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Editorial: Confronting the Politics of Exclusion
Upcoming Clinton Meeting Reveals Disturbing Fractures in Community
On Feb. 9, leading Armenian American groups will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, apparently to discuss issues of mutual concern. The meeting is being held at the State Department’s invitation, following discussions with various community and advocacy groups. The meeting is widely expected to address Armeno-Turkish relations, focusing on the controversial protocols that are now under consideration.
On the surface, such a meeting would appear welcome—reflecting the U.S.’s willingness to develop consensus, or at least to hear the input of Armenian Americans in developing its policies. Unfortunately, however, much goodwill has already been lost in the process. This is mainly due to missteps taken by the State Department, then reinforced by several Armenian American groups. For those unaware, the State Department initially issued invitations to a small, exclusive, and imbalanced group of organizations–the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Knights of Vartan, and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Clearly, this list is remarkable more for its exclusions than its inclusions. To put it bluntly, the inclusion of the Diocese without the Prelacy is patently ridiculous, and is compounded by the fact that the Protestant and Catholic communities–with significant presences nationwide–were excluded as well. And then, there is the inclusion of the AGBU without the Armenian Relief Society (ARS)–the largest Armenian American women’s group, which pursues significant charitable activities here and in Armenia. We could also mention other groups–traditional political parties, cultural organizations, and others that have maintained significant voices in our community.
The immediate questions that come to mind are, “Why?” and “To what end”? From the original list, we can surmise only one of two answers: Either the State Department is seeking to generate phony “consensus” on the protocols, and is therefore gathering the softest elements on this issue (with the exception of ANCA); or the State Department is listening to voices in the community that, for their own purposes, seek to exclude others who might “compete” with them for legitimacy as representatives. The cynical among us might go even further: Perhaps the Armenian government, seeking to portray the diaspora as favoring its misguided initiatives, has found the ear of someone in putting this lineup together.
Whatever the scenario, such a move is a clear non-starter, for it further divides our community and creates false competition instead of allowing us to come together.
In response to this move, community protests came almost immediately–mainly from the ANCA, as well as from the excluded organizations themselves. Interestingly, no protests were heard from the AGBU, AAA, Knights of Vartan, or Diocese, presumably because they had gotten in themselves. The game here, apparently, is get in the room, then shut the door behind you. How selfish.
In response to the protests, the State Department–apparently not without some embarrassment–has widened the field a bit. As of this week, the Catholics, Protestants, Prelacy, as well as independent groups such as the United Armenian Fund and the Armenian Bar Association, have been added to the list. But the ARS remains excluded, apparently due to strenuous protests from the AGBU, backed by the AAA. How petty! What does the AGBU gain by excluding the ARS from such a meeting? The honor of being the only benevolent group worthy of being invited? The AGBU has a long and proud history of benevolence, both in the diaspora and Armenia. Its seat at the table is assured by this record, not by excluding other groups. We urge all groups to come together and shed such nonsense, once and for all.
We live in a moment when consensus is imperative—especially before a U.S. State Department that would exploit our dissension. Let’s not allow such maneuvers to weaken our resolve. We must come together, with one voice and one purpose, before it’s too late.
53 Comments
I want to see the ARF be a vigorous, nationalistic party that does not stand for the anti-nationalist, inept, and corrupt policies of Armenia’s leaders and oligarchs. I want to see the ARF push its traditional platform 100% and educate the people of Armenia, many of whom do not have access to the information they need. What does the ARF to bring information to the common man and woman, both in Yerevan and the countryside. The ARF was the premier political party. Why has it not lived up to its reputation? Let the lion out of its cage.
The ARF blessed Serge Sargsyan’s nonelection and signed off on the bogus parliamentary report into the slaughter of March 1-2, 2008 last year!
Several senior ARF Bureau members have extensive ties to the Sargsyan regime. For example, Vahan Hovhannisyan’s daughter is married to Serge Sargsyan’s nephew. Hovhannisyan owns everything from restaurant chains to large plots of land in Yerevan.
And, ARF’s Hrant Markarian just two days ago said that the ARF would NOT organize street protests if the Armenian National Assembly ratifies the dreaded protocols even WITHOUT the legally-binding reservations of Armenia’s Constitutional Court.
That is how much the ARF “cares” for Hye Tad!
To Tom: Unforunately, highest ARF structures are so infiltrated with influence agents from all sides (see: The First Directorate: My 32 Years in Intelligence and Espionage Against the West by former Soviet KGB general Oleg Kalugin) that ARF cannot be ‘a vigorous, nationalistic party that does not stand for the anti-nationalist, inept, and corrupt policies of Armenia’s leaders and oligarchs.’ Kalugin reveals that their agents have become ARF’s most influential leaders. If it’s true, what struggle against Russian agents Serjik and his foreign minister Edikcan we expect from this party? After all, don’t you see how closely ARF works with any government in Armenia knowing too well that all the governments are hated by the people? Where is ARF’s traditional platform? In the case of defeatist protocols, too, ARF just showing off on the surface that the party is in opposition to the government policies. In reality, they work in tandem. For me, there is only ONE party: my people.