The Armenia-Turkey protocols are quite understandably at the center of public discussion in Armenia. Not so surprisingly, they are also part of the international discourse, this week with both Turkish and Armenian leaders referring to them at the United Nations General Assembly Debate. Less natural is the fact that this international debate continues to link the Armenia-Turkey border issue to a resolution of the Karabakh conflict, which may, or more likely, may not augur well for the Armenian side, which is at the receiving end of the brunt of the pressure. It was with all this in mind that Civilitas hosted a forum earlier this week during which Mr. Vartan Oskanian, chairman of the board of the Civilitas Foundation, and former foreign minister, rejected the formulation of the protocols and the way in which the process is moving forward.

As you read his speech (in English) or watch the video (in Armenian), you will notice new additions to the Civilitas site. In our determination to broaden the scope of debate on our domestic and foreign, political and economic situation, we offer FACTS FOR THOUGHT -- statistics and numbers which say volumes about Armenia and the region -- and we invite your comments.

Finally, we invite you to participate, if you are in Yerevan, in the first Civilitas Armenia-Turkey Dialogue public forum, to take place on Wednesday, September 30. We believe this is an appropriate way to conclude the very interesting and successful exhibition of postcards documenting Armenian life in Turkey, 100 years ago. Turkish journalist, editor, publisher Osman Koker has been in Yerevan for two weeks, following the responses to the exhibition, offering tours to students and others wanting more detailed information about the life and traditions these postcards illustrate. A gallery of these postcards will be online soon.

We await your comments.