changing world. We do not have the luxury of half-measures.

The first step towards the right direction is taken. There is a huge
symbolism in President Sarkisian’s visit to US President Woodrow
Wilson’s tomb. At this time there are number of uncertainties but one
thing is crystal clear – it is impossible to have the same oblivion
situation in Turkish-Armenian relations as were before the protocols.

By now we have significantly new situation and new challenges, so
we have to act accordingly. We need new foreign policy. As it said:
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.([Mark, 2:22). The
resolution of the Armenian Question is a singular opportunity for
the consolidation of Armenian statehood and the only path to the
endurance of the Armenian people", said Ara Papian.