I expect only the truth from Obama in 2015 – Peter Koutoujian
Tert.am has interviewed Peter Koutoujian, the Sheriff of Middlesex County (Massachusetts), who is an influential figure in the United States with a political career of over 25 years. Koutoujian, who considers himself 100% Armenian and 100% Irish, says he is now working on a project for young American-Armenians to get them involved in public services and politics in an effort to affect pro-Armenian initiatives across the United States.
“Mr. Koutoujian, do you expect that Barack Obama will use the word “genocide” in its true legal meaning in 2015?
“It’s my great hope that he does use the word “genocide” next year. I know that as a candidate for president of the United States, he said that he would use the word “genocide”. I know that George Bush Junior said that he would use genocide and so did Bill Clinton.”
“What are the measures that you think Armenia and the Diaspora should jointly undertake for the recognition of Artsakh?”
“I think it’s going to take many more things than just a relationship between the countries and the people. I think there are going to be other things in world politics that will probably need to happen. The issue of recognition, as we have got a referendum in Scotland to separate, and there are numerous other referenda on separation right now and they are not just unique with Artsakh, but in many other situations of countries like Artsakh, looking for recognition as an independent nation.”
“Do you agree that processes of self-determination are gaining a new momentum around the world and thus are becoming an opportunity for Nagorno-Karabakh?”
“Yes I do. I think that America took its own right of self-determination in its own hands and recognized the right of other countries to self-determination. I think, unfortunately, it falls within the bounds of geopolitics, and that’s where our efforts to recognize Artsakh as a nation are more limited despite the actions of many people like myself.”
“Returning to the topic of Armenian Genocide centennial, what do you think are the most important steps that Armenia and Diaspora should take to make their shared expectations come true?”
“We need to organize; we need to speak with one loud voice. In the United States, I know there are many groups looking to organize themselves and I believe there is an effort to organize in Washington DC, which will, I think, be a significant movement. But we need, as an ethnicity, as a group, as Armenian-Americans in my country to speak with one loud voice and make sure that our impact is heard”
“As an influential American politician, what are your expectations from the United States in 2015?”
“I expect only the truth, and that’s the recognition of the Genocide by the United States. I don’t necessarily expect that the US will do so, sadly, based upon the history of the failure of recognition. But that’s my expectation. My expectation is that the US will do nothing but recognize the truth.”
“Do you think the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by different American states and the passing of pro-Armenian resolutions can be attributed to tensions in the US-Azerbaijani relations?”
“There are always tensions with Azerbaijan and there are always tensions with Turkey, despite the fact that the US considers Turkey to be an ally. So there are always those tensions where the US seems to be trying to maintain relationship, but it’s always being tested by the truth.”
“Do you expect visits of high-level officials to Armenia?”
“Yes. I expect that this is the year we’ll bring every weapon out of our arsenal in order to convince Congress and the President that we need to recognize the Genocide.”
“Armenia is represented in the United States by the former Prime Minister of Armenia. What are your expectations in this respect? Do you think his appointment as an Ambassador will contribute to the passage of pro-Armenian resolutions on different levels in the United States?”
“I believe so. I met Tigran Sargsyan when he was a Prime Minister a number of years ago. I was immediately impressed with his intellect and his passion and his vision. As I appreciate his vision for Armenia, I know that he will have an excellent vision for the US-Armenia relations. I think it’s a good sign that in the first week or two of his job he was invited to visit the White House and the President of the United States. I think that was a very good sign for our country and our relations. It was a sign of respect that the United States has for both Armenia and the new Ambassador.
“Famous American-Armenian musician Serj Tankian has composed his new “100 Years” symphonic composition, which is going to be premiered soon. Do you think that such joint efforts by renowned Diaspora-Armenian cultural figures contribute to the recognition of Armenian Genocide?”
“I do, because any way that you can reach out and connect to different communities – whether they be political, historic, cultural, and educational – whatever these opportunities are to connect with different facets of different communities, I think they will strengthen our ability and unify our visions to achieve recognition.”
“Mr. Koutoujian, you have been in US politics for over 25 years. I wonder whether your being an Armenian has been a help or obstacle in your career?”
“I think that everything that makes me Armenian has been a help. I do not think the “ian” at the end of my name is a help by itself. I think that perhaps the genetic design, the DNA that we all have as being survivors has made me a survivor even in modern-day America, and it has given me perseverance and strength. I was raised through Armenian schools, Saturday schools for language and then high school for language, but I really reconnected with “Armenianism” when I became elected to office. I did not do it because I had Armenians in my district because my district had very few Armenians, so I did not do it for the voting power. – I did it because I knew that I was in a special place that I could impact issues affecting Armenians and Armenian-Americans. And I knew that at every moment I was the reflection of my people. Not just my family, but my entire people, my Armenian family, and that every day I needed to make sure that I did the right thing, I worked hard and that I reflected well not only upon myself, not only upon my family but also upon all Armenians – both in America and worldwide.”
“What were the problems that you tried to solve when you were elected as a representative in Massachusetts House of Representatives? Did you collaborate with Armenian advocacy groups?”
“When I was first elected, each year I planned and participated in the Armenian Genocide commemoration at the State House in Boston. That was started by George Keverian - the former American-Armenian speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. When he left, there were no Armenians to run that commemoration ceremony, which was very rich as part of our community’s heritage in Boston. I was able to take that over. I was able to speak about issues when they came up – about the legislature, about Genocide (Armenian and other genocides). I was able to speak about the self-determination issues, including Artsakh, and I was able to speak in a way that no one else could - about peoples like Armenians. And I was able then to use that influence on a more national level.
We built the Armenian heritage park in Boston. We built a very beautiful park for about 6 million dollars. It is probably my greatest legacy as a public official in my entire career. We started on a major project – we had a central artery that ran above the ground through the small city. It was terribly ugly, and the government took it and put it under the ground. When it was done, a few of us decided that we should try to put together an Armenian Genocide memorial on this parkway, which was a prime real estate, perhaps the most sought-after real estate in Boston at that time. There were fights within the community about what it should look like and how it should progress. And then everyone left the project, and there was just me left alone. And at the time there were major benefactors – there was the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, there was the YMCA, many major organizations and many communities – the Greek and Jewish communities, the Italian community, the Hungarian community – many communities that wanted to participate and to get a piece of this land for some type of a memorial. Despite the fact that everyone had a fight and left the project, I continued to persevere. I think this was because of my Armenian DNA that I could not just let it go. I could not imagine saying we cannot get it done and walk away. I spoke with the “Knights of Vartan” organization and they began to put a group together and they brought in Jim Kaloustian and he and I put together this group, put together a plan, we presented it, we fought through many political obstacles year after year and ten years later we built this beautiful park for 6 million dollars in the middle of Boston. It is probably my greatest contribution and a tribute to my grandparents who fled Marash and came to America.
When we celebrated the opening of the Armenian Heritage Park, when we had our groundbreaking and our ribbon-cutting grand opening, they were the very best days to be an Armenian-American in Boston. Because whenever we gather, it’s always about Genocide, it’s a sad occasion, important but very sad. It’s a recognition, but this is a celebration and it really represents all that we had gone through in breaking apart and coming to America and recreating ourselves in a fashion that is portrayed so beautifully right there in the center of Boston. It is the finest legacy that I will have as an Armenian-American in my public service.
Are you currently planning any projects with the Armenian community?
“Yes. I am thinking about a project to start in America right now with Armenians. I want to create a rebirth of Armenians politically, and so I want to begin a program to get young people involved in public service and politics and know how to work in electoral office in order to affect changes, because while Armenians are largely not on the outside, we don’t have as much influence as we should. So think about a football game – you can have an influence by cheering for your team, but unless you are actually in the field, you can’t directly influence the outcome of that game. And that’s why we need more American-Armenians in public sector and elected office so we can then have the influence that we need in order to achieve many of these goals”.
Videos
Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
- 15:20 • 24.05.21 Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
- 11:39 • 24.04.21 Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
- 09:40 • 23.04.21 Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
- 15:34 • 22.04.21 Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
- 14:09 • 21.04.21 'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
- 12:37 • 03.04.21 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
- 17:33 • 11.03.21 Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
- 17:57 • 26.01.21 Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
- 13:33 • 22.01.21 Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
- 09:42 • 29.12.20 UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
- 18:41 • 24.12.20 NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
- 13:33 • 31.10.20 Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
- 16:37 • 30.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
- 11:25 • 28.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
- 13:45 • 24.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
- 11:51 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
- 11:40 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
- 10:39 • 24.10.20 Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
- 12:41 • 23.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
- 12:16 • 23.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
- 12:02 • 22.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
- 10:35 • 22.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
- 10:51 • 17.10.20 Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
- 15:09 • 15.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
- 13:13 • 13.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
- 12:56 • 12.10.20 Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
- 12:23 • 12.10.20 Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
- 17:23 • 09.10.20 Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
- 15:53 • 09.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
- 14:11 • 09.10.20 Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
- 15:52 • 08.10.20 Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
- 10:57 • 08.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
- 14:24 • 07.10.20 War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
- 19:31 • 05.10.20 Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
- 16:17 • 04.10.20 Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
- 12:39 • 04.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
- 13:49 • 03.10.20 Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
- 10:12 • 29.09.20 ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
- 23:42 • 28.09.20 There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
- 18:45 • 28.09.20 EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
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