AMBASSADOR DJEREJIAN: AN ILLUSTRIOUS US DIPLOMAT TARNISHES OWN REPUTATION
By Appo Jabarian
Executive Publisher/Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine
October 10, 2012
On Friday October 5 Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian presented a lecture
in Los Angeles titled “Arab Awakening, The Turkish Role in The Region
and The Future of Armenians in the Middle East”.
Nearly 500 Armenian Americans attended the event organized by Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Asbeds.
Holding himself true to his principle “as a diplomat to think twice
before saying nothing,” Amb. Djerejian talked for over 50 minutes
without making important revelations on the current situation in
the Middle East and Syria in particular. He went on to narrate
the situation in the Middle East by delivering certain details with
eloquence, mesmerizing his audience. He also shared anecdotal stories
during his tenure as US Ambassador in Syria.
However on the 56th minute as he shifted his focus to the Caucasus
region, he dropped the nuclear bomb on his Armenian American audience
when he claimed that 2014 is a potentially deadly deadline for Armenia
and Armenians worldwide imposed by Azerbaijan. He sternly cautioned
Diaspora Armenians about the so-called “Azerbaijan deadline” for
political settlement of the Artsakh (Karabagh) conflict by 2014 “or
else” face the dismal possibility of a new war. He tersely warned
that a formidable military buildup by Azerbaijan spelled trouble
for Armenia, and that the war this time “may not be as favorable”
to Armenians as the first war. Many members of Southern California
Armenian American community were concerned with his promotion of
fear among Diaspora Armenians on the ‘dire’ consequences of a new
war with Azerbaijan.
His lecture also agitated several members of the audience who were
disturbed by his pro-Azeri claims that Armenians are ‘occupying’
lands that “belong” to Azerbaijan.
Before making such anti-Armenia and anti-Artsakh declarations, that
the lands around Artsakh (Karabagh) are ‘occupied’, Amb. Djerejian
should investigate for himself the true identity of the territories
in lower Artsakh (Karabagh). His research will reveal the undeniable
fact that the borders of Armenian Territory of Artsakh encompassing
both mountainous and lowland Artsakh run from western border of
contemporary Armenia to Kura River to the east of mountainous Artsakh;
and from Gantsak (“Gendje” under Azeri rule) just north of Shahumian
in the north all the way to the current Iranian border in the south.
Under infamous Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, the Territories of Artsakh
and Nakhitchevan were carved out of then newly Sovietized Republic of
Armenia and were ‘gifted’ to then newly sovietized Azerbaijan in early
1920’s thus completing ‘stalinization’ of Armenian territories. Artsakh
Liberation War of 1988-1994 facilitated the reversal of that process
which can be appropriately labeled ‘de-stalinization.’
He also underlined how Turkey is fast-becoming a regional super power.
Then he expressed support for Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey with “honorable
terms” for Armenians on critical issues. But he did not elaborate on
the issues.
For a moment the former U.S. Ambassador sounded more like an Ambassador
of Azerbaijan or Turkey rather than a veteran diplomat representing
United States as an honest broker in Caucasus.
During the question-and-answer period, they caught him off-guard
by presenting pointed questions such as whether Armenians in
Artsakh should pursue or give up self-determination as opposed
to capitulating to Azeri demands to settle for autonomy within
Azerbaijan. The parade of inquisitive and intelligent questions
reflected deep Armenian-American concerns for Armenia and Artsakh as
Amb. Djerejian backtracked and modified his position to come across
as a more ‘balanced’ diplomat.
Amb. Djerejian pointed out the proliferation of “ism”s such as
“extremism” and “terrorism” in today’s world. Interestingly, his
position on vital Armenian American issues has illustrated that he is
influenced by petroleum interests, and is an adherent of “petrolism.”
A well-respected writer and political observer David Boyajian of
Belmont, MA recently wrote: “Djerejian, whose parents were Genocide
survivors, is a former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Syria. He is now
the Founding Director of the James A. Baker III Institute in Houston.
The Institutes namesake is James Baker. He is a former Secretary
of State and an Armenian genocide denier, as is Madeline Albright,
an ex-officio member of the Institute. Its Board of Advisors is
filled with current and former executives of Chevron, Marathon
Oil, Shell Oil, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and
similar corporations, several of which also fund the Institute. Not
surprisingly, human rights are nearly invisible on the Institutes
agenda. In a depressing political presentation to Armenian Americans
in Texas in 2011, Djerejian uttered not one word of criticism of
Turkey or Azerbaijan. Nor did he mention Artsakh/Karabagh’s rights,
human or otherwise. Instead, he took a neutral position on the issue,
and approvingly quoted Azeri President Ilham Aliyev that ‘Azerbaijan
has the upper hand.’ Regarding the Genocide, Djerejian noted only
that ‘the Armenian Genocide can best be resolved within the context
of improved state to state relations between Armenia and Turkey.'”
As noted above, ironically, many of Amb. Djerejian’s comments were
echoes of his own remarks of 2011 in Texas.
Similarly, the following comments that were presented in 2011 in Texas
are almost identical to his observations made in Los Angeles: “Armenia
must look at current trends in the region. The Russian-Georgia conflict
destabilized the Caucasus region and beyond. Russia is asserting
itself in the “near abroad.” While Armenia’s relations with Russia will
remain very important, Armenia must avoid becoming over-dependent on
Russia. Turkey is looking westward, seeking to be part of the European
Community, while strengthening its ties in the Middle East and Central
Asia and improving its relationship with the United States. Georgia
and Azerbaijan are actively pursuing stronger relations with the
West. Iran’s future direction remains problematic, but it is a major
regional player. Increasingly, change in Iran is not a question of
if, but of when. Iran’s policies will have important implications
for Armenia, a neighboring border country. Armenia’s relations with
the United States are very important and involve interaction on issues
such as non-proliferation and border security, international narcotics,
money laundering and the trafficking in persons, and the development
of democratic institutions and sustainable economic growth. Washington
also appreciated Armenia’s support in Iraq. Thus, the promise for
Armenia’s security and prosperity rests with following the major trends
toward regional and international integration. Armenia can no longer
risk being “the odd man out.” Indeed, Armenia should rediscover and
reaffirm its historic role as a bridge between the North and South,
and the East and West.”
While sounding genuinely concerned with Armenia’s and Armenians’
future, Mr. Djerejian trashed Armenia’s performance as a viable state.
Under succeeding US administrations of the last few decades, U.S.
State Department has been siding with oil-producing dictators such
as Pres. Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the cost of trampling upon
the human rights of people like Armenians of Artsakh (Karabagh). By
doing so, US administrations risk exposing themselves to the ire
of international public opinion in Middle East, the Caucasus and
elsewhere.
Abundance of social and diversified mass media has helped the masses
unmask this American double standard.
It is obvious that he is not a champion of human rights for Armenians
of Artsakh. But he could have at least steered clear of making
anti-Artsakh (Karabagh) Armenian pronouncements by respecting his
diplomatic rule of ‘thinking twice before saying nothing;’ and by
declining to unfairly agree with Azeri false claims that Armenians
“are occupying” lands in Azerbaijan.
Ambassador Djerejian not only did not alleviate Armenian American
concerns on U.S. State Department being a dishonest broker in Asia
Minor and Caucasus in regards to Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azeri
issues, but he also ended up tarnishing his own reputation as an
illustrious US Diplomat.