Message from Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO

April 22, 2018

Սիրելի Հայրենակիցներ,

Հաւաքուած ենք ոգեկոչելու Ցեղասպանութեան զոհերու յիշատակը եւ թափ տալու հայ ժողովուրդի շարունակուող արդար դատի պայքարին:

Պիտի ոգեկոչենք եւ սակայն անհնարին է չանդրադառնալ հայրենիքի տարածքին տեղի ունեցող ժողովրդային բողոքի խաղաղ ալիքին եւ անոր դառնութիւններուն տուն տուող կուտակուած բոլոր պատճառներուն:

Հայրենիքի ապահովութեան գերագոյն շահերը նկատի ունենալով զսպուածութեան եւ հանդուրժողութեան կոչ կ’ուղղենք բոլոր կողմերուն:

Եւ սակայն գիտակից ենք թէ հայրենիքի ամենաթանկագին հարստութիւնը անոր քաղաքացին է եւ իշխանութիւններ գոյութիւն ունին ծառայելու այդ ժողովուրդին, երաշխաւորելու անոր ապահովութիւնը, լսելու անոր ձայնը եւ այդ ձայնին մէջէն իմանալու անոր խտացած պատգամը:

Արիւնայեղութենէ հեռու հարկ է լսել եւ անդրադարնալ ժողովուրդի կամքին:

Կ’աղօթենք որ Աստուածային միջամտութեամբ իմաստութիւն, խաղաղութիւն, սէր եւ համերաշխութիւն տիրող ըլլայ կացութեան:

Dear Compatriots,

It has been three years since we commemorated the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

It was a solemn occasion, a distinct anniversary. An occasion to relive the anguish and yet rejoice the miracle of survival. An anniversary that stirred both sorrow and pride in our collective soul.

It was an occasion to reckon that over many decades since we made the transition from lamenting the agony of the loss to an era we jumpstarted our quest for justice, a lot had been accomplished.

Our collective efforts had raised our national struggle to an unprecedented plateau of universal awareness, respect and recognition.

We rightfully asked – what next?

As we stand today, humanity has surrendered three more years to the whirlpool of history in which we have not gained much on the road of reparations, restitution and recognition from the heirs of the perpetrators. Moreover, sympathy and recognition, in the so-called civilized world have only come with impunity lacking any legal muscle. The perpetrator continues to lie in a deep self-imposed coma of denial. Adding insult to injury, the ‘civilized’ world, with total acquiescence, turns a blind eye to the continuing crimes committed by the perpetrator, be it invading a sovereign neighbor, destroying its own democratic institutions and even beating peaceful demonstrators as far as on US soil. All the above have not caused an eyebrow to rise in the West or the East.

In the face of all these challenges, we can only depend on ourselves. The realization of our quest for justice remains solely on our selfless and sacrificial devotion and commitment to the application of Khrimian Hayrig’s ‘iron ladle’.Over the span of time and under the effect of various conditions and circumstances, which influence our national path, our priorities, focus and agenda, should justifiably remain flexible and malleable. I gladly sense that our collective psyche has moved to shatter the chains of remaining hostage to the fetters of the Genocide. Consequently, until that promised dawn when our collective national soul is able to bring the iron ladle home without any impediment or procrastination we have to continue to focus on

1)     A strong, truly democratic and innovatively developed Homeland

2)     A strong, secure and independent Artsakh

3)     A thriving, healthy and prosperous Diaspora

The litmus test of a strong and democratic homeland lies in a free and proud citizenry with new dreams and aspirations, indelible integrity, upholding the highest moral values and unblemished reputation, unafraid to advocate social justice, freedom of conscience. Citizenry, who cling to the homeland, exercise voluntarism, sustain society, respect human rights and sacrifice for the homeland.

Much lies in the passing of the test.

I have faith in our people. I have faith in our youth.

With the hope of such a strong and truly democratic Homeland and a new Diaspora, where a generation of alert, accomplished, creative youth with a strong sense of belonging and responsibility is taking shape, we will perpetuate the faith and culture. We shall overcome evil with hard work and creativity, song and dance, hope and prayer, smile and joy, all for the Glory of God who said in Romans 12:19 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.”

God is faithful; He will deliver the iron ladle.