Sassounian Column
Harut Sassounian is an Armenian-American writer, public activist and publisher of The California Courier which is known for Sassounian's weekly opinion column.
January 03, 2012 
TURKEY BESIEGED BY ARMENIAN SUCCESSES LONG BEFORE THE GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
Turkish leaders made a serious tactical error in 2011. They were so preoccupied with countering the upcoming tsunami of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, that they lost…››December 13, 2011
PRES. SARGSYAN MAKES MAJOR STRATEGIC SHIFT IN ARMENIA'S DEMANDS FROM TURKEY
Pres. Serzh Sargsyan delivered a major speech in Marseille, France, last week, during which he introduced a new strategy for the resolution of Armenia's demands from Turkey. Until now, the…››December 07, 2011
US COURT TO RULE ON TURKISH BANKS MOTION TO DISMISS ARMENIAN LAWSUITS
Two separate lawsuits were filed last year in US Federal Court in Los Angeles against the Republic of Turkey and two of its major banks demanding compensation for properties confiscated…››November 30, 2011
NO ONE SHOULD BE FOOLED BY ERDOGAN'S EMPTY APOLOGY FOR KURDISH MASSACRES
Turkish society was thrown into turmoil last week when Prime Minister Erdogan issued an unexpected apology for the hitherto taboo topic of the Kurdish massacres in southeastern Turkey in the…››November 24, 2011
TURKEY SEEKS TO MONOPOLIZE INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBAL LANDS
In a few weeks, when high-priced Turkish lobbying firms file their mandatory reports with the Justice Department, important revelations will emerge about their behind the scenes role in pushing through…››November 15, 2011
FEDERAL APPEALS COURT ISSUES FUTILE ORDER ON INSURANCE LAWSUIT
Before the Genocide, thousands of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire bought life insurance from American and European companies, so that after their death, their heirs would receive a lump…››November 08, 2011
GENOCIDE DENIER CONDOLEEZZA RICE UNWORTHY TO TEACH AT STANFORD
In her newly published 750-page book, "A Memoir of My Years in Washington: No Higher Honor," former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice proudly describes her efforts to defeat Armenian Genocide…››November 02, 2011
AZERBAIJAN WINS SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT, WHILE ARMENIANS REMAIN IDLE
Pres. Aliyev was celebrating last week his country’s historic victory at the United Nations. With an overwhelming number of votes, Azerbaijan was elected for the first time to the prestigious…››October 25, 2011
THE UNMASKING OF NAMIK TAN, TURKEYS AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S..
I received a revealing message last week from Benjamin Yafet, a Turkish Jew who had immigrated to the United States in 1976. He is a retired professor and high tech…››October 18, 2011
96 YEARS LATER, TURKEY STILL PAYS A PRICE FOR GENOCIDE DENIAL
Almost a century after the fact, theRepublicofTurkeycontinues to be disgraced for its persistent denial of the Armenian Genocide. During his visit toArmeniaearlier this month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemnedTurkeyby declaring…››October 11, 2011
PRES. SARKOZY SAYS "TSEGHASBANOUTYOUN" A WORD OBAMA HAS YET TO UTTER
Flying to Armenia, French President Nicolas Sarkozy confided to his top aides last week: “I am going to toss a live grenade!” He was revealing his readiness to act firmly…››October 04, 2011
DR. CHARNY DESERVES MUCH CREDIT SHOULD ISRAEL RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Armenians have good reason to be offended by the Israeli government’s failure to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. It is unconscionable that some victims of the Holocaust can be so insensitive…››September 27, 2011
ARMENIA’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY: A YOUNG REPUBLIC; AN ANCIENT NATION
Armenians worldwide had many reasons to celebrate the month of September, as they observed the 20th anniversary of the twin Republics of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh). Two decades ago,…››September 20, 2011
VISIT TO NAKHICHEVAN SHOWS WHY ARMENIANS CAN NEVER AGAIN LIVE UNDER AZERI RULE
Scottish researcher Steven Sim reported about his troubling experiences in Nakhichevan, a historic Armenian territory now occupied by Azerbaijan. Since Sim's 2006 revealing report has not been adequately publicized in…››September 06, 2011
TURKEY CAN RUN, BUT CAN’T HIDE FROM THE LONG ARM OF US LAW
World heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis once warned one of his opponents: "You can run, but you can't hide." This same warning now applies to the Turkish government and two…››August 30, 2011
SAME OLD TURKISH TRICK: MAKE PROMISES, GET PRAISED, BUT DELIVER NOTHING
Turkish leaders came up with a new ploy last week to impress world public opinion with fake magnanimity toward the country's long-oppressed minorities. Prime Minister Erdogan signed a decree last…››August 03, 2011
ERDOGAN INADVERTENTLY PUBLICIZES ARMENIAN TERRITORIAL CLAIMS FROM TURKEY
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's hysterical outburst at Armenia's President last week had the salutary effect of publicizing to a worldwide audience Armenian territorial demands from Turkey! By distorting and…››July 26, 2011
CONGRESSIONAL PANEL URGES TURKEY TO RETURN CHURCH PROPERTIES TO CHRISTIANS
The House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a strongly-worded measure on July 20, pressing Turkey to return all Christian church properties "to their rightful owners." By an overwhelming 43-1 vote, the…››July 05, 2011
ARMENIANS MUST COUNTER UN SECURITY COUNCIL BIDS BY TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN
Diasporan political organizations and influential Armenians, in cooperation with the Armenian Foreign Ministry, should launch an international lobbying campaign to block Turkey and Azerbaijan from gaining coveted seats on the…››June 29, 2011