Armenia's historical milestones between 1918-1923.

The Diaspora Armenian 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 the rudimentary modern day history pertaining to Armenia and Armenians . Here is  some treaties between 1918 - 1923  that pertain to the Republic ov Armenia and Armenians, which regrettably have always been at the expense of the Armenia and Armenians. The most we have been able to secure is the present Republic of Armenia, the former Soviet Armenia. 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.

Wednesday, October 30, 1918: Armistice of Mudros

Armenians did not formally participate in the Armistice of Mudros. The agreement was made exclusively between representatives of the victorious Allied Powers (represented by Great Britain) and the defeated Ottoman Empire. It enabled the Allied powers to begin partitioning the Ottoman Empire.  The armistice of Mudros led to the Treaty of Sèvres, the little ally to the allied powers. 

Tuesday, August 10, 1920: Treaty of Sevres.

The Treaty of Sèvres 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 4th 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 

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.

 

A chronology of Armenia related events between 1915--1923

1915 to 1923 is a crucial period in Armenian history and is a very convoluted era. In order to give a structure to that period and facilitate its visualization, I listed pertinent dates in a chronological order to personify. Vaհe H Apelian

1914 – 1915 July 28, 1914,  a Tuesday On this day, World War I formally started, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. February 19,1915,  a Friday On this day, the Gallipoli campaign (also known as the Dardanelles campaign) officially began during World War I when British and French naval forces started a long-range bombardment of Ottoman fortifications in the Dardanelles, located in present-day Turkey. Historian claim that the Ottoman victory at Gallipoli did not cause the Armenian Genocide, but the wartime crisis surrounding the campaign created a climate of fear that the Committee of Union and Progress used to justify the massacres. April 24, 1915,  a Saturday On this day, Ottoman authorities arrested over 200 Armenian community leaders, intellectuals, and professionals in Constantinople, marking the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. 1918 May 28, 1918, a Tuesday On this day, the Armenian National Council in Tiflis, Georgia, declared the independence of Armenia, marking the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia. June 4, 1918, a Tuesday. On this day, and a week after declaring Independent Armenia, the First Republic of Armenia, signed the Treaty of Batumi. Turkey recognized Armenia's impendence. The treaty left Armenia with a severely truncated, landlocked territory, including (10,400 square km) areas like Yerevan and Etchmiadzin. June 13, 1918, a Thursday On this day, and two weeks after declaring independence, a Republic of Armenia delegation, comprised by Avedis Aharonian, Alexander Khadisian, and Mikayel Papajanian left Tiflis on an official visit to Turkey as the Republic Of Armenia’s maiden visitation to friendly Turkey. June 19, 1918,  a Wednesday On this day, the Avedis Aharonian, Alexander Khatisian and Mikayel Papajanian, delegation arrived in Constantinople, where it was received in a manner appropriate to dignitaries representing a state. They remained until November 1, that is, approximately 4 and a half months. https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2025/11/republic-of-armenia-first-official_26.html   August 1, 1919,  a Thursday On this day, the inaugural session of the National Assembly of Armenia convened, while Avedis Aharonian and his delegation were in Constantinople. https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/2026/08/august-1-1918-inaugural-session-of.html   October 30, 1918, a Wednesday On this day, Armistice of Mudros was signed. Armenians did not formally participate in the Armistice of Mudros. The agreement was made exclusively between representatives of the victorious Allied Powers (represented by Great Britain) and the defeated Ottoman Empire. It enabled the Allied powers to begin partitioning the Ottoman Empire.  The armistice of Mudros led to the Treaty of Sèvres, the little ally to the allied powers. November 1, 1918, a Friday On this day, The Avedis Aharonian, Alexander Khatisian and Mikayel Papajanian, delegation, having spent almost four and half month in Constantinople, left the capital city Constantinople around November 1, 1918, following the signing of the Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918. November 11, 1918, a Monday. On this day, the World War I formally and famously ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 1919-1920 January 18,1919,  a Saturday On this day, the historic Paris Peace Conference of 1919 formally opened on January 18, 1919, though preliminary meetings and arrivals began on January 12, 1919. January 21,1920, a Wednesday On this day, the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 officially ended. August 10, 1920, a Tuesday On this day, the Treaty of Sèvres was signed after the main formal sessions of the Paris Peace Conference concluded, though it was part of the overall peace process. The Treaty of Sèvres 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. November 29, 1920 Monday On this day, Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed by local revolutionaries. December 2,1920, a Thursday The leadership of the First Republic of Armenia (the ARF government) agreed to cede power to the communists. The 4th 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. December 2, 1920, a Thursday On this day, the Treaty of Alexandropol, signed on. 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. 1921-1923 13 October 1921, a Thursday On this day, the signing of the Treaty of Kars took place 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. June 24, 1923, a Saturday On this day, the infamous Treaty of Lausanne, the “granddaddy” of all Turkish Armenian treaties, took place. 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.

May 28, 1918 born during the Great War (World War 1)

 Vaհe H Apelian

Tomorrow is May 28. It is a public holiday in Armenia, one of the 13 non-working holidays. It is called Republic Day and is celebrated to observe the founding of the first Republic of Amenia on May 28, 1918, after being stateless for the previous 543 years, since the fall of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in 1375.

The Armenian Republic was born in war time. It was born as the Great War or World War I was raging. The war had started on July 28, 1914 and ended on the 11th hour on November 11, 1918.

It is called World War, because the conflict was between major global coalitions. The Allied Powers, consisted of France, Great Britain, and Russia, warring the Central Powers consisting of Germany and Austria-Hungary of the day, allied with the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). The Americans joined the Allied forces in 1917, to help them reverse the losing tide.

The Armenians participated in the World War I, siding  with the Allied Forces and fought both on the Western and Eastern or Caucasian fronts to help the Allied forces defeat Turkey and to have the Armenians establish a state of our own.

On the Eastern Front or Caucasian Front, the  Armenians fought under the Imperial Russian command, until the abdication of Tsar Nicholas in March 1917. Several months later, in October 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took over the Russian government. The immediate goal of the Bolsheviks was to exit from the devastating war. In December 1917, the Bolsheviks formally ended Russia's participation in the war by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918. 

The tsar's abdication and Bolshevik Russia’s exit from the Eastern Front of the Great War became catastrophic to the Armenians. It gave the Turks a free rein to continue on with the Armenian Genocide and cleanse the surviving Armenians from the Armenian highlands, forcing the rag tag survivors of the Armenian genocide flee to Eastern Armenia.

But as Russia withdrew in 1917, Armenian battle hardened volunteer combatants, filled the void and halted further Ottoman advances in 1918 at the decisive Battles of Sardarabad, Bash Abaran, and Karakilisa, paving the way for the Armenians to establish the first Republic of Armenia on May 28, 1918. 

. A week after the founding the Republic of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire and the newly independent First Republic of Armenia, signed the Treaty of Batumi on June 4, 1918. Turkey recognized Armenia's independence but the treaty forced Armenia to cede large territories and submit to a significantly reduced military and restricted sovereignty.

The Great War continued on the Western Front. The Americans had joined the allies in 1917 and on May 28, 1918, U.S. forces fought its first major offensive in Cantigny,  France. That was the first major American offensive, which came to be known as the Battle of Cantigny. After the war was over, a memorial was elected there.

Armenian Americans served directly in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe, that is to say in the Western Front. Among them notable were Brigadier General Haig Shekerjian, who later became the first general of Armenian descent in the U.S. military, and Major Varaztad Kazanjian, who pioneered reconstructive plastic surgery during the war, and became known as the Miracle Man of the Western Front. 

Armenians from the U.S. also served in The French Foreign Legion. The  French called the formation La Legion Armenienne. These volunteer Armnenian combatants came to be known as Gamavors, the Armenian name for volunteers. The Gamavors fought crucial battles in the Middle  East and helped secure Allied victories in the region, notably the Battle of Arara on September 18, 1918.

The Armenian volunteer combatants, especially on the Western Front of the Great War, were motivated by a French and Diaspora Armenian pact which promised that in return for Armenian military support to the Allied Forces,  against the Ottoman and German alliance, the French and their allies would help the Western Armenians lay the foundation for home rule in Cilicia. But that was not to be.

The First World War ended in  Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920) to establish the formal peace terms and redraw the global map following World War I. Diplomats from victorious Allied nations gathered in France to penalize the defeated Central Powers, establish new national borders, and create the League of Nations to prevent future conflicts. 

The Armenians were also invited to the conference. The conference came with the Treaty of Versailles, that severely punished Germany, and had a portion of Turkey under the mandate of the United State 

Treaty of Versailles, required Germany to accept responsibility for the war, relinquish territory, drastically reduce its military, and pay heavy financial reparations, that crippled the post war German economy and rendered the Germans destitute and gave rise to the Nazis, two decades later.

The victorious powers however were much more lenient to Turkey, although it was complicit with Germany. The Treaty of Sèvres promised Armenians an independent state encompassing vast historic territories on the historic Armenian highlands, recognized the Republic of Armenia and held Turkey accountable for the Armenian genocide. However, the treaty was never ratified.  On the contrary, it was superseded by the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which cemented modern Turkish borders and for all practical purposes legitimized the Great Armenian Dispossession because of the Genocide. 

From our tumultuous history, there remains of course the Republic of Armenia and us, as the descendents of the Armenian Genocide survivors turned into a global nation. Tomorrow, the citizens of Armenia will take a day off to attend the festivities marking the 108th anniversary of the founding of the first Republic of Armenia. The rest of us will join them in one way or another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/

 

 

 

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/

 

 

My response - Upholding Medz Yeghern / the Armenian Genocide.

There surely is much more in upholding the Armenian Genocide than pursuing in the Diaspora its recognition by states.  Armenians in the diaspora cannot possibly detract from the voting citizens of Armenia in upholding and perpetuating Armenia and the Armenian culture. For lack of a better word, ARF bureau member Mourad Papazian belittling of the Armenian Government and its policies, consequently its Armenian voting citizens, from distant France is not only uncalled for, but is partisan in its core and anachronistic.

Today, at 10:44 am. I commented to a post by Mourad Papazian in the Armenian Weekly. He has titled it, “How can one agree with Nikol Pashinyan?”  My comment is awaiting moderation by the editorial staff and, “will be visible after it has been approved." (see below) Not all who may read my blog, subscribe to the Weekly. They may not read my comment even if the editorial staff agree to make it visible gets visible. I copied the comment I made and posted in this blog. Vaհe H Apelian

My comment:

“Mourad Papazian is presented to the readers with the commending leadership positions he occupies. But, especially for a man of such claimed stature, I am surprised by his ignorance of the rudimentary of the recent Armenian history. Otherwise, he would have known that the Republic of Armenia, since its inception on May 28, 1918, has not been pursuing the recognition of the Armenian genocide as a state policy, nor laying claims for historical Armenian lands.

Mourad Papazian may be excused for not knowing that the first Republic of Armenia signed the Treaty of Batumi (see link 1) with Turkey, on June 4, 1918, a week after declaring independence, for peace and friendship between the two states, as Turkey recognized the Republic of Armenia. He may also not know that a few days later, on June 13, a delegation representing the Republic of Armenia paid an official state visit to Turkey and was hosted accordingly. The delegation stayed there for almost four months and met a list of Turkish dignitaries. The delegation’s first scheduled meeting was, in Avedis Aharonian’s words, “the Grand Vizier Talaat Pasha”, and vouched for the nascent republic’s peace and friendship with Turkey (see link 2). 

Mourad Papazian may be excused for not knowing these and such extraordinary events took place over 100 years ago to safeguard the security, viability and the longevity of the nascent republic. But apparently, even though he is a member of the ARF Bureau, Mourad has no recollection of President Serzh Sargsyan government’s policy, to which the ARF-Armenia was invited and joined in governing Armenia, that pursued a policy of rapprochement with Turkey, the very same policy of not pursuing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, to which Serzh Sargsyan in his official speeches and statements commemorating the Genocide, often referred to as Medz Yeghern. 

One more note, as a matter of principle, Mourad Papazian may speak on behalf of the French Armenians. He is claimed to represent them as co-president of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France. But whenever someone has the audacity to speak on behalf of Diaspora, the person simply forfeits credibility or at best comes across attempting to project the person’s views as a Diaspora view. He makes such remarks in his text.

Come April 24, 2027, the PM Nikol Pashinyan and the other principals of his government will pay homage to the memory of the martyred Armenians during the Genocide. Business will be on hold that day in Armenia, as April 24 is a non-working holiday. I, from Diaspora, remain appreciative, if not morally indebted to the citizens of Armenia who from their earnings keep and maintain the Armenian Genocide memorial complex at Tsitsernakaberd for the Armenians world-wide. 

To sum up this lengthy comment and to answer Mourad Papazian rhetorical question for a headline, I continue on supporting the principles of the policies of the government, the citizens of Armenia elected to govern the Republic of Armenia.”

 

Link 1: A chronology of Armenia related events between 1915—1923, https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/search?q=Treaty+of+Batumi

Link 2: Republic of Armenia: First official visit to Turkey Report on November 23, 1918, https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/search?q=Grand+Vizier+Talaat+Pasha

 

 

 

ARF Bureau member Mourad Papazian politicizes the Armenian Genocide

There surely is much more in upholding the Armenian Genocide than pursuing in the Diaspora its recognition by states.  Armenians in the diaspora cannot possibly detract from the voting citizens of Armenia the central legacy of the Armenian Genocide, to uphold and perpetuate Armenia and the Armenian culture. For lack of a better word, ARF bureau member Mourad Papazian belittling the Armenian Government and its policies, consequently its Armenian voting citizens, from distant France, is not only uncalled for, but is partisan in its core and anachronistic.

Yesterday, at 10:44 am. I commented to Mourad Papazian's post in the Armenian Weekly. He has titled it, “How can one agree with Nikol Pashinyan?” It’s already 2:50 pm, on the following day - today - as I type this introduction. My comment is awaiting moderation by the editorial staff and, “will be visible after it has been approved." (see below).

More than the twenty-four hours have elapsed and the editorial board of the Armenian weekly has not made its mind to make my comment visible, or not.  It may not. But, even if the editorial board finally makes up its mind and makes my comment visible, not all who may read my blog, subscribe to the Weekly, and thus may not read my comment. I copied my comment - see its screen shot below - and posted. Here it is.   Vaհe H Apelian.

My comment:

“Mourad Papazian is presented to the readers with the commending leadership positions he occupies. But, especially for a man of such claimed stature, I am surprised by his ignorance of the rudimentary of the recent Armenian history. Otherwise, he would have known that the Republic of Armenia, since its inception on May 28, 1918, has not been pursuing the recognition of the Armenian genocide as a state policy, nor laying claims for historical Armenian lands.

Mourad Papazian may be excused for not knowing that the first Republic of Armenia signed the Treaty of Batumi with Turkey, on June 4, 1918, a week after declaring independence, for peace and friendship between the two states, as Turkey recognized the Republic of Armenia (see link 1). He may also not know that a few days later, on June 13, a delegation representing the Republic of Armenia paid an official state visit to Turkey and was hosted accordingly. The delegation stayed there for almost four months and met a list of Turkish dignitaries. The delegation’s first scheduled meeting was, in Avedis Aharonian’s words, “the Grand Vizier Talaat Pasha”, and vouched for the nascent republic’s peace and friendship with Turkey, (see link 2).

Mourad Papazian may be excused for not knowing these and such extraordinary events took place over 100 years ago to safeguard the security, viability and the longevity of the nascent republic. But apparently, even though he is a member of the ARF Bureau, Mourad has no recollection of President Serzh Sargsyan government’s policy, to which the ARF-Armenia was invited and joined in governing Armenia, that pursued a policy of rapprochement with Turkey, the very same policy of not pursuing the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mourad Papazian criticizes. Serzh Sargsyan, in his official speeches and statements commemorating the Genocide, often used the Armenian term, Medz Yeghern, Mourad Papazian deliberately avoids. 

One more note, as a matter of principle, Mourad Papazian may speak on behalf of the French Armenians. He is claimed to represent them as co-president of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France. But whenever someone has the audacity to speak on behalf of Diaspora, the person simply forfeits credibility or at best comes across attempting to project the person’s views as a Diaspora view. He makes such remarks in his text.

Come April 24, 2027, the PM Nikol Pashinyan and the other principals of his government will pay homage to the memory of the martyred Armenians during the Genocide. Business will be on hold that day in Armenia, as April 24 is a non-working holiday. I, from Diaspora, remain appreciative, if not morally indebted to the citizens of Armenia who from their earnings keep and maintain the Armenian Genocide memorial complex at Tsitsernakaberd for the Armenians world-wide. 

To sum up this lengthy comment and to answer Mourad Papazian rhetorical question for a headline, I continue on supporting the principles of the policies of the government, the citizens of Armenia elected to govern the Republic of Armenia.”  

Link 1: A chronology of Armenia related events between 1915—1923, https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/search?q=Treaty+of+Batumi

Link 2: Republic of Armenia: First official visit to Turkey Report on November 23, 1918, https://vhapelian.blogspot.com/search?q=Grand+Vizier+Talaat+Pasha