Category: 2018

BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

In the post-WWII era, many Europeans became rabidly anti-nationalist, an understandable reaction to the obscene excesses marking that cataclysm.

But that natural response has persisted in its extreme form and is sometimes exported to places where it is not only unnatural, but possibly even damaging. Armenia is one such place.

There are many of our compatriots who seem to eschew nationalism. Some of that comes from the lingering effects of seven decades worth of Soviet propaganda. But, some of it comes, especially among the newest generation, from exposure to and interaction with European mindsets.

A Facebook poll, recently brought to my attention, inquired whether people wanted to replace the Republic of Armenia’s anthem “Mer Hyerenik” with Charles Aznavour’s song “For You Armenia” which has been translated into Armenian from the original French.

Setting aside the tackiness, poor taste, and opportunism manifested by the timing of this poll, the more important question is why? What’s wrong with “Mer Hyerenik”? Is it too “associated” with the first three administrations (Levon, Robert, Serzh) of the RoA and therefore somehow tainted? Is it too associated with the first (1918) republic and the ARF and is therefore a target of anti-ARF sectors of society? How many people even know it came from that time (and was slightly modified)? Or, is it just a matter of people who fear/distrust nationalism and want as dainty a song as possible for the national anthem? Arguing that “Mer Hyerenik” is too sad of a song don’t hold water because Aznavour’s song is just as sad.

Despite all this, lots of people were supportive of the change, at least in the un-scientific representation of the FB poll.

To my mind this undue and overwrought fear of national pride must be nipped in the bud. Why are black pride, gay pride, and other identity groups’ expressions of pride acceptable, but not Armenians’? If Europe thinks it can do without nationalism, that’s fine, but for us, this pride is also protective given our bloodthirsty eastern and western neighbors!

Nationalism is a natural human instinct and a basic _expression_ of pride, a basic societal organizing principle. It is also a good defense against the excesses of the capitalist and corporatist tendencies being foisted upon ever larger parts of humanity. That protection comes from the caring for fellow members of one’s own nation it engenders.

Where the line should be drawn is when nationalism is abused and corrupted, becoming chauvinism and rejecting others’ nationalism or inspiring hatred of those not in one’s own nation.

My request of all fellow Armenians is to stop engaging in these unnecessary and ultimately divisive and destructive diversions. Let’s focus on addressing and solving our real issues, such as the kerfuffle over when to hold snap parliamentary elections in the RoA. So much is happening so quickly on that front that I decided to hold off on commenting ‘til the dust settled a bit.

California State Senator Anthony Portantino recently returned from a trip to Armenia and Artsakh. He was part of a delegation of California State legislators and representatives of technology companies visiting Armenia organized by the Armenian National Committee-Western Region.

On October 2, Portantino sat down with Asbarez Editor Ara Khachatourian for a Horizon Live interview, during which the senator explained the importance of having tech-sector representatives on the trip given Armenia’s burgeoning IT sector. He also discussed his efforts to explore cooperation with Artsakh in agricultural development.

Secures Commitment from Nominee to Urge Baku to “Step Back” from Threatening Behavior

WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ) grilled U.S. Ambassador-designate to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger on Thursday about President Aliyev’s “bellicose rhetoric and sporadic outbursts of violence,” securing from the nominee a commitment that he would urge the Azerbaijani government to step back from any threatening behavior that disrupts the line of contact, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

“If confirmed, what steps will you take to urge the Azerbaijani government to step back from its threatening behavior and permit necessary monitoring along the line of contact,” asked Senator Menendez during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing.

Litzenberger responded that the U.S. is working along three lines – the non-use of force, respect for territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination.  Litzenberger noted that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs condemn “any violence and any threat of the use of violence along the line of contact,” without specifically citing Azerbaijan’s attacks.  In response to a follow up question from Senator Menendez as to whether he would, as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, “urge the Azerbaijanis to step back from any threatening behavior that disrupts the line of contact,” Litzenberger responded, “that’s a fair statement, sir.”

Asked by Senator Menendez whether U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan should be curtailed based on human rights abuses, Litzenberger responded that the State Department will be “very careful to ensure that nothing that we do or provide [in terms of U.S. security assistance] to Azerbaijan undermines the effort to reach a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.”  He went on to note that U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan will continue to include training in human rights, a point of heightened concern since the Safarov scandal.

“We want to thank Senator Menendez for securing a commitment from the State Department that our next U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan will press the Aliyev regime to step back from its threatening and violent conduct,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

Video of Senator Menendez’ exchange with Litzenberger is available at:

“I am one of them who believes that in cases such as Cyprus, unless we reconcile ourselves with the past, it is difficult to move forward,” began Senator Menendez in his questioning of U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus nominee Judith Gail Garber, who, only after three clear and pointed questions by the Senator, acknowledged that Turkish troops currently occupy Cyprus.  “I appreciate the nuances,” stated Menendez, “but there are just certain things that are just real.  Turkish troops that were not existent prior to this time [on the island] invaded Northern Cyprus and have continued to be there.  And it makes it among the most militarized places in the world … I gather that you are constrained but this always baffles me, in terms of not just recognizing simple facts.”  Sen. Menendez went on to ask Ms. Garber regarding access to Turkish zones where missing Greek and Cypriot persons may be buried.  Ms. Garber responded that, if confirmed, “I will work to ensure that the Committee on Missing Persons is able to have access to all burial sites and expeditiously conclude its work.”

Video of Senator Menendez’ exchange with Garber 

“Along with our Hellenic allies, we were grateful for the Senator’s aggressive line of questioning on Cyprus, which revealed just how very afraid U.S. leaders remain of crossing Ankara’s red lines against any honest discourse on its occupation of Cyprus and obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide,” noted Hamparian.

When Mr. Litzenberger’s nomination was announced in early September, the ANCA encouraged Armenian Americans, friends of Armenia, human rights activists, and advocates for peace to call on their U.S. Senators to carefully scrutinize President Trump’s nominee.  Thousands took action through the ANCA’s “March to Justice” action portal – anca.org/azerbaijan.

Senators have 2 days to submit written questions to the various ambassadorial nominees.  In the upcoming weeks, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will have the opportunity to vote on the various ambassadorial candidates, after which the full Senate will review the matter.

PARIS (Azatutyun.am)—France paid a moving national homage on Friday to Charles Aznavour, the late French singer of Armenian descent, in a ceremony in Paris attended by President Emmanuel Macron and Armenia’s leaders.

Aznavour died at one of his homes in southeaster France on Monday at the age of 94. He will be buried on Saturday in a cemetery west of Paris.

Aznavour’s coffin was carried into the courtyard of Les Invalides military museum to the sound of haunting music played from a duduk, a traditional Armenian flute. An army band then played the national anthems of Armenia and France.

“Some heroes become French by spilling their blood. This son of Greek and Armenian immigrants, who never went to secondary school, knew instinctively that our most sacred sanctuary was the French language,” and used it like a poet, Macron said at the ceremony.  “In France, poets never die,” he added, standing before the coffin draped in the French national flag.

The French president also praised Aznavour’s “loyalty to his roots.” “Armenians of all countries, today I am thinking of you,” he said. “He was supposed to be one of us next week in Yerevan, his absence will leave a giant void.”

Macron will travel to the Armenian capital for a state visit and a summit of Francophonie, a loose grouping of French-speaking nations. He revealed on Monday that he had asked Aznavour to join him on the trip.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also delivered a eulogy at the farewell ceremony attended by Aznavour’s family and dozens of dignitaries, including former French Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy and actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Pashinyan hailed the legendary signer as a “great Frenchman” who “breathed a new life into Armenian pride.”

Pashinyan also spoke of Armenians’ “special respect” for France. “I want to express the gratitude of the Armenian people to the French state and the French people for giving shelter to Armenian survivors of the genocide [in Ottoman Turkey,]” he said.

Aznavour, who sold more than 100 million records in 80 countries, was born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian parents. His global fame made him the most renowned member of France’s influential Armenian community.

The crooner was at the forefront of the community’s efforts to help victims of a catastrophic earthquake that devastated much of northern Armenia in 1988. He regularly visited the country in the following decades. A square in downtown Yerevan was named after him in 2001.

In 2004, Aznavour received Armenia’s highest state award, the title of National Hero, in recognition of his support for his ancestral homeland. Then President Robert Kocharian praised him for “presenting Armenia to the world.”

Kocharian’s successor, Serzh Sarkisian, granted Aznavour Armenian citizenship in 2008. A year later Sarkisian appointed him Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland and international organizations headquartered in Geneva. Aznavour played a largely symbolic role in that capacity.

The Armenian government has declared Saturday a day of national mourning.