Armenian News ... A Topalian
armradio.am
ARTSAKH CELEBRATES 24 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
02 Sep 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Congratulatory address of President Bako Sahakyan in connection
withthe Day of the Artsakh Republic
Dear compatriots,
On behalf of the authorities and personally myself I cordially
congratulate you on the Day of the Artsakh Republic, a holiday of
special significance in the life of our nation.
With the birth of the Artsakh Republic on September 2, 1991 the
Armenian people had two free and independent states, the cherished
for centuries vision, which had faced numerous challenges before
reaching the current time, became reality.
It was a common human aspiration to live on the own land with the
right of mastering our own destiny that is intrinsic to every nation.
Consolidating and joining our efforts we defended our national
dignity and future in the battlefield, and have been building a
democratic with unshakable eagerness to become a full member of the
international community.
It is a challenging and honorable path which we pass hand in hand with
our sisters and brothers from Armenia and the Diaspora. Together we
will implement numerous projects and definitely attain the realization
of national goals.
Dear compatriots,
I congratulate you once again on this significant public holiday
and wish peace and prosperity to your families and our precious and
cherished Artsakh Republic.
lragir.am
DIRECT INVESTMENTS BY RUSSIA DECREASED 12 TIMES
31 August 2015, 15:41
The level of direct investments in the Armenian economy in the first
quarter of this year is half the investments in the first quarter
of 2014.
According to the National Statistics Service, direct investments
in the Armenian economy in the first quarter of this year totaled
30,701,700,000 drams against 73,377,800,000 in the first quarter of
2014. Direct investments have decreased by 42,676,100,000 drams.
General and direct investments in Armenia by the United States,
Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Argentine increased,
investments by other countries decreased.
The level of direct investments in the Armenian economy by Russia
totaled 3,432,600,000 drams against 36,434,800,000 drams, i.e.
decreased by 33,002.200,000.
31 August 2015, 15:41
The level of direct investments in the Armenian economy in the first
quarter of this year is half the investments in the first quarter
of 2014.
According to the National Statistics Service, direct investments
in the Armenian economy in the first quarter of this year totaled
30,701,700,000 drams against 73,377,800,000 in the first quarter of
2014. Direct investments have decreased by 42,676,100,000 drams.
General and direct investments in Armenia by the United States,
Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Argentine increased,
investments by other countries decreased.
The level of direct investments in the Armenian economy by Russia
totaled 3,432,600,000 drams against 36,434,800,000 drams, i.e.
decreased by 33,002.200,000.
arka.am
PRODUCTION OF ARMENIAN BRANDY DROPS BY
11.6 PERCENT IN SEVEN MONTHS
EREVAN, September 1. In the first seven months of 2015
production of brandy in Armenia decreased by 11.6% from the year
earlier to 7.740 million liters, while production of wine increased
by 10.2% to a little over 3 million liters, according to the latest
numbers, released today by the National Statistical Service (NSS).
Production of vodka in the same time span fell by 1.7% to about 5
million liters, and production of whiskey, started in April, reached
471,300 liters.
Production of champagne grew to 198,000 liters from 186,600 liters
a year ago. In the first seven months of this year some 13.4 million
liters of beer were produced, a 13% decline from the year before..
Production of non-alcoholic beverages amounted to 41.4 million liters ,
which was 3.8% more than in the same period in 2014. -0-
armradio.am
PHILANTHROPIST VAHAK HOVNANIAN PASSED AWAY AGED 83
31 Aug 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenian businessman and benefactor Vahak Hovnanian passed away today
aged 83. The Hovnanian International confirmed the news to Panorama.am.
Vahak Stephan Hovnanian was a successful businessman, real estate
developer and philanthropist. His companies have developed over 5000
homes and several commercial properties throughout the United States.
In 1959 Mr. Hovnanian and his brothers formed the Hovnanian Brothers
Corporation. Together, they developed thousands of homes in New
Jersey, until going their respective ways ten years later. In 1969,
Mr. Hovnanian organized his own real estate development company,
Hovbilt, Inc., which in the ensuing years has developed many
successful and award-winning residential communities. With growth came
diversification and the formation of several affiliated companies under
the name of V.S. Hovnanian Group, Inc. which included Adelphia Water
Company, Adelphia Sewer Company, Hovnanian Realty, Clear Title Agency,
and Grandview Cable. In 1985, Vahak and his son Shant pioneered a
multi-faceted broadband telecommunications company by establishing
CellularVision, Inc., which has become later SpeedUS, Inc.
A lover of "all things Armenian," Mr. Hovnanian dedicated himself
to supporting and preserving Armenian culture and heritage, and
revitalizing the independent Republic of Armenia. Mr. Hovnanian
together with his wife Hasmig played prominent role in promoting
educational, religious and cultural needs of the Armenian community
in the Northeastern United States. The couple has also been heavily
involved in charity work.
During 1960s, Mr. Hovnanian served as the President of the Board of
Trustees for St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Ridgefield,
NJ. He initiated the celebration of Armenian holidays on their precise
day rather than on the closest Sunday, designating St. Vartanantz
one of the first Armenian churches in the United States to follow
this tradition.
In 1969 Vahak and Hasmig Hovnanians were honored for their efforts
with a Knighthood in the Order of the Great House of Cilicia and as
a Lady of the Great House of Cilicia respectively, by His Holiness
Khoren I, Catholicos of Cilicia. In further service to the Armenian
Church, Mr. Hovnanian served as an Executive Member of the Board of
Directors for the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
of America from 1973-1977. During that period he also served as a U.S.
National Delegate to the World Council of the Armenian Church's
Cilician Catholicosate in Lebanon.
One of the greatest achievements of Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian was the
founding of the Armenian School in New Milford, NJ, in 1976 which
has been renamed in 1984 into Hovnanian School in their honor. On the
occasion of the school's tenth anniversary, Mr. Hovnanian was named
Prince of the Armenian Apostolic Church by His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, in Antelias Lebanon (later His
Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin).
In keeping with his commitment to education, Mr. Hovnanian raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars in the aftermath of the 1988
earthquake in Armenia which he contributed to His Holiness Vasken I
Catholicos of All Armenians to build a new school in the earthquake
zone of Spitak. Since 1992, he and his wife have been major benefactors
of the Hovnanian School's sister school in Armenia - the Anania
Shirakatsy Gemaran in Nork Massif.
Mr. Hovnanian received numerous awards throughout his career, which
serve to highlight his commitment to the Armenian community.
Believing that tourism would boost Armenia's economy, Mr. Hovnanian
insisted on considering tourism development a top priority and
successfully lobbied the U.S. Government to contribute to it. In May
2000, the RA Government chartered the Armenian Tourism Development
Agency (ATDA), which was funded by USAID, Mr. Hovnanian himself,
and the Armenian Government. ATDA has raised international awareness
about Armenia as a world class tourism destination.
In 1995, the Hovnanians endorsed Armenia's participation in the Venice
Biennale and initiated fundraising for the first Armenian Pavilion.
They organized and chaired an international Ball held in Venice
where over 250 Armenians from around the world gathered to support
Armenia's entry into the international arts scene. While planning this
event, they initiated the Kantz Foundation to support young Armenian
aspiring artists. Through the Kantz Foundation and the Vahak and Hasmig
Hovnanian Foundation, they have supported over 100 young artists from
Armenia and outside in their pursuit of prominent careers in the fine
and performing arts.
In May 2000, Mr. Hovnanian founded the Sayat Nova Award to stimulate
and provide financial support to the songwriters and composers of
Armenia. In May 2002, The Vahakni Award was initiated to inspire and
support other artists in fine and performing arts.
EREVAN, September 1. In the first seven months of 2015
production of brandy in Armenia decreased by 11.6% from the year
earlier to 7.740 million liters, while production of wine increased
by 10.2% to a little over 3 million liters, according to the latest
numbers, released today by the National Statistical Service (NSS).
Production of vodka in the same time span fell by 1.7% to about 5
million liters, and production of whiskey, started in April, reached
471,300 liters.
Production of champagne grew to 198,000 liters from 186,600 liters
a year ago. In the first seven months of this year some 13.4 million
liters of beer were produced, a 13% decline from the year before..
Production of non-alcoholic beverages amounted to 41.4 million liters ,
which was 3.8% more than in the same period in 2014. -0-
armradio.am
PHILANTHROPIST VAHAK HOVNANIAN PASSED AWAY AGED 83
31 Aug 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenian businessman and benefactor Vahak Hovnanian passed away today
aged 83. The Hovnanian International confirmed the news to Panorama.am.
Vahak Stephan Hovnanian was a successful businessman, real estate
developer and philanthropist. His companies have developed over 5000
homes and several commercial properties throughout the United States.
In 1959 Mr. Hovnanian and his brothers formed the Hovnanian Brothers
Corporation. Together, they developed thousands of homes in New
Jersey, until going their respective ways ten years later. In 1969,
Mr. Hovnanian organized his own real estate development company,
Hovbilt, Inc., which in the ensuing years has developed many
successful and award-winning residential communities. With growth came
diversification and the formation of several affiliated companies under
the name of V.S. Hovnanian Group, Inc. which included Adelphia Water
Company, Adelphia Sewer Company, Hovnanian Realty, Clear Title Agency,
and Grandview Cable. In 1985, Vahak and his son Shant pioneered a
multi-faceted broadband telecommunications company by establishing
CellularVision, Inc., which has become later SpeedUS, Inc.
A lover of "all things Armenian," Mr. Hovnanian dedicated himself
to supporting and preserving Armenian culture and heritage, and
revitalizing the independent Republic of Armenia. Mr. Hovnanian
together with his wife Hasmig played prominent role in promoting
educational, religious and cultural needs of the Armenian community
in the Northeastern United States. The couple has also been heavily
involved in charity work.
During 1960s, Mr. Hovnanian served as the President of the Board of
Trustees for St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Ridgefield,
NJ. He initiated the celebration of Armenian holidays on their precise
day rather than on the closest Sunday, designating St. Vartanantz
one of the first Armenian churches in the United States to follow
this tradition.
In 1969 Vahak and Hasmig Hovnanians were honored for their efforts
with a Knighthood in the Order of the Great House of Cilicia and as
a Lady of the Great House of Cilicia respectively, by His Holiness
Khoren I, Catholicos of Cilicia. In further service to the Armenian
Church, Mr. Hovnanian served as an Executive Member of the Board of
Directors for the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
of America from 1973-1977. During that period he also served as a U.S.
National Delegate to the World Council of the Armenian Church's
Cilician Catholicosate in Lebanon.
One of the greatest achievements of Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian was the
founding of the Armenian School in New Milford, NJ, in 1976 which
has been renamed in 1984 into Hovnanian School in their honor. On the
occasion of the school's tenth anniversary, Mr. Hovnanian was named
Prince of the Armenian Apostolic Church by His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, in Antelias Lebanon (later His
Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin).
In keeping with his commitment to education, Mr. Hovnanian raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars in the aftermath of the 1988
earthquake in Armenia which he contributed to His Holiness Vasken I
Catholicos of All Armenians to build a new school in the earthquake
zone of Spitak. Since 1992, he and his wife have been major benefactors
of the Hovnanian School's sister school in Armenia - the Anania
Shirakatsy Gemaran in Nork Massif.
Mr. Hovnanian received numerous awards throughout his career, which
serve to highlight his commitment to the Armenian community.
Believing that tourism would boost Armenia's economy, Mr. Hovnanian
insisted on considering tourism development a top priority and
successfully lobbied the U.S. Government to contribute to it. In May
2000, the RA Government chartered the Armenian Tourism Development
Agency (ATDA), which was funded by USAID, Mr. Hovnanian himself,
and the Armenian Government. ATDA has raised international awareness
about Armenia as a world class tourism destination.
In 1995, the Hovnanians endorsed Armenia's participation in the Venice
Biennale and initiated fundraising for the first Armenian Pavilion.
They organized and chaired an international Ball held in Venice
where over 250 Armenians from around the world gathered to support
Armenia's entry into the international arts scene. While planning this
event, they initiated the Kantz Foundation to support young Armenian
aspiring artists. Through the Kantz Foundation and the Vahak and Hasmig
Hovnanian Foundation, they have supported over 100 young artists from
Armenia and outside in their pursuit of prominent careers in the fine
and performing arts.
In May 2000, Mr. Hovnanian founded the Sayat Nova Award to stimulate
and provide financial support to the songwriters and composers of
Armenia. In May 2002, The Vahakni Award was initiated to inspire and
support other artists in fine and performing arts.
85% OF ARMENIA'S INTERNET MAY COME UNDER AZERBAIJAN'S CONTROL:
September 2, 2015
PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan's leading Internet Service Provider
Azeronline is seeking to buy a 1,200 km fiber-optic cable from Caucasus
Online, Georgia's largest Internet provider, Kviris Palitra reports
citing reliable sources.
According to the newspaper, Caucasus Online laid the fiber-optic cable
in 2008 on the bed of the Black Sea, the former being the shortest
route to deliver Internet from Europe to the South Caucasus states.
The cable provides 85% of the Internet in Armenia, 50% in Azerbaijan
and 55% in Georgia.
Thus, Azerbaijan's interest is not surprising: the purchase could
be quite profitable if used at full capacity. Besides, 85% of the
Internet in Armenia will depend on Azerbaijan, Bizzone.info reports
citing Dalma news.
Azeronline is linked to President Ilham Aliyev's family; therefore,
the Azeri interest in acquiring the cable is politically motivated,
Kviris Palitra says.
Azeronline is seeking to buy a 1,200 km fiber-optic cable from Caucasus
Online, Georgia's largest Internet provider, Kviris Palitra reports
citing reliable sources.
According to the newspaper, Caucasus Online laid the fiber-optic cable
in 2008 on the bed of the Black Sea, the former being the shortest
route to deliver Internet from Europe to the South Caucasus states.
The cable provides 85% of the Internet in Armenia, 50% in Azerbaijan
and 55% in Georgia.
Thus, Azerbaijan's interest is not surprising: the purchase could
be quite profitable if used at full capacity. Besides, 85% of the
Internet in Armenia will depend on Azerbaijan, Bizzone.info reports
citing Dalma news.
Azeronline is linked to President Ilham Aliyev's family; therefore,
the Azeri interest in acquiring the cable is politically motivated,
Kviris Palitra says.
arka.am
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO HAVE ITS CABINET SESSION
BEHIND CLOSED DOOR
YEREVAN, September 2. / ARKA /. The Armenian government will have its
recurrent session on Thursday (September 3) behind closed doors 'in
connection with the planned major strategic, command and staff military
exercises Lightning-2015,' the government press service said today.
"The Cabinet meeting will be closed and is not subject to coverage,"
it said in a statement. The next cabinet meeting will be held
September 10.
Today Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan spoke about the planned
exercises with military attaches of foreign embassies in Armenia and
representatives of some international organizations. The exercises
are scheduled for September 3-6.
According to the defense ministry, the exercises are aimed at
ensuring the readiness of the state for the defense, preparation of
government and military bodies for mobilization during the repulsing
of aggression, checking skills to bring them to a high degree of
readiness and increase the level of cooperation and coordination.
"Given the current military and political situation in Armenia and
the region, the imaginary enemy and the situation in the exercises'
scenario are close to reality," the defense ministry said.-0-
YEREVAN, September 2. / ARKA /. The Armenian government will have its
recurrent session on Thursday (September 3) behind closed doors 'in
connection with the planned major strategic, command and staff military
exercises Lightning-2015,' the government press service said today.
"The Cabinet meeting will be closed and is not subject to coverage,"
it said in a statement. The next cabinet meeting will be held
September 10.
Today Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan spoke about the planned
exercises with military attaches of foreign embassies in Armenia and
representatives of some international organizations. The exercises
are scheduled for September 3-6.
According to the defense ministry, the exercises are aimed at
ensuring the readiness of the state for the defense, preparation of
government and military bodies for mobilization during the repulsing
of aggression, checking skills to bring them to a high degree of
readiness and increase the level of cooperation and coordination.
"Given the current military and political situation in Armenia and
the region, the imaginary enemy and the situation in the exercises'
scenario are close to reality," the defense ministry said.-0-
WESTWARD HO!
Editorial, 31 August 2015
Without much ado, millions of Turks living in the eastern part of
the country have been moving to the centre and further west while
several millions of Turks have left Turkey for the more promising
shores of Europe, North America and Australia. Kurds are also moving
west, but the Turks are doing so in far greater numbers.
Several months ago Dr. Suven Suk, PhD in economics and director
of independent and non-partisan think tank called Economic Policy
Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), wrote in Hurriyet Daily News
that 50 years ago the population of Turkey was evenly distributed
between the west, centre, and the east.
That pattern remained unchanged until 1980 when the population
shift towards west began in earnest. By 2000 the west had 44% of the
population; the centre had 30% and the east 26%. Three years ago there
was a further shift towards the west: the latter's share increased
to almost half (49%) of the population; the centre declined from 30%
to 28% while the east shrank to 23%. Bottom line: since 1965 western
Turkey's share of the population has increased by 15%.
The two main reasons for the population shift are industrialization
and urbanization. Some 75% of Turkey's population lives in cities. As
well, Diyarbakir (Dikranagerd), Van, and Sanliurfa (Urfa), Gaziantep
(Aintab), and Kahramanmarash (Marash) are the only eastern cities
which have populations of more than 1 million. In the west Istanbul
has a population of 14,500,000, Ankara (5,200,000), Izmir (4,200,000),
Adana (2,200,000), Antalya (2,250,000), Konya (2,100,000), Bitlis,
Kocaeli, and Mersin each 1,800,000, and Kayseri (1,350,000).
Turkey has a population of close to 80 million. About 18% (14,500,000)
are Kurds. The latter estimate they make up 20% (16 million).
Non-Turks and non-Kurds are, according to the CIA World Fact Book, 7%
to 12% of the population. The majority of the Kurds live in eastern
Turkey (Western Armenia). During the recent presidential elections
they demonstrated their clout by winning about 13% of the votes
and scuttled Erdogan's plan for greater presidential powers. In big
eastern cities Kurds almost monopolized mayoral seats and administer
more than 110 municipalities.
What does the population shift mean to the future of Turkey, Turkish
Kurdistan, and to Armenian demands for Western Armenia?
If the westward migration continues, it will probably be so at a
faster pace than in the past: Eastern Turks becoming a minority would
be more eager to move west. The violence between Kurds and Turkish
army would be another incentive for Turks to leave the east.
Many Turkey experts believe the recent increased violence between
the army and the Kurds (engineered by Erdogan who, considering his
Pinocchio proclivities, should be called Erdocchio) could well result
in the president's victory in the snap elections in early November.
His AKP party would then form a single-party government at the expense
of the HDP (the mainly Kurdish party) and encourage Erdogan to impose
harsher measures against the Kurds. Thus more violence. But now
the Kurds aren't the Kurds of the 1990s. They're more sophisticated
politically, are better organized and armed. The world knows about
their plight more than it did in the past. They can also call
upon their brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria for military and
financial help.
The emptying of Turks from the east will make state administration
there more vulnerable as Ankara tries to control millions of restive
Kurds. Turkey will probably play the autonomy card. Some Kurds will
be content while most will continue to demand independence. Turkish
leaders know that Kurds are aiming for full independence, but no
Ankara administration wants to be the one which "lost Kurdistan".
What about the Armenians and their land demands?
That's the 46 Million Dollar Question.
Certain Diaspora Armenians and Armenian organizations (the National
Congress of Western Armenians, for one--NCWA) believe that the best
way to recover some of the occupied Western Armenian lands is through
dialogue with Ankara and by waiting for Turkey's democratization. The
thesis is that as a democratic Turkey allows its citizens to know the
truth about 1915, Turks will concede to some Armenian demands. Other
Armenians believe they should help the Kurds gain independence with the
obvious promise of the return of some Western Armenia lands to Armenia
when Kurdistan is born. These lands would presumably be contiguous to
the Republic of Armenia. The guilt many Kurds feel for the Kurdish
participation in the Genocide would also help the Armenian Cause,
the second group likes to believe.
If Turkey continues its occupation of Western Armenia, the strategy
of, for example, the NCWA seems more practical. But the second, which
advocates an Armenian/Kurdish alliance, has to become proactive. Panel
discussions, cordial meetings, photo ops, recognition of the Genocide
of the Armenians by the Kurds (and the admission of their participation
in it), and goodwill will achieve only so much in building strong
bonds with the Kurds.
The second 60 Million Question is how can the Armenians assist
the Kurds in a robust manner? More intensive, organized and focused
efforts have to be made by the Armenian Diaspora to support the Kurdish
independence. Through dialogue with the Kurds Armenians have to learn
what the Kurds need and whether Armenians are in a position to provide
it. While doing so, Armenians should also obtain Kurdish commitment
for the return of certain/to be negotiated Western Armenian lands.
This all sounds like counting the eggs before they're hatched.
However, one can feed the hen before it lays the eggs and hope the
fowl will remember its benefactor after the chicks are born. Although
Britain and France did not solicit Italian help, Italians volunteered
to fight, along with the British and the French, in the Crimean War.
After the war, grateful Britain and France became godfathers to
independent Italy and discouraged Austria from obstructing the birth
of the new state. There are too many examples of such give-and-take
in international affairs to cite.
Editorial, 31 August 2015
Without much ado, millions of Turks living in the eastern part of
the country have been moving to the centre and further west while
several millions of Turks have left Turkey for the more promising
shores of Europe, North America and Australia. Kurds are also moving
west, but the Turks are doing so in far greater numbers.
Several months ago Dr. Suven Suk, PhD in economics and director
of independent and non-partisan think tank called Economic Policy
Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), wrote in Hurriyet Daily News
that 50 years ago the population of Turkey was evenly distributed
between the west, centre, and the east.
That pattern remained unchanged until 1980 when the population
shift towards west began in earnest. By 2000 the west had 44% of the
population; the centre had 30% and the east 26%. Three years ago there
was a further shift towards the west: the latter's share increased
to almost half (49%) of the population; the centre declined from 30%
to 28% while the east shrank to 23%. Bottom line: since 1965 western
Turkey's share of the population has increased by 15%.
The two main reasons for the population shift are industrialization
and urbanization. Some 75% of Turkey's population lives in cities. As
well, Diyarbakir (Dikranagerd), Van, and Sanliurfa (Urfa), Gaziantep
(Aintab), and Kahramanmarash (Marash) are the only eastern cities
which have populations of more than 1 million. In the west Istanbul
has a population of 14,500,000, Ankara (5,200,000), Izmir (4,200,000),
Adana (2,200,000), Antalya (2,250,000), Konya (2,100,000), Bitlis,
Kocaeli, and Mersin each 1,800,000, and Kayseri (1,350,000).
Turkey has a population of close to 80 million. About 18% (14,500,000)
are Kurds. The latter estimate they make up 20% (16 million).
Non-Turks and non-Kurds are, according to the CIA World Fact Book, 7%
to 12% of the population. The majority of the Kurds live in eastern
Turkey (Western Armenia). During the recent presidential elections
they demonstrated their clout by winning about 13% of the votes
and scuttled Erdogan's plan for greater presidential powers. In big
eastern cities Kurds almost monopolized mayoral seats and administer
more than 110 municipalities.
What does the population shift mean to the future of Turkey, Turkish
Kurdistan, and to Armenian demands for Western Armenia?
If the westward migration continues, it will probably be so at a
faster pace than in the past: Eastern Turks becoming a minority would
be more eager to move west. The violence between Kurds and Turkish
army would be another incentive for Turks to leave the east.
Many Turkey experts believe the recent increased violence between
the army and the Kurds (engineered by Erdogan who, considering his
Pinocchio proclivities, should be called Erdocchio) could well result
in the president's victory in the snap elections in early November.
His AKP party would then form a single-party government at the expense
of the HDP (the mainly Kurdish party) and encourage Erdogan to impose
harsher measures against the Kurds. Thus more violence. But now
the Kurds aren't the Kurds of the 1990s. They're more sophisticated
politically, are better organized and armed. The world knows about
their plight more than it did in the past. They can also call
upon their brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria for military and
financial help.
The emptying of Turks from the east will make state administration
there more vulnerable as Ankara tries to control millions of restive
Kurds. Turkey will probably play the autonomy card. Some Kurds will
be content while most will continue to demand independence. Turkish
leaders know that Kurds are aiming for full independence, but no
Ankara administration wants to be the one which "lost Kurdistan".
What about the Armenians and their land demands?
That's the 46 Million Dollar Question.
Certain Diaspora Armenians and Armenian organizations (the National
Congress of Western Armenians, for one--NCWA) believe that the best
way to recover some of the occupied Western Armenian lands is through
dialogue with Ankara and by waiting for Turkey's democratization. The
thesis is that as a democratic Turkey allows its citizens to know the
truth about 1915, Turks will concede to some Armenian demands. Other
Armenians believe they should help the Kurds gain independence with the
obvious promise of the return of some Western Armenia lands to Armenia
when Kurdistan is born. These lands would presumably be contiguous to
the Republic of Armenia. The guilt many Kurds feel for the Kurdish
participation in the Genocide would also help the Armenian Cause,
the second group likes to believe.
If Turkey continues its occupation of Western Armenia, the strategy
of, for example, the NCWA seems more practical. But the second, which
advocates an Armenian/Kurdish alliance, has to become proactive. Panel
discussions, cordial meetings, photo ops, recognition of the Genocide
of the Armenians by the Kurds (and the admission of their participation
in it), and goodwill will achieve only so much in building strong
bonds with the Kurds.
The second 60 Million Question is how can the Armenians assist
the Kurds in a robust manner? More intensive, organized and focused
efforts have to be made by the Armenian Diaspora to support the Kurdish
independence. Through dialogue with the Kurds Armenians have to learn
what the Kurds need and whether Armenians are in a position to provide
it. While doing so, Armenians should also obtain Kurdish commitment
for the return of certain/to be negotiated Western Armenian lands.
This all sounds like counting the eggs before they're hatched.
However, one can feed the hen before it lays the eggs and hope the
fowl will remember its benefactor after the chicks are born. Although
Britain and France did not solicit Italian help, Italians volunteered
to fight, along with the British and the French, in the Crimean War.
After the war, grateful Britain and France became godfathers to
independent Italy and discouraged Austria from obstructing the birth
of the new state. There are too many examples of such give-and-take
in international affairs to cite.
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