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Organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon and by Aztag Daily, a lecture was held Monday, January 25, 2010, at 8:30 PM, at the K. and H. Armenian Hall of Levon Shant Cultural Center of Hamazkayin in Beirut. The topic of the lecture was “The Republic of Armenia in 2009: Promise and reality.” The lecture was presented by Tatoul Hakobyan, an analyst from the Civilitas Foundation of Yerevan and the Yerevan-based correspondent for Aztag Daily.
On behalf of the organizers, Raffi Demirjian opened the event. He said Armenia-Turkey relations are not merely political or, at most, economic issues, because the fate of a people is being scrutinized. He added that the issue is essentially pan-national and pan-Armenian and said that it is on this point that Hamazkayin in Lebanon participated this event.
Raffi Demirjian confirmed that Tatoul Hakobyan is a familiar name to the Lebanese-Armenian community, and that his writings and spirit convey enough information about him.
Mr. Hakobyan introduced the Civilitas Foundation, which implements rural projects, as well as prepares yearly reports on Armenia, and publishes yearly, monthly, as well as weekly analytic articles and research pieces on the internet. Mr. Hakobyan said the foundation’s reports are unique because they are prepared by Armenian specialists from Armenia.
Mr. Hakobyan said the report, ”The Republic of Armenia in 2009: Promise and reality” has three major sections: Armenia and its neighbors, the domestic political situation in Armenia, and Armenia’s economic profile. He said the report is largely focused on Armenia-Turkey relations and to the resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.
The lecturer said the conduct of the Armenian authorities toward the diaspora sends the message that the diasporan Armenian should only send funds to Armenia and not be involved in any further activity, which he said is totally unacceptable. Afterward, in response to several audience questions, Mr. Hakobyan touched on several other issues.
After talking about the development of the negotiation process toward resolving the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, Mr. Hakobyan said that it was due to Armenian youth that the liberation of the fatherland was possible, and that in this situation it is difficult to sign an agreement which will annul all that. He added that even if consecutive presidents of the Republic of Armenia declare that they are willing to make compromises, then they will practically not take that step, since they surely think about what the reaction of history toward them will be. He said that the one who negotiates on behalf of the Armenian party not only will surrender the land, but also will cause the displacement of thousands of Armenians.
Mr. Hakobyan affirmed that when the whole Armenian nation could live in Nakorno Karabagh, then no president can compromise on the issue. In the sphere of rehabilitation, he said that thus far the Armenian nation has not succeeded in achieving success, and added that with negotiations currently underway it is not too late to make amendments.
Referring to the Sargsyan-Aliev meetings, Mr. Hakobyan said ten meetings have taken place in the last two years, and that these meetings have been based upon the Madrid Principles. He said that RA President Serj Sargsyan has allowed himself diplomatic mistakes, since the issue of self-determination in Nagorno Karabagh has not been mentioned in the negotiations.
On the subject of Armenia-Turkey relations, Mr. Hakobyan said that it is natural for these relations to exist, however the approach of suggesting preconditions is strictly unacceptable, though the Turkish authorities hope to impose them. After explaining the difference between the territorial integrity and the recognition of the borders, Tatoul Hakobyan mentioned that Nagorno Karabagh is not included in the Armenia-Turkey protocols; however the logic of a “reasonable deadline” is an indicator of its unofficial position in the negotiations.
During the discussion, Mr. Hakobyan also talked about the Russian factor in Armenian politics, as well as about the constitutionality of the Armenia-Turkey protocols, and international diplomacy. He also touched upon several other issues, such as Armenia’s domestic politics and democracy, which concern the Lebanese-Armenian community.
Toward the end of the lecture, Mr. Hakobyan distributred copies of the report “The Republic of Armenia in 2009: Promise and reality.”
Aztag Daily
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