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TO ALL INTERESTED IN RESTORING JUSTICE AND SUPPORTERS OF THE ARMENIAN CAUSE;

Dear Compatriots, Friends and Colleagues:

The Genocide of 1915 was committed against every Armenian regardless of religious or political affiliation. It behooves us today to come together as one entity which will have the legal authority to restore Justice and address our legitimate demands for the reparation of this heinous crime against humanity.

You may have heard of court action regarding recovery from insurance companies for a very small number of survivors who were lucky enough to have insurance. However, those reports do not portray the complete picture of the enormity of this crime. Western Armenia was wiped out. Entire communities, villages and towns were lost without a trace. No other holocaust in the modern era of recorded history compares to the vastness of this crime, because it was committed in our own homeland resulting in the loss of vast areas of historical Armenia, including Cilicia, the Biblical Paradise and Mt. Ararat, where Noah's Arc landed.

A recent decision by the California Courts as well as the alleged Protocols of Bern raise questions concerning the sincerity of our governments, including the Republic of Armenia, for the capacity to truly stand up for our rights as Armenians. If we do not take immediate action to make our voices heard, all of our claims for reparation may be lost forever. This includes the right of return, just compensation for the lost lives and property, including compensation for injury inflicted as a consequence of the ongoing denial campaign.

The view we have heard from Armenian government officials, in essence, is that they will not decide the destiny of the Diaspora similar to the circumstances at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 where Western Armenians had their delegates representing the Diaspora separate from the Republic of Armenia. The Diaspora needs a democratic structure for effective representation of every member of the community to represent all Armenians regardless of religious, racial or political affiliation.

As Western Armenians we must convene a congress or parliament of Genocide survivors, their descendants and successors, which will truly represent our collective right of self-determination and the terms of our demand for reparations. Time has come; the Diaspora must get together and unite forthwith.

SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF A GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS:

I agree that a forum to discuss this among all those who are interested is needed. A number of regional meetings are taking place across the country, and a Thanksgiving Convention for Phila area Armenians would serve this cause well.

Karl

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I commend your actions and activities. Just so you know. My son Tony (17 years old) was one of the 35 AYF young men and women who last week were on a hunger strike in front of the Armenian consulate in Glendale in bringing their participation to stop the protocols.

Never should we forget the genocide and the sacred blood of our martyrs. Gettse mer hayrenik.

Ara

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Here is my opinion:

---Whatever suggestion or decision coming from the Diaspora will be considered "unacceptable" since a responsible government official, Vasken Manoogian (hanrayin khorhoorty nakhakah, nakhgin vartchabed) declares, "the Diaspora has no right to intervene in Armenia's decisions"

---Our two eminent Gatoghigos, Karekin B of Etchmiadzin, Aram of Antilias have opposing points of view about the "protocol" and the government’s action

---The public opinion seems to be divided but the parliament’s decision remains unforeseeable

---Diaspora’s reaction is 100 % opposed and all that we may suggest will be considered a "wishful thinking":

---If the parliament’s decision is what the Diaspora thinks "favorable", the government may persevere in this action. Otherwise, the only outcome must be the government’s resignation.

So, as they say: "Wait and see"...

Kevork

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TOUKHTEE SHEREPOV ANGAKHOUTYOUN TCHEGA

Hagop

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The fact remains that Russia and the US were the main instigators of this protocol; while most of us see it as betrayal to our cause we can do little about it.

The big powers agreed on it. It would be difficult for Armenia to say NO the consequences could be grave.

Would you agree to that? It is not the first time we have been sold by the great powers, in the past we blamed our grand fathers for not being educated and politically savvy to deal with the Turks, they put all their eggs in the Russian and the western basket … Look at today’s generation, the Armenian political leaders are not skillful enough to lobby the way Israel does in the US to bring about resolutions which are favorable to Armenia.

May god help us!

Levon

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