BUFFALO, N.Y.—The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) today honored the artistic innovations and achievements of a group of artists who put the U.S. to the forefront of the international art scene with the release of the Abstract Expressionists commemorative postage stamps. The vibrant stamps feature works by Hans Hoffmann, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, Barnett Newman, Robert Motherwell, Adolph Gottlieb, Arshile Gorky, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Joan Mitchell.

The ten stamps dedicated to abtract expressionists

“These bold artists used art to express complicated ideas and primitive emotions in simplified, abstract form,” said Linda Kingsley, USPS senior vice president, Strategy and Transition. “Although these stamps can’t compare in size to their real-life canvases, they bring the passion and spirit of abstract expressionism to an envelope near you. The Postal Service is proud to pay tribute to the legacy and unique perspectives of these revolutionary artists.”

Abstract expressionists believed that art no longer depicted experience but became the experience itself. They emphasized spontaneous, free expression and allowed personal intuition and the unconscious to guide their choice of imagery. Other shared traits include the use of large canvases and an emphasis on paint texture and distinctive brushstrokes.

“The abstract expressionists began one of the most important art movements in the last century, placing New York and American art at the very center of the art world for the first time,” noted Louis Grachos, director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, N.Y., home of four of the works featured on the stamps. “The Albright-Knox Art Gallery was one of the first museums to begin collecting abstract expressionist paintings, and we are very proud that work from our collection was chosen by the Postal Service as some of the finest examples of the period.”

One of the most influential art teachers of the 20th century, Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) pioneered a method of improvisational painting that helped shape the development of abstract art after World War II. The Golden Wall (1961) features his trademark “push and pull” technique:  geometric shapes that animate the canvas by seeming to shift and overlap.

Adolph Gottlieb (1903-74) created a uniquely American blend of inspiration from late medieval and early Italian Renaissance masters, European cubism, and the freely expressive line of surrealism in his innovative “Pictographs” of the 1940’s. Romanesque Façade (1949) brings together his aspiration to be intuitively understandable to everyone and to convey a universal emotional reality.

Mark Rothko (1903-70) is best known for his monumental paintings of two or more rectangles floated within a field of color. Orange and Yellow (1956) features two rectangles painted in the vibrant tones that Rothko favored. Far from static, the rectangles seem to stretch and contract, while translucent, luminous colors bring them to life.

Influencing much of the American abstract art that followed, Arshile Gorky (1904-48) developed an original style that combined cubism and surrealism with his own disguised imagery. The Liver Is the Cock’s Comb (1944)—one of his largest and greatest pictures—uses abstract forms to camouflage a deeply personal portrait of his family at home.

Clyfford Still (1904-80) painted ponderous, abstract canvases to convey universal themes about the human condition. 1948-C (1948) illustrates his signature style of richly textured surfaces, expressive lines and shapes, and sublime color in an expansive field. Still kept tight control of his work, much of which has never been seen.

Willem de Kooning (1904-97) transformed the traditions of European art to create his own energetic and unconstrained style. While much of his work was entirely abstract, de Kooning’s best-known paintings blend abstraction and figural representation. Skittering black lines, shifting shapes, fragmented body parts, and flashes of color fill the surface of his 1948 work Asheville.

Barnett Newman (1905-70) created deceptively simple works often characterized by large, even expanses of a single color punctuated by one or more vertical lines, which he called “zips.” One of several works based on ancient Greek mythology, Achilles (1952) does not feature a zip but rather a swath of red paint that moves down the canvas to end in a ragged edge.

Best known for his poured paintings, Jackson Pollock (1912-56) created spontaneously painted works that marked a break with artistic tradition. For Convergence (1952), he laid blue and white clouds and loops of red and yellow atop a black-and-white base. The expressive color and drawing are so fresh that the paint still looks wet.

Robert Motherwell (1915-91) viewed literature and philosophy as integral components of his art. He is best known for the “Elegy to the Spanish Republic” series, an ambitious group of somber abstract paintings. Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 34 (1953-54) features black bars and ovals and vertical white stripes that partly obscure colors that refer to the flag of the Spanish Republic.

Joan Mitchell (1925-92) created expansive paintings with an energetic style distinguished by large gestural strokes, driving brushwork, and emotional intensity. She is perhaps best known for her ability to communicate the visual sentiments of nature—or, in her own words, “to convey the feeling of the dying sunflower.” La Grande Vallée 0 (1983) is one of 21 opulent French landscapes.

How to order the first-day-of-issue postmark

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ facility, at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Abstract Expressionists Stamp
c/o Postmaster
1200 William Street
Buffalo, NY 14240-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by May 12.

How to order first-day covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Prime Minister Erdogan canceled his trip to Stockholm

In reaction to the vote, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled his visit to Stockholm next week.

Only a week ago, Turkey recalled its ambassador to the U.S. following the vote by the House Foreign Relations Committee on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

“Our ambassador to Washington Namik Tan was recalled tonight to Ankara for consultations after the development,” read a statement issued by the Turkish prime minister’s office minutes after the U.S. congressional panel approved the resolution on March 4. “We condemn this resolution accusing Turkey of a crime that it has not committed.”

On March 11, the Swedish parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide.

WASHINGTON—Over strident opposition from the Turkish Government, the Swedish Parliament, today, adopted a resolution recognizing the murder and annihilation of the Armenian, Assyrian/Syriac/Chaldean and Pontic Greek populations by the Ottoman Turkish Government as “genocide,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Twice in just one week, we have seen legislative bodies—the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States and the full Parliament in Sweden—take a strong stand against Turkey’s threats against an honest affirmation of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian. “We congratulate the Swedish

Parliamentarians—particularly those who defied party politics and foreign intimidation—to send a clear message that genocide must be condemned whenever and wherever it occurs.”

The Swedish Parliament adopted the resolution, Motion 2008/09:U332, by a vote of 131 to 130, overcoming an earlier Foreign Affairs Committee decision voting down the measure. In addition to recognizing the Armenian, Assyrian/Syriac/Chaldean and Pontic Greek genocides, the motion also calls on Swedish authorities to work with the United Nations, European Union and Turkey to secure international affirmation of this crime against humanity.

The decision comes just one week after the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted to adopt the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252), by a vote of 23-22 – despite last minute opposition from the Obama Administration and over intense lobbying by the Turkish Government. A similar measure has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, S.Res.316.

The ANCA is continuing its “End Turkey’s Gag Rule” campaign, urging elected officials in the U.S. and around the world to reject Turkey’s attempts to silence international affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. For more information, visit
http://www.anca.org/endthegagrule.

(Stockholm News)—The massacre of Armenians and other ethnic groups in 1915 was a genocide. This the Swedish Parliament decided with least possible margin on Thursday evening.

Demonstrators demanding genocide recognition in Sweden

By a vote of 131 to 130 the opposition’s reservations became victorious over the committee’s proposal. For this to be possible required four center-right members to vote against their own parties. This was done by two members of the Liberal Peoples Party, one from the Christian Democrats, and one maverick MP who formerly belonged to the Moderates.

The government’s line was to not classify the massacre of, among others, Assyrians and Armenians as genocide as it should not be up to politicians to write history.

Says daughter Rosemarie Arakelian, “Mom was surprised and pleased when the ladies from the ARS came to visit her here at Manoogian Manor to make the presentation. She was so happy and grateful for the recognition. They brought choregs, braided cookies, a fruit basket for the residents and a plant for mom. It meant so much.”

Presenting the service pin denoting 50 years of dedicated service were Ungerouhis Sona Mishigian, Sirvart Telbelian, Alice Pilibosian, and Ani Attar, who said, “It was our pleasure to visit Mrs. Arakelian. She and her husband were pillars in our community.”

Rosemarie is the administrative director for the Manoogian Manor, where her mom presently resides under the watchful eye of her daughter and the dedicated staff who believe each individual is unique and worthy of respect and dignity.

“Mom was always about family, cooking, and entertaining. People still comment to me about the parties they had at their lake house.”

Manoogian Manor was the gift of the late Alex and Marie Manoogian, the Detroit industrialist known the world over for his benevolent generosity to Armenian schools, churches, and communities. It is a place filled with vibrancy, pride, and a sense of belonging.

The Manor provides a safe environment providing assisted living and personal care to its residents. Many of its residents were first-generation Armenian survivors who were fortunate to have the Manor as a safe haven in their aging years. Meals here are said to be of top quality often featuring delicious Armenian entrees.

Suzy Arakelian (nee Kefsezian) was born in Detroit. She married Harry Arakelian and together they raised four children in Pontiac. That’s when, as I child, I first remember Suzy. The Pontiac Tashnags had a cozy community center on Ferry Ave. provided by the “Raffi” Gomideh and many weekends would find us gathered there for lectures, khunjuyks, Armenian school programs, and ARS functions.

So when Rosemarie said to me, “I want to thank you for pursuing Mom’s 50-year pin. She was never one to make waves. She wouldn’t have said anything about being overlooked.” I knew I had to press forward to make it a reality and with Ani Attar’s help, it came to fruition. “We are grateful you looked into it and were persistent for us,” her daughter said. Suzie’s son Greg and I share fond memories of our AYF days and he was the first to inquire about the pin for his mom.

I would never allow Suzy to be forgotten. I was determined she was to have her day in the sun for her dedication to the Armenian Cause and began inquiring on her behalf.

Suzy’s husband Harry was an Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) member and the oldest children at the time, Gregory and Rosemarie, were Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) members with me in the “Aharonian” Chapter. Born a little later were Patricia and Lorrie.

Suzy was a charming, lovely person not given to drawing attention to herself, even though she was one of the most attractive Armenian women. Suzy was always the perfect lady, wife, and mother. I know she was well known for being an expert of Armenian cuisine and baking. I can still see all the ARS ladies in the back of the hall, always well dressed, covering the tables with volunteered, traditional, home-made Armenian delicacies. We ate well. Oh those cheekuftas!

We had bingo parties there, engagement parties too, and George Mardigian of San Francisco Omar Khayam restaurant fame came there to spearhead a fundraiser to bring over former Armenian prisoner-of-war victims. Suzy and Harry were always generous in their support of all Armenian organizations and charities. We Pontiactsis have a wonderful history together and miss the old days of camaraderie on Ferry Ave.

Suzy was a lot younger than the other women in the Pontiac ARS, who were all from the survivor generation, but she fit right in with them. It was in the late 1950’s that Mrs. Hamasdegh from the ARS Central Executive in Boston contacted me—then in my late teens—and asked me to form another chapter of the ARS in addition to the existing one representing the younger married matrons of the community, which I did. It became known as the “Ani” Chapter and Suzy Arakelian then joined this group.

The Ani Chapter became well known for their annual home-cooked “Benag Meh Geragoor” dinners featuring Turkey dinners and all the trimmings. The community always looked forward to this special day. Substantial free-will donations provided meals to needy Armenians overseas for many years. Suzy was one of the lead chefs, quietly getting the job done in a delicious way.

Harry and Suzy together ran a lumberyard and demolition business in Pontiac where they found financial success. He got the plum job of dismantling the downtown Oakland County courthouse. They later lived in Deerfield Beach, Fla. for 15 years, where they were instrumental in forming an ARS chapter. They returned to Michigan where Harry passed away, and Suzy took up residence in the St. Sarkis Tower for seniors, where she joined the Detroit ARS. She has nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Suzy, we congratulate you on your lifetime achievement. We will never forget the good old days of family-like togetherness in Pontiac and how you were a vital part of it.

Changing of the signs

“Changing the name of Ergenekon Avenue has a symbolic meaning for us,” Ragip Incesagir, a spokesperson for the Art for Peace initiative, told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review. “Ergenekon has always been a symbolic name that says, ‘Everyone here is a Turk and others can only live on streets named by Turks,’” he added.

Art for Peace first requested a meeting with Sisli mayor Mustafa Sarigul to officially change the name of the street. The meeting, however, could not be scheduled before Jan. 19. The members of the group thus changed the name without official permission. But the change did not last for long.

The campaigners have launched www.hrantdinkcaddesi.org and, as of March 5, had gathered 2,107 online signatures, including the names of prominent Turkish intellectuals such as Zulfu Livaneli (a Turkish folk musician, novelist, film director, newspaper columnist, and former member of the Turkish Parliament), Arif Sag (a Turkish folk musician and former MP), and Tuncel Kurtiz (an actor, playwright, and film director).

Istanbul has twice rejected the request for a name change.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality received the first request from the Sisli Municipality to change the name of Safak Street, the site of Dink’s murder, to Hrant Dink Street. Istanbul rejected the request, claiming the name change would cause confusion in emergency situations and would inconvenience businesses and institutions located on the street.

Aris Nalci, the current editor of Agos, told Hurriyet that since 2007, a new law allows local municipalities to change the name of a street without the prior approval of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. “The name of a street in the Bakirkoy District was changed to Dadyan under the new regulation. When Istanbul rejects a local municipality’s request to change a name three times, the decision to change the name falls to the local municipality under the new law,” Nalci said.

The second request to change the name was made by Municipal Council member Ozgen Nama, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP). His request to change Ergenekon Avenue to Hrant Dink Avenue was rejected on Feb. 9, reported Hurriyet.

In Turkish mythology, Ergenekon is located in the valleys of the Altay Mountains where an ancient Turkish tribe was ambushed and killed. According to legend, a child survived and found a guardian wolf. The child’s descendants thrived in this valley surrounded by iron mountains, and began to look for a way out. With the help of an ironsmith, they drilled a hole in the mountain and were led out by a wolf. The myth symbolizes the Turks’ migration from Asia to Anatolia.

In Turkey, the name has been adopted by a Kemalist ultranationalist group, which is currently under investigation for engaging in terrorist activities that include the assassination of journalists, academics, public-opinion leaders, and writers, as well as planning a coup. In the last three years, over 200 alleged members, including generals, officers, lawyers, and journalists, have been charged in connection with the group. Ergenekon is also under investigation for Dink’s murder.

On Feb. 8, during the 12th session of Dink’s murder trial, the attorneys for Dink requested that the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court investigate whether Dink’s assassination was part of the Operation Cage Action Plan—a military plot to create chaos—which was exposed by the Turkish Taraf Daily. The plan’s objective was to create mayhem by killing non-Muslims and attacking mosques, and eventually toppling the government. A recent 200-page police report links the Cage Plan to Ergenekon. According to Today’s Zaman, the report states that the murders of Dink, Catholic priest Andrea Santoro, and three Christians in Malatya were planned by Ergenekon to create chaos and the necessary conditions for a coup d’état.

Harut Sassounian

A seasoned writer whose weekly editorials appear widely in both Armenian and non-Armenian media, Sassounian also authored the book The Armenian Genocide: The World Speaks Out, Documents and Declarations, 1915-2005, which has been published in English and Arabic.

As president of the United Armenian Fund, a coalition of seven major Armenian American organizations, Sassounian has managed the acquisition and delivery of $600 million of humanitarian aid to Armenia and Artsakh (Karabagh) in the past 20 years. As senior vice president of the Lincy Foundation, Kirk Kerkorian’s charitable organization, he has overseen $240 million of infrastructure projects in Armenia and Artsakh. Sassounian has also served as a human rights delegate at the United Nations for 10 years and played a leading role in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by a UN human rights committee in 1985.

In the private sector, Sassounian has extensive background as an international marketing executive for Procter & Gamble in Geneva, Switzerland. He earned his master’s degree from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs and an MBA from Pepperdine University. For his humanitarian work, Sassounian has been decorated by the president and prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

The 95th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Times Square will pay tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who were annihilated by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire (1915-23). Major political figures will speak, as well as civic, humanitarian, and educational leaders.

The event is sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, and co-sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, and the Armenian Council of America.

Participating organizations include the Diocese of the Armenian Church, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Evangelical Union, Armenian Catholic Eparchy, and several national Armenian youth organizations.

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan presides over the consecration of a memorial honoring the late Rev. Vartan Kassabian in the new courtyard of St. Gregory Church in North Andover. (Left) Megerdich “Mgo” Kassabian, the late pastor’s son, serves as a stole-bearer.

Dozens turned out March 7 for his Hokehankist, during which a courtyard was consecrated in his honor. Presiding over the memorial tribute was His Grace Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.

“Der Vartan was the man of his people,” said the Prelate. “We knew him because he served his congregation with love and affection. His trace was very obvious to our lives and his memory will long endure.”

The beloved cleric died suddenly on March 12, 2009 at the tender age of 52, after serving the North Andover community for six of his 17 years. Previous to this, he had served St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Granite City, Ill. for 11 years, where he had spearheaded plans for a new $1.3 million structure.

He was in the midst of another building campaign in North Andover when he succumbed. No service was ever complete without a vote of gratitude for any of life’s many gifts. Aside from his role as pastor, he was serving as commander of the Arakadz Lodge, Merrimack Valley Knights of Vartan, prior to his death—the first time a clergyman held that role locally.

A memorial service was followed by a ceremony in the courtyard where a khatchkar was placed in Der Vartan’s memory, complemented by a photograph of him fully vested. More than 150 turned out for the event, including a large contingent from Providence, R.I., where he was raised.

Assisting Archbishop Choloyan were Rev. Vazken Bekeirian, a visiting priest from Worcester, and Rev. Karekin Bedourian, a newly ordained priest from Watertown waiting for assignment.

Pauline Kassabian and her son, Megerdich “Mgo” Kassabian, pause to reflect upon the late Rev. Vartan Kassabian in the new courtyard of St. Gregory Church in North Andover, which was dedicated in his honor March 7. Rev. Kassabian served as pastor for six years before his death last March.

Also paying their respects were the late pastor’s wife Pauline and son Megerdich “Mgo” Kassabian, a stole-bearer who assisted in the service.

“My husband had a vision to see this church refinished,” said his wife. “The courtyard would have been very special to him. We cannot stop now. It’s up to us to honor the legacy he left behind by remaining true to his church and being good Christians. Open your hearts, be there for your family and friends, and spend as much time as you can with them. They may not be there the next time you need them.”

John Kulungian, the Board of Trustees chairman, pointed to the past year as one of strength, love, hope, and compassion while the church has gone with visiting clergy each Sunday.

“This memorial provides an opportunity to forge ahead,” he said. “The fact we’re here today is a testament to Der Vartan’s life. He’s up there smiling upon us with a ray of sunshine.”

Richard Shahtanian, the Building Committee chairman, called the church renovation a symbol of everything Der Vartan stood for and represented.

“He truly believed that a newly renovated church would provide a platform for us to continue our Christian faith and help those less fortunate,” said Shahtanian. “We stand fully committed to completing his hard work.”

One of Der Vartan’s outside projects was the House of Hope, a shelter in Lowell. During his brief tenure here, he spurred the drive for food over the holidays. This past year proved the most successful ever with an outpouring of support from his community.

“He celebrated every day with love and hope,” added Archbishop Choloyan. “Der Vartan always had a way with words.”

The Prelate recalled the levity his late friend often bestowed upon his congregation.

“Whenever he saw a crowd gather in the church for a social, he called it a miracle. A second miracle was to see all those people attend a Sunday worship service.”

Armen Rustamyan

***

The Honorable Howard Berman
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Berman,

I wish to extend to you our heartfelt appreciation for the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s markup of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) yesterday. We greatly appreciate your efforts and the efforts of all those who voted in favor of the resolution. The Committee has set the stage for the resolution to be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

I wish to reiterate our complete support for the adoption of this measure affirming the commitment of the United States to the cause of genocide prevention. As we have discussed during our meeting in Washington, D.C., Armenia aspires for the universal recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and sees it both as a restoration of historical justice and as a way to improve the overall situation in the region, while also preventing similar crimes in the future.

The Armenian people in our homeland, in the United States and around the world, remain grateful for the hard work that you and your colleagues, including of course Congressmen Adam Schiff and George Radanovich, have devoted over the course of many years to secure U.S. recognition and official commemoration of this crime. I am confident that the proponents of this process are also rightly convinced that the lack of affirmation of U.S. official recognition of the Armenian Genocide has thus far in fact served to make Turkey’s position in the issue of resolving the Armenian‐Turkish relations more uncompromising.

I am confident that the affirmation of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide not only would not hamper, but on the contrary will contribute to the prospects of a thorough dialogue between Turkey and Armenia. On this issue we do differ with the recent announcement made by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, that “it is [not] for any other country to determine how two countries resolve matters between them, to the extent that actions that the United States might take could disrupt this process.” In fact, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian immediately issued a statement saying, “We highly appreciate the decision by the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of Representatives to adopt Resolution 252 on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This is another proof of the devotion of the American people to universal human values and is an important step toward the prevention of the crimes against humanity.” A clear and principled stance by the U.S. can only assist in developing awareness that the recognition of the genocide is not at all a demonstration of anti‐Turkish sentiments, but a necessity emanating from the need to condemn this crime against humanity. Furthermore, any durable improvement of Armenia‐Turkey relations must rest upon a foundation of shared respect for truth and justice. Finally, President Serge Sarkisian and his administration have time and again declared that any kind of relations with Turkey cannot put into question the veracity of the Armenian Genocide and the fact that the Armenian people have been dispossessed of their homeland, and the necessity to have these facts recognized and condemned by all of humanity. Also, contrary to Secretary Clinton’s assertion, the president of Armenia holds the position that “the relevant sub‐commission to be established under the [Armenia‐Turkey] intergovernmental commission is not a commission of historians.”

We are convinced that the adoption of H.Res.252 by the U.S. House of Representatives will be the best testament, on the one hand, to the fact that the recognition and condemnation of a crime against humanity has a universal value and should not be solely a matter of bilateral relations, and, on the other hand, would reiterate that for the United States normalization of Armenia‐Turkey relations should take place without preconditions, including the precondition set by Turkey regarding recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Please share the contents of this letter with your colleagues in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and with other Representatives who you think would be interested in this matter.

Once again, thank you for your friendship with the people of the Republic of Armenia and for all your support and assistance over the years.

Sincerely,

Armen Rustamyan
Chairman, Standing Committee on Foreign Relations
National Assembly of Armenia

The panelists

The event featured insights by a diverse panel of speakers, including the former U.S. ambassador to Armenia, John Evans; the chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Ken Hachikian; the chairman of Armenian Education Foundation in Modern Armenian History, Dr. Richard Hovannisian; and emeritus professor of history at the University of Michigan, Dr. Dennis Papazian.

“We appreciate the views and analysis of each of our panelists as we explore the serious implications of the Turkey-Armenia protocols for the Armenian nation,” said Raffi Mahserdjian of the ARF New York, who opened the forum. “We look forward to hosting similar events in the future to tackle fundamental issues facing our community in the New York-New Jersey area and around the world.”

Prior to the presentations, community leaders were invited to a reception hosted by Virginia Davies and Sue Aramian in honor of the panelists. Ani Tchaghlasian of the ARF New Jersey served as mistress of ceremonies, moderating the program that focused on the ramifications of the protocols. Signed last October amidst great controversy and marred by preconditions put forth by the Turkish government, the protocols are largely viewed as having been used to secure Armenian concessions in the Karabagh peace process and derail international Armenian Genocide recognition efforts. Panelists also discussed Armenian American efforts to affect policy in the United States as well the power dynamics at play in the Caucasus region.

Ambassador Evans addressed some issues in the protocols and the steps taken throughout the process. He commended the Armenian government’s impulse to engage in the process, arguing that establishing diplomatic relations with a neighboring state and seeking an open border is normal. He noted, however, that the preconditions set by the Turkish government had been clear from the very beginning. One of the major flaws of the protocols, he said, is that they are supposed to be based on international principles, yet completely omit the words “self-determination” while including “territorial integrity.” Evans also spoke about the troublesome lack of transparency and proper public education in the effort.

Hachikian spoke about the uneven balance of power between Turkey and Armenia—economically, militarily, and geographically—and how Turkey has used this reality to punish Armenia, citing the illegal blockade as just one example. “What we have here, I would argue, is an abuser-abused relationship that is ultimately based upon threats and a bed of lies.” Hachikian also spoke to the heightened Obama Administration opposition to the Armenian Genocide Resolution following passage by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. “This position is morally and practically equivalent to the U.S. being explicitly complicit in Turkey’s genocide denial posture,” argued Hachikian.

Hovannisian spoke to the preconditions that are implicitly referenced in the protocols. “Even though the words ‘Armenian Genocide’ or ‘Treaty of Kars’ are not mentioned, we know they clearly run through every aspect of the document,” he said. Hovannisian also argued that the Armenian Diaspora should have been more involved with the process since it addresses Armenian-Turkish reconciliation—an issue pertinent to Armenians worldwide.

Papazian spoke about the power dynamics that exist in the Caucasus region, explaining that it is not just Armenia-Turkey relations that must be considered, but also the role of Russia, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, as well the interests of Europe and the United States. He argued that to be effective, Armenians must be aware of all the geopolitics involved. In regards to the protocols, he noted that despite the imperfect nature of the agreement, Turkey should not be allowed to secure a public relations victory for supporting it.