Pursuing the Armenian Cause in the 21st Century: An Interview with Sharistan Ardhaldjian

Interview conducted by Garo Adanalian

Sharistan Ardhaldjian is the chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region, USA

Garo Adanalian: What is the Armenian National Committee of America? What are its objectives? How does it plan to meet its goals in the 21st century? Does it face new challenges?

Sharistan Ardhaldjian: The Armenian National Committee of America, the political advocacy arm of the Dashnaktsutiun, is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization. For decades, the ANCA has defended the interests of the Armenian-American community while relentlessly promoting the just resolution of the Armenian Cause.

As you are probably aware, the ANCA began in 1918 as the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA), and its goal was to gain the support of US legislators for the First Armenian Republic.

The ANCA continues the good work of the ACIA. The principal change is that the ANCA is a completely grassroots organization with local branches throughout the country. The ANCA is unique in its method of operation. Without the great numbers of Armenian-Americans actively working in various communities, the ANCA would be completely ineffective.

The ANCA's main objective remains the just solution to the Armenian Cause (Hai Tahd). That is: a unified, free, and independent Armenia, and a resolution of all of the political, moral, and legal implications associated with this goal.

However, in pursing that objective in the 21st century, we face numerous challenges. The ANCA constantly changes and improves its operations with the ongoing development and sophistication of our communities.

Of course, because Turkey refuses to acknowledge its crime of Genocide and instead engages in a state policy of denial, our work is far more challenging--and more necessary. However, the Armenian-American community is committed, and the ANCA is determined to not only ensure that the US government properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide but also that Turkey accept responsibility for the actions of its predecessors and for its own distortion and denial of history.

The ANCA Eastern Region is constantly engaged in coalition building and often works side by side with Armenian and non-Armenian community-based organizations. The ANCA has longstanding ties to the Greek, Cypriot, Kurdish, and Lebanese communities. We also work with various labor and human rights organizations to bring attention to Turkey's horrific human rights record. Additionally, the ANCA works with many scholars and academicians to counteract the corruption of US academic institutions by the Turkish government's policy of Genocide denial via "scholarly" means.

GA: How is the ANCA structured? What does the term "grassroots organization" mean, and how does the ANC attract new volunteers?

SA: The ANCA has a national headquarters in Washington, DC, which serves as a coordinating entity for the federal level agenda of the two geographic regions in the United States. The DC office works mostly with federal matters, including pursuing the ANCA's agenda with the executive branch and the US Congress. But since "all politics is local," especially in a democracy, the DC office works with the Regional offices, which, in turn, coordinate the work of the local chapters.

Each Region has a board of directors and a staff. The ANCA ER is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, and coordinates and supports activities in 31 states, mostly those east of the Mississippi River.

The ANCA ER has a dynamic staff. Grace Kehetian Kulegian is the Executive Director. She has served in that position for four years. And, Michelle Alenak is Special Projects Coordinator. She's a former ANCA Intern, and we're excited that she has chosen to continue her efforts to further Armenian-American issues by joining the staff. In addition, Kehetian-Kulegian manages a regular host of volunteers and interns who fill the ANCA ER office throughout the year (not only during our regular summer internship program).

The ANCA is only as effective as our grassroots. I know that "grassroots" is a very trendy word these days, but the ANCA has been grassroots since day one. We actively pursue the issues as close to the ground as possible. The ANCA is effective because local communities and Armenian-Americans nationwide rally to the call for advocacy and urgency each time there is an important issue to address.

The ANCA is convinced that a well-educated, motivated grassroots is the most valuable and powerful weapon we have. To educate and motivate, we sponsor public workshops and forums, voter registration drives, conferences, and activities--all in local communities organized by local activists.

ANCs are constantly swamped with volunteers--locally, regionally, and nationally! Some volunteers tend to be active during particularly "hot" times. For instance, last year when the Congressional Genocide Resolution was pending in the US House of Representatives, many people volunteered to make calls to encourage Armenian-Americans to contact their Representatives. Some volunteers prefer to help in other ways, writing letters, making phone calls, stuffing envelopes. There is plenty of work for diverse interests. And, the ANCA welcomes all volunteers at any time for any length of service.

GA: How are local ANC chapters structured, and where are they located in the Eastern Region? How can people get in touch with a local ANC chapter to volunteer?

SA: Each ANC is composed of community members. Some ANCs meet regularly. Others meet as they work on various projects. Each ANC is structured to meet the needs of its local community. Some ANCs have paid staff, others rely entirely on volunteers.

As I mentioned before, the ANCA ER oversees activities in 31 states. The remaining states work within the overall structure of the ANCA Western Region, whose offices are located in Glendale, California. Our Web site, www.anca.org, has local ANC contact information. Individuals wishing to volunteer can contact either a local ANC directly--or the ANCA ER office, and we will put them in touch with the closest ANC.

GA: What resources does the ANCA provide to supplement its work, such as official publications?

SA: As I mentioned, we do have a Web site which houses information on current initiatives and projects. It is also a direct link to communication with Members of Congress and the media.

Our Washington, DC, office publishes the monthly Transcaususas: A Chronology. The ANCA ER office publishes a monthly update called Armenian-Americans in Action. We also issue other publications periodically, including the recent Prelude to a Conflict and the soon- to-be-published booklet, A Century of Human Rights Violations in Turkey.

In addition, local activists, whether affiliated with the ANC, AYF, or other organizations, are always encouraged to utilize the weekly "From the ANCA Desk" column which appears in the Hairenik and Armenian Weekly newspapers, and on the ANCA Web site. This regular action-oriented column is great if someone is looking for a way to get involved, and for copying to hand out at meetings, at church, or community events. The ANCA ER office also has a Resource Library for researchers to utilize, which has been supported by donors from the community.

GA: How would you evaluate the relations between the Armenian-American community and the recently elected President? Is George W. Bush sensitive to issues related to the Armenian Cause?

SA: As you probably know, Garo, the ANCA did not make an endorsement for US President in the 2000 Election. We chose, instead, to focus on various other federal, state, and local elections. Many of our endorsees are now in office.

We have always been in contact with both the Democratic and Republican leadership, to educate the highest levels of both parties regarding issues that matter to Armenians. In the past decade, the issues have included the proper commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Karabagh's right to self-determination, and US foreign assistance to independent Armenia and Karabagh.

President Bush's position on Armenian-American issues still remains to be seen, however. We will certainly soon know if he is sensitive to a vital issue of concern to the Armenian-American community--the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

As you know, the ANCA engaged in a massive nationwide postcard campaign urging President Bush to honor his campaign promise to properly commemorate the Armenian Genocide. Local ANCs not only mobilized their communities to send postcards but also contacted local, state, and federal officials for their support of this initiative.

We will soon find out where President Bush really stands!

GA: Please describe this year's planned activities around the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

SA: The ANCA is committed to the just resolution of the Armenian Cause. The proper commemoration of the Armenian Genocide is one part of that struggle.

There has been a great deal of activity around the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. ANCs have been actively pursing the proper commemoration of and restitution for the Armenian Genocide.

For example, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee issued a proclamation on March 27 proclaiming April 24, 2001 a "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide." The Proclamation notes the ongoing denial of the Genocide by the present-day Turkish government and reaffirms the need for reparations for losses.

The ANC of Maryland fought a hard battle in the state House and Senate. By leading the community and ensuring continued activism, the ANC of Maryland succeeded! Both chambers passed an Armenian Genocide Resolution.

The ANC of Eastern Massachusetts has also been conducting a Genocide Proclamation Drive. Many towns and cities--including the city of Boston and the towns of Newton, Whitman, Arlington, Brookline, and Wakefield-- issued proclamations commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Nationally, on May 8, US Senator Jack Reed and US Representative Joe Knollenberg and the ANCA will host the 7th annual Capitol Hill Observance of the Armenian Genocide.

These are just a few examples of activities around the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

GA: How will the ANCA continue to defend Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and US sanctions against Azerbaijan? Will the Armenian- American community face opposition regarding these issues in the near future?

SA: The ANCA is committed to maintaining Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act which forbids US foreign assistance to the government of Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan lifts its blockade of Armenia and Karabagh.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has already made several public statements indicating that the Administration will call for the lifting of the ban on aid. And, we have firmly stated our opposition.

Unfortunately, the Armenian-American community has had to fight to maintain Section 907 ever since it became law in 1992.

The appropriation process has already begun in Congress. And, the ANCA will call for Armenian-Americans to become involved in the process of ensuring that Section 907 remains intact. In the meantime, individuals may want to make sure their Representatives understand the importance of maintaining the ban on aid to Azerbaijan. Without the ban on aid, Azerbaijan, and Turkey will have much less incentive to end their blockade of Armenia and Karabagh.

GA: Does the United States recognize Karabagh's right to self- determination?

SA: No. The Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is not recognized by any country. De facto it exists, however, and the ANCA actively supports the right to self-determination of the people of Karabagh within secure borders.

In 1992, the ANCs of Rhode Island and Massachusetts worked with their respective state legislatures, which, in turn, officially recognized the Republic of Karabagh by passing resolutions.

The ANCA also advocates a negotiated settlement with Azerbaijan. For that reason, we believe that the US must support the full participation of Nagorno Karabagh in all negotiations--because without Karabagh's agreement, there can be no peaceful settlement. The people of Nagorno Karabagh have amply demonstrated by democratic referendum their desire to be free from Azerbaijani tyranny.

Any power that would deny them their right to self-determination-- anyone who would like to see Karabagh remain a part of Azerbaijan-- cannot be considered an honest broker in our view, because that would mean ignoring history, rewarding aggression and human rights violations, and denying the inalienable rights of individuals and collectives to be free.

GA: It sounds like there have been many successes achieved by the Armenian-American community and the ANC, but that there remains a great deal of work to be done. Thank you for your time. And, good luck in your efforts.

SA: Yes, Garo, there is still a lot of work to be done, and not just in April. I would like to add for supporters and activists that the ANCA ER office is located in the Hairenik Building, 80 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472, and the phone number is (617) 923-1918. We encourage people to work with their local ANC because that is where everything happens.

Thank you, Garo, for allowing me the opportunity to share our work with the Weekly's readership.