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Jt Statement Of Major Armenian-American Insts Welcoming Pres of ROA

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  • Jt Statement Of Major Armenian-American Insts Welcoming Pres of ROA

    PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian General Benevolent Union
    55 East 59th Street
    New York, NY 10022, USA
    Tel (212) 319 6383
    www.agbu.org

    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Ave
    New York, NY 10016, USA
    Tel (212) 686 0710
    www.armenianchurch.org

    Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
    3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
    Burbank, CA 91504, USA
    Tel (818) 558 7474
    www.armenianchurchwd.org

    Knights of Vartan
    11 Crestview Rd
    Belmont, MA 02478, USA
    Tel (617) 314 6367
    www.kofv.org

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1334 G Street, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20005, USA
    Tel (202) 393 3434
    www.aaainc.org


    October 1, 2009

    JOINT STATEMENT OF MAJOR ARMENIAN-AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS WELCOMING THE
    PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

    The protocols initialed by Armenia and Turkey present new opportunities
    and pose new challenges to generations-old issues. We welcome the
    initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia in taking a
    positive approach to the process of normalizing relations with Armenia's
    neighbor, the Republic of Turkey. Successive Armenian governments
    previously offered to normalize relations and reopen the border without
    preconditions only to be rebuffed by Turkey, which has insisted on
    Armenians forfeiting Nagorno Karabakh and renouncing the Armenian
    Genocide, among other conditions. Thus, the protocols announced on
    August 31st represent a marked change from the past. Turkey has now
    publicly committed to establish normal relations without preconditions,
    and the process has yielded remarkable progress.

    At the same time, it is also true that this public commitment has been
    met with widespread skepticism. Conflicting remarks often proffered by
    Turkish officials contradict Turkey's formal commitment. Despite such
    counterproductive comments, it does not change the fact that Turkey's
    commitment to normalize relations without preconditions has not only
    been brokered and verified by the Swiss government (a government that is
    on record affirming the Armenian Genocide), but has also been reinforced
    by the United States of America and the Obama Administration, as well as
    France, Russia, and the European Union. This means that Turkey has for
    the first time formally dropped its long-held preconditions regarding
    the Nagorno Karabakh peace process and its demands on Armenia with
    respect to affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

    The explicit fact that Turkey has publicly agreed to normalize relations
    without preconditions is an important step forward and has seemingly
    been overlooked during the emotional debate that has followed since the
    August announcement. We support the public discourse and welcome a
    vigorous debate regarding this historic development within the
    parliaments of Armenia and Turkey, as well as throughout the Diaspora.
    We believe, however, that ongoing mischaracterizations of the general
    principles and guidelines of the protocols as potential concessions, and
    then attacking the protocols and the best intentions of the President of
    the Republic of Armenia based on these mischaracterizations, misguides
    public opinion and does not serve the best interests of the Armenian
    people.

    The path ahead will not be easy and will undoubtedly involve new twists
    and turns along the way. That makes it all the more important to
    understand that this is not the time to advance other agendas at the
    expense of Armenia's future. At this critical moment, we believe that
    the President of Armenia deserves our support. We, therefore, welcome
    President Serzh Sargsyan's upcoming visit to the United States and other
    communities in the Diaspora to address the concerns and aspirations for
    the future that we all share and care about so deeply. We pray for
    success, wisdom and courage for the participants in this crucial
    endeavor.

    As this process unfolds, there should be no question that we also
    continue to stand firmly with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to ensure
    its freedom and security as well as with all those working for universal
    affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. At this point in our history, it
    is time to give the promise of a new approach our support, and we
    commend those courageous enough to deal directly with Turkey.
    __________________________________________ _______________

    Armenian General Benevolent Union
    55 East 59th Street
    New York, NY 10022, USA
    Tel (212) 319 6383
    www.agbu.org

    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Ave
    New York, NY 10016, USA
    Tel (212) 686 0710
    www.armenianchurch.org

    Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Western)
    3325 W Glenoaks Blvd
    Burbank, CA 91504, USA
    Tel (818) 558 7474
    www.armenianchurchwd.org

    Knights of Vartan
    11 Crestview Rd
    Belmont, MA 02478, USA
    Tel (617) 314 6367
    www.kofv.org

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1334 G Street, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20005, USA
    Tel (202) 393 3434
    www.aaainc.org
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