Interest-based Analysis of the Protocol-related Armenia-Diaspora Rift

1. Photo by Arsen Merabyan Interest-based Analysis of the Protocol-related Armenia-Diaspora Rift Presented at the Second Annual PFA Forum on Armenia-Diaspora Relations By Tamar Palandjian MS Candidate at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution George Mason University

2. What rift? “And let no one ignore the fact that, contrary to any slogans, the Armenian nation is united in its goals and is strong with its sons and daughters. And let no one try to split Armenia and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora in presenting their concern over the future of Armenia as an attempt to impose something on the Republic Armenia.” -- President Serge Sargsyan “Address to All Armenians” on October 10, 2009 Source: http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/news/inthenews/naxagah_eng.pdf “Diaspora and Armenia have never been so distant from each other.” -- Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian on Sept. 22, 2009 Source: http://www.civilitasfoundation.org/cf/discussions/227-oskanian-rejects-armenia-turkey-protocols.html “Armenian government which was not freely and fairly elected is assuming the responsibility to negotiate on behalf of our [Diasporan] lineage and legacy from the Armenian Genocide. It’s not only an inherent threat to our identity and interests. And I think this explains a lot of the backlash.” -- HETQ Interview with Richard Giragosian, ACNIS Director on Jan 11, 2010 Source: http://hetq.am/en/politics/24176/

3. How does it appear? • Thousands protest in Diasporan communities and in Armenia since Oct 2009 • $15.8 million USD in 2009 All-Armenian Fund Telethon held November 2009 • compared to $35m raised in 2008 • Individuals stereotyping the Diaspora and Armenia • “us vs. them” • Potential for escalation into conflict Source: http://www.ianyanmag.com/?p=1394 Source: http://frontlineclub.com/blogs/onnikkrikorian/2009/10/round-the-clock-protest-ahead-of-possible-armenia-turkey-breakthrough.html

4. Intro and Purpose • How can we begin to identify what is causing the rift in the relations between Armenia and its Diaspora? • Distinguish between Positions and underlying Interests • Brief overview of Positions vs. Interests in Armenia and Armenian-American Diaspora • What steps can be taken to increase mutual understanding amongst all parties involved? • Move toward Interest-based discussion between parties • Dialogue between Diaspora-Armenia • Further studies, research and projects on this topic

5. Dealing with disagreements and conflicts • Ways to deal with difference • Avoid • Force decision upon another • Compete • Yield to other’s demands • Come to a compromise solution • Parties’ needs are not satisfied • All are based on our Positions Position is what we seek to achieve in a disagreement or conflict

6. Interest-based approach • Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton offer alternative Interest-based approach • What is the interest-based approach? • Distinguish between Interests and Positions “Your position is something you have decided upon. Your interests are what caused you to so decide.”* • Interest is the why question • Apricot Story Position= Lilit wants the apricot. Sarkis also wants the apricot. Interest = Lilit wants the apricot because she wants the seed inside the apricot. Whereas, Sarkis wants to actually eat the apricot. * Source: Getting to Yes p.42

7. Why interest-based approach? • Not all-or-nothing scenarios, potential for “win-win” solutions • There are shared interests • Moves away from disagreement and conflict in a relationship to establishing or strengthening relations between parties • Increase understanding of the interests underlying parties’ positions • Potential to decrease rift or tension in relations and disagreement

8. How to determine interests • Determining interests • How to go about it: • When you come across a position, ask “why” • Also, ask “why not?” Think about their interests, their choice, what impact it might have on them and their relations with others • Recognize there are many interests involved • Make a list of your Position and Interests • Look at the interests underneath explicitly made statements Source: Getting to Yes, page 44

9. Armenia-Diaspora: Looking at the interests (vs. positions) • Distinguish between the parties’ interests and positions for Armenia and Diaspora • Shift away from focus on Positions • Discussions and dialogue around our Interests between Armenia and Diaspora • Looking ahead, what steps could we take to continue the dialogue and keep lines of communication open?

10. Defining the Parties involved • Complex nature of both parties, Armenia and Diaspora • Focus analysis on Armenia-US Diaspora relations • Next question, who represents Armenian-American Diaspora? And, who represents Armenia? • Perhaps in the future, more actions and projects focusing on an in-depth and inclusive interest-based analysis with all involved parties

12. Where do we go from here? • Convening sessions to be inclusive of all parties and stakeholders on the topic of Armenia-Turkey protocols • Engage in Dialogue based on interests • Parties distinguish their Positions and Interests • Introduction to Interest-based negotiation and conflict management skills • Propose and implement joint projects • All Armenian Conference(s) • Academic, policymakers, young professionals, politicians and etc. • Research projects focus on Interests-based analysis

13. Recognizing shared common interests • What goals do we envision for Armenia? • Both in the Diaspora and Armenia there is a desire to ensure: • Nagorno Karabakh issue, security, peace and prosperity • International recognition of Genocide • Trade and economic development of Armenia • Future of Armenian nation • other… Photo by Arsen Merabyan