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Asbarez Editorial: 2015

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  • Asbarez Editorial: 2015

    EDITORIAL: 2015

    Friday, January 2nd, 2015 | Posted by Editor

    The cover of Asbarez 2015 Special Issue


    This most anticipated year is upon us. Armenians throughout the world
    will come together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
    Armenian Genocide.

    But beyond commemoration, the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide must
    become the turning point, at which, we as Armenians--the entire
    Armenian Nation--in unison to not simply demand the recognition of the
    Genocide, but everything else that follows that statement of
    truth--justice in the form of reparations and restitution.

    As Turkey continues to deny the Genocide and fails to take
    responsibility for the gruesome actions of its Ottoman predecessors,
    Armenians, specifically the government of the Republic of Armenia,
    must be steadfast in their convictions and not fall prey to the whims
    of those for whom the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not
    beneficial.

    Turkey leads that pack, which also includes the governments of the
    United States, Great Britain and others, which are stepping up their
    efforts to alter the truth and draw a "new course" for the discussion
    of the Armenian Genocide.

    We have witnessed, in the past few months, an increase in official
    reports, academic analyses and expert assessments that attempt to,
    first and foremost, draw a wedge between the aspirations of the
    Armenians living in Armenia and those living in the Diaspora. This
    dangerous trend, which claims that only the Armenians in the Diaspora
    are seeking the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, while those in
    Armenia are anxious for dialogue, aims to create a diversion and plays
    into the fear mongering by Turkey, which despite behaving as an
    adversary toward its NATO allies, continues to impact policy and the
    continuation of Genocide denial.

    The first step must come from the Armenian Government, which has been
    silent in the face of a recent report by the British Foreign Office
    about the Armenian Diaspora, which sought to undermine the political
    activism by Diaspora Armenians and falsely asserted that Armenians as
    a Nation do not foster the same aspirations. Armenia's Foreign
    Ministry (and perhaps the Diaspora Ministry) should issue a forceful
    rebuke of this mischaracterization, especially since Armenian
    government officials always elevate the Diaspora as one of the
    critical pillars of Armenia's survival.

    Then there is another element that is adding fuel to the denialist
    perspective: Armenians who believe that this century-young struggle
    has run its course and our National efforts must be put forward toward
    the betterment of Armenia. Those who fighting for Genocide
    recognition, these elements claim, must focus their efforts to
    fighting injustice in Armenia. This is a warped concept, since
    fighting injustice is a universal tenet and one does not outweigh the
    other. These so-called modern-day "thinkers" should realize that by
    giving up the cause for justice for the Armenian Genocide, does not
    make them strong advocates for justice in the socio-economic and
    political sphere in Armenia. No one said fighting for justice was easy
    or convenient. Now, more than ever, with the withering of the survivor
    generation, Armenians must elevate the cause, or else we would be
    carrying out Turkey's wishes and advancing their policy of denial at
    all costs.

    As this most anticipated date is upon us, let us abandon the rhetoric
    and truly come together as a Nation to combat this historical
    injustice, because only fighting the good fight for a Free, United and
    Independent Homeland, will bring make us stronger as a nation and
    propel us to a greater future.

    Happy New Year!

    http://asbarez.com/130401/editorial-2015/




    From: A. Papazian
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