Comments on: Hachikian to Sarkisian: How Dare You Squander Our Political Capital?

By: Gayane

Gayane — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:08:13 +0000

Mr Henry Dumanian!!

We all do respect.. but you have no clue as to what Diaspora truly means.. Just because some organizations did not do what they were suppose to do, it does not mean everyone who lives outside of Armenia stood aside and did nothing to assist Armenia and its people..

In addition, you don’t know me personally and you don’t know what I have done to support my family, friends and Armenia in general.. so please don’t go around and accuse people for saying what they truly feel and want to do.. unfortunately, i am only one person and not an army or a govt body.. i can’t only do so much and all my efforts from more times than none feel like are being wasted because people such as yourself look down upon people living in Diaspora.. and that is discouraging.. however, the more discouraging it is, the more people should stand up, brush up and do even more.. no matter little it is… as LONG AS THEY do something…

So i would ask you sir to spare me your spiteful and negative feelings toward Diaspora.. I understand that the “Diaspora” you are talking about sure exists and I dont’ disagree with you.. However, the DIASPORA i am talking about consists of people who are dedicated and willing to create change by hard work and persistance.. and it will be a disgrace for you to discredit their work and their dedication….. again, one person can’t accomplish anything.. it has to be a joint venture.. and I already know you are not willing to be part of that join venture.. at least i hope not..

Thank you
Gayane

By: Henry Dumanian

Henry Dumanian — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:39:58 +0000

Spare me the cliche metaphors about mothers and babies and cords.

If I remember correctly, last year, when the people of Armenia united to get rid of this CRIMINAL REGIME, protested peacefully for 10 days, were killed and beaten, had a state of emergency imposed for 20 days, their right to assembly was taken away, illegaly, their media was severely restricted, they were portrayed as drug addicts and looters on TV, their army fired at them (some of them their own kids serving in the army), many went to jail, many more lost their jobs for voting the wrong way — and then, even after all of this, the people of Armenia, on Serge’s inauguration day, flooded the streets in protest…what did the Diaspora do?

All major Armenian American organizations — ANCA, AAA, Eastern/Western Diocese, Eastern/Western Prelacy, and the AGBU — even before the state of emergency was lifted, signed a letter saying they were ready to work with PRESIDENT SERGE SARKISSIAN — effectively giving the finger to all the people who were out there protesting so they would never have to hear those words 3 words together.

Your “brothers and sisters” in Armenia spoke out plenty, Ms. Gayane — where was all of this outcry and criticism of Serge when he let the dogs out on the people of Armenia last year? Why didn’t you write letters, emails, gave speeches, wrote op-eds when the people of Armenia were getting SLAUGHTERED.

Did Mr. Hachikian and his organization forget that they stood by Serge and held his hand when Serge was at his weakest? Did he forget that he was a shoulder to cry on when Serge realized the people of Armenia HATE HIM? How dare Mr. Hachikian talk about “political capital?” How dare you talk about helping our “brothers and sisters” in Armenia when the Diaspora fully stood by Serge and thus, AGAINST the will of the people of Armenia?

It’s quite frustrating, the sudden case of amnesia the Diaspora has been struck with. Quite frustrating indeed.

By: Gayane

Gayane — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:48:32 +0000

Henry..

It is unfortunate that you don’t think that Armenians in Diaspora should have a strong if not stronger voice as to what is going on in Armenia..People such as yourself and I am sure there are alot of you out there that makes this unity and working together impossible. I do apologize if I sound very rude and angry…not my intentions.. One of the readers here wrote that MAJORITY OF US had no choice but to move out of our country.. so VERY TRUE. HENCE, we are PART OF OUR COUNTRY no matter where we are.. We are connected with a cord just like a baby to a mother… Without our voice, Armenia can’t be the country that it used to be .. Our brothers and sisters in Armenia are threatened and can’t speak out.. Even though nowdays they are standing up and going against all the threats and consequences… More power to them.. However, they have less choices than we do .. Therefore, our support is essential and our voices SHOULD BE heard ..NO EXCEPTIONS..
It is just unfortunate to see that there are people who are ignorant of the fact that instead of thinking how Armenias in Armenia can’t tell us what to do and we should not do it either, they should think HOW we can come together and do whatever it takes to get our nation back: be protesting, be monetary help, be being involved in the internal affairs and be having A STRONGER VOICE…. it is all of our responsibility to built our nation and not just Armenians in Armenia.. Keep that in mind..

Yours truly

By: Henry Dumanian

Henry Dumanian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:00:42 +0000

Gayane–

“it SHOULD show that even though we may have less power (which in reality, we in Diaspora should have as much if not greater power than the Armenian citizen in Armenia) we can impose great deal of pressure”

Why in the hell do you think you should have more of a say in Armenian politics than the people of Armenia do? That seems a little..absurd. Should Armenians in Armenia have a say in how much taxes you pay, where your tax money goes, when to hold a draft, when to send your kids to war? I think not. The Diaspora needs to get over itself, quick!

By: Gayane

Gayane — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:02:00 +0000

TO: ARMEN

I am sorry but did I misread your statement or you are honestly being serious?

Are you using Sarkissian and decency and civility in the same sentence? We all do respect and I hate to put down another Armenian because I believe we have done that too many time and too long and that is why we are where we are, BUT if one leader who disregards his OWN people’s cries and treats them like TURKS.. yes TURKS.. ignor and push aside..and kill silently then where is HIS dignity and civility?

I am sorry but I do not agree with you.. I understand why Mr. Hachikian addressed the way he did.. HE himself had and frankly I plus millions of Armenians have HAD IT with mafia run govt who instead of having their own citizens’ well being in their agenda they are thinking about their pocket and belly.. I have no respect for govt and/OR PRESIDENT in that matter and will have no respect until he proves us otherwise.. I am sure he is a great individual (don’t know myself) but as a leader he gets an F-…

Thank you

By: armen baghdoyan

armen baghdoyan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:46:17 +0000

Mr. Ken Hachikian’s comments addressed to the president of Armenia Serge Sarksyan on behalf of ANCA at the Oct. 3 meeting in New York is simply outrageous. How dare he, Mr. Hachikian, address the president of Armenia in such a shameless tone? This is typical American arrogance that has permeated into the veins of some Armenian-Americans leading to absolute disregard of decency and civility. The repugnant behavior of Mr. Hachikian should be rejected by every self-respecting Armenian.

By: Gayane

Gayane — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:32:01 +0000

TO: JOHN

You could not be more right by saying WE, the ARMENIAN people, should love, respect, and unite ourselves FIRST and then go after other nations to side with us..

A friend of mine who is not an Armenian told me that if our own president does not respect democracy and does not love his people, then why would other countries side with us? He said our president must have gotten some sort of a deal from Turkey and US if he is this strongly protects these protocols.. We got into a very heated discussion about this…The more and more i read and hear about this, the more I think my friend is completly right.. He has no emotional ties and he speaks his mind as is and he definitely hit the bull’s eye when it told me we need to get our ties strong and not be afraid to speak our minds no matter what the outcome would be.. and having a President who goes after his own gain is nothing new but giving away his country is unexcusable..

By: john

john — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:23:29 +0000

Sargysian, because of his election being deemed fraudulent by the international community, has already cost the Armenian nation over 60 million US dollars in the Millenium package. Ken and the ANCA does do great work however we cannot expect greatness for Armenia without also persuing true democracy, freedom and media without censorship. Maybe, instead of asking all others to recognize our own genocide we should strive toward uniting together in one cause ourselves first.
Sargysian is a thug and a traitor and needs to go. Let’s not forget, it was an Armenian who gave Talaat the names of the 250 or so intellectuals who were arrested and murdered. Sargysian is doing the same for purely self interest. What an idiot. There is no such thing as freindship with Turks. All their relationships or actions are based upon opportunity or gain. This is no different.

By: Gayane

Gayane — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:09:38 +0000

TO DIKRANIAN…

Apres… an Excellent Post.. I have my dad’s side living in Armenia.. All 300 of them and still growing despite the unfavorable situation in our country and I worry every day about their well being.. and this is not because they are poor and rely on us for survival or work their bones to put food on their table to live another day.. they are very content and thankful what little they have.. what they don’t want is a President that will feed them to the wolves… without caring and thinking about the regular citizen and only concentrating on those who can give them free money.. free to them of course.. but to us is money that comes with great consequences.. that money is blood money for us.. the money will burn our country down..

TO AR: I understand that not everyone will have the same thoughts, insights and point views and you are an individual with your own values and concerns and beliefs.. and I am not blaming you for what you say.. however, what I would recommend is to truly look at the bigger picture and put those people who needs us first and not the govt who can care less what happens at the end as long as they are taken care of..

I just hope that our efforts that we put in for years and years to accomplish a goal won’t be crushed with a pen… a hand that will be compared to the bloody hand of Taalat Pasha if these protocols are signed…

By: Gayane

Gayane — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:43:29 +0000

TO MIHRAN:

An Excellent Poem.. BRAVO..

I got chills after reading it.. it truly captures everything that goes on right now…

This should be mailed to the President and his entourage…