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DAVID BOYAJIAN'S LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF HETQ
10:56, February 12, 2013
I attended a presentation by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern during his December 2012 speaking tour of Armenian American
communities.
This is not the first time that the Diocese, Prelacy, and other
organizations have, in effect, given diplomats and others free reign
to propagandize and abuse us.
Like other U.S. ambassadors to Armenia, such as Marie Yovanovich and
John Ordway, who also gave solo presentations, Mr. Heffern refused to
acknowledge the Armenian genocide, was deceptive concerning U.S. goals
in the Caucasus, and generally failed to provide honest responses to
the audience's questions.
Allowing a speaker to mislead, frustrate, and demoralize a segment
of the audience is a disservice to Armenian Americans and their vital
concerns. Such events must not, therefore, be repeated.
Implicitly pro-Turkish officials such as Mr. Heffern should be invited
to speak only as part of a panel in which assertive, geopolitically
knowledgeable Armenian Americans participate.
In this way, the Armenian panelists can not only provide their own
views but also vigorously challenge the official's claims when the
latter tries to hoodwink the audience or sidestep a question.
Both young and old Armenian Americans, especially those who may
not be politically well-informed, would benefit greatly from such a
balanced event.
The problem pertains not just to officials such as U.S. ambassadors. I
think back to those such as David L. Phillips, a U.S. State Department
consultant who headed the so-called Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC).
Several years ago, an Armenian American organization invited him to
speak. Phillips misinformed the audience by claiming, for instance,
that Armenians had no right to genocide reparations.
Our organizations must stop providing uncontested platforms for
what are, in essence, pro-Turkish propagandists, regardless of how
"prestigious" the latter may be.
If such a propagandist is unwilling to face knowledgeable Armenian
Americans in a fair panel discussion, he or she ought to be turned
away.
Sincerely, David Boyajian Belmont, MA February 11, 2013
http://hetq.am/eng/news/23244/david-boyajians-letter-to-the-editor-of-hetq.html
10:56, February 12, 2013
I attended a presentation by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern during his December 2012 speaking tour of Armenian American
communities.
This is not the first time that the Diocese, Prelacy, and other
organizations have, in effect, given diplomats and others free reign
to propagandize and abuse us.
Like other U.S. ambassadors to Armenia, such as Marie Yovanovich and
John Ordway, who also gave solo presentations, Mr. Heffern refused to
acknowledge the Armenian genocide, was deceptive concerning U.S. goals
in the Caucasus, and generally failed to provide honest responses to
the audience's questions.
Allowing a speaker to mislead, frustrate, and demoralize a segment
of the audience is a disservice to Armenian Americans and their vital
concerns. Such events must not, therefore, be repeated.
Implicitly pro-Turkish officials such as Mr. Heffern should be invited
to speak only as part of a panel in which assertive, geopolitically
knowledgeable Armenian Americans participate.
In this way, the Armenian panelists can not only provide their own
views but also vigorously challenge the official's claims when the
latter tries to hoodwink the audience or sidestep a question.
Both young and old Armenian Americans, especially those who may
not be politically well-informed, would benefit greatly from such a
balanced event.
The problem pertains not just to officials such as U.S. ambassadors. I
think back to those such as David L. Phillips, a U.S. State Department
consultant who headed the so-called Turkish Armenian Reconciliation
Commission (TARC).
Several years ago, an Armenian American organization invited him to
speak. Phillips misinformed the audience by claiming, for instance,
that Armenians had no right to genocide reparations.
Our organizations must stop providing uncontested platforms for
what are, in essence, pro-Turkish propagandists, regardless of how
"prestigious" the latter may be.
If such a propagandist is unwilling to face knowledgeable Armenian
Americans in a fair panel discussion, he or she ought to be turned
away.
Sincerely, David Boyajian Belmont, MA February 11, 2013
http://hetq.am/eng/news/23244/david-boyajians-letter-to-the-editor-of-hetq.html