Diana Yesamanjian (ARF, Nor Seround)

We believe that these protocols aren’t good for Armenians. We do not wish to forget our grandparents who were killed in the Genocide. They are planning to create a committee to study if the Genocide to place or not. The Genocide isn’t up for debate. We know that it happened. There is no need to rewrite history. We don’t want the protocols to be signed. They are a disgrace. The voice of the diaspora must also be heard.

Mourat Papazian (Co-President ARF Western Europe)

We are against these protocols because they call the Genocide into question as well as our territorial demands of Turkey. Artsakh is also threatened by them. The president has gone ahead with these protocols without first consulting with the diaspora. They are full of preconditions. We are in favour of relations with Turkey but without preconditions. This has always been the policy of Armenia diplomacy even during the tenure of Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Today, Turkey has put forth preconditions and the Armenian president has accepted them. Those preconditions strike at the essence of the Armenian spirit, Armenian history and the future of the nation. The president has no right to make such a decision on his own. He should have arranged consultations with the people long ago and not tried to do it all in just a few days. Anyway, we hear that he will sign the protocols on October 10.

I can state that if he does sign the protocols, the entire diaspora, as one, will rise up and demand his resignation. That will be a first in the annals of the diaspora. It will not bode well for relations between Armenia and the spyurk. He is assuming a responsibility of historical proportions and there is much inherent danger lurking there.

Elian Kengousouzian

We are demanding that he not sign the protocols. He has no right to do so without the agreement of the diaspora. We are the children of the Genocide martyrs and the Genocide is not for sale. We are here in the hopes that something can be done. He should have consulted with us first. They don’t have the same problem in Armenia. We know that is difficult for people there but it was also difficult for our parents as well.

Silva Karakoulian

If the protocols are signed, the divide between the diaspora and Armenia will only deepen. There is already misunderstanding. First let me say that as a citizen of France, Mr. Sargsyan does not represent me and doesn’t speak on my behalf. My government, France, already recognized the Genocide a few years ago. He should not speak about this point on my behalf. Let him talk on behalf of the republic but not for Armenians in the diaspora. Thirty-three nations have recognized the Genocide but now a new committee will be created to study the issue?

Hourig Baghdasarian

I am very upset today. It is not that I am against the border opening with Turkey. No, I am extremely opposed to all those points in the protocols that the Armenian government will sign. It will hammer the final nail into the coffin of the Genocide. The Turks closed the border in the first place so why don’t they just open it. Yes open the border, but do not get involved in the Genocide or the lands issue. There are one and a half million souls looking down on us from heaven and we haven’t yet given them a proper repose. So, let them open the border, but not this way. There should be no preconditions. Otherwise, we will have lost any hope of continuing on as Armenians.

See also:

• «Արցախյան կարգավորման հարցը չի կարող գտնվել Հայաստան-Թուրքիա հարաբերությունների տիրույթում»,- Փարիզում ասել է Ս.Սարգսյանը