Threatened Armenia Needs Diaspora Muscle

Keghart.com Team Editorial, 18 October 2010
Continuous threats by Azerbaijan and preconditions by Turkey on resolving Artsakh's status prior to engaging in talks with Armenia, contrary to what was spelled out in the infamous Protocols, prompt us to consider the possibility of an attack on Artsakh and Armenia by our two hostile and belligerent neighbours. Is such an invasion unthinkable? There have been many martial instances when the “unthinkable” has materialized. The present context of rivalries and overt provocations by Azerbaijan cannot be dismissed with simple theoretical assumptions that negate such an attack.


Reassurances by “friends” of Armenians, such as US Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch, who recently stated that “such a thing would never happen,” must be treated with a grain of salt. Armenians have heard similar utterances throughout their long history, whether in Berlin, San Stefano, Sèvres or Lausanne.

Some point out the Russian factor and Armenia’s treaty with our “great protector” in the North. They claim that Moscow's interests in Transcaucasia and in Turkey discourage Ankara and Baku from engaging in another attack on Armenia/Artsakh. There may be some truth in that observation, yet the geopolitical situation in the area is so complex and dynamic, and the interests of the various nations are so interwoven that almost anything is possible, including a tacit Russian-Turkish-Azeri alliance, reminiscent of the Kars Treaty in 1921. What's stamp-sized Artsakh's worth to Russia, compared, say, to halting Western expansion in the area with the backing of Turkey? Politics, after all, is the art of the impossible.

Need we be reminded of the not-so-distant promises, treaties and negotiations which have cost so dearly for Armenia and Armenians? It's only through arms that we have been able to save our lives, lands and rights. Consider the defense of Van and Musa Dagh, the battles of Sardarapat, Karakilisa, Bash-Abaran and, two decades ago, the liberation of Artsakh.

That brings us to questions of Armenia’s military capabilities and readiness. The military might of Armenia is a puzzle and a mystery. As many Armenians, including Keghart.com readers, have pointed out, a country with two-and-a-half million population can't have a sizeable army, despite mandatory conscription. It cannot match the Azeri military whose 2009 expenditures were close to US $2.5 billion. Azerbaijan has its own defense industry, manufacturing small arms, artillery systems, tanks, armor, aircraft bombs, pilotless vehicles, military planes and helicopters, according to Wikipedia.

It seems that no week passes without Baku threatening Armenia and Artsakh with war. It's time Armenians of Armenia and Diaspora thought of improving the military capabilities of our motherland. Depending on traditional Armenian patriotism and high morale will result in disaster. Those were factors during Artsakh’s battles, but since then Azerbaijan has learned some important lessons, and its military has become stronger and more sophisticated, thanks to the input of international military suppliers and advisors.

The Armenian Diaspora should not wait for Yerevan to beckon for help in the eleventh hour. The worldwide Armenian community can initiate its own measures and demonstrate that its participation in the defense of Armenia is crucial. For a number of reasons, the authorities in Armenia may, at first, be reluctant to respond to such initiatives. They may feel challenged. They may not tolerate “outside” interference. This has been a characteristic of “independent” Armenia, starting with the First Republic. The unfortunate tradition has not changed irrespective of who has been in control.

Recent news of abuse and torture in the Armenian army are disturbing, to say the least. However, it should not deter Diaspora from setting up its own plan of conscription of young people. The need for such a plan is neither far-fetched nor unheard of. Several countries use the resources, including military, of their diasporas. Some also hire mercenaries. In time of war emergency nationals of many countries, who ethnically are not related to the country in need, have lent their support. The classic example is the Spanish Civil War in the '30s. In more recent times Latin American nationals participated in the overthrow of Batista’s dictatorship in Cuba. Argentinean Che Guevara’s name, irrespective of the political colours he is painted with, still resonates with the young. Israel has always drawn fighters from “relatives” in the west, while Azerbaijan receives military and propaganda support from Turkey.

During the First World War, the 4,124-member Légion arménienne, made up of Diaspora Armenians, fought on the side of the French and British armies against Ottoman Turkey. The all-volunteer regiment was comprised of Armenians who had even travelled from distant United States to fight the Turkish genocidiers. These brave and patriotic young men also fought because the Allies had promised to give autonomy to Cilician Armenia. At the Battle of Arara (Sept. 19, 1918) in northern Palestine, the Legion defeated a combined German-Turkish force to spur the final victorious campaign of the Allies in the Middle East.

The Nazi occupation in France led many Armenians to fight in the Resistance. Missak Manouchian, a young intellectual, a poet and a leader in the Resistance, was executed for his contribution to the liberation of France. He was posthumously awarded France's highest honours. In the '80s young Armenians, from the Diaspora, used unorthodox methods in several capitals of Europe and in Turkey to make the voice of their slain ancestors be heard; and some of these volunteers paid with their lives. During the Lebanese Civil War it was the young men and women who protected the Armenian neigbourhoods. Young diasporans in Artsakh participated in battles, some making the ultimate sacrifice. We have no reason to believe that the heroic tradition of Diaspora young people has faded. It needs rekindling; it needs a meaningful cause.

In time of need, the Diaspora has responded to the call of the motherland. It can and should again. During the Second World War, initiated by Etchmiadzin, it participated generously in raising funds to establish the Sasountsi Tavit tank battalion. Commanded by Marshal Hovhannes Bagramyan, it was among the first to enter liberated Berlin. Just as our Diaspora brothers and sisters supported Armenia in the Second World War, we can now participate in the defense of our motherland.

There is no end to how we can contribute to the defense of Armenia and Artsakh, provided we have the mindset to explore the possibilities and are willing to implement even the impossible. Keghart.com challenges all political parties to stop bickering about who does what and who has what portion of the farm. We’ve had enough of henhouse mentality (havnotsamedaynutyun). Protocols or not, we have more urgent issues at hand. Diaspora should tell, in no uncertain terms, to Azerbaijan and its allies that Armenia is not alone. Diaspora’s voice will be heard! It will always be ready and willing to serve the 4,300-year-old motherland.

If the homeless Armenian nation--ravaged by genocide and exile--could, in 1916, raise a regiment of close to 4,200 soldiers for the liberation of Cilician Armenia, a contemporary global and often prosperous Armenian Diaspora is capable of doing far more. There will always be fence-sitters who will say, "if," "but," "can't be done,' "it's a pipedream." Let's ignore the naysayers and consider the words of statesman Edmund Burke: "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only little."
Content:

Threatened Armenia Needs Diaspora Muscle Keghart.com Team Editorial http://www.keghart.com/Editorial_DiasporaMuscle
Translators' Day Hrayr Jebejian (video clip in Armenian) http://www.keghart.com/Jebejian_Translators
Turkish Nationalists Accused of Killing Bishop Vatican City http://www.keghart.com/Vatican_KillingBishop
Harper Policies Doomed UN Bid Chantal Hébert http://www.keghart.com/Hebert_UNBid
Keurkune’s Church, a Cultural Landmark Vahe H. Apelian http://www.keghart.com/Apelian_Keurkune
Groundwork Laid for Narrative of Failed Peace Talks Alex Kane http://www.keghart.com/Kane_PalestiniansFault
The Centuries Old Armenian Epic Song - Moghats Mirza Prof. Khatchatur Pilikian http://www.keghart.com/K_Pilikian_MoghatsMirza
"Hushed Voices" Emeritus Professor Heribert Adam (book presentation) http://www.keghart.com/Adam_HushedVoices
Վերադարձ Դէպի Ախթամար Գրիգոր Գրաճեան http://www.keghart.com/Krajian_Akhtamar
Parlous State of Diaspora Armenian Schools Lalai Manjikian http://www.keghart.com/Manjikian_Schools
Fondation Hayastan Canada Inc. (Announcement) http://www.keghart.com/Hayastan_Announcement
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