13 11 2008 - A Letter to a Friend - Why the Silence and Inactivity?

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A Letter to a Friend - Why the Silence and Inactivity?
By Dikran Abrahamian BA, MD, Ontario, 10 November 2008

From the moment that the present rulers came to power in Armenia, there were reservations and critical appraisals. Initially that involved the fraudulent presidential election, then the brutal way of silencing the opposition. The most serious matter was yet to come – a course of diplomacy that is at high gears to implement what some call a sell out, including but not limited to lethally compromising decades’ long struggle of the Diaspora for recognition of the Genocide of the Armenians and the security of Artsakh.

Recently, during a private visit to Southern California, the above topics were the subject of discussions with many that I met, including editors, writers, activists, party officials and ordinary folks of various affiliations and persuasions. Some had praiseworthy remarks about our community. Indeed a very well respected individual made the following observation, "we have seen the Canadian Armenian community being more active in the past couple of years." On the other hand, I heard some veiled critical remarks too, primarily related to the apparent silence of the community about the usurped power, ongoing violations of human and civil rights, the predicament of the political prisoners, and inactivity of the community regarding recent diplomatic initiatives of Armenia.

While thanking for the positive remarks, I’ll attempt to address the issues of silence and inactivity pointed out by many. To avoid hurting the sensitivities of people involved in the affairs of our community in Canada, I’ll describe the situation in as mundane and neutral terms as possible. That may not be always possible; for the sake of keeping good relations, covering realities is not an option - particularly at this juncture when so much is at stake.

AWA, The Armenian World Alliance in Toronto, comprises Henchags, Ramgavars and individuals who are ideologically oriented but not members of political parties. Up to recently ADL, the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party was a constituent of the formation. It’s no longer the case, because the ADL leadership in Toronto opted out. Subsequently, to the chagrin of several sympathizers of AWA, it joined CCA - the Congress of Armenian Canadians based in Montreal.

CCA, despite being cognizant of the fact that the presidential election was anything but fair, did not hesitate to congratulate the new president, and simply made lukewarm remarks about the March First tragedy. ADL did the same along with AGBU and others, such as the Armenian Assembly in USA. It’s worth noting that the Armenian Diocese of Canada is part of CCA, and the Primate ex-officio has to follow instructions from the Catholicosate in Etchmiadzin, and thus limit independent local actions.

Of late some members of CCA privately were questioned why the silence about what has happened and what is evolving. The answers have been less than satisfactory. It seems that CCA concerns itself only with matters of the Genocide of the Armenians and recognition of the Genocide - a very convenient non-answer. Others have just shaken their heads without providing a straight-forward reply.

ANCC, the Armenian National Committee of Canada, deplored and condemned the use of violence in Tibet. However, it seems the binoculars were set to see the higher elevations of the Roof of the World bypassing regions around Ararat. Flip-flopping between opposition and coalition in Armenia, the ARF - the overseer of ANCs worldwide - set the tone for the rest of the chapters in the Diaspora including Canada. Of course, once the agenda of his Excellency the President of Armenia became more obvious, it felt uneasy to say the least. How to handle the inconsistencies between goals that are held dear and reality? There have been news items circulating in the ARF affiliated media elsewhere, but nothing substantial in Canada.

As in other Armenian communities, independent individuals, intellectuals who for one reason or another have apathy towards recognized organizations, tried to break the silence. They wrote open letters, participated in various petitions, initiated public and on-line discussions, and posted articles in websites. The number of people involved in such activities is impressive; but due to the lack of coordination between individuals it did not materialize into a unified voice asserting itself in Canada, let alone be adequately heard in the motherland.

Is it time for action? Probably yes; but given the realities that a primate effectively sets the trend of what’s to be done in one of the organizations and dichotomy characterizies a coalition partner in Armenia, it’s hard to expect anything substantive yet. Independents are silenced, and sometimes - deliberately or inadvertently - their initiatives are undermined.

Will the Canadian Armenian community be more active and be heard? It’s argued that such a flow is tantamount to interference in the affairs of Armenia. Nevertheless, equally valid is the argument that highest officials of Armenia have already hampered the efforts of the Diaspora. They have provided invaluable opportunities to the Turkish state controlled propaganda machine. That colossal institution disseminates misinformation through the media and spreads confusion through delegations and various councils. It has become all the more difficult to expand the circle of jurisdictions that have recognized the Genocide – that horrible traumatic communal experience that kept and keeps the Diaspora together – a pathological phenomenon, yet very real.

Expecting the organizations to take the lead is to witness more of the same, for as long as individuals and coalitions in the organizations are worried about their own interests – personal or otherwise. The moment that their prerogatives get seriously curtailed they’ll raise their voice – an event that was observed during the first administration in Armenia. Meanwhile it’s up to the people who profess to be independents, up to the intellectuals and professionals who are concerned about the hazardous course that Armenia has taken, to coalesce and get the Canadian Armenian community into the national discourse that began with a rough ride.

Dicran Abrhamian