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The Armenian Mirror-Spectator
755 Mount Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 924-4420
Fax: (617) 924-2887
Web: http://www.mirrorspectator.com
E-mail: [email protected]
************************************************** *****************
1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies
************************************************** *****************
1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies
*By Edmond Y. Azadian*
Every time we recite the unsavory adage that Armenians are their worst
enemies, a new case emerges to confirm that unfortunate statement. As if we
had not suffered enough embarrassment with the exploits of the Armenian
Power gang, now we have to face other public scandals, this time hitting the
very core of Armenian interests, and not merely reputation, like in the
first case.
For a long time, the scapegoats and the bad guys in the community were the
political parties, who supposedly fomented antagonism and in-fighting within
the community.
But times changed and new players entered the scene, this time with even
worse records. One such case is the issue of the Armenian Genocide Museum.
The community was elated that a full century after the destruction of the
Armenian nation and loss of our historic homeland, some kind of restitution
would come to do justice to the memory of 1.5 million Armenian martyrs.
A few generous benefactors had come forth with unusually large contributions
to build a Genocide museum in Washington, DC, a few blocks from the White
House. We were led to believe that this was a dream come true. Finally
Armenians had demonstrated the vision and the fortitude to make an eloquent
statement in the heart of our nation's capital, to the chagrin of Turks who
continue to deny the 20th century's most monstrous atrocity.
After the initial euphoria, a period of eerie silence reigned, followed by
accusations and lawsuits between the Armenian Assembly and Gerald Cafesjian.
The dream soured, as the accusations and counter-accusations continue flying
in the media.
It looks like money and wisdom do not always go together.
Today the museum project remains in limbo and only the combatants' egos
carry the day.
Late this winter Judge Kollar-Kotelly handed victory to the Cafesjian Family
Foundation, which was to receive back the funds donated for the project, in
addition to the enhanced value of the property with a dangerous proviso:
`While the court hopes that the properties can be used for (the museum),
the
court recognizes that the (Cafesjian Family Foundation) is not legally
obligated to use the properties to build a museum.'
This means that the destiny of this landmark edifice will be hanging on the
whims of the Cafesjian family, which admittedly has helped the cultural life
in Armenia tremendously. Without getting into the legal complexities of the
ruling, the ordinary people will understand that Gerald Cafesjian can do
anything with the property awarded to him. We hope, of course, he will still
put it to its originally- intended use, a museum to honor the legacy of our
martyrs.
Now comes the counter suit: `A rancorous legal fight over a proposed
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial is flaming up once more amid claims
that a glass-loving federal judge might have been biased in the
decision-making' writes Michael Doyle in McClatchy Newspapers.
Indeed the Armenian Assembly has come up with a countersuit stating: `It
has
come to the Armenian Assembly's attention that Mr. Gerald L. Cafesjian and
the Honorable Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who oversaw the trial late last
year, appear to have failed to disclose that they were familiar with each
other' =85 `the shared interests and familiarity between Mr. Cafesjian
and the
judge may very well explain why undisputed facts and clear conflict of
interest issues were overlooked and decided in Mr. Cafesjian's favor.'
Therefore, another lawsuit with piling legal expenses, which could be put to
more productive use, if good old common sense were exercised. The Armenian
Assembly is a major advocacy group with a solid record of contribution to
the Armenian cause.
If we discount the arrogance of the litigants, we are left but a conspiracy
theory. Someone somewhere must be conspiring to destroy the prospect of a
monument which is meant to memorialize the destruction of a nation and cry
out loud from the heart of Washington, DC, the justice denied to the
Armenian people. Yet, at this point Turks couldn't be happier with this
fiasco.
The centennial is around the corner and there is no end to this legal
battle.
Judge Kollar-Kotelly has said at the end of her 190-page ruling, better than
any Armenian could have said, `leave the bickering aside and build the
museum.'
Another scandal which is brewing is the lawsuit brought against the attorney
Vartkes Yeghiayan for defrauding the insurance settlement funds.
In a CN dispatch from Los Angeles, it is reported that `Two attorneys claim
their co-counsel in two class actions that won insurance benefits for the
victims of the Armenian Genocide diverted and laundered almost $1 million
from the settlement meant for charities to help the Armenian community.'
`It
is with deep sadness that plaintiffs bring this action,' Mark Geragos and
Brian Kabateck say in their Superior Court complaint. Mr. Yeghiayan has
denied the allegations made in the lawsuit.
When the New York Life and AXA cases were won and the settlement benefited
several Armenian organizations, there was a sense of relief that finally
partial justice was awarded to the survivors of the Genocide.
The legal victories inspired confidence among the Armenians to go after the
Federal Reserve to claim the gold confiscated from Armenians by the Ottoman
government which had made its way to the Federal Reserve. Similarly,
lawsuits were underway for the illegal use by the Turkish government of the
Incirlik air base.
All these were initial minor steps to build the case for a major settlement
with Turkey one day. But we are already mired in the mud at the outset of
this long legal battle and attorneys who are supposed to defend the case of
the Armenian people have already tarnished their reputation. How can we
pursue further claims from Turkey when there is a dark cloud hovering above
the reputation of the claimants?
At this point it is irrelevant who wins the case, because the ultimate
winner is Turkey, which can ridicule us, armed with the scandal at hand.
There is an ironic statement issued by ARF in Yerevan about this case. The
statement says: `The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Political
Council (Armenian Cause) issued a declaration calling on attorney involved
in cases related to Genocide survivor settlement to immediately submit all
records to an independent audit.' Indeed, a fair request.
Of course every Armenian has to call for accountability. The ARF, which is
the least transparent organization, should be the last one to make that
call. The organization has yet to account for the funds collected to benefit
Armenia's earthquake victims of 1988.
All these cases indicate how Armenians can shoot themselves in the foot.
With all their struggles and the infighting the political parties in their
126-year-history perhaps have not damaged the fundamental Armenian interests
more than the above cases have.
We don't need any foreign enemies to destroy us. We have already enough
among ourselves.
From: A. Papazian
755 Mount Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 924-4420
Fax: (617) 924-2887
Web: http://www.mirrorspectator.com
E-mail: [email protected]
************************************************** *****************
1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies
************************************************** *****************
1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies
*By Edmond Y. Azadian*
Every time we recite the unsavory adage that Armenians are their worst
enemies, a new case emerges to confirm that unfortunate statement. As if we
had not suffered enough embarrassment with the exploits of the Armenian
Power gang, now we have to face other public scandals, this time hitting the
very core of Armenian interests, and not merely reputation, like in the
first case.
For a long time, the scapegoats and the bad guys in the community were the
political parties, who supposedly fomented antagonism and in-fighting within
the community.
But times changed and new players entered the scene, this time with even
worse records. One such case is the issue of the Armenian Genocide Museum.
The community was elated that a full century after the destruction of the
Armenian nation and loss of our historic homeland, some kind of restitution
would come to do justice to the memory of 1.5 million Armenian martyrs.
A few generous benefactors had come forth with unusually large contributions
to build a Genocide museum in Washington, DC, a few blocks from the White
House. We were led to believe that this was a dream come true. Finally
Armenians had demonstrated the vision and the fortitude to make an eloquent
statement in the heart of our nation's capital, to the chagrin of Turks who
continue to deny the 20th century's most monstrous atrocity.
After the initial euphoria, a period of eerie silence reigned, followed by
accusations and lawsuits between the Armenian Assembly and Gerald Cafesjian.
The dream soured, as the accusations and counter-accusations continue flying
in the media.
It looks like money and wisdom do not always go together.
Today the museum project remains in limbo and only the combatants' egos
carry the day.
Late this winter Judge Kollar-Kotelly handed victory to the Cafesjian Family
Foundation, which was to receive back the funds donated for the project, in
addition to the enhanced value of the property with a dangerous proviso:
`While the court hopes that the properties can be used for (the museum),
the
court recognizes that the (Cafesjian Family Foundation) is not legally
obligated to use the properties to build a museum.'
This means that the destiny of this landmark edifice will be hanging on the
whims of the Cafesjian family, which admittedly has helped the cultural life
in Armenia tremendously. Without getting into the legal complexities of the
ruling, the ordinary people will understand that Gerald Cafesjian can do
anything with the property awarded to him. We hope, of course, he will still
put it to its originally- intended use, a museum to honor the legacy of our
martyrs.
Now comes the counter suit: `A rancorous legal fight over a proposed
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial is flaming up once more amid claims
that a glass-loving federal judge might have been biased in the
decision-making' writes Michael Doyle in McClatchy Newspapers.
Indeed the Armenian Assembly has come up with a countersuit stating: `It
has
come to the Armenian Assembly's attention that Mr. Gerald L. Cafesjian and
the Honorable Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who oversaw the trial late last
year, appear to have failed to disclose that they were familiar with each
other' =85 `the shared interests and familiarity between Mr. Cafesjian
and the
judge may very well explain why undisputed facts and clear conflict of
interest issues were overlooked and decided in Mr. Cafesjian's favor.'
Therefore, another lawsuit with piling legal expenses, which could be put to
more productive use, if good old common sense were exercised. The Armenian
Assembly is a major advocacy group with a solid record of contribution to
the Armenian cause.
If we discount the arrogance of the litigants, we are left but a conspiracy
theory. Someone somewhere must be conspiring to destroy the prospect of a
monument which is meant to memorialize the destruction of a nation and cry
out loud from the heart of Washington, DC, the justice denied to the
Armenian people. Yet, at this point Turks couldn't be happier with this
fiasco.
The centennial is around the corner and there is no end to this legal
battle.
Judge Kollar-Kotelly has said at the end of her 190-page ruling, better than
any Armenian could have said, `leave the bickering aside and build the
museum.'
Another scandal which is brewing is the lawsuit brought against the attorney
Vartkes Yeghiayan for defrauding the insurance settlement funds.
In a CN dispatch from Los Angeles, it is reported that `Two attorneys claim
their co-counsel in two class actions that won insurance benefits for the
victims of the Armenian Genocide diverted and laundered almost $1 million
from the settlement meant for charities to help the Armenian community.'
`It
is with deep sadness that plaintiffs bring this action,' Mark Geragos and
Brian Kabateck say in their Superior Court complaint. Mr. Yeghiayan has
denied the allegations made in the lawsuit.
When the New York Life and AXA cases were won and the settlement benefited
several Armenian organizations, there was a sense of relief that finally
partial justice was awarded to the survivors of the Genocide.
The legal victories inspired confidence among the Armenians to go after the
Federal Reserve to claim the gold confiscated from Armenians by the Ottoman
government which had made its way to the Federal Reserve. Similarly,
lawsuits were underway for the illegal use by the Turkish government of the
Incirlik air base.
All these were initial minor steps to build the case for a major settlement
with Turkey one day. But we are already mired in the mud at the outset of
this long legal battle and attorneys who are supposed to defend the case of
the Armenian people have already tarnished their reputation. How can we
pursue further claims from Turkey when there is a dark cloud hovering above
the reputation of the claimants?
At this point it is irrelevant who wins the case, because the ultimate
winner is Turkey, which can ridicule us, armed with the scandal at hand.
There is an ironic statement issued by ARF in Yerevan about this case. The
statement says: `The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Political
Council (Armenian Cause) issued a declaration calling on attorney involved
in cases related to Genocide survivor settlement to immediately submit all
records to an independent audit.' Indeed, a fair request.
Of course every Armenian has to call for accountability. The ARF, which is
the least transparent organization, should be the last one to make that
call. The organization has yet to account for the funds collected to benefit
Armenia's earthquake victims of 1988.
All these cases indicate how Armenians can shoot themselves in the foot.
With all their struggles and the infighting the political parties in their
126-year-history perhaps have not damaged the fundamental Armenian interests
more than the above cases have.
We don't need any foreign enemies to destroy us. We have already enough
among ourselves.
From: A. Papazian