The Viability of a Worldwide Armenian Organization: Questing for Western Armenia and Cilicia

By Z.S. Andrew Demirdjian Ph.D.

Demirdjian was reprinted and with a much bigger run. The book, published in 2010 by Xlibris, is a blueprint for the future of the Armenian nation. The slim volume (185 pages) should be pored over by every Armenian committed to a bright future for Armenians.
The book makes a persuasive case on how to connect the fragmented Armenian Diaspora. Dr. Demirdjian believes the creation of a pan-Armenian organization would be the first concrete step to unite Armenians and subsequently proceed with their campaign for compensation and restitution from Turkey. A meta-Armenian organization can be a permanent entity looking after the national interests of all Armenians.
He argues that its time to establish a worldwide meta-organization to unite Armenians with the primary goal of campaigning for the return of Western Armenia and Cilicia to Armenian rule. To reach that goal Armenians need critical mass. The contention that large number are the common denominators of any organized political effort at achieving results has been a truism in the past, present, and the future is beyond refutation, he says. It would take an enemy of the Armenians to disagree with the assertion.
But before demanding land and property, Armenian organizations have to coalesce and to rally around a single strategy. Dr. Demirdjian suggests the coining of a wordAraratismwhich would serve as the name of the ideology of all Armenians working together to regain at least parts of Western Armenia and for enhancing conditions for the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh.
While we talk about being a nation of 8 million we collectively punch way below our weight because of fragmentation and our rejection of compromise, he says. A pan-Armenian organization would give us the critical mass so that we would be taken seriously in international fora. The success of Genocide centennial commemorations demonstrated that when we work together we can make our voices heard above the international media din. Its safe to assume that he Pope wouldnt have been familiar with the Armenian Genocide had his Armenian acquaintances in Buenos Aires not familiarized him with the great calamity inflicted upon our nation by Turkey.
While Dr. Demirdjian makes the case for the necessity of a pan-Armenian organization, the nitty-gritty of setting up such an organization is provided by Harut Sassounian, the publisher of California Courier. In the books last chapter (Proposal to Create a Framework for Uniting the Diaspora Armenians) Sassounian provides a toolbox for the construct.
There are a number of organizations which are trying to represent the Western Armenians (the National Congress of Western Armenians, the National Council of Western Armenians, Government-in-Exile of Western Armenians). Most Diaspora Armenians know little or nothing about them primarily because the Diaspora mediaoften controlled by the political partiesare reluctant to cover the activities of rivals, let alone promote them. Its this divisiveness which Dr. Demirdjian rightly condemns in his timely book.
Will our leaders continue to dismiss the concept of a pan-Armenian organization or will they unshackle themselves from the business as usual dead-end model? Will they continue to behave like our divisive and destructive nakharars or embrace the bracing idea? When will they realize that the Diaspora could vanish in a few generations if the Diaspora establishment doesnt get its act together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 16, 2010
• ISBN: 9781469115887

Z.S. Andrew Demirdjian Ph.D.

Dr. Z. S. Andrew Demirdjian’s research interests lie in social and behavioral sciences. During his academic career, he has published hundreds of articles and hundreds of editorials in refereed journals and has received over thirty best article/author awards for his research studies. Dr. Demirdjian distinguishes himself as being more than a top-notch scholar, he has an extensive track record in consulting various profit and not-for-profit organizations spanning over twenty-five years. Excellence to most is an end; to him, it is an elusive target to pursue in his each and every professional endeavor. His recently published books include Perspectives in Consumer Behavior: An Anthropological Approach; The Demon in Diplomacy: Alliances Based on Affinity; Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World: Insights, Innovations, and Trends; The Triangle of Trade in the Cradle of Civilization; and The Viability of a Worldwide Armenian Organization; The Dynamics of Organizing a Diaspora: The Quest for Unity; and Perspectives on Armenian Prospects: Challenges and Opportunities. Currently, he is writing two books: The Emergence of the Ottoman Empire: A Pattern of Passionate Behavior (a psychological analysis of the Turks during and after the fall of the Ottoman Empire) and Armenia: The Land of Dreams (on the past, present, and future of the Armenian nation for the commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Z. S. Andrew Demirdjian

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Contents

ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE CONCEPT OF ESTABLISHING A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PART I

THE RATIONALE FOR A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER ONE

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: TIMING FOR THE THREE RS

CHAPTER TWO

A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION AND

CRITICAL MASS

CHAPTER THREE

LEVERAGING THROUGH A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

PART II

BUILDING AN EFFICIENT AND AN EFFECTIVE WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER FOUR

AN IDEOLOGY FOR A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER FIVE

A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION AND

GLOBAL MEETINGS

CHAPTER SIX

THE MARC ANTHONY APPROACH:

DEALING WITH THE GENOCIDE DENIERS

PART III

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SCATTERED NATION

CHAPTER SEVEN

WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION AND

EMERGING NATIONALISM

CHAPTER EIGHT

A WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION AND THE VILIFICATION OF THE ARMENIANS OF ARTSAKH

CHAPTER NINE

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE GENOCIDE SURVIVORS’ DESCENDENTS

CHAPTER TEN

ADVANTAGES OF

PAN-ARMENIANISM

EPILOGUE

A PROPOSAL TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK FOR UNITING THE DIASPORA ARMENIANS

REFERENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED

TO

MS. ZARA MOKATSIAN

FOR SHARING HER VAST EDITORIAL TALENTS, PHILOLOGICAL INSIGHTS,

AND FOR BEING A CONSTANT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

AND TO

THE NEW GENERATION OF ARMENIAN LEADERS

WHO WOULD NOT FORGET WESTERN ARMENIA AND CILICIA AS BEING OUR MAIN HOMELAND.

ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE CONCEPT OF ESTABLISHING A WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN ORGANIZATION

It is high time and long overdue to unite the Armenian nation through a worldwide organization by putting our differences aside and working together to finally exact justice for the Armenian Cause – by campaigning for and successfully securing the return of Western Armenia including Cilicia. If we do not retake ownership of our Cause, who will? If we do not dare to actively postulate justice, then we won’t even get some crumbs of the huge loaf of land that belonged to our fathers and forefathers for centuries — long before even the civilized world had known about the existence of the Turks on our ancestors’ native land.

Appo K. Jabarian

Executive Publisher/Managing Editor

USA Armenian Life Magazine

"Frankly, it boggles the mind to see Armenians miss so many opportunities in the pursuit of their national aspirations because of their lack of organization. Imagine what would have been achieved politically, socially, economically, and culturally had Armenians pooled their resources together and acted as one large organized unit!

This book is vitally important for every Armenian. It demonstrates the urgent need to rally around a yet to be formed worldwide Armenian organization that would achieve the critical mass necessary to accomplish their objectives efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all Armenians."

Harut Sassounian

Publisher,

The California Courier

Senior Contributor, USA Armenian Life Magazine

"The author of The Viability of a Worldwide Armenian Organization is proposing objectively to fill an important gap in the present types of fragmented Armenian associations of various orientations and persuasions. Such a meta-organization is much-needed and could function very efficiently and effectively in today’s Cyber Age. Dr. Demirdjian is making an inspiring case for the necessity of establishing a worldwide umbrella organization to coalesce all the diverse organizations for the creation of unity and shared purpose in promoting the Armenian Cause and various interests of the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. The book is well written and it would serve as an efficient template for designing such an effective organizational structure.

A worldwide organization would have an inherent leverage to tackle many challenges confronting a geographically scattered people (such as the Armenian nation) and to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. The language of the book is succinct but compelling in giving many examples to show the benefits of having such an organization. I recommend this book for every Armenian and non-Armenian to read, reflect, and hopefully act upon the propositions made for building a powerful worldwide organization with a guiding ideology."

Kris Mirzayan, Ph.D.

An American who was born and lived in Turkey wrote the following major reason as to why the Greeks, the Bulgarians, and the Serbians became independent, but the Armenians had failed:

" . . . [T]here was no organization that bound all the Armenians together. They were scattered communities with no bond of union, except their language and their church creed. These communities were ignorant of each other [sic] and jealous of each other’s [sic] prosperity."

Edwin M. Bliss, Ph.D.

Turkish Cruelties upon the

Armenian Christians: A Reign of Terror, c. 1896

"One might not agree with some of the historical analysis of the author, but his questioning whether we need a worldwide Armenian organization would be difficult to oppose. Dr. Demirdjian’s objective and logical arguments presented in this book advocating the formation of such an organization convinces the reader of the critical importance of the establishment of such body for the protection and advancement of Armenian interests and affairs around the world. He touches upon an idea of crucial importance which could be effective to face modern challenges and to formulate Armenian national and international objectives.

The international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide with all its festered consequences still deserve the maximum efforts of both the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora structures. Setting of national agenda with a slogan working together for results is one crucial initiative toward building solidarity composed of teams rather than individuals. The time is up and it is expected that our resources will be soon limited to fight denial, assimilation and the provisions for development. That’s why we need to hurry on to forge a social/political consciousness for a unified pursuit of the Armenian Cause."

Hayk Demoyan, Ph.D., Director

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute

"Just look at what we have lost [Greater Armenia 299-387]. This is often through self-serving leadership, as well as an interpersonal spirit of competition with other Armenians, that goes beyond normal bounds for abnormal control. This psyche has divided the Armenians for thousands of years, causing loss of land and culture. Will we go the way of the Assyrians and the Babylonian? Yes, we will if we do not UNITE as one to achieve responsible goals.

Our political dickering and party/church infighting serve no one but the Turks. When the Turks killed us, they did not ask our party affiliation before maiming, torturing, and murdering our men, women, and children. Will we ever wake up from our age-long follies? This is one of our LAST chances to unite for a concerted force to face our present and future challenges as one nation around the globe!!!"

Charles K. Paskerian, MBA

"Well into the Twenty-First century, Armenians across the world will still be struggling to exorcise the Armenian Genocide from their collective memory. The Cause for justice seems to have been wired in the DNA of the new generation of Armenians. Due to rabid nationalism, Turkey has denied the systematic massacres during the 1915-1923 years as being genocide by propagandizing that the death of 1.5 million men, women, and children was the result of the inherent adversities of WWI. Some have claimed that disunity among Armenian leaders throughout its long history may have contributed to the survival of the nation in a sea of predatory neighbors, but surely enough disunity from fragmentation must have also stunted its growth as a powerful nation. Despite the longstanding travesty of justice in resolving the Genocide issue, Armenians have not organized internationally to address this festering problem efficiently. This long-overdue book, The Viability of a Worldwide Armenian Organization, demonstrates the dire need and the effective methods for organizing on a global scale to present a unified force working toward obtaining restitution, reparation, and the return of Armenian lands especially occupied by Turkey."

Viktor Mnatsakanyan, Ph.D.

"Environmental turbulence characterized by unexpected events caused by exogenous changes such as the Armenia-Turkey protocols debacle and an accelerating rate of change are the defining attributes of organizational environments (social, political, and economic). Anticipation, hunches, educated guesses, forecasting are all fraught with the possibility of strategic blunders. A worldwide organization would have the muscles for flexibility of strategy as the cornerstone for survival and growth of the community. Furthermore, a worldwide organization will be able to manage interfaces of love-hate relationships with other Armenian active organizations. Dr. Demirdjian’s proposition is the ultimate method to get the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora