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EDITORIAL: The Challenges Ahead
By Editor
Asbarez
Dec 29th, 2009
What began as a year of hope is winding down to being one of immense
disappointment and marred by huge threats to our national aspirations
and the Armenian Cause.
Customarily, this would be the time to reflect not only on the past
year, but the past decade and enumerate the events, people and places
that have impacted the first decade of the 21st century. However, the
reality facing our nation and our people perhaps does not afford us
this time for reflection, except only to identify judiciously the
important lessons that can be applied to guide our nation out of the
quagmire and onto a more just path.
The Armenia-Turkey protocols forever changed Armenian politics and the
process, which had begun in 2008, quickly developed into a high stakes
game, the outcome of which is sure to have an indelible impact on
every Armenian around the world.
The political developments indicate that next year will be equally, if
not more, crucial as the nation prepared to mark the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide and the significance of this milestone on
protocols ratification process.
Despite statements to the contrary by Armenian authorities, it is
clear that the preconditions inherent in the protocols, will also
critically impact the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process as well as the
decades long efforts to garner international recognition for the
Armenian Genocide.
There is, however, an upside. Perhaps, the greatest
lesson - consequence - of the numerous disappointments of 2009 was the
fact that as the challenges increased so did the resolve of the
Armenian people. Nowhere was that more evident than during President
Serzh Sarkisian's Diaspora Tour, which he hoped would rally Armenians
around his misguided policies.
>From Paris to New York, to Los Angeles and Beirut and finally to
Yerevan the shear number of people who rose up to protest the
protocols and the process sent an important signal to not only the
Armenian authorities but to those who are pulling the strings of this
ill-conceived process, namely the US and other Western forces that
architected this plan.
This persistence and drive can become the true compass that can guide
our people's fate and create a united front in the pursuit of our
national aspirations and justice.
The task ahead is arduous and can seem daunting, but there is no
alternative than pushing forward and increasing the potential of our
collective strength.
The first months of the new-year will be critical. In January,
Armenia's Constitutional Court will weigh in on the protocols on the
road to the ratification process. The OSCE Minsk Group has promised an
updated set of the so-called `Madrid Principles,' based on which the
peace is being negotiated. And, of course, with the 95th anniversary
of the Genocide a new impetus should be given to the Congressional
resolutions in the House and the Senate.
As we pause to celebrate the Christmas holiday and ring in the new
year, we must do so with the knowledge that the new year will require
more resilience and heightened determination.
We cannot help but hope that the whirlwind that was 2009, and its
great lessons, will not be lost as we look forward to the challenges
ahead in the coming year. Perhaps that hope is what we need to
persevere.
Acknowledgments
First, and foremost, we would like to acknowledge and thank our valued
and devoted readers. This year, Asbarez changed the way we bring the
news to our readers. With our revamped Web site, asbarez.com, we were
able to reach more people in a more timely manner and engaged them in
the process that is the Armenian reality.
As much as events shaped the last year, so did our readers. Their
comments on the news and opinion pieces propelled us to strive for
greater coverage and more concise content. We hope that you will stay
with us in the coming years as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the Asbarez English Section in May.
Without our advertisers and supporters, Asbarez would not have been
able to become the arena that it has. We look forward to strengthening
our relations with our advertisers and invite businesses and
organizations that have not worked with us, to join our team.
This year we introduced new columns, and brought back some old
favorites. We thank all our contributors who have all volunteered
their time and talents and made our publication better.
As for this special issue, under the guidance and leadership of our
new business manager, Vicken Sosikian, our business department was
able to surpass all expectations and, despite the weak economy, we
were able to produce one of the more successful year-end special
issues. Our office staff of Armig Daghlian and Sossy Atamian were
joined by our sales team of Chake Ajemian and Hasmig Panossian to
reach out to community organizations, individuals and businesses and
invite them to become a part of this tradition. Our design and layout
director, Armnie Zarifian made sure that our special looked great,
while Harry Vorperian developed the cover art for all four sections.
We applaud their efforts and thank them for their commitment.
This issue features a story on the economic impact of the protocols on
Armenia, by looking at the disparities in wealth distribution. Serouj
Aprahamian and Asbarez's Allen Yekikan together probed this important
issue. On the culutral front, new Asbarez contributor Lara Garibian
met up with three women who are changing Hollywood through their new
television show and online venture, Hollyscoop. Yekikan also takes s
on a journey 15 years in the making with a look at the AYF Youth Corps
program. Regular commentator Garen Yegparian provides an interesting
perspective on matters of interest to the community, while new
columnist Tamar Kevonian brings us a year-end `People and Places.' Our
theater reviewer and regular contributor to the Critics' Forum Aram
Kouyoumdjian looks at the past year in theater and revisits the best
of the best. And, finally, we were able to bring back a long-time
favorite out of retirement. Skeptic Sinikian is back with a look back
at the year and some sage advice for 2010.
We wholeheartedly thank these writers who have brightened the pages of
this special issue. And, finally, to our colleagues in the Armenian
Section and Horizon television, whose individual and collective
contribution make this the best, and most trusted team for your news
and information.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you in 2010.
By Editor
Asbarez
Dec 29th, 2009
What began as a year of hope is winding down to being one of immense
disappointment and marred by huge threats to our national aspirations
and the Armenian Cause.
Customarily, this would be the time to reflect not only on the past
year, but the past decade and enumerate the events, people and places
that have impacted the first decade of the 21st century. However, the
reality facing our nation and our people perhaps does not afford us
this time for reflection, except only to identify judiciously the
important lessons that can be applied to guide our nation out of the
quagmire and onto a more just path.
The Armenia-Turkey protocols forever changed Armenian politics and the
process, which had begun in 2008, quickly developed into a high stakes
game, the outcome of which is sure to have an indelible impact on
every Armenian around the world.
The political developments indicate that next year will be equally, if
not more, crucial as the nation prepared to mark the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide and the significance of this milestone on
protocols ratification process.
Despite statements to the contrary by Armenian authorities, it is
clear that the preconditions inherent in the protocols, will also
critically impact the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process as well as the
decades long efforts to garner international recognition for the
Armenian Genocide.
There is, however, an upside. Perhaps, the greatest
lesson - consequence - of the numerous disappointments of 2009 was the
fact that as the challenges increased so did the resolve of the
Armenian people. Nowhere was that more evident than during President
Serzh Sarkisian's Diaspora Tour, which he hoped would rally Armenians
around his misguided policies.
>From Paris to New York, to Los Angeles and Beirut and finally to
Yerevan the shear number of people who rose up to protest the
protocols and the process sent an important signal to not only the
Armenian authorities but to those who are pulling the strings of this
ill-conceived process, namely the US and other Western forces that
architected this plan.
This persistence and drive can become the true compass that can guide
our people's fate and create a united front in the pursuit of our
national aspirations and justice.
The task ahead is arduous and can seem daunting, but there is no
alternative than pushing forward and increasing the potential of our
collective strength.
The first months of the new-year will be critical. In January,
Armenia's Constitutional Court will weigh in on the protocols on the
road to the ratification process. The OSCE Minsk Group has promised an
updated set of the so-called `Madrid Principles,' based on which the
peace is being negotiated. And, of course, with the 95th anniversary
of the Genocide a new impetus should be given to the Congressional
resolutions in the House and the Senate.
As we pause to celebrate the Christmas holiday and ring in the new
year, we must do so with the knowledge that the new year will require
more resilience and heightened determination.
We cannot help but hope that the whirlwind that was 2009, and its
great lessons, will not be lost as we look forward to the challenges
ahead in the coming year. Perhaps that hope is what we need to
persevere.
Acknowledgments
First, and foremost, we would like to acknowledge and thank our valued
and devoted readers. This year, Asbarez changed the way we bring the
news to our readers. With our revamped Web site, asbarez.com, we were
able to reach more people in a more timely manner and engaged them in
the process that is the Armenian reality.
As much as events shaped the last year, so did our readers. Their
comments on the news and opinion pieces propelled us to strive for
greater coverage and more concise content. We hope that you will stay
with us in the coming years as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the Asbarez English Section in May.
Without our advertisers and supporters, Asbarez would not have been
able to become the arena that it has. We look forward to strengthening
our relations with our advertisers and invite businesses and
organizations that have not worked with us, to join our team.
This year we introduced new columns, and brought back some old
favorites. We thank all our contributors who have all volunteered
their time and talents and made our publication better.
As for this special issue, under the guidance and leadership of our
new business manager, Vicken Sosikian, our business department was
able to surpass all expectations and, despite the weak economy, we
were able to produce one of the more successful year-end special
issues. Our office staff of Armig Daghlian and Sossy Atamian were
joined by our sales team of Chake Ajemian and Hasmig Panossian to
reach out to community organizations, individuals and businesses and
invite them to become a part of this tradition. Our design and layout
director, Armnie Zarifian made sure that our special looked great,
while Harry Vorperian developed the cover art for all four sections.
We applaud their efforts and thank them for their commitment.
This issue features a story on the economic impact of the protocols on
Armenia, by looking at the disparities in wealth distribution. Serouj
Aprahamian and Asbarez's Allen Yekikan together probed this important
issue. On the culutral front, new Asbarez contributor Lara Garibian
met up with three women who are changing Hollywood through their new
television show and online venture, Hollyscoop. Yekikan also takes s
on a journey 15 years in the making with a look at the AYF Youth Corps
program. Regular commentator Garen Yegparian provides an interesting
perspective on matters of interest to the community, while new
columnist Tamar Kevonian brings us a year-end `People and Places.' Our
theater reviewer and regular contributor to the Critics' Forum Aram
Kouyoumdjian looks at the past year in theater and revisits the best
of the best. And, finally, we were able to bring back a long-time
favorite out of retirement. Skeptic Sinikian is back with a look back
at the year and some sage advice for 2010.
We wholeheartedly thank these writers who have brightened the pages of
this special issue. And, finally, to our colleagues in the Armenian
Section and Horizon television, whose individual and collective
contribution make this the best, and most trusted team for your news
and information.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you in 2010.