Armenia's historical milestones between 1918-1923.

I find it amusing that Armenian Diaspora press posts vehement rebuttals against Armenia intent of calling its history education as History of Armenia. I find it amusing because the overwhelming majority of Diaspora Armenians are not taught history pertaining to Armenia and Armenians as Armenian history or history of Armenia. Here is  some of the post genocide, Turkish and Armenian treaties between 1918 to 1923. Vaհe H Apelian

Sunday, March 3, 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Eighty-six days before Armenia declared independence, on March 3, 1918, the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire), signed the treaty of Best-Litovsk that ended Russia's participation in World War I.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, formally transferred the Armenian-populated regions of Kars, Ardahan, and Batum to the Ottoman Empire, effectively ending Russia's control and exposing Armenians to Turkish domination. This led to the collapse of the Transcaucasian Federal Republic, which had briefly been formed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and allowed for Turkish invasions into Armenian territories. While the treaty intended to resolve Russia's role in World War I, it had devastating consequences for the Armenians, as they lost territory 

Tuesday, May 28, 1918: Establishment of the Republic of Armenia

On Tuesday, May 28, 1918, the Armenian National Council declared the independence of Armenia, marking the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia. This declaration came after the collapse of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (TDFR) and a pivotal victory for Armenian forces at the Battle of Sardarabad, which halted the Ottoman invasion and ensured the survival of the Armenian nation. Turkey was first to recognize the Republic of Armenia.

Tuesday, June 4, 1918: The Treaty of Batumi

A week after founding the Republic of Armenia,  the Ottoman Empire and the newly independent First Republic of Armenia, signed the Treaty of Batumi. Turkey recognized Armenia's independence but the treaty was a devastating blow, forcing Armenia to cede large territories and submit to a significantly reduced military and restricted sovereignty under duress and overwhelming Ottoman military pressure following the collapse of the Russian Empire. The treaty left Armenia with a severely truncated, landlocked territory, including (10,400 square km) areas like Yerevan and Etchmiadzin.

August 10, 1920: Treaty of Sevres.

The Treaty of Sèvres, signed in August 1920. It promised a post-World War I independent Armenia with a territory on the Armenian Highland, including provinces like Van and Erzerum, and an outlet to the Black Sea. However, this treaty was never implemented because it was rejected by the emerging Turkish nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who waged a war against the Allied Powers and established the Republic of Turkey. Consequently, the Treaty of Sèvres was replaced by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which made no provisions for an Armenian state and set back the prospects for Armenians.

Thursday, December 2, 1920: Soviets took power.

The 4^th PM of the first Republic of Armenia Simon Vratsian was in office between November 23, 1920 to December 2 of 1920 when he ceded power to the Bolsheviks. Armenia became part of the Russian dominated Soviet Union. 

Thursday, December 2, 1920: The Treaty of Alexandropol

The Treaty of Alexandropol, was signed on December 1920. It was a devastating accord between the First Republic of Armenia and Turkey. For Armenia, the treaty was a capitulation that forced the country to cede over half of its territory, including the Kars region, renounce the Treaty of Sèvres, and accept severe military restrictions that left it a vulnerable, de facto protectorate of Turkey. The treaty was never ratified due to Armenia's Sovietization. The treaty's terms, particularly concerning borders, were largely confirmed by the subsequent Treaty of Kars. 

Thursday 13 October 1921: The Treaty of Kars

The Treaty of Kars was a treaty that established the borders between Turkey and the three Transcaucasian Soviet republics, which are now the independent republics of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The treaty was signed in the city of Kars.

Saturday, June 24, 1923: The Treaty of Lausanne in 1923  

The Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 is the granddaddy of all Turkish Armenian treaties. The treaty effectively ended the Armenian Cause / Hai Tahd, by abolishing the Treaty of Sèvres, which had envisioned an independent Armenia. While the treaty did not explicitly mention Armenians, it granted amnesty to perpetrators of past crimes, including those related to the Armenian Genocide, and codified the borders of modern Turkey consolidating Turkey's control over the historic Armenian lands and resulting in expulsion of the Armenians and the confiscation of their properties. 

 

August 30 (1918): Khalil Pasha visits Yerevan and Etchmiadzin

 The attached is my aided translation of two postings in ANI, Armenian Research Center about Khalil Pasha’s visiting Yerevan and the Holy See Etchmiadzin. The reports are reproductions of reports by the local Armenian press at the time, in 1918. The links of the original postings are attached below. Vahe H Apelian

Khalil Pasha, Catholicos Kevork Sourentyants, Aram Manougian's house, Aram Manougian

“On the 30th of this month [August] at 10 o’clock, the commander of the Caucasian Front of the Ottoman Empire, Khalil Pasha, the diplomatic representative of the German Empire in the Caucasus, General Von Kress, and the representative of the Austrian diplomacy, Mr. Frankenstein, arrived here.

In honor of the distinguished guests, a ceremonial dinner was given by the Armenian government, which was attended by all the ministers, the Chairman of the Council of Armenia, A. Sahakyan, the representative of the government in Georgia, Jamalyan, the commandant of the city, Shahkhatuni, and others.

At 3 o’clock, the distinguished guests received breakfast, after which a dinner was held in the garden of the Orient Hotel. There was a military orchestra. Speeches of political importance were delivered by Khalil Pasha, Mr. Frankenstein, and General Von Kress. The dinner ended at 6:30, and as the distinguished guests were leaving the hotel, the crowd gathered at the door greeted Khalil Pasha and the other distinguished guests with thunderous cheers. Everyone dispersed in high spirits and full of hopes for the near future.

At 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, Khalil Pasha, accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Manukyan, his chief of staff, General D. Bek Pirumyan, the commandant of Yerevan Shahkhatuni, and other persons, came to visit His Holiness the Catholicos.

Before dinner, the conversation revolved around the refugees. His Holiness expressed a desire that the refugees be allowed to return to their places. Khalil Pasha replied that negotiations were underway with the Armenian government on this matter.

After drinking coffee, the guests, led by Bishops Mesrov and Zaven, looked at the antiquities of the monastery, after which they were invited to dinner. His Holiness proposed to drink Khalil Pasha's toast, wishing that good neighborly relations between the two neighboring peoples be restored and justice prevail.

In response to this toast, Khalil Pasha proposed to drink a toast to His Holiness the Catholicos... Khalil Pasha promised to do everything possible to alleviate the Patriarch's grief. After the toasts, a conversation took place on several issues.”

***

“The visit of the commander of the Turkish troops of the Caucasian Front, Khalil Pasha, to Yerevan has long been eagerly awaited. The reason for this wait is that the Armenian people expect not only words from their high-ranking guest, but also real steps that should improve Armenian-Turkish relations.

After the separation of the Transcaucasian Republic from Russia, Turkey twice violated the concluded treaty. Contrary to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, it resumed the war and occupied new parts of Armenian territory, contrary to the Treaty of Batumi, it still does not vacate the regions that are within the borders of the Republic of Armenia, and still does not allow the refugees to return to their places, to restore economic relations in neighboring countries.

These circumstances have created an unbearable situation for the Armenian people, in particular for the Republic of Armenia, these circumstances greatly hinder the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.

We are convinced that the interests of the Armenian people require the establishment of normal, good-neighborly relations with neighboring nations, especially the Turkish people, we consider “foreign” policy to be absolutely harmful for the Armenian people. From this point of view, we are ready to forget everything that has happened in Turkey in recent years towards the Armenians. We are ready to sincerely extend our hand to the neighboring state. But, at the same time, we have the moral right to demand that the same be done towards us.

We owe the revival of Armenian statehood to Turkey, this very circumstance gives us the right to demand that the infant republic be placed in favorable conditions for its development. For this, it is necessary that the Armenian people be given enough territory for normal development. In other words, it is the desire of the Armenian people that the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk be implemented as soon as possible. Then the Armenian people want our refugees to be finally allowed to return to their places, ensuring their lives and property, and for roads to be opened and economic relations to be resumed. It is with the implementation of all this that the Armenian people will sincerely resume good-neighborly relations with the Turkish people.

We are convinced that the Armenian people will in the nearest future take real steps in turn to show their neighbors that they are radically changing their policy.

All this cannot go unnoticed by the Turkish government, and since a prominent Turkish figure is coming to us under the current circumstances, the visit has political significance.

We are convinced that Turkey also considers it necessary to improve our relations and for this reason has sent its representative to us.

We can only wish that Khalil Pasha’s promises will be fulfilled as soon as possible. We welcome the visit of the representative of the Turkish government to the capital of Armenia as the first signal of the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.”

Link 1: «Խալիլ [Կուտ] փաշայի այցը Երևան և Էջմիածին` Մայր Աթոռ․ 30 օգոստոս, 1918թ» - https://www.aniarc.am/2025/08/30/khalil-pasha-yerevan-and-ejmiatsin-visit-1918-august-zhogovurd/

 

Link 2: «Խալիլ փաշայի այցը Երևան 1918-ի օգոստոսի 30-ին. խմբագրական «Ժողովուրդ» թերթի» - https://www.aniarc.am/2025/08/30/khalil-visit-yerevan-september-1918/

 

 

Today, August 30 (1918): Khalil Pasha visits Yerevan and Etchmiadzin

The attached is my aided translation of two postings in ANI, Armenian Research Center about Khalil Pasha’s visiting Yerevan and the Holy See Etchmiadzin. The reports are reproductions of reports by the local Armenian press at the time, in 1918. The links of the original postings are attached below. Vahe H Apelian

Aram Manougian's residence where Khalil Pasha was received. 

“On the 30th of this month [August] at 10 o’clock, the commander of the Caucasian Front of the Ottoman Empire, Khalil Pasha, the diplomatic representative of the German Empire in the Caucasus, General Von Kress, and the representative of the Austrian diplomacy, Mr. Frankenstein, arrived here.

In honor of the distinguished guests, a ceremonial dinner was given by the Armenian government, which was attended by all the ministers, the Chairman of the Council of Armenia, A. Sahakyan, the representative of the government in Georgia, Jamalyan, the commandant of the city, Shahkhatuni, and others.

At 3 o’clock, the distinguished guests received breakfast, after which a dinner was held in the garden of the Orient Hotel. There was a military orchestra. Speeches of political importance were delivered by Khalil Pasha, Mr. Frankenstein, and General Von Kress. The dinner ended at 6:30, and as the distinguished guests were leaving the hotel, the crowd gathered at the door greeted Khalil Pasha and the other distinguished guests with thunderous cheers. Everyone dispersed in high spirits and full of hopes for the near future.

At 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, Khalil Pasha, accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Manukyan, his chief of staff, General D. Bek Pirumyan, the commandant of Yerevan Shahkhatuni, and other persons, came to visit His Holiness the Catholicos.

Before dinner, the conversation revolved around the refugees. His Holiness expressed a desire that the refugees be allowed to return to their places. Khalil Pasha replied that negotiations were underway with the Armenian government on this matter.

After drinking coffee, the guests, led by Bishops Mesrov and Zaven, looked at the antiquities of the monastery, after which they were invited to dinner. His Holiness proposed to drink Khalil Pasha's toast, wishing that good neighborly relations between the two neighboring peoples be restored and justice prevail.

In response to this toast, Khalil Pasha proposed to drink a toast to His Holiness the Catholicos... Khalil Pasha promised to do everything possible to alleviate the Patriarch's grief. After the toasts, a conversation took place on several issues.”

***

“The visit of the commander of the Turkish troops of the Caucasian Front, Khalil Pasha, to Yerevan has long been eagerly awaited. The reason for this wait is that the Armenian people expect not only words from their high-ranking guest, but also real steps that should improve Armenian-Turkish relations.

After the separation of the Transcaucasian Republic from Russia, Turkey twice violated the concluded treaty. Contrary to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, it resumed the war and occupied new parts of Armenian territory, contrary to the Treaty of Batumi, it still does not vacate the regions that are within the borders of the Republic of Armenia, and still does not allow the refugees to return to their places, to restore economic relations in neighboring countries.

These circumstances have created an unbearable situation for the Armenian people, in particular for the Republic of Armenia, these circumstances greatly hinder the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.

We are convinced that the interests of the Armenian people require the establishment of normal, good-neighborly relations with neighboring nations, especially the Turkish people, we consider “foreign” policy to be absolutely harmful for the Armenian people. From this point of view, we are ready to forget everything that has happened in Turkey in recent years towards the Armenians. We are ready to sincerely extend our hand to the neighboring state. But, at the same time, we have the moral right to demand that the same be done towards us.

We owe the revival of Armenian statehood to Turkey, this very circumstance gives us the right to demand that the infant republic be placed in favorable conditions for its development. For this, it is necessary that the Armenian people be given enough territory for normal development. In other words, it is the desire of the Armenian people that the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk be implemented as soon as possible. Then the Armenian people want our refugees to be finally allowed to return to their places, ensuring their lives and property, and for roads to be opened and economic relations to be resumed. It is with the implementation of all this that the Armenian people will sincerely resume good-neighborly relations with the Turkish people.

We are convinced that the Armenian people will in the nearest future take real steps in turn to show their neighbors that they are radically changing their policy.

All this cannot go unnoticed by the Turkish government, and since a prominent Turkish figure is coming to us under the current circumstances, the visit has political significance.

We are convinced that Turkey also considers it necessary to improve our relations and for this reason has sent its representative to us.

We can only wish that Khalil Pasha’s promises will be fulfilled as soon as possible. We welcome the visit of the representative of the Turkish government to the capital of Armenia as the first signal of the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations.”

Link 1: «Խալիլ [Կուտ] փաշայի այցը Երևան և Էջմիածին` Մայր Աթոռ․ 30 օգոստոս, 1918թ» - https://www.aniarc.am/2025/08/30/khalil-pasha-yerevan-and-ejmiatsin-visit-1918-august-zhogovurd/

 

Link 2: «Խալիլ փաշայի այցը Երևան 1918-ի օգոստոսի 30-ին. խմբագրական «Ժողովուրդ» թերթի» - https://www.aniarc.am/2025/08/30/khalil-visit-yerevan-september-1918/

 

 

 

1958-ի եղբայրասպանութեան մասին՝ Բաբգէն Պոյաճեան

Տասներկու տարեկան էի, երբ 1958 թուականին Լիբանանի հայ համայնքին եղբարասպաննութիւնները տեղի ունեցան։ Մասնաւորապէս կը յիշեմ աստուածաբանութիւն ուսանողի մը սպանութիւնեան սարսափեցնող խօսակցութիւնները։ Նոր իմացայ որ անունը Վարդան Սաղտճեան էր (1936-1958) - Քեսապցի։ մարմինը չգտնուեցաւ։ Մինչ օրս ոչ ոք և ոչ մէկ կազմակերպութիւն ներողություն խնդրած է սպանուածներուն ընտանիքներէն։ Եկեղեցին յիշատակի արարողություն չի կատարած։

Մի քանի տարի առաջ Ֆէյսպուքին վրայ հանդիպեցայ Բաբգէն Պոյաճեանին գրութիւնը այս տխուր պատահարին մասին։ Ի յայտ եկաւ որ հայրը չէ տեսած քանի որ սպանուած էր մօրը յղութեան։ Ամէն Օգոստոս ամսուան, այս տխուր իրադարձութեան մասին կը գրէ։ 

Կցած եմ իր համառօտ կենսագրութիւնը, որը բարեհաճօրէն յղեց ինծի խնդրանքիս վրայ։ կցած եմ նաեւ այս տարուան ֆէյսպուքի մէջ, 1958-ի եղբայրասպանութեան 67-ամեակին իր տեղադրութիւնը։

«Ծնած եմ 23 Սեպտեմբեր 1958 Պէյրութ, հօրս սպանութիւնէն մէկ ամիս ետք, նախնական կրթութիւն ստացած եմ Հ․Բ․Ը․Մ-նի Երուանդ Տեմիրճան եւ Հովակիմեան Մանուկեանի ուսումնական հաստատութեան մէջ, մասնագիտացած որպէս Ճարտարապետ Երեւանի ԵՐՊԻ-էն, աշխատած եմ լիբանան եւ Արաբական ծոցի երկիրներ, ամուսնացած եմ ունի երկու զաւակներ, ներկայիս կապրիմ Գանատա Թորոնթո։» Բաբգէն Պոյաճեան

                                            ««« 

«Նորէն Օգոստոսի 26-ն է, 1958-ի եղբայրասպան ոճիրներու 67-րդ տարին եւ նորէն անտարբերութիւն. ո՛չ մէկ պատրաստակամութիւն Եկեղեցիով եւ կուսակցութիւններով ներողութիւն խնդրելու զոհերու ծնողներէն, եղբայրներէն ու քոյրերէն, այրիներէն ու որբերէն: 

Մենք՝ հայերս վերածուած ենք ՊԱՐՏՈՒԱԾ ամբոխի։ Մեր նկատմամբ օտարներու բոլոր անարգանքներուն նկատմամբ անտարբեր, մեզ կը համոզեն որ տկար, անհաշուետու ամբոխ մըն ենք, որ մենք չենք կրնար պահանջատէր ըլլալ, պէտք է օտարին ստրուկ մնանք։ Բայց… առիւծ կը կտրինք իրարու նկատմամբ։ Ի՞նչ ժառանգ պիտի ձգենք մեր սերունդներուն բացի պարտուածի հոգեբանութենէն։ Ինչպէ՞ս, ի՞նչ երեսով անոնց պիտի բացատրենք, թէ ինչո՞ւ ձեր ձեռքերը արեան մէջ թաթխուած են եղբայրասպա՛ն ոճիրներուն թափուած հայկական արիւնով։ Ինչպէ՞ս բացատրենք, թէ կը նախընտրէք կրել ամօթի խարանը ձեր ճակատին, քան գիտակցիլ կատարուածներուն ահաւորութիւնը, զղջալ, խոստովանիլ ու ապաշխարել։ Չէ՞ որ բացի երկրայինէն, կայ նաեւ երկնայի՛ն հաշուեյարդար որմէ ոչ ոք կրնայ փախուստ տալ։

1958-ի եղբայրասպանութեան զոհ հօրս հինգ ոճրագործներէն չորսը կրեցին իրենց պատիժը տարբեր հանգամանքներու տակ, կարելի է ըսել՝ ամենադաժան կերպով։ Անոնցմէ վերջինի կեանքի քաշքշոցին ականատես եղայ Պուրճ Համմուտի հրապարակին վրայ։ Հօրս այդ ոճրագործը, որ 1958-ին շատ հայորդիներ սպանած էր, ունէր շատ ողորմելի տեսք. տակը միզած էր, ոտքերուն եւ ձեռքերուն մէկ մասը անդամալոյծ, կը փորձէր քարշ տալ իր գարշահոտած մարմինը։ 

Ոճրագործներէն մէկ ուրիշը, որ նոյն ժամանակ մեր դրացիի որդին էր, ամիսներով գամուած մնաց անկողինին՝ տառապելով քաղցկեղէն։ Դարման չունենալով իր տանջանքներուն՝ աղերսեց վայրկեան առաջ սատկիլ։

Այսպիսիները պէտք չէ անմիջապէս սատկին, այլ շատ ծանր հատուցեն իրենց ոճիրներուն համար։

Համոզուած եմ որ ոչ մէկը իր գործած ոճիրներուն համար անպատիժ չի մնար։ Կայ երկնային արդարութիւն, որ բոլոր անմեղ զոհերուն վրէժը լուծեց ու պիտի լուծէ շատ դաժան կերպով։ Թող ոչ ոք կարծէ, թէ գլուխները աւազի մէջ մտցնելով պիտի ազատի հաշիւ տալէ եթէ ոչ նահատակներու ընտանիքներուն, ապա հաստատապէս՝ իր խիղճին առջեւ։ Ո՛չ դուք, ո՛չ ալ ձեր սերունդները հանգիստ պիտի ունենան մինչեւ որ չզղջան, չամչնան եղբայրասպան ըլլալնուն համար, իրենց մեղքերը չխոստովանին եւ ներողութիւն չխնդրեն:

Տարածաշրջանը կ’ենթարկուի հիմնական փոփոխութեան, շատ երկիրներ հաւանաբար վերանան կամ մասնատուին։ Այս պազարին մէջ հայերս ալ ծախու դրուած ենք։ Սակայն, ցաւօք, մենք պատրաստ չենք ձախողցնելու հայասպան ծրագիրները, քանի որ զբաղած ենք զիրար յօշոտելով։

Ուշքի՛ եկէք, տիկնա՛յք եւ պարոնա՛յք, ո՜վ դուք ղեկավար կոչուածներդ, եկեղեցական թէ աշխարհական, վե՛րջ տուէք ազգի պառակտումին, թշնամանքի հասած ատելութեան, համախմբուեցէ՛ք ու զօրացէ՛ք, որպէսզի խաղալիք չդառնանք մեր թշնամիներուն եւ նոյնիսկ բարեկամներուն ձեռքին:

Լիբանանի 1958-ի եղբայրասպան նախճիրներէն 67 տարի ետք, ո՛չ մէկ բան եւ ո՛չ մէկը մոռցուած է: Երիտասարդ նահատակներուն ծնողներն ու այրիները եթէ այլեւս չկան այս աշխարհին մէջ, կան սակայն անոնց զաւակները, թոռներն ու ծոռները, միւս հարազատներն ու ընկերները: Անոնք միշտ պիտի սպասեն եւ պահանջեն ԱՐԴԱՐՈՒԹԻՒՆը:

Այո՛, կը յիշեմ եւ մի՛շտ պիտի յիշեմ ու մի՛շտ պիտի պահանջեմ: ԱՅԴ ԻՄ ու ինծի նման որբացածներուն ԱՆՍԱԿԱՐԿԵԼԻ ԻՐԱՒՈՒՆՔՆ Է։» Բաբգէն Պոյաճեան

 

 

The fratricide of 1958: A narration by Papken Boyadjian, a survivor

I was twelve years old when the 1958 fratricide took place in the Armenian community of Lebanon. I particularly remember hearing the gruesome killing of a young theology student, whose name, I found out the other day, was Vartan Saghdejian (1936-1958), a Kessabtsi. His body was not recovered. Thus far, no one and no organization have offered an apology to the family members of those who were gunned down. The church has not offered a memorial service in their memory. 

the poster accompanying Papken Boyadjian's posting this year

A few years ago, I came across a posting in the Facebook by Papken Boyadjian about this sad episode. It turned out that his father was killed when his mother was pregnant bearing him. Every August he posts about this sad event. I attached his brief biography he graciously sent me upon my asking to accompany my translation of his posting this year as well about 1958 fratricide, remembering the 67^th anniversary of this sad episode. Vaհe H Apelian.

Papken Boyadjian’s brief bio

I was born on September 23, 1958 in Beirut, a month after my father's assassination. I received my primary education at the A.G.B.U. affiliated Yervant Demirjan and Hovakimian Manougian Educational Institution, specialized as an architect from the Yerevan Institute of Architecture and Design, worked in Lebanon and the Gulf countries, am married with two children, and currently live in Toronto, Canada.

Papken Boyadjian Facebook posting this year

It is August 26 again, the 67th anniversary of the fratricidal crimes of 1958, and again indifference. There still is no willingness by the perpetrators to apologize to the victims' parents, brothers and sisters, widows and orphans through the Church and political parties.

We, Armenians, have turned into a DEFEATED crowd. Indifferent to all the insults of foreigners towards us. We are convinced that we are a weak, unaccountable crowd, that we cannot be demanding, that we must remain slaves to foreigners. But… we are cruel to each other. What legacy will we leave to our descendants except the psychology of the defeated? How, with what face will we explain to them why your hands are soaked in blood with the Armenian blood shed in the fratricidal crimes? How can we explain that you prefer to bear the stigma of shame on your forehead than to realize the horror of what has happened, to regret, confess and repent? After all, in addition to the earthly, there is also a heavenly reckoning from which no one can escape.

Four of the five criminals of my father, who was a  victim of the 1958 fratricide, served their sentence under different circumstances, one might say, in the most cruel way. I witnessed the struggle for life of the last of them on Bourj Hammoud Square. That criminal of my father, who had killed many other Armenians in 1958, had a very pitiful appearance. He was urinating under his pants. P art of his legs and arms were paralyzed, and he was trying to drag his stinking body.

Another of the criminals, who was also our neighbor's son, remained bedridden for months, suffering from cancer. Unable to bear his suffering, he begged to die a moment ago.

Such people should not die immediately, but rather pay a very heavy price for their crimes.

I am convinced that no one should go unpunished for the crimes they have committed. There is a heavenly justice that has avenged and will avenge all the innocent victims in a very cruel way. Let no one think that by burying their heads in the sand they will be free from giving an account, if not to the families of the martyrs, then certainly to their own conscience. Neither you, nor your descendants will have peace until they repent, are ashamed of being fratricides, confess their sins and ask for forgiveness.

The region will undergo fundamental changes, many countries will probably disappear or be divided. We Armenians are also being sold in this market. However, unfortunately, we are not ready to thwart the Armenicidal plans, since we are busy reminding each other.

Remember, ladies and gentlemen, you who are called to beleaders, ecclesiastical or secular. Put an end to the division of the nation, to the hatred that has reached enmity, unite and strengthen, so that we do not become a toy in the hands of our enemies and even friends.

67 years after the fratricidal plots of 1958 in Lebanon, nothing and no one has been forgotten. The parents and widows of the young martyrs may no longer be in this world, but their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends are still there. They will always wait and demand JUSTICE.

Yes, I remember and I will always remember and I will always demand it. THAT IS MY INALIENABLE RIGHT and that of orphans like me.

Armenia, a pawn in the game (according to Weekly)

Vaհe H Apelian

 

Merriam Webster dictionary lists a myriad of words as synonyms for the verb “criticize”, such as blame, condemn, denounce, fault, knock, attack, complain, whine and many, many other words.  I looked for the synonyms for the verb when I read Ara Nazarian PhD “criticizing” Nikol Pashinyan led Armenian government’s policies. I find him complaining and maybe even whining. 

He seems to have found a receptive forum in the Armenian Weekly. Today the Armenian Weekly Facebook site alerted me of the article Ara Nazarian had written I had already read. The title of the article is: “Trading places: How Armenia risks becoming a pawn in the U.S.-Russia-Turkey game”.  

The editorial board obviously has already rendered a judgment, because in promoting that article, it claimed that “Following recent Armenian capitulation to U.S. and Azeri demands. Weekly contributor Ara Nazarian explores the geopolitical game that benefits U.S., Azerbaijan and Turkish interests and leaves Armenia bereft”. But of course, that is very much so for the Weekly because the Boston based anti-Pashinyan editorial board has already ruled that the geopolitical game that is being played is “following recent Armenian capitulation to U.S. and Azeri demands.” I ask readers. What such game can be of any benefit for a capitulant? Incidentally, the anti-Pashinyan segment has for long Armenianized the word capitulant spelling it with the  letters that Mesrob Mashdots offered them after he had the heavenly vision of the Armenian letters.

Nowadays, many, if not most readers, inundated with articles and write-ups, more likely than not, make up their minds about the write-up reading the title. But let me decipher the title of Ara Nazarian’s article. 

“Trading places”- In this trilateral agreement who is trading places with whom? It simply is inconceivable, if not ridiculous to think that in this “Russia-U.S.-Turkey game”, any of these players will ever think of trading places with Armenia; or for that matter will trade places with any other. Obviously, each is playing the game to secure its interests. I doubt that Ara Nazarian PhD, who I assume is a citizen of the United States, thinks otherwise and that the U.S. is trading places with Turkey, or Russia or Armenia and has their interests in mind, and not its own. It is obvious that the interests of Armenia converged with the interests of the United States. Why would otherwise president Trump sign the August 8, 2025 deal on behalf of the U.S.?

“Pawn”. Let me continue on deciphering Ara Nazarian’s and the Weekly’s mindset in likening Armenia's position to a pawn in this geopolitical game.  In a chess game, the pawn is its smallest piece and has the smallest value. In short, it is the most expandable piece. Its moves are restricted. It can move forward one square at a time but cannot capture an opponent piece with a head-to-head encounter. It  can capture a piece diagonally, sideways. But the pawn has also the potential of becoming the strongest piece on the board, a queen, if the game is played in such a way that it secures for itself such a position. But Ara Nazarian PhD in his text and the Weekly editorial board in promoting it, have already ruled that Armenia is the pawn that will continue on remaining the smallest, the least valuable and most expandable piece of the game. Furthermore, they appear to have taken their seats as spectators and bet against Armenia in the high stakes game that is being played by the grandmasters.

“The U.S.-Russia-Turkey game“ - In chess, as in the geopolitical game, the pieces do not move by themselves. In case of the chess game, it is the players that moves the pieces. The player may be Gary Kasparov, or it can also be IBM’s Deep Blue that defeated Gary Kasparov in a historic breakthrough when for the first time a machine out-strategized the human. The trend is continuing.  The chess players may even sacrifice its most valuable piece for advantage as the American chess prodigy Bobby Fisher did. Of course, in the geo political game, it’s the interest that moves the pieces. But any piece, whether the smallest and least valued, the pawn, or the biggest and most valued, the queen is expandable, if the interest of the players of the game dictates. 

Will Diaspora, lock, stock and barrel, unconditionally support the democratically elected government of Armenia? I do.

There is a new generation in Armenia whose members were born and raised in Armenia and came of age after September 21, 1991.  They are often referred to as the independence generation. Many of their representatives have rallied around Nikol Pashinyan, who was 16 years old when Armenia declared independence. Vahagn Alexanyan, an outspoken member of the Civil Contract party, was born on August 4, 1993 in Ijevan, Armenia, 2 years, 10 month and 14 days after Armenia declared itself free, independent and democratic on September 21, 1991. 

From the Diaspora, I unconditionally support  and cast my lot with the likes of Vahagan Alexanyan in Armenia. I trust them and I wish them well for I know, they know Armenia much better than I do, or Ara Nazarian PhD or any member of the Boston based Weekly editorial board knows. 

I wish them well and I tie my Diaspora Armenian political sentimental fortunes with theirs, however they deem it to be. They have in their hearts and in their minds the best interest of Armenia, their county, my homeland I have entrusted to them.

Armenia the pawn (according to the Weekly)

Vaհe H Apelian

 

Merriam Webster dictionary lists a myriad of words as synonyms for the verb “criticize”, such as blame, condemn, denounce, fault, knock, attack, complain, whine and many, many other words.  I looked for the synonyms for the verb when I read Ara Nazarian PhD “criticizing” Nikol Pashinyan led Armenian government’s policies. I find him complaining and maybe even whining. 

He seems to have found a receptive forum in the Armenian Weekly. Today the Armenian Weekly Facebook site alerted me of the article Ara Nazarian had written I had already read. The title of the article is: “Trading places: How Armenia risks becoming a pawn in the U.S.-Russia-Turkey game”.  

The editorial board obviously has already rendered a judgment, because in promoting that article, it claimed that “Following recent Armenian capitulation to U.S. and Azeri demands. Weekly contributor Ara Nazarian explores the geopolitical game that benefits U.S., Azerbaijan and Turkish interests and leaves Armenia bereft”. But of course, that is very much so for the Weekly because the Boston based anti-Pashinyan editorial board has already ruled that the geopolitical game that is being played is “following recent Armenian capitulation to U.S. and Azeri demands.” I ask readers. What such game can be of any benefit for a capitulant? Incidentally, the anti-Pashinyan segment has for long Armenianized the word capitulant spelling it with the  letters that Mesrob Mashdots offered them after he had the heavenly vision of the Armenian letters.

Nowadays, many, if not most readers, inundated with articles and write-ups, more likely than not, make up their minds about the write-up reading the title. But let me decipher the title of Ara Nazarian’s article. 

“Trading places”- In this trilateral agreement who is trading places with whom? It simply is inconceivable, if not ridiculous to think that in this “Russia-U.S.-Turkey game”, any of these players will ever think of trading places with Armenia; or for that matter will trade places with any other. Obviously, each is playing the game to secure its interests. I doubt that Ara Nazarian PhD, who I assume is a citizen of the United States, thinks otherwise and that the U.S. is trading places with Turkey, or Russia or Armenia and has their interests in mind, and not its own. It is obvious that the interests of Armenia converged with the interests of the United States. Why would otherwise president Trump sign the August 8, 2025 deal on behalf of the U.S.?

“Pawn”. Let me continue on deciphering Ara Nazarian’s and the Weekly’s mindset in coming with this title and promoting it.  In a chess game, on the chess board, the pawn is its smallest piece and has the smallest value. In short, it is the most expandable piece. Its moves are restricted. It can move forward one square at a time but cannot capture an opponent piece with a head-to-head encounter. It  can capture a piece diagonally, sideways. But the pawn has also the potential of becoming the strongest piece on the board, a queen, if the game is played in such a way that it secures for itself such a position. But Ara Nazarian PhD in his text and the Weekly editorial board in promoting it, have already ruled that Armenia the pawn will continue on being the smallest, the least valuable and expandable piece of the game and they appear to have taken their seats as spectators and bet against Armenia in the high stakes game that is being played by the grandmasters.

“The U.S.-Russia-Turkey game“ - The Armenia the pawn is obviously the smallest and least valuable piece on the chess game, call it the geo-political game. But in chess, as in the geopolitical game, the pieces do not move by themselves. In case of the chess game, it is the players that moves the pieces. The player may be Gary Kasparov, or it can also be IBM’s Deep Blue that defeated Gary Kasparov in a historic breakthrough when for the first time a machine out-strategized the human. The trend is continuing.  The chess players may even sacrifice its most valuable piece for advantage as the American chess prodigy Bobby Fisher did. Of course, in the geo political game, it’s the interest that moves the pieces. But any piece, whether the smallest and least valued, the pawn, or the biggest and most valued, the queen is expandable, if the interest of the players of the game dictates. 

Will Diaspora, lock, stock and barrel, unconditionally support the democratically elected government of Armenia? I do.

There is a new generation in Armenia whose members were born and raised in Armenia and came of age after September 21, 1991.  They are often referred to as the independence generation. Many of their representatives have rallied around Nikol Pashinyan, who was 16 years old when Armenia declared independence. Vahagn Alexanyan, an outspoken member of the Civil Contract party, was born on August 4, 1993 in Ijevan, Armenia, 2 years, 10 month and 14 days after Armenia declared itself free, independent and democratic on September 21, 1991. 

From the Diaspora, I unconditionally support  and cast my lot with the likes of Vahagan Alexanyan in Armenia. I trust them and I wish them well for I know, they know Armenia much better than I do, or Ara Nazarian PhD or any member of the Boston based Weekly editorial board knows. 

I wish them well and I tie my Diaspora Armenian political sentimental fortunes with theirs, however they deem it to be. They have in their hearts and in their minds the best interest of Armenia, their county, my homeland I have entrusted to them.