New American-Armenian lobby
But before I get to that, I want to congratulate the Karabakhtsis for their new constitution which passed on Wednesday. With 87% voter turnout, and 99% voting yes on the constitution which again reaffirms their independence, the constitution would have passed even without the changes in demographics since the war started. And instead of being congratulated by the west for a democratic vote, and a historic day, Karabakh was instead trodden upon. Luckily it does not depend on the west for support or it would have been trampled to death like so many khachkars in Jugha.
Now, as I mentioned there is a new Armenian lobby organization in Washington, DC. Gerard Cafesjian is starting U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC), and says it will compliment the other lobby organizations. It will be headed by Ross Vartian and Rob Moser, both previously at the Assembly. Very interesting stuff!
Now, as I mentioned there is a new Armenian lobby organization in Washington, DC. Gerard Cafesjian is starting U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC), and says it will compliment the other lobby organizations. It will be headed by Ross Vartian and Rob Moser, both previously at the Assembly. Very interesting stuff!
posted by Raffi K. at 9:01 PM
11 Comments:
Another "armenian" lobby controlled by a wealthy individual...this is ridiculous! No organization with majority control in the hands of an individual can be trusted, no matter how benevolent that individual is or pretends to be. Armenian Assembly has already proven several times to go against the interest of Armenia and Armenians, and closely cooperating with the state department to undermine Armenia's national interests. Cafesjian can do more good for Armenia by using his influence and wealth within Armenia to fight against gov't connected monopolies, rigging elections, a non-corrupt police, anti-smoking campaigns, human rights, better schools, hospitals so that at least the next generation of Armenians can have a healthy prosperous country which is the solution to all of our foreign policy concerns. With a strong Armenia, we won’t need to beg "lobby" foreign politicians for help!
I can't digest the following: "Turkey today is not a friendly neighbor to Armenia. But as a fully mature member of the EU, Turkey would be a much more friendly neighbor of Armenia,” Vartian said.
Referendum in Karabakh NOW did not make any sense! So, ostensibly, Armenia is negotiating with Azerbaijan about the status of Karabakh, and the main option is to hold - yup! - a referendum on that status in the future. And now this "preemptive" move... You might as well spit on the face of your inrelocutor and the mediators and say: "Go f... yourself, we have already decided the status, so negotiations are over". What's the wisdom of diplomatically disadvantaging yourself??
Artashes, take it easy, they voted on a CONSTITUTION, not on independence. They did the independence thing loooooong ago, the constitution simply mentioned that they are independent. Please read the article I linked to.
Congrats Karabagh. If I were president of Armenia, you would have a seat at the table for Negotiations. :)
As for Cafesjian's new lobby organization, I'm sad that someone who does so much for Armenia is taking part in an act that will further divide the community. Rather than work towards a united front in DC, this will tear us further apart. And with all due respect, Ross Vartian does not have the Armenian people's interest in mind. I realize how biased I am, but I do respect people from the Assembly, ANCA, Ramgavars, ARF, AGBU, ACYOA, you name it. I truly do. It is never organizations, rather individuals who create bad policies.
That said, I don't think this new group will get very far. The Armenian American communities are much too intelligent and savvy to know the difference between representing their interests and a political move. The way they stepped aside and allowed TARC to fall on its face, the same will happen here. Unless Ross and Cafesjian decide to really do something in our interests and use their influence to make change (and I can only wish they would, but it doesn't seem likely), the people wont back them. I truly believe Armenians are that organized. Coming from the inside of this world, that's saying a lot.
Has anyone heard any more details about what the Armenian Assembly intends for the former government building on Tigran Mets near the hrabarag? This was a government building in Tsarist times and the government's building during the first Republic. It has immense historical value. However, it is reported that it is to be "renovated" for use by the Armenian Assembly. It has been reported that two floors will be added and only the facade will be kept. A sad fate for a building that should belong to all Armenians and should be turned into a museum. Was there no place else for the Assembly to place its offices?
Yes, that building will be given to Birthright Armenia for free by the Assembly. The two floors will be used by Birthright, and I think there is no other organization that would make better use of that building, and give more back to Armenia.
Does that mean the Assembly is taking control of Birthright Armenia? That doesn't make the program very unaffiliated, does it?
Ok, well it seems that you are not aware that Birthright was started by the Hovnanian family. That being said, Birthright is an umbrella organization, that has people from all sides working in the organization. The organization is purposefully affiliated with every organization. It is an example to follow, because people from all sides have come together to run this wonderful organization.
Birthright is a great program. However, a nation needs to preserve the tangible assets of its history. This is particularly true in the case of the Armenians since they have had so much destroyed. There should be some consideration given to at least a portion of the structure being preserved in its original form as a museum.
Gee way to make a mountain out of a mole hill, give the building to Birthright they will make good use of it, I hope you are lobbying for the preservation of other buildings in Armenia too, particularly the Northern Avenue contructions.
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